Cheap Flights from Shanghai to San Francisco International from $1,214

Q: How much are return flights from Shanghai to San Francisco International?

The best price we found for a return flight from Shanghai to San Francisco International is $1,214. This is an estimate based on information collected from different airlines and travel providers over the last 4 days and is subject to change and availability.

Q: How long does it take to fly from Shanghai to San Francisco International?

11 hours and 17 minutes is the average flight time from Shanghai to San Francisco International.

Q: Which airlines fly direct from Shanghai to San Francisco International?

Air China, United and China Eastern fly direct from Shanghai to San Francisco International.

Q: How many flights are there a week from Shanghai to San Francisco International?

As of April 2025, there are 19 flights per week flying from Shanghai to San Francisco International.

Q: When is the cheapest time to fly from Shanghai to San Francisco International?

The cheapest month to fly from Shanghai to San Francisco International is usually April 2025.

Q: Which upcoming date is cheapest to fly from Shanghai to San Francisco International Airport on?

After crunching the numbers on our flight calendar, we found that it is currently cheapest to fly from Shanghai to San Francisco International Airport on Wednesday, 11 February 2026 .

Q: Can I get a direct flight from Shanghai to San Francisco International Airport?

Yes – the average flight time is 11 hours and 17 minutes.

Q: How can I find the best flight deal to San Francisco International?

We show every price from over 1,200 airlines and travel agents, comparing them all so you don’t have to. If you know you want to fly to San Francisco International but you’re not ready to book, set up a Price Alert. We’ll track prices for you, and let you know when they rise or fall.

Q: When is the best time to book flights to San Francisco?

We crunched all the numbers in our flight calendar and it looks like the cheapest time to book a flight to San Francisco is around 40 days in advance, so don’t leave your flight to the last minute.

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Flight deals from Shanghai to San Francisco International

Looking for a cheap last-minute deal or the best return flight from Shanghai to San Francisco International? Find the lowest prices on one-way and return tickets right here.

San Francisco.$1,214 per passenger.Departing Wed, 11 Feb, returning Mon, 23 Feb.Return flight with Philippine Airlines.Outbound indirect flight with Philippine Airlines, departs from Shanghai Pudong on Wed, 11 Feb, arriving in San Francisco International.Inbound indirect flight with Philippine Airlines, departs from San Francisco International on Mon, 23 Feb, arriving in Shanghai Pudong.Price includes taxes and charges.From $1,214, select.

San Francisco.$1,215 per passenger.Departing Thu, 25 Sep, returning Sat, 11 Oct.Return flight with Philippine Airlines.Outbound indirect flight with Philippine Airlines, departs from Shanghai Pudong on Thu, 25 Sep, arriving in San Francisco International.Inbound indirect flight with Philippine Airlines, departs from San Francisco International on Sat, 11 Oct, arriving in Shanghai Pudong.Price includes taxes and charges.From $1,215, select.

San Francisco.$1,220 per passenger.Departing Tue, 23 Sep, returning Tue, 30 Sep.Return flight with Philippine Airlines.Outbound indirect flight with Philippine Airlines, departs from Shanghai Pudong on Tue, 23 Sep, arriving in San Francisco International.Inbound indirect flight with Philippine Airlines, departs from San Francisco International on Tue, 30 Sep, arriving in Shanghai Pudong.Price includes taxes and charges.From $1,220, select.

San Francisco.$1,267 per passenger.Departing Sun, 4 May, returning Sat, 17 May.Return flight with Cathay Pacific.Outbound indirect flight with Cathay Pacific, departs from Shanghai Pudong on Sun, 4 May, arriving in San Francisco International.Inbound indirect flight with Cathay Pacific, departs from San Francisco International on Sat, 17 May, arriving in Shanghai Pudong.Price includes taxes and charges.From $1,267, select.

