Shanghai

$535+ Cheap flights from San Francisco (SFO) to Shanghai, China

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a Cheapflights user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight departing on 8/12. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
SFO — SHA
Jul 2 — Jul 91
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Find cheap flights from San Francisco to Shanghai with Cheapflights

1. Tell us where you want to go

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Cheapflights Tip: The best prices from San Francisco to Shanghai are usually found in January or March, booked 77 days in advance, depart on a Monday or Thursday and return on a Wednesday

Cheap flight deals from San Francisco to Shanghai

Cheapest flights from San Francisco to Shanghai
Explore the most affordable flight options available from San Francisco to Shanghai. Find the lowest fares from popular airlines and budget airlines, with prices last updated on June 2, 2026.

This FlightHub deal was found by Cheapflights users on 6/2. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure FlightHub is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Mon 7/61:40 am
SFO
-
PVG
1 stop28h 00m
ANA
Wed 8/128:25 am
PVG
-
SFO
1 stop23h 30m
ANA
Deal found 6/2$989
This Expedia deal was found by Cheapflights users on 6/2. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Expedia is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Thu 10/2212:29 pm
SFO
-
PVG
2 stops21h 16m
ANA
Sun 12/61:35 pm
PVG
-
SFO
1 stop35h 40m
ANA
Deal found 6/2$990
This KAYAK deal was found by Cheapflights users on 6/2. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure KAYAK is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Mon 9/79:25 pm
SFO
-
PVG
2 stops32h 15m
ANA
Wed 9/231:50 am
PVG
-
SFO
2 stops32h 19m
ANA
Deal found 6/2$993
This ScholarTrip deal was found by Cheapflights users on 6/2. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure ScholarTrip is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Mon 11/911:25 am
SFO
-
PVG
1 stop33h 05m
Cathay Pacific
Sat 11/288:30 am
PVG
-
SFO
1 stop17h 15m
Cathay Pacific
Deal found 6/2$994
This Ovago deal was found by Cheapflights users on 6/2. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Ovago is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Tue 9/2912:15 pm
SFO
-
SHA
1 stop33h 00m
ANA
Wed 11/111:40 pm
SHA
-
SFO
2 stops20h 03m
ANA
Deal found 6/2$996
This KAYAK deal was found by Cheapflights users on 6/1. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure KAYAK is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Mon 12/712:19 pm
SFO
-
PVG
2 stops20h 56m
ANA
Fri 1/158:30 am
PVG
-
SFO
1 stop22h 50m
ANA
Deal found 6/1$996
This Expedia deal was found by Cheapflights users on 6/1. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Expedia is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Tue 9/87:10 am
SFO
-
PVG
2 stops22h 45m
Multiple Airlines
Sat 12/125:35 pm
PVG
-
SFO
1 stop18h 57m
Multiple Airlines
Deal found 6/1$997
This KAYAK deal was found by Cheapflights users on 6/1. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure KAYAK is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Wed 6/310:47 am
SFO
-
PVG
2 stops22h 58m
ANA
Thu 6/188:25 am
PVG
-
SFO
2 stops26h 22m
ANA
Deal found 6/1$1,001
This FlightHub deal was found by Cheapflights users on 6/2. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure FlightHub is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Sat 9/196:35 pm
SFO
-
PVG
2 stops25h 05m
Multiple Airlines
Tue 10/63:55 pm
PVG
-
SFO
2 stops59h 12m
Multiple Airlines
Deal found 6/2$1,002
This KAYAK deal was found by Cheapflights users on 6/1. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure KAYAK is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Wed 6/310:47 am
SFO
-
PVG
2 stops22h 58m
ANA
Tue 6/231:00 pm
PVG
-
SFO
2 stops21h 49m
ANA
Deal found 6/1$1,004
This FlightHub deal was found by Cheapflights users on 5/29. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure FlightHub is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Thu 8/2712:05 pm
SFO
-
PVG
2 stops21h 40m
ANA
Fri 9/118:25 am
PVG
-
SFO
2 stops26h 17m
ANA
Deal found 5/29$1,005
This Cheapflightsfares deal was found by Cheapflights users on 6/2. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Cheapflightsfares is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Thu 8/271:56 pm
SFO
-
SHA
2 stops31h 19m
ANA
Fri 9/111:35 pm
SHA
-
SFO
2 stops24h 20m
ANA
Deal found 6/2$1,013

