Flying from Shanghai to Osaka: what you need to know
There are a couple of main airports you can fly out of in Shanghai. Check out your options departing from Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) or Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA) when organising your flight from Shanghai to Osaka.
When choosing where to land in Osaka, Kansai International (Osaka) Airport (KIX) and Kobe Airport (UKB) are the major entry points.
The average duration of a direct Shanghai to Osaka flight is 2 hours 20 minutes.
The timezone in Osaka is UTC+9, which is one hour ahead of Shanghai.
The most popular route for flights from Shanghai to Osaka is from Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) to Kansai International (Osaka) Airport (KIX). Take your pick of 99 weekly services between these two airports. If you want to maximise your time on arrival, the earliest flight from PVG to KIX is the 06:05 Peach Aviation option. If you prefer travelling later, the last departure is at 19:05 with ANA.
Give yourself plenty of time to catch your Shanghai to Osaka flight. As a general rule, arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
During popular months such as April, it's best to get to the airport earlier. Plan to arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead for an international flight whenever you're travelling during peak periods in general.
How to find the cheapest flights from Shanghai to Osaka
To snag cheap Shanghai to Osaka flights, book your journey 11 months before your departure.
Plan your trip for April. That's the best month for scoring a great bargain on plane tickets from Shanghai to Osaka. If your travel dates are not set in stone, use the 'Whole month' tool to see the lowest price across each month.
There's no need to check back in every day to find out if prices have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll let you know as soon as a better deal comes up on cheap flights from Shanghai to Osaka.
Lock in a cheap Shanghai to Osaka flight with the help of our filters. Select your preferred times, number of stops and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
Flying from Shanghai
Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG)
Start your trip at Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG), which offers a range of direct flights from Shanghai to Osaka. From PVG, you can fly seamlessly to Kansai International (Osaka) Airport (KIX) or Kobe Airport (UKB).
These are some of the leading carriers offering direct Shanghai to Osaka plane tickets out of PVG:
Think about adding a stopover to possibly find a cheaper Shanghai to Osaka flight. Just uncheck 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from Shanghai Pudong Airport. Take a break from travelling at one of these popular airports:
Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND)
Incheon International Airport (ICN)
Fukuoka Airport (FUK)
PVG is around 32 kilometres from central Shanghai. If you're ride-sharing, catching a taxi or driving from the centre, it'll take 1 hour 5 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic conditions. If you're taking public transport, expect the travel time to be around 50 minutes.
Need a handy hotel close to Shanghai Pudong Airport? If you've booked an early flight from Shanghai to Osaka, these stays will have you moments from your departure gate:
Shanghai Pudong Airport has an excellent on-time record, reducing the likelihood of delays. Departures from PVG arrive on schedule 83% of the time.
PVG is located at No.300 Qihang Road.
Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA)
Split up your Shanghai to Osaka flight with a stop so you can freshen up or tick another place off your list. Popular stopovers between Shanghai Hongqiao Airport and Osaka include:
Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND)
Xiamen Airport (XMN)
Qingdao Airport (TAO)
You can reach SHA from the centre of Shanghai in about 30 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The ride on public transport takes roughly 40 minutes to travel the 13 kilometres or so.
Start your holiday early with an additional night away from home. Before your flight from Shanghai to Osaka, kick back in one of these hotels close to Shanghai Hongqiao Airport:
Shanghai Hongqiao Airport has earned its reputation for punctuality. 85% of flights leaving here arrive right on target.
SHA is located at 700 Yingbin 1st Rd.
Arriving in Osaka
Kansai International (Osaka) Airport (KIX)
Kansai International (Osaka) Airport (KIX) to central Osaka takes around 50 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 40 kilometres away.
Getting to the centre on public transport will take you around 45 minutes.
Reserve a hotel near KIX if you're coming in on a late flight from Shanghai to Osaka. Check in to one of these accommodation options and skip the long transfer:
Pick up a Kansai International (Osaka) Airport rental car and discover Osaka and beyond with your own wheels. BEST KANSAI CAR RENTAL, BE KOBE and TravelCar are top providers to choose from here.
To lock in the best rate, reserve your ride from Kansai International (Osaka) Airport at least a couple of weeks ahead. Prices typically increase closer to your departure date.
KIX is situated at 1 Senshukukokita, Izumisano.
Itami Domestic (Osaka) Airport (ITM)
Itami Domestic (Osaka) Airport (ITM) is around 11 kilometres from central Osaka. Once you've disembarked your flight from Shanghai to Osaka, it takes approximately 30 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a taxi or ride-share.
If you hop on public transport, you'll get to the city centre in 35 minutes or so.
Hang up the 'Do not disturb' sign and relax at a hotel near ITM. Here are a few options where you can settle in after your flight from Shanghai to Osaka:
Europcar, Times and Rakuten make collecting a Itami Domestic (Osaka) Airport rental car simple. These reliable suppliers are located in or around the terminal and will have you ready to go in a flash.
Avoid filling out paperwork at the rental desk by completing your booking beforehand. Reserve your ride from ITM in advance so you can just get the keys and go.
You'll find Itami Domestic (Osaka) Airport at 3丁目555 Nishimachi, Hotarugaike, Toyonaka.
Kobe Airport (UKB)
Head to the city centre after your flight from Shanghai to Osaka has landed. Central Osaka is around 26 kilometres from Kobe Airport (UKB) and takes roughly 40 minutes to reach by car.
If you're travelling on public transport, expect a journey of around 50 minutes.
Be in the driver's seat of the next leg of your journey with a Kobe Airport rental car. Europcar, Times and Rakuten are some companies you can book with.
Rental agencies sometimes offer deals for early bookings, so book your vehicle from UKB in advance of your flight from Shanghai to Osaka. A little prep today saves cash tomorrow.
The street address for Kobe Airport is 1 Kobekuko, Chuo Ward.
Best time to go to Osaka
March is the quietest month for flights from Shanghai to Osaka, while November is the busiest. Pick the ideal time to go to Osaka based on whether you like a laid-back vibe or a lively atmosphere.
When booking your Shanghai to Osaka tickets, consider the type of weather you enjoy. August is the warmest month in Osaka, with temperatures ranging from 21ºC to 34ºC.
Search for cheap flights from Shanghai to Osaka in January if you like travelling in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 0ºC and 10ºC on average.
More about Osaka
Once you've booked your flight from Shanghai to Osaka, choose a hotel that puts you where you want to be. Make one of these options your base for exploring Osaka:
There are so many things to discover in this city it can be hard to work out where to begin. Dotonbori, Osaka Castle and Universal Studios Japan are top attractions which should be on any good Osaka itinerary.
Explore more of Japan
Tokyo is just one of the many places in Japan waiting to be explored once you've seen Osaka. Around 402 kilometres to the east, popular attractions include TOKYO SKYTREE, Sensho-ji and Ginza Central Street.
Around 137 kilometres northeast of Osaka, Nagoya is another favourite stop in Japan. Experience this destination's highlights firsthand at Nagoya Castle, Sky Promenade and Port Of Nagoya Public Aquarium.
