There are approximately 50 flights daily that head from Beijing to Shanghai and here will take a closer look at the four airports, the multitude of airlines, and your best options.
Flight Routes – Bejing to Shanghai
There are four options and fare examples here are for standard rate economy class tickets noting that occasionally tickets do go on sale (sometimes around 400RMB) and during peak holiday periods they may even go up. Also included on the comparison table are the flight time and estimated transfer times (via metro for the most part) to and from the city center and the departure and arrival airports.
| Route | Cost | Flight Time | Total travel time inc transfers |
| Beijing Capital (PEK) to Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA) | 730 RMB | 2h 20m | +55m+43m=3h 58m |
| Beijing Capital (PEK) to Shanghai Pudong (PVG) | 990 RMB | 2h 20m | +55m+80m=4h 35m |
| Beijing Nanyuan (NAY) to Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA) | 760 RMB | 2h 10m | +80m+43m=4h 13m |
| Beijing Nanyuan (NAY) to Shanghai Pudong (PVG) | 860 RMB | 2h 25m | +80m+80m=4h 50m |
Most flights depart from Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) with a choice between flights that head to either Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) or Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG).
There are also a few daily flights by China United Airlines that depart from Nanyuan Airport (NAY) and land at either SHA or PVG.
The Airports
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) 北京首都国际机场 (read our full guide here) en.bcia.com.cn
Nanyuan Airport (NAY) 北京南苑机场 (read our guide here)
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) 上海虹桥国际机场 (review and transport guide) shairport.com/..
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) 上海浦东国际机场 (review and transport guide) shairport.com/..
Airlines servicing this route
Juneyao Airlines 吉祥航空
website: juneyaoair.com
planes: Airbus A320/321
China United Airlines 中国联合航空公司
website: flycua.com
planes: Boeing 737-700/737-800
China Eastern Airlines 中国东方航空公司 and Shanghai Airlines 上海航空公司
website: ceair.com
planes: Airbus A320/A321/A330-300, Boeing 777
Hainan Airlines 海南航空公司
website: hainanairlines.com
planes: Boeing 737-800
China Southern Airlines 中国南方航空
website: csair.com
planes: Airbus A330
Air China 中国国际航空股份有限公司
website: airchina.com.cn
planes: Boeing 747/777, Airbus A330-300, Airbus A350