Explore our Shanghai guides
Discover the best things to do, see, and experience in Shanghai
Compare prices across airlines and find the best deals
Compare prices across airlines to find the best deal. Prices can vary significantly.
Flying midweek or in off-peak seasons can save you up to 30% on airfare.
Booking 6+ weeks in advance typically offers the best prices.
Airlines operating flights from San Francisco to Shanghai include Air India, Qatar Airways, Alaska Airlines, JAL, China Eastern Airlines, China Airlines, Asiana Airlines, ANA, American Airlines, Austrian, Air China, Lufthansa, Cathay Pacific, Vietnam Airlines, Air Premia, Korean Air, Singapore Airlines, China Southern Airlines, British Airways, Philippine Airlines, SWISS, Air Canada, EVA Air.
Book at the right time: For international flights, aim to book 6–10 weeks ahead. Last-minute fares on San Francisco to Shanghai are rarely cheap, and prices spike sharply within 2 weeks of departure.
Shift your dates by a day or two: Mid-week departures (Tuesday–Wednesday) are almost always cheaper than weekend flights. Even shifting by one day can make a meaningful difference.
Weigh up connecting flights: Connecting flights on San Francisco to Shanghai can be 20–40% cheaper than direct options. If you have time to spare, it's worth comparing.
Factor in baggage fees: Low-cost carriers on this route often advertise attractive base fares but charge separately for checked luggage. Always compare the all-in price — a $20 cheaper fare plus $50 baggage fee is no saving. Air India and Qatar Airways may have different inclusions, so check each airline's fare conditions.
Search in private browsing: Some booking sites use cookies to track repeat searches and may show higher prices after multiple lookups. Use an incognito or private window — or just use Booked AI, which pulls live prices without any tracking markup.
Compare two one-ways against a return: On some international routes, booking a one-way with one airline and the return with another can undercut a standard return ticket — especially if a budget carrier covers one direction. Check both options with the flexible dates calendar above.
The cheapest flights from San Francisco to Shanghai start from $1,454, with typical prices ranging from $1,454 to $1,754.
The typical flight time from San Francisco to Shanghai is approximately 20 hours and 18 minutes.
Airlines operating this route include Air India, Qatar Airways, Alaska Airlines, JAL, China Eastern Airlines, China Airlines, Asiana Airlines, ANA, American Airlines, Austrian, Air China, Lufthansa, Cathay Pacific, Vietnam Airlines, Air Premia, Korean Air, Singapore Airlines, China Southern Airlines, British Airways, Philippine Airlines, SWISS, Air Canada, EVA Air.
Prices sourced via Duffel and updated regularly. All fares shown are indicative one-way prices in AUD and may vary at time of booking. Booked AI is an AI-powered travel platform.
Discover the best things to do, see, and experience in Shanghai
