$463 Find Cheap Flights from Washington, D.C. to Shanghai - Compare and Save

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Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
$1,037
Typical prices: $1,136-$1,658
ANA
Sun 2/25Sun 3/4
IAD - SHA • 1 stop
Cheapest one-way
$459
Typical prices: $619-$919
Multiple Airlines
Wed 3/7
IAD - PVG • 2 stops
Nonstop flights
Not available
There are currently no direct flights between Washington, D.C. and Shanghai. You'll need to take a connecting flight to reach the destination.
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Top routes
IAD - SHA
Cheapest • 11% average savings
IAD - PVG
Most popular
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When to book
17 weeks
in advance
Our data shows that travelers who book at least 17 weeks in advance save around 8% compared to booking last minute.
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When to travel
September
Cheapest • 16% price drop
June
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top layover airports
Istanbul (IST)
Cheapest • Avg $1,113 (round-trip)
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County (DTW)
Shortest trip • 19h 49m (one-way)
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Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Washington, D.C. to Shanghai (WAS-SHA)

 
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent round-trip flight deals from Washington, D.C. to Shanghai

Thu, Feb 25 - Thu, Mar 4
ANA Logo
11:10 am - 12:25 pmIAD  Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl-SHA Shanghai Hongqiao Intl
36h 15m1 stop Tokyo Haneda
ANA Logo
1:40 pm - 9:10 amSHA  Shanghai Hongqiao Intl-IAD Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl
32h 30m1 stop Tokyo Haneda
$1,037ANA
Fri, Dec 25 - Tue, Jan 12
Turkish Airlines Logo
1:30 pm - 8:15 amIAD  Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl-PVG Shanghai Pu Dong
29h 45m1 stop Istanbul
Turkish Airlines Logo
11:05 pm - 11:45 amPVG  Shanghai Pu Dong-IAD Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl
25h 40m1 stop Istanbul
$1,037Turkish Airlines
Fri, Apr 30 - Thu, Jul 29
Korean Air Logo
1:15 pm - 12:25 pmIAD  Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl-PVG Shanghai Pu Dong
35h 10m1 stop Incheon Intl
Korean Air Logo
11:10 am - 11:15 amPVG  Shanghai Pu Dong-IAD Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl
36h 05m1 stop Incheon Intl
$1,037Korean Air
Thu, Apr 1 - Sat, Apr 17
Korean Air Logo
1:15 pm - 9:40 amIAD  Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl-PVG Shanghai Pu Dong
32h 25m1 stop Incheon Intl
Korean Air Logo
11:10 am - 11:15 amPVG  Shanghai Pu Dong-IAD Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl
36h 05m1 stop Incheon Intl
$1,037Korean Air
Sat, Nov 21 - Sun, Nov 29
Ethiopian Air Logo
8:50 pm - 4:15 pmIAD  Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl-PVG Shanghai Pu Dong
30h 25m2 stops Lome Addis Ababa Bole
Ethiopian Air Logo
11:30 pm - 7:05 pmPVG  Shanghai Pu Dong-IAD Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl
32h 35m2 stops Addis Ababa Bole Lome
$1,037Ethiopian Air
Sun, Jan 17 - Sun, Jan 24
Qatar Airways Logo
8:05 pm - 2:40 pmIAD  Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl-PVG Shanghai Pu Dong
29h 35m1 stop Doha Hamad Intl
Qatar Airways Logo
11:35 pm - 3:55 pmPVG  Shanghai Pu Dong-IAD Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl
29h 20m1 stop Doha Hamad Intl
$1,039Qatar Airways
Sun, Jan 17 - Sat, Mar 27
Qatar Airways Logo
8:05 pm - 2:40 pmIAD  Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl-PVG Shanghai Pu Dong
29h 35m1 stop Doha Hamad Intl
Qatar Airways Logo
6:10 pm - 8:45 amPVG  Shanghai Pu Dong-IAD Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl
26h 35m1 stop Doha Hamad Intl
$1,039Qatar Airways
Sat, Nov 21 - Tue, Dec 1
Ethiopian Air Logo
8:50 pm - 4:15 pmIAD  Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl-PVG Shanghai Pu Dong
30h 25m2 stops Lome Addis Ababa Bole
Ethiopian Air Logo
11:30 pm - 7:05 pmPVG  Shanghai Pu Dong-IAD Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl
32h 35m2 stops Addis Ababa Bole Lome
$1,042Ethiopian Air
Sun, Feb 21 - Wed, Apr 28
ANA Logo
11:10 am - 12:25 pmIAD  Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl-SHA Shanghai Hongqiao Intl
36h 15m1 stop Tokyo Haneda
ANA Logo
1:35 pm - 10:05 amSHA  Shanghai Hongqiao Intl-IAD Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl
32h 30m1 stop Tokyo Haneda
$1,042ANA
Sun, Jan 10 - Tue, Jan 26
Turkish Airlines Logo
9:20 pm - 5:10 pmIAD  Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl-PVG Shanghai Pu Dong
30h 50m1 stop Istanbul
Turkish Airlines Logo
9:55 am - 11:45 amPVG  Shanghai Pu Dong-IAD Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl
38h 50m1 stop Istanbul
$1,049Turkish Airlines
Booking Insights

Price, demand and travel trends for Washington, D.C. to Shanghai flights

Use KAYAK data on prices, travel dates, airlines and seasonal trends to compare options and book flights with more confidence.

