Flying from Houston to Shanghai: what you need to know
There are two main airports you can fly out of in Houston. Check out your options leaving from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) or William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) when searching for a flight from Houston to Shanghai.
When it comes to working out where to land in Shanghai, Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) are the chief entry points.
Shanghai's timezone is UTC+8, making Shanghai 13 hours ahead of Houston.
For a stress-free journey, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This leaves you with plenty of time to board your Houston to Shanghai flight.
Peak months like July or high seasons such as Christmas and New Year will mean bigger queues at security and check-in. Traveling then? Play it safe and get to the terminal even earlier. Arriving two hours before a domestic flight and four hours ahead of international departures is wise.
How to find the cheapest flights from Houston to Shanghai
To pick up cheap Houston to Shanghai flights, book early. Airlines usually offer lower prices when tickets first go on sale.
If you're willing to be flexible with your travel plans, use the 'Whole month' tool. It'll give you the cheapest price across the month when looking for your plane ticket from Houston to Shanghai.
Cut down on the time spent looking for cheap flights from Houston to Shanghai by setting up a Price Alert. You'll get an email or notification on the app when a special offer becomes available.
Tailor your trip using filters. Choose your ideal departure and arrival times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort your results by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest' Houston to Shanghai flights.
Flying from Houston
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
A stopover is the perfect opportunity to break up your journey — and possibly even explore a different city. When browsing Houston to Shanghai flights leaving from George Bush Intercontinental Airport, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Top options include:
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Narita International Airport (NRT)
Traveling from central Houston to IAH takes about 50 minutes on public transport. If you ride-share, drive or get a cab, you'll cover the 13 miles in 20 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Have an early flight from Houston to Shanghai? Avoid the stress of rushing to the terminal (and sneak in some extra precious sleep) by choosing one of these stays close to George Bush Intercontinental Airport:
Of the departures from George Bush Intercontinental Airport, 78.42% land on time at their destination.
IAH is located at 16930 JFK Boulevard.
William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)
Give yourself a moment to recharge during your Houston to Shanghai flight with a stopover. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is one of the options between William P. Hobby Airport and Shanghai.
With public transport, you can travel from central Houston to HOU in around 1 hour 40 minutes. The airport is roughly 10 miles away. Driving will take you about 20 minutes.
Start your vacation sooner with an additional night away from home. Before your flight from Houston to Shanghai, kick back in one of these hotels near William P. Hobby Airport:
The majority of flights that leave William P. Hobby Airport get to their destination right on cue. It boasts an on-time performance rate of 81.06%.
The street address for HOU is 7800 Airport Boulevard.
Arriving in Shanghai
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
The distance from Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) to central Shanghai is approximately 20 miles. It takes around 50 minutes to reach the center driving.
The last thing you want is a long journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from Houston to Shanghai. Check in to one of these accommodation options near PVG instead:
Pick up a Shanghai Pudong International Airport rental car and explore parts of Shanghai that are off the usual tourist route. Check out the deals from Hertz.
To get the lowest possible price, reserve your ride from Shanghai Pudong International Airport several weeks in advance. Prices typically go up closer to the day of travel.
The address for PVG is No.300 Qihang Road.
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) is roughly 8 miles from central Shanghai. Once you've hopped off your flight from Houston to Shanghai, it'll take you approximately 20 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a cab or ride-share.
After your flight from Houston to Shanghai, rest your head at a hotel near SHA. These are some comfortable options that'll help you slip into relaxation mode:
Grab a Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport rental car and unlock a world of freedom with your own set of wheels. Hertz is just moments from baggage claim, ensuring a fast and easy pick-up.
Avoid the long lines and paperwork at the rental desk by having everything prearranged. Reserve your ride from SHA in advance so you can just grab the keys and get going.
The address for Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport is 700 Yingbin 1st Rd.
Best time to go to Shanghai
It's time to figure out your dates for your flight from Houston to Shanghai. April is the most popular month to visit Shanghai. If you prefer a more relaxed atmosphere, go in April.
The warmest month in Shanghai is August, with temperatures ranging between 73ºF and 93ºF. Book your Houston to Shanghai ticket then if that's your ideal forecast.
January sees average temperatures of between 30ºF and 50ºF. Search for cheap flights from Houston to Shanghai around that time if you like cooler conditions.
More about Shanghai
Start your Shanghai trip right by choosing the perfect place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from Houston to Shanghai, explore our selection of accommodation options including:
All great adventures should include some sightseeing. The Bund Sightseeing Avenue, Yu Garden and Shanghai Tower are must-visits when exploring Shanghai.
Explore more of China
Shanghai is always a good idea, but there are so many other parts of China just waiting to be discovered. Around 170 miles west of Shanghai, a trip to Nanjing will keep your itinerary packed. Start with popular sights like Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Nanjing City Wall and Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall.
Around 50 miles west of Shanghai, Suzhou is another favorite stop in China. Experience this destination's highlights firsthand at Lotus Peak, Tianpingshan and Shangfang Tower.