Find flight deals from San Francisco to Shanghai

Discover tips and strategies to find the most affordable flight options for your journey from San Francisco (SFO) to Shanghai (CN2). Learn about various techniques such as flexible date searches, comparing prices across and setting up price alerts. Use these methods to find the cheapest flights available for your travel needs. Data last updated June 2, 2026.

Round-trip from

$993
(KAYAK)

One-way from

$535
(Cathay Pacific)

Popular in

June

Cheapest in

January

Average price

$1,544
From San Francisco to Shanghai
One-way flight from San Francisco to Shanghai
Highest demand for flights based on searches. 25% potential increase in price ($373 potential increase over avg. RT price).
Cheapest flight prices on average. 4% potential price decrease ($43 potential savings vs. average RT price).
Average for round-trip flights in June 2026

Cheapflights Fare Finder

 
Customize your flight search to find flights from San Francisco to Shanghai that fit within your specific budget. Explore options based on user searches and filter the results based on your desired price range. Find flights that match your budget for a cost-effective journey. Over the last 7 days, Cheapflights users made 2,558,603 searches. Data last updated June 2, 2026.
Use the filters below to find and compare flights from San Francisco to Shanghai that are best for you.

Fly from

Fly to

Route

Depart

Return

Price

Cheapest round-trip

San FranciscoShanghai

SFO - PVG

SFOPVG

San Francisco

Thu 7/2

1:10 pm-12:25 pm

1 stop32h 15m

Shanghai Pu Dong

Thu 7/23

8:50 am-11:00 am

1 stop17h 10m

$1,306

San FranciscoShanghai

SFO - SHA

SFOSHA

San Francisco

Mon 8/24

12:25 pm-11:20 am

1 stop31h 55m

Shanghai Hongqiao Intl

Tue 9/8

12:45 pm-10:05 am

1 stop36h 20m

$1,315

San FranciscoShanghai

SFO - PVG

SFOPVG

San Francisco

Mon 6/8

12:40 pm-8:10 pm

1 stop16h 30m

Shanghai Pu Dong

Thu 6/18

8:50 am-10:40 am

1 stop16h 50m

$1,356

San FranciscoShanghai

SFO - PVG

SFOPVG

San Francisco

Wed 7/22

1:10 pm-8:10 pm

1 stop16h 00m

Shanghai Pu Dong

Tue 7/28

11:10 am-11:00 am

1 stop14h 50m

$1,356

San FranciscoShanghai

SFO - PVG

SFOPVG

San Francisco

Sun 7/5

1:10 pm-9:40 am

1 stop29h 30m

Shanghai Pu Dong

Fri 7/10

11:10 am-11:00 am

1 stop14h 50m

$1,356

San FranciscoShanghai

SFO - SHA

SFOSHA

San Francisco

Sun 8/23

12:25 pm-11:20 am

1 stop31h 55m

Shanghai Hongqiao Intl

Mon 9/7

12:45 pm-10:05 am

1 stop36h 20m

$1,365
Quickest round-trip

San FranciscoShanghai

SFO - PVG

SFOPVG

San Francisco

Thu 8/20

1:30 pm-5:25 pm

Nonstop12h 55m

Shanghai Pu Dong

Sun 8/30

12:10 pm-8:55 am

Nonstop11h 45m

$1,387

San FranciscoShanghai

SFO - PVG

SFOPVG

San Francisco

Fri 8/21

7:00 am-5:45 pm

1 stop19h 45m

Shanghai Pu Dong

Sun 8/30

12:10 pm-8:55 am

Nonstop11h 45m

$1,416

San FranciscoShanghai

SFO - PVG

SFOPVG

San Francisco

Tue 6/30

6:45 pm-5:45 pm

1 stop32h 00m

Shanghai Pu Dong

Fri 7/3

12:10 pm-8:55 am

Nonstop11h 45m

$1,469

San FranciscoShanghai

SFO - SHA

SFOSHA

San Francisco

Mon 6/22

12:40 pm-5:05 pm

1 stop37h 25m

Shanghai Hongqiao Intl

Wed 7/8

6:25 pm-11:00 am

1 stop31h 35m

$1,525

Flights are sorted by cheapest round-trip flights first.

