Flying from Toronto to Shanghai: what you need to know
Planning your flight from Toronto to Shanghai begins with finding the best airport to start your trip. Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), Toronto Island Airport (YTZ) and John C. Munro Hamilton Airport (YHM) are the main departure points in Toronto.
Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) and Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA) are Shanghai's chief entry points.
Take a direct Toronto to Shanghai flight and you'll be in transit for an average of 15 hours 15 minutes.
Shanghai's timezone is UTC+8, which makes Shanghai 13 hours ahead of Toronto.
The most popular route for flights from Toronto to Shanghai is Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) to Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG). Pick from seven services between these two airports every week.
To ensure you don't miss your Toronto to Shanghai flight, leave plenty of time to navigate the airport and find your gate. Turning up two hours before international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general rule.
During popular months such as August, it's best to get to the airport earlier than usual. Plan to arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead of international flights whenever you're travelling during peak periods in general.
How to find the cheapest flights from Toronto to Shanghai
Don't wait until the last moment. You're more likely to get cheap Toronto to Shanghai flights if you book in advance. Airlines often offer some excellent early bird discounts.
If you can be flexible with your travel plans, try using the 'Whole month' tool. It'll show you the lowest price across every month when looking for your plane ticket from Toronto to Shanghai.
There's no need to check back in every day to find out if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll let you know when there's a better deal on cheap flights from Toronto to Shanghai.
Select your ideal arrival and departure times, airlines and number of stops by using the filters. Alternatively, sort your Toronto to Shanghai flight results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best.'
Flying from Toronto
Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
Set out from Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) on a nonstop flight from Toronto to Shanghai. From YYZ, you can land directly at Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG).
China Eastern Airlines is a leading airline that offers direct Toronto to Shanghai plane tickets from YYZ.
YYZ is about 21 kilometres from central Toronto. If you're catching a taxi, ride-sharing or driving from the centre, it'll take you 30 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic. If you're using public transport, expect the travel time to be around 25 minutes.
Catching an early flight from Toronto to Shanghai? Avoid rushing to the terminal (and get some extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these stays close to Toronto Pearson International Airport:
Of all flights departing from Toronto Pearson International Airport, 68% land on time at their destination.
Toronto Island Airport (YTZ)
YTZ is about 3 kilometres from central Toronto. It'll take you 10 minutes or so to get to the airport driving from the city centre. Public transport takes roughly 20 minutes.
You're going on holiday, so why not book an extra night away from home? Consider checking in to one of these accommodation options near Toronto Island Airport the day before your flight from Toronto to Shanghai:
70% of flights departing Toronto Island Airport arrive within the expected time frame.
John C. Munro Hamilton Airport (YHM)
From central Toronto, YHM is around 72 kilometres away. It'll take you roughly 1 hour 10 minutes to reach the airport by car and 1 hour 50 minutes or so if you take public transport.
No need to stress over delays or last-minute rushes — staying at a hotel close to John C. Munro Hamilton Airport sets you up for a smooth departure. Super 8 by Wyndham Mt Hope Hamilton Intl Arpt on and Homestead House Bed & Breakfast are fantastic choices, especially if you've booked an early Toronto to Shanghai flight.
Airports have an on-time performance rating that monitors how often flights get to their destinations as expected. At YHM, that figure is 68%.
Arriving in Shanghai
Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG)
Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) to central Shanghai takes around 1 hour 5 minutes to reach by car. The centre is roughly 32 kilometres away.
When travelling on public transport, expect a journey time of around 50 minutes.
The last thing you want is a long journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from Toronto to Shanghai. Stay at one of these accommodation options near PVG instead:
Pick up a Shanghai Pudong Airport rental car and explore parts of Shanghai that aren't on every traveller's list. Browse the options available from Hertz.
Reserve your ride from Shanghai Pudong Airport a few weeks before your trip to get the lowest price. If you're travelling during a busy period, it's smart to book your Toronto to Shanghai flight even earlier.
PVG is situated at No.300 Qihang Road.
Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA)
Once your flight from Toronto to Shanghai has hit the tarmac, you can make your way to the city centre in about 30 minutes by car. Central Shanghai is roughly 13 kilometres from Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA).
The journey will take about 40 minutes on public transport.
There are some comfortable places to call home for the night near SHA. Tuck yourself in after your Toronto to Shanghai flight at one of these perfectly located options:
Grab a Shanghai Hongqiao Airport rental car and expand your travel horizons with your own set of wheels. Hertz is just moments from your arrival gate, ensuring a fast and easy pick-up.
Generally speaking, the sooner you book, the better the prices and selection of vehicles. Reserve your ride from SHA once you know your travel dates.
Shanghai Hongqiao Airport can be found at 700 Yingbin 1st Rd.
Best time to go to Shanghai
March is the quietest month for flights from Toronto to Shanghai, while April is the busiest. Find the best time to go to Shanghai based on whether you prefer a laid-back vibe or a more bustling atmosphere.
Book a Toronto to Shanghai ticket departing in August if you want to experience the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in Shanghai to range from 23ºC (73ºF) to 34ºC (93ºF).
Look for cheap flights from Toronto to Shanghai in January if you'd rather travel when it's cooler. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between -1ºC (30ºF) and 10ºC (50ºF) on average.
More about Shanghai
When it comes to searching for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the most popular stays in Shanghai right here. Browse these hotels as soon as you've locked in your flight from Toronto to Shanghai:
Shanghai Museum and Shanghai Tower are just the start of the major attractions to put on your Shanghai must-do list. Keep the momentum going by heading to The Bund Sightseeing Avenue.
Explore more of China
You've visited Shanghai, now it's time to discover more of China. Journey around 274 kilometres west to Nanjing to tick off its must-visit sights. From Nanjing City Wall to Zijin Tower and The Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders, your itinerary will be busy.
Around 80 kilometres west of Shanghai, Suzhou is another essential stop in China. Start your sightseeing at Humble Administrator's Garden (Zhuozheng Garden), Lingering Garden(Liuyuan Garden) and Pingjiang Road.