San Francisco.$1,299 per passenger.Departing Sun, 23 Nov, returning Sun, 30 Nov.Return flight with Korean Air.Outbound indirect flight with Korean Air, departs from Shanghai Pudong on Sun, 23 Nov, arriving in San Francisco International.Inbound indirect flight with Korean Air, departs from San Francisco International on Sun, 30 Nov, arriving in Shanghai Pudong.Price includes taxes and charges.From $1,299, select.

San Francisco.$1,301 per passenger.Departing Wed, 26 Nov, returning Fri, 2 Jan.Return flight with Korean Air.Outbound indirect flight with Korean Air, departs from Shanghai Pudong on Wed, 26 Nov, arriving in San Francisco International.Inbound indirect flight with Korean Air, departs from San Francisco International on Fri, 2 Jan, arriving in Shanghai Pudong.Price includes taxes and charges.From $1,301, select.

San Francisco.$1,306 per passenger.Departing Tue, 6 May, returning Sat, 1 Nov.Return flight with Korean Air.Outbound indirect flight with Korean Air, departs from Shanghai Pudong on Tue, 6 May, arriving in San Francisco International.Inbound indirect flight with Korean Air, departs from San Francisco International on Sat, 1 Nov, arriving in Shanghai Pudong.Price includes taxes and charges.From $1,306, select.

San Francisco.$1,354 per passenger.Departing Sat, 4 Oct, returning Sat, 11 Oct.Return flight with Philippine Airlines.Outbound indirect flight with Philippine Airlines, departs from Shanghai Pudong on Sat, 4 Oct, arriving in San Francisco International.Inbound indirect flight with Philippine Airlines, departs from San Francisco International on Sat, 11 Oct, arriving in Shanghai Pudong.Price includes taxes and charges.From $1,354, select.

Find the cheapest month to fly from Shanghai to San Francisco International

We’re always keeping an eye on fares, so you can find the best one in seconds. It looks like Shanghai to San Francisco International flights are currently cheapest in February.

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Direct flights from Shanghai to San Francisco International

Shanghai to San Francisco International: Alternative routes

Compare routes from Shanghai to San Francisco below. You may find an airport to fly into that's cheaper, faster, or easier than San Francisco International.

Shanghai to San Francisco: Flight information

The things to know before you go.

Cheapest flight found	$1,214
Cheapest month to fly	February
Average flight time	11 hrs, 17 mins
Most popular airline	Air China
Average flights per week	19

Finding cheap flights from Shanghai to San Francisco International: Frequently asked questions

How much are return flights from Shanghai to San Francisco International?

How long does it take to fly from Shanghai to San Francisco International?

Which airlines fly direct from Shanghai to San Francisco International?

How many flights are there a week from Shanghai to San Francisco International?

When is the cheapest time to fly from Shanghai to San Francisco International?

Which upcoming date is cheapest to fly from Shanghai to San Francisco International Airport on?

Can I get a direct flight from Shanghai to San Francisco International Airport?

How can I find the best flight deal to San Francisco International?

When is the best time to book flights to San Francisco?

Travelling from Shanghai to San Francisco International Airport (SFO): what you need to know

There are a couple of main airports you can start your trip from in Shanghai. Check out your options departing from Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) or Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) when searching for a flight from Shanghai to San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
Expect to be in the air for 11 hours 12 minutes. That's the average time for a direct flight from Shanghai to San Francisco International Airport.
The timezone in San Francisco is UTC-7, which is 15 hours behind Shanghai. San Francisco International Airport is located in San Francisco.
The busiest route is from Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO), with 22 direct weekly services. If you'd like to get going as soon as possible, the earliest flight from PVG to SFO is the 12:10 United service. If you prefer to leave later in the day, the final departure is at 23:35 with United.
To ensure you get on your flight from Shanghai to SFO, leave plenty of time for things like baggage drop and finding your gate. Arriving two hours before international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
Popular months like July or other peak periods mean longer lines and possible delays. Stick to your schedule by arriving at the airport even earlier. Plan for at least four hours ahead of international flights and two hours before a domestic departure.

