Flying from Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai: what you need to know
Get your holiday planning started by considering the departure point for your flight from Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai. Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) and Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB) are Kuala Lumpur's main airports.
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) are Shanghai's primary gateways.
Around 5 hours 30 minutes is how long you can expect to be travelling on a direct Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai flight.
Kuala Lumpur and Shanghai are in the same timezone, UTC+8.
With 49 flights a week between the two airports, Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) is the busiest route. Hop on the earliest flight from Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai with China Eastern Airlines at 01:55. If you'd like to get more out of your day before taking off, the last departure from KUL to PVG is with AirAsia X at 23:15.
For stress-free travel, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. That way, you won't have to rush to catch your Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai flight.
You can expect longer lines in popular months like August. Arriving up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours for a domestic departure is a good idea.
How to find the cheapest flights from Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai
Book four months before you want to travel. Research into pricing trends suggests this is the ideal window for finding cheap Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai flights.
The best month for finding cheap plane tickets from Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai is July. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare prices, then choose the dates that offer the biggest savings.
You don't need to search every day to find out if prices have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll notify you as soon as a better deal is available on cheap flights from Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai.
Find a cheap Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai flight with the help of our filters. Choose your preferred duration, departure time and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Flying from Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL)
If you're after a direct flight from Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai, you can depart from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL). Fly from KUL to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) without any stops.
You can choose from a range of carriers offering direct Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai plane tickets with departures from KUL, including:
A stopover is the perfect opportunity to break up your trip — and perhaps even visit a new city. When searching for Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai flights leaving from Kuala Lumpur International Airport, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Here are some popular options to consider:
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN)
Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport (SZX)
Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport (XMN)
Located around 48 kilometres from the centre of Kuala Lumpur, KUL can be reached in about 1 hour 5 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey by public transport will take roughly 1 hour.
Planning to catch an early flight from Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the airport (and get some extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these stays near Kuala Lumpur International Airport:
Of the departures from Kuala Lumpur International Airport, 58.65% land on time at their destination.
Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB)
Take some time to stretch your legs during your Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai flight with a stopover. Penang International Airport (PEN) is one of the top options between Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport and Shanghai.
You can get to SZB from the centre of Kuala Lumpur in about 25 minutes by car, depending on traffic conditions. The ride by public transport will take roughly 1 hour 30 minutes to travel the 18 kilometres or so.
It's your holiday, so why not book another night away? Think about checking in to one of these accommodation options near Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport the day before your flight from Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai:
68% of flights departing Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport arrive according to schedule.
Arriving in Shanghai
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) is approximately 32 kilometres from central Shanghai. If you're catching a cab or a ride-share, the drive takes around 50 minutes.
Travelling to the centre by public transport will take you roughly 40 minutes.
If you're arriving on a late flight from Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai, few things beat the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your luggage from the carousel and then be showered and snoozing soon after at one of these accommodation options near PVG:
Venture beyond Shanghai and explore places that don't make every travel guide with your own set of wheels. You can pick up a Shanghai Pudong International Airport rental car from Hertz.
Improve your chances of scoring the best possible rate by booking as soon as possible. Reserving your ride from Shanghai Pudong International Airport at least a couple of weeks ahead is a good move.
You'll find PVG at No.300 Qihang Road.
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) is about 13 kilometres from the centre of Shanghai. Once you've hopped off your flight from Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai, it takes approximately 20 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a cab or ride-share.
After your flight from Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai, unwind at a hotel near SHA. These are some comfortable options that'll help you switch to relaxation mode:
Grab a Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport rental car and expand your travel horizons with your own wheels. Hertz is just moments from baggage claim, so you'll be on the road in a flash.
Get your preferred vehicle, not just whatever's left, by reserving your ride from SHA before your arrival. You can also avoid paying extra, especially when the airport is busy.
The address for Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport is 700 Yingbin 1st Rd.
Best time to go to Shanghai
April is the quietest month for flights from Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai, while April is the most popular. Find the best time to go to Shanghai based on whether you want a bustling atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
Book a Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai ticket departing in August if you're eager to experience the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures in Shanghai to range from 23ºC to 34ºC.
If you like travelling in cooler conditions, look for a cheap flight from Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai in January when temperatures average between -1ºC and 10ºC.
More about Shanghai
Start your Shanghai trip off on the right foot by choosing the perfect place to stay. After booking your flight from Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai, check out our range of accommodation options including:
The Bund Sightseeing Avenue and Yu Garden are a couple of top-rated attractions to put on your Shanghai must-do list. Continue your sightseeing adventures at Shanghai Tower.
Explore more of China
Shanghai has loads to offer, but there are so many other corners of China you should also see. Around 274 kilometres west of Shanghai, a trip to Nanjing will keep you on the move. Start with attractions like Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Nanjing City Wall and Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall.
If you're ready to explore another corner of China, head for Suzhou, roughly 80 kilometres west of Shanghai. Lotus Peak, Tianpingshan and Shangfang Tower are the start of reasons to visit.