Singapore and Shanghai sit about 3,825 km apart, and a nonstop flight between them takes around five and a half hours. This Singapore to Shanghai flight guide is for anyone planning the trip in late 2026 or early 2027. It covers the airlines on the route, flight times, the cheapest months, and China’s entry rules for Singaporeans.
You will also find the best ways from Pudong Airport into the city, with prices in yuan and Singapore dollars. We checked fares, schedules, and entry rules in October 2026, so please confirm the details again before you pay. Apps and payments also work very differently in China, so we cover what to set up before you leave home.
Six airlines fly nonstop from Singapore to Shanghai: Singapore Airlines, China Eastern, Juneyao Air, Spring Airlines, Air China, and Shanghai Airlines. The flight takes about 4 hours 50 minutes to 5 hours 50 minutes, and there is no time difference. Singaporeans can visit China without a visa for up to 30 days. Kayak data shows September as the cheapest month for Pudong, at about S$437 return.
Direct Flights from Singapore to Shanghai in 2026
Singapore Airlines and China Eastern share the top spot, with up to five direct flights from Singapore to Shanghai each day. Four more airlines fill in the rest of the week. In total, about 108 nonstop flights a week leave Changi Airport for Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG).
The table below shows how often each airline flies the route, based on schedules updated on 5 October 2026:
| Airline | Type of Airline | Nonstop Flights per Week |
|---|---|---|
| China Eastern | Full-service | 35 |
| Singapore Airlines | Full-service | 35 |
| Juneyao Air | Full-service | 14 |
| Spring Airlines | Low-cost | 13 |
| Air China | Full-service | 7 |
| Shanghai Airlines | Full-service | Up to 7 |
Shanghai has two airports, but nearly every nonstop flight from Changi lands at Pudong in the east. Hongqiao, the older airport in the west, mostly handles domestic flights. Check your ticket closely, because the two airports sit more than 40 km apart.
Every Singapore to Shanghai flight guide should also point out the terminals at Changi. Singapore Airlines, China Eastern, and Shanghai Airlines leave from Terminal 3. Juneyao Air and Spring Airlines use Terminal 4, while Air China departs from Terminal 1.
At Pudong, China Eastern and Shanghai Airlines arrive at Terminal 1. Singapore Airlines, Juneyao Air, Spring Airlines, and Air China use Terminal 2. Both terminals share the same metro and Maglev station, so the transfer into the city starts in the same place.
How to Plan Your Trip with This Singapore to Shanghai Flight Guide
A smooth trip comes down to five choices: flight time, booking date, entry papers, airport transfer, and airline. The sections below cover each one in turn, with real prices and times. Use this Singapore to Shanghai flight guide as a simple plan, and start with the clock.
Singapore to Shanghai Flight Time and Time Difference
The nonstop Singapore to Shanghai flight time is about 4 hours 50 minutes to 5 hours 50 minutes. Most flights land after roughly 5 hours 20 minutes in the air. The trip home is a little longer, at around 5 hours 40 minutes, because of the winds.
There is no time difference between the two cities, since both run on GMT+8 all year. A Singapore Airlines flight that leaves Changi at 7:20 am lands in Shanghai at about 12:40 pm. You can step off the plane and head straight to lunch.
Departures run from just after midnight to almost midnight, so you can fly at nearly any hour. The red-eye flights from China Eastern, Singapore Airlines, and Shanghai Airlines land in Shanghai between about 5:30 am and 9 am. They give you a full first day, though you may wait a few hours for hotel check-in. On a five-hour night flight, a window seat helps you sleep, while an aisle seat suits people who get up often.
When to Book Cheap Flights from Singapore to Shanghai
September is usually the cheapest month to fly to Pudong, with return fares averaging about S$437 on Kayak. March comes in close behind, at around S$424. Kayak’s wider data also shows Wednesday as the cheapest day to fly and Sunday as the priciest.
Fares climb sharply around Chinese New Year, which falls on 6 February 2027. The October Golden Week holiday, from 1 to 7 October, is another busy time across China. Book at least two months ahead if you must travel during either period, and expect crowds at every major sight.
It also pays to look beyond Shanghai itself. Kayak has found one-way fares to nearby Hangzhou from about S$176, often lower than fares to Pudong. Hangzhou sits about an hour from Shanghai by high-speed train, so it works well for a two-city trip.
Weather matters as much as price on this route. Spring from March to May and autumn from September to November bring mild, pleasant days. Summer is hot and humid, with a rainy spell in June and early July. Winter from December to February is cold, with daytime highs often below 10°C.
Set a fare alert on two or three booking sites, then watch prices for a few weeks before you pay. Booking with the airline itself also makes date changes easier if your plans move.
China Entry Rules for Singaporeans
Singapore passport holders can visit mainland China without a visa for up to 30 days per entry. This comes from a two-way deal between Singapore and China that started in February 2024. You also need to fill in China’s free Digital Arrival Card, which replaced the paper form from 20 November 2025:
- Open the official NIA website, the “NIA 12367” app, or the WeChat or Alipay mini program.
- Enter your passport details, flight number, and Shanghai hotel address.
