Flights Shanghai — Cape Town

Cheap flights Shanghai — Cape Town

Below you can see the best deals on flights Shanghai — Cape Town for upcoming dates. Direct and connecting flights from various airlines — compare prices and choose the right ticket.

The lowest price for the next 2 months is on 9 September, from $612.

Top 10 cheap flights Shanghai — Cape Town

Direct flights Shanghai — Cape Town

Direct flight options for Shanghai — Cape Town with no stopovers on upcoming dates. A direct flight is faster and more convenient — especially when travelling with luggage or children.

The fastest direct flight takes around 16 h 43 min.

Top 10 direct flights Shanghai — Cape Town

About the Shanghai — Cape Town flight

On this page, you can find and book flights from Shanghai to Cape Town. This flight connects China and South Africa, covering a distance of 12,973 km, which requires careful planning of connections and travel time.

Flights are operated by leading global airlines, ensuring comfort on long-haul routes. Ticket prices are dynamic, so to find the best deal, use the provided low-price calendar and check the information on how to get to the airport of departure and getting from the airport to your final destination.

Below is a calendar of the lowest flight ticket prices for Shanghai — Cape Town by day. Pick a convenient date and instantly see the fare. The cheapest flights on this route start from $604 in F, and the most expensive are around $872 in n. If your travel dates are flexible, the calendar will help you find the best price for your preferred period. To view round-trip fares, switch to the "Round trip" tab above the calendar, select your departure date — and the right-hand calendar will highlight the lowest prices for return flights on each day.

Prices by month

Shanghai → Cape Town, average one-way price

Month	Average price	Level	Month	Average price	Level	Month	Average price	Level
Jan	$1,150	high	May	$830	low	Sep	$920	medium
Feb	$1,124	high	Jun	$792	low	Oct	$984	medium
Mar	$996	medium	Jul	$805	low	Nov	$1,022	medium
Apr	$958	medium	Aug	$817	low	Dec	$1,150	high

Some values are estimated based on seasonality.

When to fly

The warmest period in Cape Town is January and February, when the average maximum reaches 22.8°C. June is considered the coldest and rainiest month, with precipitation up to 101.15 mm and daytime temperatures around 16.8°C.

The lowest flight cost was recorded in July, starting $602. Prices peak in March and April, when ticket costs can reach $872 or $884 respectively.

The optimal time for a trip is October or November: during these months, the weather is pleasant, and prices remain at a moderate level—around $654. It is advisable to avoid flying in March due to peak ticket costs.

Temperature · Cape Town

Dry and wet days · Cape Town

Wind speed and direction · Cape Town

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How to get the best deal on a Shanghai — Cape Town ticket

Book in advance: for flights covering a distance of 12,973 km, the best deals usually appear 2–3 months before departure.
Use the low-price calendar: the price difference between adjacent dates in September can be more than $64.
Watch for connections: flights with one layover at major hubs are often cheaper than options with the shortest travel time.
Check baggage allowances: on long-haul routes with full-service carriers, baggage is usually included, but basic fares might be refundable or hand-luggage only.

Major international airlines operate on this route, offering flights with one or two connections. The majority of flights are operated by carriers such as Ethiopian Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Emirates. There are virtually no direct flights on this route, so most options involve a layover at major hubs. You can find the detailed schedule and available dates in the list below.

Ethiopian AirlinesET
WebsiteFleet: 14517.1M pax/year
- PVG → ADD → CPT (with stopover)
- PVG → HAN → BOM → ADD → CPT (with stopover)
- PVG → BKK → BOM → ADD → CPT (with stopover)
Open →
VietJet AirVJ
WebsiteFleet: 10525.3M pax/year
- PVG → HAN → BOM → ADD → CPT (with stopover)
Open →
Thai AirwaysTG
WebsiteFleet: 7715M pax/year
- PVG → BKK → BOM → ADD → CPT (with stopover)
Open →

Cities and airports on the Shanghai — Cape Town route

Flights Shanghai — Cape Town depart from Shanghai Pudong International Airport and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport and arrive at Cape Town International Airport. Below are pages for the cities, countries, and airports on the route: airlines, schedules, and travel guides.

Departure

Shanghai

SHA

China

About the city How to get there Weather All about the country China

Arrival

Cape Town

CPT

South Africa

About the city How to get there Weather All about the country South Africa

Departure airports

Shanghai Pudong International AirportPVG
About the airport
Shanghai Hongqiao International AirportSHA
About the airport

Arrival airports

Cape Town International AirportCPT
About the airport

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Frequently asked questions about the Shanghai — Cape Town flight

How long is the flight from Shanghai to Cape Town?

The distance between the cities is 12,973 km. Pure flying time is about 15–16 hours, but including mandatory layovers, the total travel time usually starts from 20 hours.

Which airlines fly this route?

Flights are operated by leading global carriers, including Ethiopian Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, and others. An up-to-date list of all companies is available on this page.

Are there direct flights?

Currently, there are no direct scheduled flights between the cities; flights are operated with one or more connections.

How much is the cheapest ticket?

Prices change constantly depending on the season and demand. You can check the current minimum in the low-price calendar or on the price dynamics chart.

Which airport does the flight arrive at?

Arrivals are at Cape Town International Airport (CPT), which is the main aviation hub for the region.

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