Airports in Shanghai

Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)

Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) makes it easy to travel directly to your destination. Nonstop flights from Shanghai to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) take off from this terminal.
You'll find a direct flight from Shanghai to San Francisco International Airport with China Eastern. This top airline operates services from PVG.
A stopover is the perfect opportunity to break up your journey — and perhaps even explore another city. When searching for flights from Shanghai to SFO departing from Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG), deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Here are some options to consider:
- Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)
- Kansai International Airport (KIX)
- Incheon International Airport (ICN)
PVG is about 56 kilometres from central Shanghai. To help work out how to get there, use Google Maps. This handy travel app will show you the fastest route and your public transport options.
After a stress-free start to your break? Stay near Shanghai Pudong International Airport. Whether you're boarding an early flight from Shanghai to San Francisco International Airport or just don't want to be rushed, these hotels are just the thing:

Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)

Looking for more options for a direct flight from Shanghai to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)? Browse the fares leaving from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA).
Make the most of your holiday with a stopover on your flight from Shanghai to San Francisco International Airport. Visit family or friends or tick another city off your list. Whatever you'd like to do, check out these options between Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport and SFO:
- Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
- Haneda Airport (HND)
- Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)
Depending on road traffic, you can drive to SHA from central Shanghai in around 21 minutes. The airport is approximately 14 kilometres away.
Want to treat yourself to an extra night away before your flight from Shanghai to SFO? Relax in a hotel near Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport before your trip officially starts. Stay at one of these accommodation options:

About San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

The last thing you need is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from Shanghai to San Francisco International Airport. Reserve one of these accommodation options near SFO instead:

Getting from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to central San Francisco

From San Francisco International Airport, San Francisco is approximately 21 kilometres away. It takes around 20 minutes to get to the centre driving.
Getting there on public transport will take you around 47 minutes.

How to find the cheapest flights from Shanghai to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

$565 is the lowest price we've seen for a one-way ticket from Shanghai to San Francisco International Airport. Return flights start from $1,214. Prices may vary depending on availability at the time of booking.
To pick up cheap tickets from Shanghai to SFO, reserve your trip 8 months ahead of your departure.
The cheapest month for tickets from Shanghai to San Francisco International Airport is May. Use the 'Whole month' search feature to find the most affordable day to fly if you're flexible with your plans.
Sign into your online account or use the app to create a Price Alert. We'll let you know right away if there's a deal you can't miss. It's easy to do, and it'll save you time searching for a cheap ticket from Shanghai to SFO every day.
Make the most of the filters to find your ideal journey. To see the 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest' flights from Shanghai to San Francisco International Airport, use the 'Sort by' function. You can also filter by departure and arrival times, airline, and journey duration.

The best time to fly from Shanghai to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

It's time to plan your dates for your flight from Shanghai to San Francisco International Airport. August is the most popular month for a trip to San Francisco. If you prefer a more low-key vibe, go in February.
Lock in your flight from Shanghai to SFO for September if you're eager to visit the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures in San Francisco to range from 12ºC to 22ºC.
Travel in January for cooler conditions. Temperatures average between 6ºC and 16ºC. However, this city promises a good time whenever you book your cheap flights from Shanghai to San Francisco International Airport.

More about San Francisco

Once you've booked your flight from Shanghai to San Francisco International Airport, think about where to rest your head in this city. Make one of these options your base for exploring San Francisco:
There are so many things to discover in this city it can be hard to figure out where to begin. Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island and Lombard Street are popular attractions which should be on any good San Francisco itinerary.

Complete your San Francisco trip with a car rental

We use the same magic that helped you find your cheap flight from Shanghai to San Francisco International Airport to track down your ideal ride. Browse our car rentals in San Francisco and easily compare your options. Plus we give you all the info you need to know, from the most popular rental company to the best time to book.