Deals found on 5/31

Showing 1-10 of 45 resultsSorted by cheapest first
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5

Best time to book a flight from San Francisco to Shanghai

Have a flexible travel schedule? Discover the best time to fly to Shanghai from San Francisco with our price prediction graph.
Estimated round-trip price
Rates are based on past data. Find the cheapest month and day to book your flight based on your travel requirements, then search for cheap deals.

Cheapflights Insights

Everything you need to know about your flight from San Francisco to Shanghai

What is the cheapest month to book a flight from San Francisco to Shanghai?

Currently, November is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from San Francisco to Shanghai (average of $427). Flying from San Francisco to Shanghai in May is currently the most expensive (average of $2,012). There are several factors that can impact the price of a flight, so comparing airlines, departure airports and flight times can provide users with more options.

What is the cheapest time of day to fly from SFO to SHA?

Find hourly flight availability from San Francisco to Shanghai. Discover flight options and departure times throughout the day, allowing you to choose a departure time that suits your schedule. Data last updated June 2, 2026.

Regardless of the time of day you decide to fly, the ticket price will remain around the same. Book flights from San Francisco to Shanghai as you normally would.

How much does it cost to fly round-trip from San Francisco to Shanghai?

How often are flights from San Francisco to Shanghai delayed?

About 14% of weekly flights between San Francisco and Shanghai have experienced delays in the past year, with the average delay time being 174 minutes.

What is the most punctual flight time for San Francisco to Shanghai flights?

Historically, flights departing in the early afternoon are less likely to be delayed, whereas flights leaving at night tend to experience delays more often.

What day of the week experiences the fewest flight delays on this route?

Sunday tends to have the lowest number of delays on this route, whereas Wednesday has historically faced a higher average of delays compared to other days of the week.

Which airline has the best punctuality record on San Francisco to Shanghai flights?

Over the last year, China Eastern have had the lowest number of delays on this route, with just 13% of flights being delayed.

How far ahead should I book a flight from San Francisco to Shanghai?

To ensure you get the cheapest price possible for a flight from San Francisco to Shanghai, you should look to book at least 58 days in advance of your intended travel date. The price of your flight may increase if you delay and leave booking until a week or so before departure.

The best insider tips for San Francisco to Shanghai flights

AI-powered summary based on content written by travel experts. AI can make mistakes.
Cheapflights partnered with top experts to bring you the best recommendations for your San Francisco to Shanghai trip
Our travel experts
Joe Minihane

Joe Minihane

Expert on PVG

Joe has been obsessed with travel and flying ever since he was a child. He's a freelance travel journalist and author, and his work has appeared in The Times, Guardian and CNN. As a Europe obsessive, he has stayed in Zurich on a swimming adventure around the city, used Geneva as a base for Alpine adventures and spent time in Copenhagen soaking up the world class culture and cuisine, all the while exploring the best hotels these cities have to offer.

Harriet Baskas

Harriet Baskas

Expert on SFO

Harriet is an award-winning journalist who is happiest in an airport or an unusual museum. Her stories about airports, air travel, and the business of travel have appeared on NBC News, CNBC, USA TODAY, The Points Guy and other outlets. She is the creator of the StuckatTheAirport.com blog and the author of nine books. When not out on the road or exploring the latest airport amenities, she’s home in Seattle getting ready for the next adventure.