How much is a round-trip flight from Washington, D.C. to Shanghai?

Round-trip flights from Washington, D.C. to Shanghai typically range from $1,136 to $1,658. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was $1,037, on ANA.

What is the cheapest Washington, D.C. to Shanghai flight route?

Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport (IAD) to Shanghai Hongqiao Intl Airport (SHA) is the cheapest Washington, D.C. to Shanghai route, averaging $1,170 round-trip. Other Washington, D.C. to Shanghai routes average $1,380, based on KAYAK data over the past 12 months.

What's the cheapest day of the week to fly from Washington, D.C. to Shanghai?

Based on deals KAYAK users found in the last 12 months, Wednesday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from Washington, D.C. to Shanghai. It’s 8% cheaper than the average day, while Friday is the most expensive, with prices 12% higher.

What’s the cheapest month to fly from Washington, D.C. to Shanghai?

•September is the cheapest month to fly from Washington, D.C. to Shanghai at $1,118 round-trip.
•December ($1,930) and June ($1,585) are the most expensive months.
•The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 72% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are flights from Washington, D.C. to Shanghai the cheapest?

Flights from Washington, D.C. to Shanghai are cheapest 17 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 8% less than the average last-minute fare (within 2 weeks of the flight), based on KAYAK data.

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Key details for Washington, D.C. to Shanghai flights

Low season

February

Cheapest flight

$459
Beat the crowds with an average 43% drop in travelers.
The most popular month to fly with an average 70% increase in travelers.
One-way flight from Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport to Shanghai Pu Dong Airport

When to book flights from Washington, D.C. to Shanghai

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from Washington, D.C. to Shanghai based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated round-trip price

Your Washington, D.C. to Shanghai flight questions, answered

Find helpful answers about this route, including flight times, airports, airlines and booking tips.

  • What cabin classes can I book on flights from Washington, D.C. to Shanghai?

    Four cabin classes are available on flights from Washington, D.C. to Shanghai:

    • Economy Class
    • Premium Economy Class
    • Business Class
    • First Class

    Prices vary by airline.

  • How long is a flight from Washington, D.C. to Shanghai?

    A nonstop flight from Washington, D.C. to Shanghai takes 00m, covering 7,443 miles.

  • Do I need a passport to fly from Washington, D.C. to Shanghai?

    Yes, a valid passport is required for this international route. Many destinations require at least six months of validity beyond your travel dates. Check your passport expiry well before booking.

  • How much should I expect to pay for a Washington, D.C. to Shanghai flight?

    Round-trip flights from Washington, D.C. to Shanghai range from $1,136 to $1,658, with an average of $1,333 over the past 12 months. Anything below $1,136 counts as a good deal.

  • How expensive are last-minute Washington, D.C. to Shanghai flights?

    Last-minute fares on this route (booked within two weeks of departure) run 0% above the $1,333 route average. Book 17 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

  • Have flight prices from Washington, D.C. to Shanghai changed much recently?

    Yes. Based on fares seen in the past 5 days, round-trip prices on this route showed a wide range, from about $1,037 to $10,157. That means the highest observed fare was about 10x higher than the lowest one.

  • How are flight prices from Washington, D.C. to Shanghai looking right now?

    One-way fares from Washington, D.C. to Shanghai are currently lower than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about $616, which is 16% below the typical average for this route.

  • Which airports can I use when flying from Washington, D.C. to Shanghai?

    Flights from Washington, D.C. to Shanghai may depart from several airports in Washington, D.C. area, including Washington, D.C. Reagan-National (DCA) and Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl (IAD), with arrivals available at Shanghai area airports such as Shanghai Pu Dong (PVG) and Shanghai Hongqiao Intl (SHA).

  • Which airports do connecting flights from Washington, D.C. to Shanghai pass through?

    One-stop flights from Washington, D.C. to Shanghai most commonly connect through:

    • Tokyo Haneda (HND) - 40% of one-stop connections
    • Incheon Intl (ICN) - 11% of one-stop connections
    • Beijing Capital (PEK) - 10% of one-stop connections
    • Doha Hamad Intl (DOH) - 8% of one-stop connections

  • Can I save money by using flexible dates for flights from Washington, D.C. to Shanghai?

    Yes. Flexible dates can save you up to 19% on flights from Washington, D.C. to Shanghai. Wednesday is the cheapest departure day at $1,233 round-trip on average, while Friday is the most expensive at $1,504, a difference of $271.

    KAYAK's flexible dates feature shows options up to 3 days before and after your selected dates, making it easier to compare nearby fares.

  • How much time can I save by choosing a different layover airport from Washington, D.C. to Shanghai?

    Flying via Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County (DTW) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time at 19h 49m, compared with 20h 19m via Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) and 20h 58m via Seattle/Tacoma Intl (SEA).

  • What is the time difference between Washington, D.C. and Shanghai?

    Shanghai is 13 hours ahead of Washington, D.C. (China Time vs Eastern Time). Plan for the time shift when scheduling connections or first-day activities.

  • What popular places can I visit in Shanghai?

    Some of the most popular sights in Shanghai are Shanghai Disneyland, French Concession and People's Square. These are among the most viewed places in Shanghai on KAYAK.

  • Which other cities can I connect to from Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)?

    Flights from Washington, D.C. to Shanghai will give you an opportunity to visit some of the cities in China comfortably while using Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) as your departure station. You can explore Hangzhou, Huangshan, Wuxi, and Nanjing.

  • Which airline among those flying from Washington, D.C. to Shanghai is more eco-friendly?

    Consider reserving your ticket with Japan Airlines, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, and ANA if you want to fly in an eco-friendly aircraft. These airlines feature planes whose engines are fuel-filled and feature a program that deals with carbon emission reduction.

  • What are the common layover airports for flights from Washington, D.C. to Shanghai?

    Always expect to have several layovers on long flights, such as flights from Washington, D.C. to Shanghai. For instance, if flying with United Airlines and Eva Air, expect stops at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), and Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE). When using Qatar Airways, you’ll stop at Hamad International Airport (DOH), and Tokyo International Airport (HND) when flying with Emirates.

  • Which airline(s) among those flying from Washington, D.C. to Shanghai have the option to upgrade from economy to first class?

    If you book economy with Japan Airlines and Qatar Airways, you can select to upgrade to first class by paying a modest fee to your ticket. You can fly first class for less money if you take advantage of this opportunity than if you book directly in first class.

Your guide to booking Washington, D.C. to Shanghai flights

Get tips on when to book, when to fly and what to know before your trip.
  • If your dates are flexible, aim for a Wednesday departure and avoid flying on Friday. On this route, Wednesday flights average $1,233, about $271 less than Friday fares (18% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • For the best chance at a low fare, aim to book around 17 weeks before you fly. On this route, that window historically saves about 8% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your Washington, D.C. to Shanghai trip for September. Fares historically average $1,118 round-trip in that month - typically $812 less than the most expensive month, which is December (based on the last 12 months).
  • If you're arriving late at night and need somewhere to stay, hotels close to the airport you're flying into can be a convenient option.

    Near Shanghai Pu Dong Airport

    • Holiday Inn Shanghai Pudong Airport by IHG
    • Dazhong Airport Hotel
    • Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Shanghai Pudong Airport

    Near Shanghai Hongqiao Intl Airport

    • Hyatt Place Shanghai Hongqiao Cbd
    • Shanghai Hongqiao Airport Boyue Hotel - Airchina
    • Cordis Shanghai Hongqiao
  • Flights from Washington, D.C. to Shanghai typically leave from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and arrive at Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG). To connect easily from the city center to DCA for a flight, consider taking the Metro system’s Blue and Yellow Lines, located centrally in the city.
  • Flying with kids on long flights such as flights from Washington, D.C. to Shanghai can be difficult and tiresome. To avoid this, consider reserving your ticket with Japan Airlines or Qatar Airways, which features onboard kids’ amenities such as video games, family movies, complimentary snacks, and bassinets.
  • If you have a person with limited mobility, or you are one of them, consider consulting with your airline during your ticket reservation on how to access some of the special services offered in the airport. DCA and PVG offer special services such as the wheelchair, accessible parking, and first boarding of the PRMs.
  • If you plan to fly with your four-legged companion on flights from Washington, D.C. to Shanghai, consider reserving your ticket with Japan Airlines or Korean Air, which features pet relief areas at the departure and arrival stations. However, your pet should not way more than 20 lbs if you plan to fly with it in a cabin.
  • Upon landing at Shanghai through Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) for a holiday vacation, consider using the onsite car rentals to visit some of the tourist sites – such as Shanghai Wild Animal Park and Waterfall Clock – located some miles from the airport. You’ll reserve your car model at the car counter located at Terminal 1 near the baggage claim area.

More options for your flight from Washington, D.C. to Shanghai

Complete your trip to Shanghai with a hotel stay or car rental

Car rentals in Shanghai
Hotels in Shanghai
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