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How to get from San Diego to Shanghai

No nonstop flights. The fastest way is via Los Angeles: about 18h 16m including the connection. Other options: via San Francisco, Tokyo, Las Vegas and Vancouver. Two tickets from $739.

Flights from San Diego to Shanghai

Pick a departure date to see flights and seller prices

We search agencies and airlines for your day: nonstop and connecting flights, baggage, departure and arrival times.

Filters

Best fares from San Diego to Shanghai

Lowest one-way prices found by recent searches for the next 120 days; press a card to search that date

Cheapest one-way $553 30 November 2026, with a connection Cheapest month November 2026 tickets from $553

Where to connect

Options with one connection, fastest first

fastest, via Los Angeles
18h 16m
two tickets, via Los Angeles
$739
connection options
5
straight-line distance
6,592 mi (10,609 km)
fastest
Via Los Angeles
18h 16m
with the connection
San Diego to Los Angeles flight 1h 6m
Connection of about 3h
Los Angeles to Shanghai flight 14h 10m
two ticketsfrom $739
Via San Francisco
18h 16m
with the connection
San Diego to San Francisco flight 1h 41m
Connection of about 3h Arrival: Metropolitan Oakland International, Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International, San Francisco International. Departure to Shanghai: San Francisco International.
San Francisco to Shanghai flight 13h 35m
two ticketsfrom $779
Via Tokyo
Japan
18h 30m
with the connection
San Diego to Tokyo flight 12h
Connection of about 3h Arrival: Narita International. Departure to Shanghai: Haneda, Narita International.
Tokyo to Shanghai flight 3h 30m
two ticketsfrom $757
Via Las Vegas
18h 35m
with the connection
San Diego to Las Vegas flight 1h 25m
Connection of about 3h
Las Vegas to Shanghai flight 14h 10m
Via Vancouver
Canada
18h 47m
with the connection
San Diego to Vancouver flight 3h 17m
Connection of about 3h
Vancouver to Shanghai flight 12h 30m

One ticket or two

How the options are calculated and what to keep in mind at the connection

Flight times come from the nonstop schedule (estimated from the distance where there is no schedule), with 3h allowed for the connection. The price of an option is the sum of the lowest known fares for each leg; their dates may not match, so treat it as a guide. The search shows tickets for your dates, including connections on a single ticket.

When to visit Shanghai

Weather by month

Best time to visit: April, May, October and November, +18° to +25° by day. In November it is +18° by day and +10° at night, with 7 rainy days.

Jan
+10° +1° 5 days
Feb
+11° +3° 9 days
Mar
+17° +7° 10 days
Apr
+22° +12° 10 days
May
+25° +16° 10 days
Jun
+29° +21° 17 days
Jul
+33° +26° 17 days
Aug
+34° +26° 14 days
Sep
+30° +23° 15 days
Oct
+24° +17° 8 days
Nov
+18° +10° 7 days
Dec
+11° +3° 4 days

Daytime and night temperatures in °C, rainy days. Months with the most comfortable weather are in green. Long-term averages.

Nearest nonstop flights

The closest you can get without a connection

Frequently asked questions

Is there a nonstop flight from San Diego to Shanghai?
There are no nonstop flights in the schedule. You will need a connection, the fastest is via Los Angeles.
What is the fastest way to fly from San Diego to Shanghai?
Via Los Angeles: 1h 6m to the connection, 14h 10m after it, about 18h 16m in total with 3h for the connection.
How much does a flight from San Diego to Shanghai with a connection cost?
Two nonstop tickets via Los Angeles from $739. This is the sum of the lowest known prices for each leg, and their dates may not match.
Which cities can you connect in between San Diego and Shanghai?
Los Angeles (18h 16m total), San Francisco (18h 16m total), Tokyo (18h 30m total), Las Vegas (18h 35m total) and Vancouver (18h 47m total).
How far is Shanghai from San Diego?
6,592 mi (10,609 km) in a straight line between the cities.
How much time should I allow for the connection?
The options allow 3h. On a single ticket the carrier is responsible for the connection; on separate tickets you set the margin yourself, allowing time to collect and re-check your bags.