Reviews of airlines servicing Shanghai

Get insights into the airlines that provide service to Shanghai. Read reviews, discover amenities, and learn about the overall travel experience offered by airlines. Use this information to make informed decisions when choosing an airline for your flight to Shanghai. Reviews last updated June 2, 2026.
Get a feel of what it's like to fly with Korean Air,Asiana Airlines, andCathay Pacific from San Francisco to Shanghai by reading reviews from past customers. Users have also rated airlines in terms of entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.

Crew

8.7

Food

8.1

Comfort

8.3

Entertainment

8.2

Overall

8.4

Boarding

8.5

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

Chris,Mar 2025

SEA - ICN

Was told the flight was overbooked so they selected only a few people to weight their bags and we were forced to check our luggage. We Once we got seated on the flight there were many seats vacant and our overhead bin was completely open. Both our luggage and our carryon were small. We had booked our tickets months in advance and we watched people carry two small suitcases on without one word to them. Am I upset?? Yes it was disappointing.

Crew

8.7

Food

8.1

Comfort

8.3

Entertainment

8.2

Overall

8.4

Boarding

8.5

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

Chris,Mar 2025

SEA - ICN

Was told the flight was overbooked so they selected only a few people to weight their bags and we were forced to check our luggage. We Once we got seated on the flight there were many seats vacant and our overhead bin was completely open. Both our luggage and our carryon were small. We had booked our tickets months in advance and we watched people carry two small suitcases on without one word to them. Am I upset?? Yes it was disappointing.

Crew

8.7

Food

8.1

Comfort

8.3

Entertainment

8.2

Overall

8.4

Boarding

8.5

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

Chris,Mar 2025

SEA - ICN

Was told the flight was overbooked so they selected only a few people to weight their bags and we were forced to check our luggage. We Once we got seated on the flight there were many seats vacant and our overhead bin was completely open. Both our luggage and our carryon were small. We had booked our tickets months in advance and we watched people carry two small suitcases on without one word to them. Am I upset?? Yes it was disappointing.

Crew

8.7

Food

8.1

Comfort

8.3

Entertainment

8.2

Overall

8.4

Boarding

8.5

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

Chris,Mar 2025

SEA - ICN

Was told the flight was overbooked so they selected only a few people to weight their bags and we were forced to check our luggage. We Once we got seated on the flight there were many seats vacant and our overhead bin was completely open. Both our luggage and our carryon were small. We had booked our tickets months in advance and we watched people carry two small suitcases on without one word to them. Am I upset?? Yes it was disappointing.

Crew

8.7

Food

8.1

Comfort

8.3

Entertainment

8.2

Overall

8.4

Boarding

8.5

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

Chris,Mar 2025

SEA - ICN

Was told the flight was overbooked so they selected only a few people to weight their bags and we were forced to check our luggage. We Once we got seated on the flight there were many seats vacant and our overhead bin was completely open. Both our luggage and our carryon were small. We had booked our tickets months in advance and we watched people carry two small suitcases on without one word to them. Am I upset?? Yes it was disappointing.

Crew

8.7

Food

8.1

Comfort

8.3

Entertainment

8.2

Overall

8.4

Boarding

8.5

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

Chris,Mar 2025

SEA - ICN

Was told the flight was overbooked so they selected only a few people to weight their bags and we were forced to check our luggage. We Once we got seated on the flight there were many seats vacant and our overhead bin was completely open. Both our luggage and our carryon were small. We had booked our tickets months in advance and we watched people carry two small suitcases on without one word to them. Am I upset?? Yes it was disappointing.

Related info for your journey

Find useful and relevant information for your journey from San Francisco to Shanghai. Access travel guides, tips, and recommendations to enhance your travel experience. Get information about local attractions, weather, transportation options, and more.
  • What airport do you fly from for flights from San Francisco to Shanghai?

    San Francisco (SFO) is the airport you will fly out of if you book a flight from San Francisco to Shanghai. You should not have trouble finding flights to Shanghai from San Francisco; the airport handles an average of 2 outbound flights to Shanghai per day. You should also have plenty of airline options to choose from since 13 airlines have flights from the San Francisco airport to Shanghai. It is only a 11.0 mi journey to San Francisco (SFO) from San Francisco’s city center.

