Shanghai is our fastest-growing route and often our cheapest long-haul fare out of Auckland. Seasonal direct services make it one of the shortest journeys to Asia from New Zealand.
How you actually get there.
Seasonal direct services operate, and when they do the journey is around 15 hours — dramatically shorter than any India routing. Otherwise connections through Sydney or southern China are straightforward.
Business travellers, students, families visiting relatives, and holidaymakers pairing Shanghai with Beijing by bullet train.
Timing moves this fare more than anything else.
Chinese New Year in late January and February causes the sharpest fare spike of any route we sell — book very early. March to May is the value window and the weather is at its best.
Relative fare pressure across a typical year on the NZ–China corridor — how demand usually moves, not a forecast for any specific date.
Things worth knowing before you pay.
Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay before you fly. Cash is barely used and foreign cards are awkward.
Install and test a VPN before you leave New Zealand, not after you arrive.
China requires a visa for New Zealand passport holders in most cases. Check the processing time before you book non-refundable dates.
Allowances by airline.
| Airline | Cabin | Checked · Economy | Extra bag |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air India | 8 kg | 2 × 23 kg | from NZ$180 |
| Singapore Airlines | 7 kg | 30 kg total | from NZ$150 |
| Malaysia Airlines | 7 kg | 30 kg total | from NZ$160 |
| Air New Zealand | 7 kg | 1 × 23 kg | from NZ$120 |
| Emirates | 7 kg | 30 kg total | from NZ$170 |
| China Southern | 5 kg | 2 × 23 kg | from NZ$140 |
Auckland to Shanghai, answered.
Ready to price Auckland to Shanghai?
Tell us your dates and who's travelling. We'll come back with the contracted fare — usually the same day, from a person in Auckland.