Travelling from Johannesburg to Shanghai: what you need to know
Planning your getaway begins with working out where you'll fly out of in Johannesburg. O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) is the city's main airport, so explore your options for reserving a flight from Johannesburg to Shanghai jetting off from here.
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) are Shanghai's primary gateways.
Shanghai is six hours ahead of Johannesburg and observes the UTC+8 timezone.
To ensure you make your Johannesburg to Shanghai flight, allow plenty of time for things like baggage drop and finding your gate. Turning up two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
You can expect longer queues during popular months like July. Arriving up to four hours in advance for an international flight and two hours for domestic departures is a smart move.
How to find the cheapest flights from Johannesburg to Shanghai
Booking in advance is often the key to securing a cheap Johannesburg to Shanghai flight. Prices tend to rise as demand increases, so the nearer your departure date, the more you'll likely spend.
The 'Whole month' search tool will show you the cheapest plane tickets from Johannesburg to Shanghai throughout the entire month. It's a good way to snap up a bargain if your plans aren't set in stone.
Finding a cheap flight from Johannesburg to Shanghai is a piece of cake with Price Alerts. Simply create one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know when a better deal is available.
Tailor your trip using filters. Choose your departure and arrival times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort the results by 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest' Johannesburg to Shanghai flights.
Flying from Johannesburg
O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)
We make it a cinch to find a Johannesburg to Shanghai flight with a stopover. To see your options leaving from O.R. Tambo International Airport, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Next, select a flight that has a stop long enough to explore your chosen city. Top stopovers include:
Changi International Airport (SIN)
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Hamad International Airport (DOH)
Travelling from central Johannesburg to JNB takes around 1 hour 10 minutes by public transport. If you drive, ride-share or get a cab, you'll cover the 14 miles in 30 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Planning to catch an early flight from Johannesburg to Shanghai? Avoid the last-minute rush to the terminal (and get some extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these stays close to O.R. Tambo International Airport:
When it comes to O.R. Tambo International Airport's on-time performance, data shows 77.1% of flights arrive within the expected time frame.
Arriving in Shanghai
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) is approximately 20 miles from the centre of Shanghai. If you're catching a cab or a ride-share, the drive takes roughly 50 minutes.
If you're coming in on a late flight from Johannesburg to Shanghai, nothing beats the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your luggage from the carousel and then be showered and relaxing soon after at one of these hotels near PVG:
Start your adventure sooner with a Shanghai Pudong International Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Hertz to explore parts of Shanghai that most tourists miss.
Increase your likelihood of getting a great price by booking as early as possible. Reserving your vehicle from Shanghai Pudong International Airport several weeks in advance is a good move.
PVG is located at No.300 Qihang Road.
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)
Central Shanghai is located around 8 miles from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA). As soon as your flight from Johannesburg to Shanghai has landed and you've made your way through the terminal, the drive should take about 20 minutes.
After your flight from Johannesburg to Shanghai, kick back at a hotel near SHA. These are some great options that'll help you slip into relaxation mode:
Why let someone else's timetable dictate your plans? Grab a Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport rental car and stay in control of your journey. Book a set of wheels here with Hertz.
Avoid filling out forms at the rental desk by having everything prearranged. Secure your ride from SHA a few weeks in advance so you can just grab the keys and be on your way.
You'll find Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport at 700 Yingbin 1st Rd.
Best time to go to Shanghai
April is the quietest month for flights from Johannesburg to Shanghai, while April is the most popular. Choose the ideal time to go to Shanghai based on whether you like a bustling atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
The warmest month in Shanghai is August, with temperatures ranging between 23ºC (73ºF) and 34ºC (93ºF). Lock in your Johannesburg to Shanghai ticket then if you enjoy this type of weather.
January has average temperatures of between -1ºC (30ºF) and 10ºC (50ºF). Look for cheap flights from Johannesburg to Shanghai around that time if you want to travel in cooler conditions.
More about Shanghai
Once you've booked your flight from Johannesburg to Shanghai, find a hotel that offers the right mix of comfort and location. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Shanghai:
Every great adventure has to include some sightseeing. The Bund Sightseeing Avenue, Yu Garden and Shanghai Tower are attractions you won't want to skip in Shanghai.
Explore more of China
You've visited Shanghai, now it's time to explore more of China. Journey around 170 miles west to Nanjing to check off its top sights. From Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum to Nanjing City Wall and Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall, you'll have a packed itinerary ahead.
Suzhou is another must-experience destination in China and is around 50 miles west of Shanghai. No journey is complete without experiencing Lotus Peak, Tianpingshan and Shangfang Tower.