SAS Scandinavian Airlines is bringing us a deal from several destinations in Europe to Shanghai starting at €390. This price doesn’t include checked luggage, but you can add it for around €80. This is a SAS Go Light fare, even Star Alliance Gold or EuroBonus Gold members can’t check a bag for free. Departures are available between May to March 2025 with blackout dates on summer vacations.
From December 1, 2023, through November 30, 2024, nationals from the following countries do not need a visa to travel to China for up to 15 days after arrival:
- Austria
- Belgium
- France
- Germany
- Hungary
- Italy
- Ireland
- Luxembourg
- Netherlands
- Spain
- Switzerland
These are some of the airports where you can take advantage of this deal with one-stop flights for less than €450:
- Riga at €390
- Dublin at €398
- Milan at €403
- Vilnius at €410
- Rome at €410
- Brussels at €418
- Paris at €421
- Nice at €422
- Amsterdam at €449
Our availability calendar highlights all possible flight dates at the lowest price for trips up to 28 days. It will forward you to SAS or Skyscanner with your selected flight dates. You can also check what OTAs have to offer, as they sell these tickets up to €20 cheaper.
In most cases, an Airbus A320 with 3-3 seating or a regional plane with 2-2 configuration takes you to Copenhagen. Your flight to Shanghai will be with a SAS Airbus 350 with a 3-3-3 configuration.
Search & Book
A minimum stay of six days or a Saturday overnight stay applies. Departures are available between May to March 2025 with blackout dates on summer vacations.
You can find suitable dates using our calendar above or with the help of Google Flights. We recommend booking directly on SAS’s website, but you can find cheaper prices with Skyscanner. However, booking on OTAs has its downsides.
Why is booking with an airline better than with an online travel agency?
More often than not, online travel agencies offer lower fares than airlines do. We still recommend booking with the airlines directly. There are two main reasons for that:
Better Customer Service
In case any problems like delays, cancellations or missed connections arise, you can communicate directly with the airline. The airline has to take care of you because you have a contract with them.
If a travel agency issues your ticket, you may have to reach out to them first. You also depend on your OTA to forward information like flight changes instead of receiving them directly from the airline. In many cases, you may get a prime exhibition of responsibility shifting rather than problem-solving.
This especially applies to premium tickets. You don’t want to spend more than €1,000 to wind up with some budget OTA’s telephone hotline in case anything goes wrong.
Baggage and Other Fees
Economy fares not including hold luggage are industry standard by now. In most cases, travel agencies charge much higher baggage fees than the airlines themselves. If bags are not included in your fare, airlines are often the cheaper alternative.
This also applies to other things like food services, insurances or priority treatment. In almost all cases, you pay less for additional amenities when booking on the airlines’ website.
Miles & Points
This ticket is issued in booking class L. Here are the miles and points you can earn from this deal from Riga:
- 5,588 Award Miles on Etihad Guest
- 5,588 RDM + 1,116 MQD on Delta SkyMiles
- 4,614 Award Miles + 34 XP on Flying Blue
- 4,468 Award Miles on TAP Miles&Go
- 4,468 Miles on Korean Air Skypass
- 4,468 Miles on Aerolíneas Argentinas AerolíneasPlus
- 2,572 Award Miles + 50 Tier Points on Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
- 1,116 Miles on Saudia Alfursan
- 1,116 Miles on Air Europa Suma
- 680 Points on SAS EuroBonus
- Customize Calculation
SAS and its loyalty program EuroBonus will exit Star Alliance on August 31, 2024. You have to be back in Europe by that day to earn the points mentioned above.
Destination
Information & Tips for China
China offers a wide range of sights, from historical landmarks like the Great Wall, the Terracotta Army, and the Forbidden City to modern cities like Shanghai and scenic areas such as Zhangjiajie and Guilin. The currency is the Chinese yuan (CNY), and mobile payments via apps like Alipay and WeChat Pay are widely used, though cash is still accepted. Prices vary—major cities can be moderate to expensive, while rural areas are generally more affordable. Weather conditions differ greatly by region, with cold winters in the north, hot, humid summers in the south, and a generally best travel period in spring or autumn.
China has a highly developed transport system, especially in urban and coastal areas. Most major cities have extensive metro networks that are cheap, efficient, and easy to navigate with English signage. For travel between cities, the high-speed rail network is one of the most advanced in the world, connecting even distant regions quickly and reliably. In rural or less-developed areas, transport options can be more limited and slower, but basic bus or train connections are usually available.
We’ve compared various eSIM providers, such as eSIM4Travel, RedteaGo, and Textr. To see which plan is best for your travel needs, and which network offers the best coverage, feel free to read our detailed guide:
The Best eSIM Plans for China 🇨🇳 Compared
→ All Dealz for China
Information & Tips for Shanghai
Shanghai is known for its stunning skyline, with landmarks like the Oriental Pearl Tower, the Bund, and the futuristic Pudong district. The city also offers cultural sights like the Yuyuan Garden and the Shanghai Museum. The currency is the Chinese yuan (CNY), and credit cards are widely accepted. Shanghai is a relatively expensive city, particularly in tourist areas, but affordable options are available for food and accommodation. The weather is humid subtropical, with hot, rainy summers and mild winters, making the best time to visit during spring and autumn when temperatures are more comfortable.
We’ve compared various esim providers, such as eSIM4Travel, RedteaGo, and Textr. To see which plan is best for your travel needs and which network offers the best coverage, feel free to read our detailed guide:
The Best eSIM Plans for China 🇨🇳 Compared
→ All Dealz for Shanghai
Cover Picture: © Robynne Hu