Travelling from Shanghai to London Gatwick Airport (LGW): what you need to know
Start your travel planning by considering where you'll board your flight from Shanghai to London Gatwick Airport (LGW). Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) are the main airports in Shanghai.
Around 12 hours 38 minutes is how long you can expect to be in the air on a direct flight from Shanghai to London Gatwick Airport.
London Gatwick Airport is located in London. The city operates in the UTC+0 timezone and is 8 hours behind Shanghai.
The most popular route is from Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) to London Gatwick Airport (LGW), with 32 direct services every week. If you'd like to head off as soon as possible, the earliest flight from PVG to LGW is the 00:55 China Eastern service. If you prefer travelling later, the last departure is at 10:35 with China Eastern.
To ensure you get on your flight from Shanghai to LGW, leave plenty of time for things like baggage drop and finding your gate. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
Popular months like July or other peak periods mean bigger queues and potential delays. Stay ahead of the crowds by arriving at the airport even earlier. Aim for at least four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours before domestic departures.
Airports in Shanghai
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
Fly without interruptions from Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG). Nonstop flights from Shanghai to London Gatwick Airport (LGW) operate from here.
Air China is a leading airline that offers direct flights from Shanghai to London Gatwick Airport departing from PVG.
We make it easy to plan a flight from Shanghai to LGW that includes a stopover. To see your options departing from Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG), deselect 'Direct flights only.' Next, choose a flight with a stop long enough to explore your chosen city. Popular stopovers between PVG and LGW include:
Franz Josef Strauss Airport (MUC)
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol Airport (AMS)
Zhengzhou Xinzheng Airport (CGO)
PVG is about 56 kilometres from central Shanghai. To help you work out how to get there, use Google Maps. This useful travel app will give you the fastest route and your public transport options.
Want a leisurely start to your journey? Stay near Shanghai Pudong International Airport. Whether you've booked an early flight from Shanghai to London Gatwick Airport or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels are ideal:
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)
Looking to fly out of Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)? You can book a direct flight from Shanghai to London Gatwick Airport (LGW) out of this popular hub.
Think about adding a stop at Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK). It's a popular stopover on a flight from Shanghai to London Gatwick Airport (LGW) leaving Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport. Use a longer layover to explore nearby, or take advantage of a quick break to freshen up at the airport.
Driving from central Shanghai to SHA typically takes 21 minutes, depending on traffic. It's approximately 14 kilometres from the city centre to the airport.
It's your holiday, so why not extend it with another night away? Think about staying at one of these accommodation options near Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport the day before your flight from Shanghai to LGW:
About London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
Reserve a hotel close to LGW if you're taking a late flight from Shanghai to London Gatwick Airport. Check in to one of these options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Getting from London Gatwick Airport (LGW) to central London
London Gatwick Airport to central London takes about 1 hour and 19 minutes by car. It's approximately 80 kilometres away. Find out what options are available, such as car rentals, cabs or ride-sharing.
It typically takes 1 hour and 26 minutes to get there using public transport.
How to find the cheapest flights from Shanghai to London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
P14,870 is the lowest price we've seen for a one-way ticket from Shanghai to London Gatwick Airport. Return flights start from P35,345. Prices are subject to change based on availability and may vary at the time of booking.
You're more likely to score cheap tickets from Shanghai to LGW if you book 9 months ahead of takeoff. We crunched the flight price data and found that's when fares for this journey are usually at their lowest.
You'll land the best savings on your tickets from Shanghai to London Gatwick Airport if you travel in June. Take it one step further and use the 'Whole month' search tool to find the cheapest day to fly.
Log into your online account or use the app to create a Price Alert. We'll get in touch straight away if there's an incredible deal on this route. It's simple to do, and it'll save you the hassle of looking for cheap tickets from Shanghai to LGW every day.
Use the filters to tailor your flights from Shanghai to London Gatwick Airport. Simply select your preferred departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines. You can also sort your results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
The best time to fly from Shanghai to London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
February is the quietest time to travel to London. Alternatively, join the crowds and take off in August. This is the busiest month for flights from Shanghai to London Gatwick Airport, but the best time to go is up to you.
When booking your flight from Shanghai to LGW, think about the kind of weather you enjoy. July is the warmest month in London, with the temperature ranging from 11ºC to 26ºC.
Look for cheap flights from Shanghai to London Gatwick Airport in January if you'd rather travel during cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest around then, ranging between 0ºC and 9ºC on average.
More about London
When it comes to looking for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the most popular stays in London right here. Browse these hotels once you've booked your flight from Shanghai to London Gatwick Airport:
Every great journey has to include some sightseeing. Big Ben, The British Museum and Buckingham Palace are attractions you won't want to skip in London.
Complete your London trip with a car rental
Close all those tabs and leave the hard work to us. We've also got amazing deals on car rentals in London once you've booked your cheap flight from Shanghai to London Gatwick Airport. Easily compare prices all in one place and drive away with the lowest rate in town.