Lucknow to Shanghai (LKO–PVG) flight guide 2026: best routings via Delhi, Guangzhou and Bangkok, fares, flight time and China visa basics for Indians.
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Quick answer: Lucknow to Shanghai flights take about ≈ 10–14h (1-stop via Delhi/Guangzhou/Bangkok), No non-stop — 1-stop via Delhi (DEL)/Guangzhou (CAN)/Bangkok (BKK). Indian passport holders should check the visa requirement summarised below. Use the live search above to compare today's cheapest LKO–PVG fare across every airline, OTA and travel agent in one place.
Last reviewed June 2026 by the FlightGPT flights desk · route facts cross-checked against DGCA and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) · fares are live — verify the final price in search before booking.
Looking for cheap flights from Lucknow to Shanghai? FlightGPT compares live LKO to PVG fares across every connected source — Indian carriers, Gulf hubs, OTAs and trusted travel agents — and shows the cheapest options side by side. Whether you want a Lucknow to Shanghai non-stop tomorrow, a last-minute weekend deal or the lowest price three months out, every active Lucknow-Shanghai fare is one search away.
Because Lucknow has limited long-haul service, Shanghai requires a connection. The cleanest option is LKO–Delhi (about 1h 15m), then Delhi–Shanghai Pudong of roughly 6 hours on Air India or China Eastern. Guangzhou on China Eastern/Southern is efficient too, with CAN–PVG around 2.5 hours. Bangkok suits a stopover trip. Always book LKO–PVG on a single ticket so your baggage is tagged through and a delayed first leg is the airline's problem, not yours.
Delhi is the simplest feeder, with the broadest onward Pudong schedule and shortest first leg. Guangzhou keeps you on Chinese carriers and shortens the final hop. Bangkok adds a Southeast Asia stopover but more distance. For most Lucknow travellers the Delhi connection is the path of least resistance; if you prefer a single foreign carrier, Guangzhou on China Eastern is a tidy alternative. See Lucknow to Delhi for the feeder leg.
Economy round-trips on this one-stop route typically run ₹42,000–₹74,000 depending on season and routing, with October Golden Week and summer holidays at the top. Booking 8–12 weeks ahead and flexing your transit hub helps most. We don't quote fixed prices — compare a through-ticket against splitting the Delhi leg from a separate China Eastern Shanghai fare, which sometimes undercuts the combined ticket by a useful margin.
Indians must secure a Chinese visa before departure — Shanghai offers no tourist visa-on-arrival for Indian nationals, and the 144-hour visa-free transit scheme should not be relied on. The L (tourist) visa requires confirmed flights, hotels and an itinerary, processed at the Chinese visa centre in India in about 4–7 working days. Apply early in peak season. Our visa guide spells out the full document list.
Pudong International (PVG) sits about 30 km east of central Shanghai. The Maglev train accelerates to 300 km/h and covers its stretch in roughly 8 minutes before connecting to the metro; a taxi takes 45–60 minutes in traffic. The terminal is large, so budget time to clear immigration. Set up a mobile-payment app and grab a transport card on arrival, as Shanghai runs largely cashless and many shops no longer take notes.
Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are the prime seasons, offering mild 15–25°C weather and the Bund at its most enjoyable. Summer is hot, humid and rainy; winter is damp and chilly at 5–10°C. Avoid early-October Golden Week, when domestic travel surges and fares jump. For the best mix of pleasant weather and value, aim for late April or the second half of October.
Shanghai is 2 hours 30 minutes ahead of India, so an overnight Lucknow departure usually lands you in the afternoon local time. Full-service carriers include 30 kg checked in economy; confirm your fare, since budget legs differ. Before arrival set up Alipay or WeChat Pay (now linkable to foreign cards) plus a VPN, since many global apps are blocked, and keep your visa and through-ticket printouts at every checkpoint.
No non-stop exists. You connect once via Delhi, Guangzhou or Bangkok, with a total journey of about 10 to 14 hours including the layover.
Yes. A Chinese visa must be obtained in advance; the 144-hour transit-free scheme should not be relied on. The L tourist visa takes about 4 to 7 working days.
Shanghai is 2 hours 30 minutes ahead of India. When it is 12:00 noon in Lucknow it is 14:30 in Shanghai (UTC+8 versus IST UTC+5:30).
The great-circle distance is about 3,870 km, so even an efficient one-stop routing means roughly 8 to 9 hours of flying plus the connection.
Economy round-trips typically range from about ₹42,000 to ₹74,000 depending on season and routing, peaking around October Golden Week and the summer.
The Maglev covers its stretch in about 8 minutes at up to 300 km/h before linking to the metro, while a direct taxi takes 45 to 60 minutes for the 30 km trip.
Lucknow to Shanghai prices swing with demand, season and lead time more than with any single airline. The reliable lever is comparison: pull every LKO–PVG fare at once and shift your date by a day or two. Mid-week and red-eye departures on are usually where the cheapest seats sit.
For a same-week Lucknow–Shanghai trip, the trick is to check all carriers at once rather than one app at a time. FlightGPT's live LKO-PVG search does exactly that — red-eye and early-morning departures often carry the lowest last-minute prices. Enter your date above to compare instantly.
There is currently no non-stop service between Lucknow and Shanghai — itineraries connect via a hub, with a typical journey of ≈ 10–14h (1-stop via Delhi/Guangzhou/Bangkok). Comparing hubs side by side often saves 15-30 percent. FlightGPT lets you filter by "Direct only" or compare both side by side — useful when you want the cheapest Lucknow Shanghai ticket but are open to a layover.
On Lucknow to Shanghai, the headline price and the price you actually pay can differ once baggage and seat selection are added. That's why FlightGPT compares fully-bundled Lucknow Shanghai fares across — the cheapest all-in option, not the lowest sticker that balloons at checkout.