Frankfurt am Main to Shanghai (Pudong) (FRA–PVG) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
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No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
FRA–PVG is served by 4 airlines with nonstop service. Lufthansa, Air China and China Eastern Airlines lead the route. The flight covers 5,505 miles in approximately 8h 35m. Beyond nonstop, 55 hubs offer 1-stop connections.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LH Lufthansa | 19 | 744, 77X | 11h50-12h05 | – | Star Alliance | – |
| CA Air China | 12 | 359, 77F | 10h30-11h20 | – | Star Alliance | – |
| MU China Eastern Airlines | 7 | 77W | 10h28 | – | SkyTeam | – |
| CZ China Southern Airlines | 3 | 77F | 8h35 | – | SkyTeam | – |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
Travel Essentials
FRA: CET · PVG: CST
When it's 6:00 PM in Frankfurt am Main, it's 1:00 AM (next day) in Shanghai (Pudong).
German passport holders currently qualify for visa-free entry to China for stays up to 30 days. This policy, extended through the end of 2025 and renewed into 2026, covers tourism, business visits, transit, and family visits. Just show up with a passport valid for at least 6 months and a return or onward ticket. No advance application needed.
If you need to stay longer than 30 days, apply for a visa at the Chinese embassy or a Chinese Visa Application Service Centre (CVASC) in Germany. A single-entry tourist visa (L visa) costs EUR 126 for German citizens. Processing takes 4 business days for regular service. Express service (2 days) costs EUR 151. You need the application form, a passport photo, flight booking, hotel reservation, and proof of funds.
China also offers 144-hour visa-free transit at major airports including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Chengdu if you are transiting to a third country. This is separate from the 30-day visa-free policy and useful for longer layover visits.
S-Bahn lines S8 and S9 run from Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof (main station) to Terminal 1 every 15 minutes (15 min, €5.65 single or included in a Frankfurt day ticket). ICE and IC long-distance trains serve the airport's own long-distance station (Fernbahnhof); this is separate from the S-Bahn Regional station and connects Frankfurt to Cologne, Stuttgart, Munich, and other cities without requiring travel through the city centre.Taxis from the city centre cost €25–35 and take 15–25 minutes. Terminal 2 connects to Terminal 1 via the free SkyLine people mover.
Maglev to Longyang Road (8 min, ¥50) is a fast exit; transfer to Metro Line 2 onward. Metro Line 2 runs directly from PVG T1/T2 to People's Square and Hongqiao Airport (1.5–2 hrs, ¥7). Taxis have a meter; expect ¥130–200 to Puxi (west side) depending on destination and traffic tunnels used.Airport buses serve multiple city zones (¥22–36, 60–90 min). DiDi ride-hail is available and typically cheaper than street taxis for longer distances.
Humid subtropical climate with four distinct seasons. Summers (June–August) are hot and oppressively humid (28–37°C) with typhoon risk. Storms can cause flight cancellations with little warning. Winters (December–February) are cold and damp (1–8°C) with occasional frost. Dense fog disrupts departures regularly in January–February.
Spring is rainy and mild. Autumn (October–November) is the most settled period. Clear skies and 12–22°C make it the best window for travel. Pack layers for shoulder seasons. An umbrella is useful year-round.
FRA–PVG Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from FRA to PVG
Frankfurt Main Airport (FRA) and Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) are connected by nonstop service from Air China, China Southern Airlines, Lufthansa and China Eastern Airlines. With 41 weekly departures, this is a heavily served route.
FRA to PVG Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from FRA to PVG ranges from 8 hours 35 minutes to 12 hours 5 minutes. The route covers a distance of 5,505 miles (8,859 km). There are approximately 41 weekly flights outbound and 46 return, totaling 87 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
55 one-stop connections are available, with the fastest taking approximately 14 hours via GYD. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs.