Traveling from Seattle to Shanghai: what you need to know
Start your vacation planning by considering where you'll board your flight from Seattle to Shanghai. Seattle / Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and Seattle Lake Union SPB Airport (LKE) are the main airports in Seattle.
When it comes to working out where to arrive in Shanghai, Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) and Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA) are the chief entry points.
Take a direct Seattle to Shanghai flight and you'll be flying for an average of 13 hours 5 minutes.
Shanghai is 16 hours ahead of Seattle and follows the UTC+8 timezone.
Seattle / Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) is the most popular route that connects these two cities. There are seven departures a week to pick from. If you prefer a later start to the day, the last flight from Seattle to Shanghai is with Delta Air Lines at 12:40. Opt for the first SEA to PVG departure with Delta Air Lines at 11:20 to maximize your time in Shanghai.
Give yourself plenty of time to catch your Seattle to Shanghai flight. As a general rule, arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
You'll likely experience bigger queues in popular months like July. Arriving up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours for a domestic departure is a wise move.
How to find the cheapest flights from Seattle to Shanghai
Score cheap Seattle to Shanghai flights by booking four months ahead. According to our research, that's the ideal time for finding the biggest deals.
September is the best month for landing an incredible deal on a plane ticket from Seattle to Shanghai. If you'd like to travel at a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will show you the lowest prices across every month.
Never miss a deal on cheap flights from Seattle to Shanghai by setting up a Price Alert. You'll receive an email or notification through the app when a new low fare is offered.
Save money on your Seattle to Shanghai flight with the help of our filters. Select your preferred departure time, duration and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
Flying from Seattle
Seattle / Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
If you're looking for a direct flight from Seattle to Shanghai, you can depart from Seattle / Tacoma International Airport (SEA). Get from SEA to Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) without making any stops.
Lock in your Seattle to Shanghai plane tickets with Delta Air Lines. This carrier is a top pick for direct flights from SEA.
We make it simple to find a Seattle to Shanghai flight with a stopover. To see the options departing from Seattle / Tacoma International Airport, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Then, select a flight offering a stop long enough to tour your chosen city. Some popular stopovers include:
Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND)
Incheon International Airport (ICN)
Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT)
The journey from central Seattle to SEA takes around 35 minutes by public transport. If you ride-share, drive or grab a cab, you'll cover the 19 kilometers in 25 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Searching for a convenient hotel close to Seattle / Tacoma International Airport? If you've booked an early flight from Seattle to Shanghai, these stays will put you moments from check-in:
80% of flights leaving Seattle / Tacoma International Airport touch down at their destination on schedule. Given its strong on-time performance, you're unlikely to be delayed when flying out of SEA.
Arriving in Shanghai
Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG)
The distance from Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) to central Shanghai is roughly 32 kilometers. It takes around 1 hour 5 minutes to reach the center driving.
It usually takes 50 minutes to get there on public transport.
Consider booking a hotel near PVG if you're coming in on a late flight from Seattle to Shanghai. Pick one of these options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Grab a Shanghai Pudong Airport rental car and explore parts of Shanghai that aren't on a typical itinerary. Book your wheels with Hertz.
To get the best deal, reserve your vehicle from Shanghai Pudong Airport at least a couple of weeks in advance. Prices generally rise closer to your date of travel.
You'll find PVG at No.300 Qihang Road.
Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA)
As soon as your flight from Seattle to Shanghai has landed, you can make your way to the city center in about 30 minutes by car. Central Shanghai is approximately 13 kilometers from Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA).
Public transport will get you there in about 40 minutes.
After your flight from Seattle to Shanghai, rest your head at a hotel near SHA. These are some great options that'll help you switch to relaxation mode:
Line up the perfect playlist and hit the road in a Shanghai Hongqiao Airport rental car. Collect your wheels from Hertz and start exploring right away.
Avoid the slow-moving lines and paperwork at the rental desk by completing your booking beforehand. Secure your ride from SHA ahead of time so you can simply collect the keys and drive away.
The address for Shanghai Hongqiao Airport is 700 Yingbin 1st Rd.
Best time to go to Shanghai
March is the quietest month for flights from Seattle to Shanghai, while April is the busiest. Find the ideal time to visit Shanghai based on whether you want a laid-back vibe or a more bustling atmosphere.
The warmest month in Shanghai is August, with temperatures ranging between 23ºC (73ºF) and 34ºC (93ºF). Book your Seattle to Shanghai ticket then if you enjoy this type of weather.
Search for cheap flights from Seattle to Shanghai in January if you'd rather travel during cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between -1ºC (30ºF) and 10ºC (50ºF) on average.
More about Shanghai
Once you've booked your flight from Seattle to Shanghai, take your pick from prime hotels that put you close to the action. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Shanghai:
There are so many things to explore in this city it can be hard to work out where to begin. Shanghai Museum, Shanghai Tower and The Bund Sightseeing Avenue are highlights which should be on any good Shanghai itinerary.
Explore more of China
You've done Shanghai, now it's time to explore other parts of China. Travel about 274 kilometers west to Nanjing to check off its popular sights. From Nanjing City Wall to Zijin Tower and The Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders, there's plenty to keep you busy.
Around 80 kilometers west of Shanghai, Suzhou is another essential stop in China. Get a taste of what this destination has to offer at Humble Administrator's Garden (Zhuozheng Garden), Lingering Garden(Liuyuan Garden) and Pingjiang Road.