$398 Cheap Flights from Shanghai (SHA) to San Francisco (SFO)

View $398 flight on Wed, Oct 8, 2025Opens in a new window

Popular airlines from Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO)

Cheap Flights from Shanghai to San Francisco (SHA-SFO)

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $398 for one-way flights and $620 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

China Southern Airlines
Thu, Dec 11 - Mon, Jan 12
SHA
Shanghai
SFO
San Francisco
$620 Roundtrip, found 2 hours ago
$620
Roundtrip
found 2 hours ago
Select China Southern Airlines flight, departing Thu, Dec 11 from Shanghai to San Francisco, returning Mon, Jan 12, priced at $620 found 2 hours ago
China Southern Airlines
Mon, Oct 13 - Thu, Nov 13
SHA
Shanghai
SFO
San Francisco
$662 Roundtrip, found 1 hour ago
$662
Roundtrip
found 1 hour ago
Select China Southern Airlines flight, departing Mon, Oct 13 from Shanghai to San Francisco, returning Thu, Nov 13, priced at $662 found 1 hour ago

Find the cheapest month to fly from Shanghai (SHA) to San Francisco (SFO)

March is typically the cheapest month to fly

From $642 - $1,049 per traveler.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a flight from Hongqiao Intl. Airport (SHA) to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) cost?
Secure a cheap one-way flight from $398 or cheap return flight from $620 from Hongqiao Intl. Airport (SHA) to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) with Expedia. Enter your travel dates and sort by "Price (lowest to highest)" to see our cheapest flight offers on this route.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Hongqiao Intl. Airport (SHA) to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO)?
Flying in December is a good way to save, as it's the cheapest month for flights between SHA and SFO. You'll usually find the lowest fares during the off-season.
Which airlines fly direct from Hongqiao Intl. Airport (SHA) to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO)?
You can't take a direct flight to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) from Shanghai (SHA-Hongqiao Intl.). However, you can easily journey to San Francisco without any layovers by taking off from Pudong Intl. Airport (PVG).
What is the cheapest airline that flies from Hongqiao Intl. Airport (SHA) to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO)?
To find the cheapest airline that'll fly you from SHA to SFO, use Expedia's filter tool. Customize your search based on what matters most to you, such as preferred carriers and seat class. You can then sort your results by "Price (lowest to highest)" to see the cheapest fares upfront.
How many flights per day from Hongqiao Intl. Airport (SHA) to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO)?
Direct flights from Hongqiao Intl. Airport (SHA) to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) aren't available daily, so you'll need to take a flight with a layover. Explore your options with Expedia's filter tool. Enter your travel details and choose either "1 Stop" or "2+ Stops."
What day of the week has the most flights from SHA to SFO?
Usually you'll find the widest variety of flight choices on a Friday. Tuesdays tend to be the quietest.* However, this can change depending on the season, airline and other factors.*Busiest/quietest day to travel is based on Expedia flight demand through January to December 2024.
What is the best time to fly from Hongqiao Intl. Airport (SHA) to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO)?
To reach San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) on time, book a flight that leaves Hongqiao Intl. Airport (SHA) before 3 PM. The chance of cancellations is 22% higher, on average, for departures after this hour.**Most reliable time of the day and month to travel recommendation is based on January through August 2024 flight status data sourced from OAG's global flight data platform.
Is it cheaper to buy a plane ticket from Hongqiao Intl. Airport (SHA) to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) last-minute?
Waiting until right before your break to book a flight from SHA to SFO often results in higher prices. While you may find some last-minute offers, there's no guarantee. Allow some flexibility in your schedule for the best chance of snagging a bargain.
Is it cheaper to book a SHA to SFO flight and hotel package?
Compared with arranging hotels and flights separately, booking a SHA to SFO flight and hotel package with Expedia could lead to significant savings. Better still, having everything in one easy place will take the stress out of planning your trip. Simply secure your flights and select from our wide range of stays, then personalize your trip with other add-ons like car rentals and activities.
Can I cancel or change the date of my flight from Hongqiao Intl. Airport (SHA) to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO)?
It's generally possible to cancel or reschedule your SHA to SFO flight. However, if the booking was made more than 24 hours ago, additional fees may apply. Check your airline's policies in your itinerary to see what changes are allowed and whether any costs are involved. You'll also find more information on our Customer Service portal.

Travel information

Travel information

Origin airport
Hongqiao Intl.
Destination airport
San Francisco Intl.
Airlines serving
Air China, All Nippon Airways, Cathay Pacific, China Southern Airlines, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, United
Roundtrip price
$619
Distance
6153 mi

Book with confidence

Book with confidence

Shanghai to San Francisco Flights

The cheapest times to fly from Shanghai to San Francisco

On average, Thursday can be the cheapest time to fly, according to data from the Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC), one of the world's biggest databases for global airline sales. The data reveals that you could save up to 16% by flying on a Thursday—the cheapest day to travel on average—instead of a Sunday—the most expensive. Some of the most affordable flights from Shanghai to San Francisco are during the month of December. You can find some of the cheapest flights from Shanghai to San Francisco with Expedia's search tool and vast selection of airlines.

 

The best time to book a flight from Shanghai to San Francisco

Sunday is one of the best days to book for cheap flights from Shanghai to San Francisco: Tickets reserved on a Sunday cost between 6% and 13% less than those reserved on a Friday, according to ARC data. The data also suggests booking early can also lead to cheaper airfares. You could save 24% by buying your tickets for domestic flights at least a month in advance and 10% by booking international flights 2 months in advance.

 

How to find cheap round-trip tickets from Shanghai to San Francisco

Being flexible with your dates and using Expedia's Price Drop Protection and Price Tracking features are some of the best ways of finding a cheap ticket from Shanghai to San Francisco in 2025. You can also book with separate airlines for your outbound and return journeys, from $398 one-way. Expedia also offers Price Drop Protection, so if the cost of your airfare goes down after booking, you'll receive a credit for the difference*. This is available for a small fee, and is free to One Key Gold and Platinum tier members.

 

Expedia's Price Tracking feature means you can stay on top of airfares without manually checking every day. It sends you automated price alerts for cheap Shanghai to San Francisco flights and uses historical data to indicate when the best time to book is. Download Expedia's free app to activate this handy tool in a few easy taps.

 

You could also save big by booking one of Expedia's vacation packages. Bundling together your Shanghai to San Francisco airfare with your accommodations and car rental is often cheaper than booking everything separately. There’s also One Key, Expedia's generous rewards program. Join for free and you could earn One Key cash on most bookings to save on future adventures.

 

*Terms apply.

 

Disclaimer: ARC The statistics are based on average round-trip ticket prices between January and August 2023. The percentages you see are averages.

 

Shanghai to San Francisco Flights

Explore a world of travel with Expedia

Explore a world of travel with Expedia

*Available to One Key members.