Travelling from Dubai to Shanghai: what you need to know
There are two main airports to choose from in Dubai. Check out your options leaving from Dubai Airport (DXB) or Dubai World Central - Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) when searching for a flight from Dubai to Shanghai.
When it comes to working out where to land in Shanghai, Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) are the primary gateways.
8 hours 34 minutes is the average duration of a direct flight from Dubai to Shanghai. Operating on the UTC+8 timezone, Shanghai is 4 hours ahead of Dubai.
With 29 flights a week between the two airports, Dubai Airport (DXB) to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) is the busiest route. Board the first flight from Dubai to Shanghai with Emirates at 02:50. If you're keen to make the most of your day before flying, the latest departure from DXB to PVG is with China Eastern Airlines at 21:05.
For stress-free travel, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This way, you can comfortably catch your flight from Dubai to Shanghai.
You'll likely experience longer queues in popular months like July and other peak periods. Arriving up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours for domestic departures is a smart move.
If you hold a passport from United Arab Emirates and are travelling to China for tourism purposes, you won't need a visa. However, entry and visa requirements may vary based on your length of stay and are subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, contact your destination's nearest embassy or consulate before booking a cheap flight from Dubai to Shanghai.
Flying from Dubai
Dubai Airport (DXB)
You can book a direct flight from Dubai to Shanghai leaving from Dubai Airport (DXB). Begin your trip at DXB and arrive at Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG).
When leaving from DXB, you can take a direct flight from Dubai to Shanghai with Emirates.
A stopover is the ideal opportunity to break up your journey — and perhaps even explore a different city. When browsing flights from Dubai to Shanghai leaving from Dubai Airport, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Consider one of these popular options:
Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (CKG)
Noi Bai International Airport (HAN)
Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport (SZX)
The journey from central Dubai to DXB takes about 49 minutes by public transport. If you drive, ride-share or grab a cab, you'll cover the 14 kilometres in 16 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Searching for a handy hotel near Dubai Airport? If you've booked an early flight from Dubai to Shanghai, these accommodation options will put you moments from your departure lounge:
Dubai World Central - Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC)
Visit family or friends or just take a moment to freshen up with a stopover. If you'd like to split up your flight from Dubai to Shanghai, check out these options when departing from Dubai Airport:
Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (CKG)
Noi Bai International Airport (HAN)
Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport (SZX)
DWC is about 56 kilometres from central Dubai. It'll take 45 minutes or so to get to the airport if you're driving from the city centre. Public transport takes approximately 2 hours and 5 minutes.
Get a head start on your vacation with an additional night away from home. Before your flight from Dubai to Shanghai, chill out in one of these hotels close to Dubai World Central - Al Maktoum International Airport:
Arriving in Shanghai
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) to central Shanghai is about 49 minutes by car. It's approximately 56 kilometres away.
The last thing you need is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're landing late on a flight from Dubai to Shanghai. Book one of these accommodation options near PVG instead:
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)
Once your flight from Dubai to Shanghai has hit the tarmac, you can get to the city centre in around 21 minutes by car. Central Shanghai is approximately 14 kilometres from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA).
After your flight from Dubai to Shanghai, rest your head at a hotel close to SHA. These are some great options that'll help you slip into relaxation mode:
How to find the cheapest flights from Dubai to Shanghai
Currently, C$236 is the best price we've seen for a one-way ticket from Dubai to Shanghai. The cheapest price for a return flight is C$395. Bear in mind fares may change due to availability at the time of booking.
Get cheap flights from Dubai to Shanghai by booking 8 months ahead. Based on our research, that's the sweet spot for finding the biggest deals.
Organize your trip for April. That's the cheapest month for tickets from Dubai to Shanghai. If you're flexible with your dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the cheapest price across each month.
Set up a Price Alert for cheap flights from Dubai to Shanghai. There's no need to search every day to find out if prices have dropped. We'll let you know when there's a change in price.
Use filters to find your ideal journey. To see the 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best' flights from Dubai to Shanghai, use the 'Sort by' tool. You can also filter by arrival and departure times, airline, and journey duration.
Best time to go to Shanghai
July is the most popular month for flights from Dubai to Shanghai. To steer clear of the crowds, head to Shanghai in April.
Before booking a flight from Dubai to Shanghai, think about the kind of weather you prefer. August is the warmest month in Shanghai, with temperatures ranging from 23ºC to 34ºC.
January has average temperatures of between -1ºC and 10ºC. Search for cheap flights from Dubai to Shanghai around that time if you like travelling in cooler conditions.
More about Shanghai
Start your Shanghai trip right by choosing the ideal place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from Dubai to Shanghai, check out our range of accommodation options including:
There are so many things to explore in this city it can be tricky to work out where to begin. The Bund Sightseeing Avenue, Yu Garden and Shanghai Tower are top attractions which should feature on every Shanghai itinerary.
Complete your Shanghai trip with a car rental
Browse our lineup of car rentals once you've locked in your hotel and cheap flight from Dubai to Shanghai. Whether you're after a compact ride, roomy sedan or anything in between, you can compare companies in one go to get the best deal.