- Choose the 30-day visa waiver as your entry policy and submit the form.
- Save the confirmation on your phone, and take a screenshot for backup.
Fill in the card one to three days before you fly, so the details stay fresh. This part of any Singapore to Shanghai flight guide changes often, so check the rules again a week before your trip. The 30 days start the day after you arrive, so your arrival day does not count.
Your hotel will register your stay with the local police when you check in, so you do not need to do it yourself. If you stay with friends instead, they must register you within 24 hours. If you live in Singapore on another passport, check your own country’s rules, since visa-free terms differ by nationality.
Getting from Pudong Airport to the City
The Maglev is the fastest and most fun way to leave Pudong Airport. The magnetic train covers 30 km to Longyang Road station in about eight minutes, at speeds of 300 km/h. A one-way ticket costs RMB 50, or about S$9.50, with 20% off if you show a same-day boarding pass.
The Maglev stops at Longyang Road, which is still outside the city centre. From there, you change to Metro Line 2 for People’s Square, East Nanjing Road, or Jing’an Temple. The whole trip takes about an hour, and the last Maglev leaves around 9:40 pm.
Metro Line 2 also runs straight from the airport for just RMB 7, or about S$1.30. It takes around an hour to People’s Square and suits travellers with light bags. A taxi to the city centre costs about RMB 180, or around S$34, and takes 40 to 50 minutes without heavy traffic.
Late arrivals still have options after the trains stop running. Night airport buses run from about 11 pm to 5:30 am, and taxis wait outside both terminals all night. Foreign bank cards now work at airport metro counters and on the Maglev, so you can buy tickets on arrival. For taxis, show the driver your hotel name in Chinese characters, since many drivers do not read English.
Full-Service or Budget: Which Airline to Choose
All six airlines fly the same five-hour route, but the trip feels quite different on each one. Here is how they compare on the things most travellers care about:
- Singapore Airlines flies newer jets and earns KrisFlyer miles.
- China Eastern matches its daily flights and suits SkyTeam members.
- Juneyao Air flies twice a day and often prices below the bigger airlines.
- Spring Airlines is the cheapest choice, but bags and meals cost extra.
- Air China flies an Airbus A350 once a day and suits Star Alliance members.
On a flight longer than five hours, a meal and a checked bag are worth paying for. Full-service fares include both, so the price gap often shrinks once you add extras to a budget ticket.
Singapore to Shanghai Flight Guide Checklist Before You Fly
Run through this list two days before you leave for Changi. A missing app or form in Shanghai causes far more stress than a heavy bag does:
- Make sure your passport is valid for the whole of your stay.
- Fill in your Digital Arrival Card one to three days before you fly.
- Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay and link your Singapore bank card.
- Buy an eSIM or turn on roaming, since local Wi-Fi blocks Google and WhatsApp.
- Download a map app such as Amap, since Google Maps works poorly in China.
- Confirm your Changi terminal, since airlines on this route use three of them.
- Pack a universal plug adapter, because most Chinese sockets differ from ours.
At about RMB 5.29 per Singapore dollar in September 2026, S$100 buys roughly RMB 529. Most shops and taxis in Shanghai prefer mobile payments, so carry only a little cash as a backup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which airline is best for a Singapore to Shanghai flight?
Our pick in this Singapore to Shanghai flight guide is Singapore Airlines, because of its newer cabins and strong service. Our second choice is China Eastern, which offers the same number of flights and often lower fares. Spring Airlines is the best budget pick for travellers who pack light.
How far is Shanghai from Singapore by plane?
The flight distance between Singapore and Shanghai is about 3,825 km, or roughly 2,377 miles. That makes it a medium-haul trip, a little longer than the flight to Hong Kong. Most nonstop flights take just over five hours, so a morning departure gets you there by lunch.
Can I pay with my Singapore credit card in Shanghai?
Large hotels, malls, and the Maglev accept foreign cards, but many small shops and food stalls do not. Most locals pay by scanning a QR code with Alipay or WeChat Pay. Both apps now let you link a Singapore Visa or Mastercard, so set one up before you fly.
Can I connect from Pudong to Hongqiao Airport?
Yes, the new Airport Link Line now joins Pudong and Hongqiao by rail. The trip takes about 40 minutes and costs around RMB 26. Allow at least four hours between flights, since you must clear immigration and collect your bags first.
What changes should travellers watch for after October 2026?
China updates its entry rules and arrival card system from time to time, so check the embassy notices before each trip. Fares also rise in the weeks before Chinese New Year in February 2027. We will update this Singapore to Shanghai flight guide when schedules, fares, or entry rules change.
Conclusion
For most people, the best Singapore to Shanghai flight is a morning nonstop on Singapore Airlines or China Eastern. You land around lunchtime, ride the Maglev into Pudong, and lose no time to jet lag. Budget travellers should price Spring Airlines with a checked bag added.
Use this Singapore to Shanghai flight guide to sort out three things before you pay: your arrival card, your payment apps, and a fare alert. If your dates can move, watch September and March fares on Kayak. Bookmark this Singapore to Shanghai flight guide too, because we update it when airlines or entry rules change.