Shanghai holidays from Ireland: the honest verdict

Weather Upgrade · right now

+3°C

Dublin 17° CloudShanghai 20° Sunshine

Cloud → Sunshine

A bit milder. Not worth a flight on its own.

Worth the bother?

4/10 Think about it.

“Only 9°C better. Ask yourself if it’s the weather or the trip you’re after.”

9°C warmer than Ireland’s usual 14°C
7 rainy days a month, against Ireland’s 12
5 hours of sun a day, against 3
Long haul: 11h 30m direct

How we work this out

Worth the bother is worked out from the same facts every time: how much warmer, drier and sunnier it usually is there than in Ireland that month, how long the flight is, how good the place is, whether something’s on and, when we have enough fares for the route, whether the month is unusually dear or cheap. We use the usual weather for the month so one freak day can’t swing it. When you tell us what you’re after (snow, Christmas markets, walking and so on), the weather part asks how well the usual weather fits that, not just how warm it is. Nobody can pay to change a score, and plenty of places score low on purpose.

The Bottom Line

Who should go: Best for city-break fans.
Who shouldn’t: Skip it if you hate crowds or you won’t sit through a long flight.
How long: Give it a week or more. The flight alone eats a day.
Worth the money?: Fair enough, if you catch a decent fare.
Would we go?: Not this month. Try another.

The honest verdict

Is Shanghai worth it?

“A long, long flight to a very big, very good city. Bring a charger and a plan.”

Seven dots means go. One dot means stay home and put the heating on.

The Mammy TestSHE’LL HAVE QUESTIONS“Impressed, and slightly exhausted”

Sun: 4/10 · Grey and damp for much of the year
Value: 5/10 · Cheap to eat, dear to fly
Crowds: 3/10 · One of the biggest cities on earth
Irish pub within 50m: 4/10 · Irish bars exist, you will find one

Getting to Shanghai from Ireland

Dublin → Shanghai11h 30m · China Eastern

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What Shanghai is actually like

A huge, modern, fast-moving city of old villas, riverfront and glass towers. The Bund looks across the river to the Pudong skyline, the metro goes everywhere and the food is a reason to go on its own. It is a long way from Dublin, so give it a proper week.

Who Shanghai suits

Adventurous travellers who want a big-city culture shock
Food lovers
People using a long direct flight to see somewhere very different

Best time to go to Shanghai from Ireland

March to May and September to November, when it is mild and dry-ish. July and August are hot and sticky. Winter is cold and grey.

Where to stay in Shanghai

The Bund and People's Square: Central, walkable and well connected. See hotels in The Bund and People's Square (opens in a new tab)
Former French Concession: Tree-lined streets, cafes and small restaurants. See hotels in Former French Concession (opens in a new tab)
Pudong: Skyscraper hotels with river views. See hotels in Pudong (opens in a new tab)

Compare hotels and apartments in Shanghai (opens in a new tab)

Hotel prices in Shanghai

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See hotels in Shanghai (opens in a new tab)

See hotels

What nobody tells you about Shanghai

Apps for payments and maps are used for almost everything. Set them up before you fly.
Many western websites and apps do not work without extra setup. Sort that out at home.
Check visa and entry rules with the Department of Foreign Affairs before you book.

Shanghai weather by month

Month	Avg high	vs Ireland	Sun a day	Rainy days
January	8°C	0°	4h	9
February	9°C	0°	4h	10
March	13°C	+2°	4h	13
April	19°C	+6°	5h	12
May	24°C	+8°	6h	12
June	27°C	+9°	5h	14
July	32°C	+12°	6h	11
August	32°C	+13°	6h	12
September	28°C	+11°	5h	10
October	23°C	+9°	5h	7
November	18°C	+8°	4h	8
December	12°C	+4°	4h	8

Long-term averages, rounded. "vs Ireland" compares with a typical Dublin high. Rainy days have at least 1mm of rain.

Questions people actually ask

Which Irish airports fly direct to Shanghai?

Direct flights go from Dublin (11h 30m).

Is Shanghai warm in October?

Average daily highs are around 23°C in October, compared with about 14°C in Ireland. Warm enough for shorts, honestly.

When is the best time to visit Shanghai?

For warm sun without frying, go in May, June, September and October. July and August can be properly hot, often over 28°C.

Is Shanghai worth it?

We give it 5 out of 7 blue dots. A long, long flight to a very big, very good city. Bring a charger and a plan.

Checked October 2026

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