  • How long is the flight from San Francisco to Shanghai?

    There are many flights that can get you from San Francisco to Shanghai in 12h 55m. Fly via Korean Air, Japan Airlines, or United Airlines to get the fastest option. Airlines will cover a distance of 6133 mi. When browsing for deals, the options you’ll see will be for both nonstop flights and flights with stops.

  • What are the cheapest airlines flying from San Francisco to Shanghai round-trip?

    Flying on Philippine Airlines is currently your cheapest option to Shanghai, with prices starting at $198. Additional round-trip tickets that might be worth considering are offered by Cathay Pacific and ANA, with the lowest prices starting at $647 and $669, respectively. You may be able to fly from San Francisco to Shanghai for 81% less than the average price by searching for these airlines.

  • What are the cheapest airlines to fly from San Francisco to Shanghai one-way?

    For one-way options, check prices for Philippine Airlines. According to our data, you can fly for as low as $196. Users have also found prices from $303 and $372 on ANA and China Southern, respectively.

  • Where are the most common layover locations when flying from San Francisco to Shanghai?

  • What are some popular things to do or see while on a layover in Seoul?

    Dongdaemun Market, Lotte World, and Gwanghwamun are the most popular attractions in Seoul if you're in need of something to do during your layover. Dongdaemun Market, Lotte World, and Gwanghwamun can be visited by traveling about 31.6 mi, 35.7 mi, and 30.1 mi respectively from Incheon Intl. Travelers can book a car rental at Incheon Intl for about $52 per day to make their sightseeing more efficient.

  • What are some popular points of interest to see during a layover in Hong Kong?

    If you're on a layover in Hong Kong and looking for things to do, consider visiting Shatin Baptist Church, Fa Yeun Street Market, or Temple Street Night Market. Shatin Baptist Church, Fa Yeun Street Market, and Temple Street Night Market are located about 18.3 mi, 16.2 mi, and 16.1 mi, respectively from Hong Kong Intl.

  • Where are the least popular layover locations for San Francisco to Shanghai flights?

  • Can I find deals for flights from San Francisco to Shanghai that include hotel bookings?

    Yes. In addition to deals on San Francisco to Shanghai flights, Cheapflights offers vacation packages that include both flights and hotel.

  • How can I find direct flights from San Francisco to Shanghai?

    After entering your origin and destination, apply the non-stop filter on the search result page to find direct flights from San Francisco to Shanghai.

  • Can I find deals for business class flights from San Francisco to Shanghai?

    Yes. Cheapflights offers flight deals from San Francisco to Shanghai by cabin class. In addition to browsing deals, you can also filter by cabin class on the search results page after making a search.

  • What is the cheapest month to book a flight from San Francisco to Shanghai?

    Currently, November is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from San Francisco to Shanghai (average of $427). Flying from San Francisco to Shanghai in May is currently the most expensive (average of $2,012). There are several factors that can impact the price of a flight, so comparing airlines, departure airports and flight times can provide users with more options.

See more FAQs

Browse thousands of different options on Cheapflights for your next trip

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Top 10 airlines flying from San Francisco to Shanghai

Discover the top 10 airlines that operate flights from San Francisco to Shanghai. Compare their services, reliability, and customer satisfaction ratings to choose the airline that best suits your travel preferences and needs. Over the last 7 days, Cheapflights users made 2,558,603 searches. Data last updated June 2, 2026.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
Philippine AirlinesCheapest$198Average$694FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time60%
China EasternCheapest$415Average$1,035FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time62%
Cathay PacificCheapest$647Average$806FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time72%
ANACheapest$669Average$1,216FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time80%
China SouthernCheapest$684Average$886FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time69%
Asiana AirlinesCheapest$702Average$851FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time76%
Air ChinaCheapest$702Average$1,145FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time67%
Korean AirCheapest$755Average$876FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time81%
Air CanadaCheapest$868Average$1,279FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time67%
China AirlinesCheapest$883Average$1,053FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time70%

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