Shanghai Pudong International Airport - Flight Information and Guide (PVG)

How to get to Shanghai Pudong International Airport

Shanghai city center is approximately 30 km from the airport: the Maglev reaches the outskirts in just 8 minutes at over 300 km/h, from which you can continue by metro; alternatively, direct metro takes roughly 60-70 minutes.

By Car

Those arriving by car reach Shanghai's center in approximately 45-60 minutes depending on traffic.

By Train

Metro/Maglev: the Maglev connects the airport to Longyang Road station in just 8 minutes (approximately 300 km/h), from which you can continue by metro to the city center; alternatively, line 2 of the metro reaches the center directly in approximately 60-70 minutes.

By Bus

Multiple bus lines (Airport Bus) connect the airport to various areas of Shanghai.

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Tips The Maglev is an experience not to miss, even just for the speed: however it requires a transfer to the subway for the real city center. If you have heavy luggage or limited time, the direct metro line 2 is more practical though slower. Activate Alipay or WeChat Pay at the airport.

Average travel time to PVG

Train8 minutes Maglev + metro connection, or 60-70 minutes direct metro

Shuttle bus45-60 minutes

Taxi / Private hire45-60 minutes

Parking near Shanghai Pudong International Airport

The official parking area, on multiple levels, is positioned in front of the terminal.

Areas P1/P2 (short stay): first 20 minutes free, then 10 CNY/hour for the first 2 hours, 5 CNY/hour beyond, maximum 130 CNY in 24 hours. Area P4 (long stay): 5 CNY/hour, maximum 60 CNY in 24 hours.

How to get to Shanghai from PVG

By Train

Metro/Maglev: The Maglev reaches Longyang Road in 8 minutes (approximately 50 CNY), from which to continue by metro; Line 2 of the metro arrives directly downtown in 60-70 minutes (approximately 8 CNY).

By Bus

Multiple Airport Bus lines connect the airport to various zones of Shanghai.

By Taxi

Official taxis wait in the arrivals area; metered fares are standard for rides to the city center, approximately 150-250 CNY (21-35 USD) depending on traffic and exact zone (Puxi), with 30% more in the nighttime bracket 23:00-5:00 and possible highway tolls of 15-20 CNY.

Airport transfers you can book in advance

Shuttles and private transfers you can book online, picked from the best rated by travelers.

From PVG to the most sought-after destinations

If you want to...	Choose	Estimated cost
Spend the minimum possible	Metro Line 2 direct (about 90 min)	~8 CNY
Get to Bund/Lujiazui as quickly as possible	Maglev + Line 2 (combination, ~50 min)	~56 CNY
Continue to Hongqiao for a connecting flight or high-speed train	Airport Link Line, direct between the two airports	~26 CNY
Have heavy luggage or a night flight	Official metered taxi	150-250 CNY

Pudong → Hongqiao Airport/Station

The Airport Link Line, which entered service in recent years, connects Terminals 1 and 2 at Pudong with Terminal 2 at Hongqiao in about 40 minutes on a single ticket of ~26 CNY: it is the most convenient choice for those who need to catch a connecting flight or high-speed train from Hongqiao station, avoiding the double transfer of Maglev-Metro.

Pudong → Lujiazui (financial district, opposite bank of the Bund)

Metro Line 2 goes directly to Lujiazui station, the heart of Pudong's skyscrapers and the observation point overlooking the historic Bund; a taxi covers the same route in 45-50 minutes for approximately 150-170 CNY.

Pudong → Shanghai Disney Resort

The most direct route is the Maglev to Longyang Road and transfer to lines 16 and 11, which have a dedicated station «Shanghai Disney Resort»; in total about 55 minutes. By taxi the journey is shorter, 30-40 minutes, but the cost rises to 100-150 CNY.

Pudong → Nanjing Road / People's Square

To reach the pedestrian shopping street and the administrative heart of the city, Line 2 requires no transfers: the Nanjing Road East stop is just steps from the Bund and the beginning of the pedestrian street.

Car rental at Shanghai Pudong International Airport

Some car rental companies have desks in the arrivals area, although self-drive rental is rare among foreign visitors: foreign driver's licenses are generally not valid in China.

Most visitors rely on taxis, Didi, metro, or Maglev.

Hotels near Shanghai Pudong International Airport

Pudong sits about 30 km from the Bund on Shanghai's eastern coast, and the trip into the center takes between 45 and 70 minutes depending on how you travel. If you leave at dawn or land late at night, there is a solid reason to stay at the airport: you avoid a long transfer at the most inconvenient hours. With at least a full day to spare, though, it is better to sleep in the city, choosing an area along line 2 so you don't have to change trains with your luggage.

At the airport

A covered walk to Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.

Best for: Anyone with a flight before 8 a.m., a night layover, or an arrival after the metro has closed.

Pros

You reach both terminals without a shuttle or a taxi
Maglev, line 2 and the Airport Link Line start a few steps away
No risk of traffic on the expressways to Pudong

Cons

There is only terminals and car parks around, so little choice for dinner
Seeing the Bund still takes at least 50 minutes each way

Recommended hotels

Holiday Inn Shanghai Pudong Airport Connected to Terminals 1 and 2 by a covered walkway, with the metro line 2 station, Maglev and Airport Link Line within walking distance. View availability

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Neighbourhood

Lujiazui

Metro line 2 direct to Lujiazui; by Maglev to Longyang Road and then line 2 about 50 minutes; by taxi 45-50 minutes.

Best for: Anyone who wants Pudong's skyscrapers and the view of the Bund while staying on the airport side of the river.

Pros

Line 2 with no changes to the terminal
From the riverfront you look across to the illuminated Bund in the evening
A shorter taxi ride to the airport than from the Puxi districts

Cons

An office and shopping-mall district, not very lively on the inner streets
To reach the historic Bund you have to cross the river

Recommended hotels

Pudong Shangri-La, Shanghai On the Huangpu River opposite the Bund, within walking distance of the Oriental Pearl Tower and the IFC Mall; many rooms overlook the historic waterfront. View availability

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City centre

The Bund and Nanjing Road East

Metro line 2 direct to Nanjing Road East (60-70 minutes); Maglev plus line 2 about 50 minutes; by taxi 45-60 minutes.

Best for: Anyone with a day or two who wants to stroll between the Bund, Nanjing Road and People's Square.

Pros

Riverfront, pedestrian Nanjing Road and People's Square are all on foot
A line 2 stop, which takes you to the terminal with no changes
Plenty of restaurants and venues open in the evening

Cons

The longest route to Pudong among the areas suggested
Very dense crowds on Nanjing Road and the Bund at weekends

Recommended hotels

Fairmont Peace Hotel The former Cathay Hotel of 1929, at the corner of Nanjing Road and the Bund: every evening the Old Jazz Band plays in the Jazz Bar. View availability

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Airport services

The airport provides services befitting a major international hub and primary aerial gateway to eastern China.

Shopping & Duty Free

The extensive duty-free area features a selection of Chinese tea, baijiu, and silk, plus Shanghai-themed products such as porcelain and local handicrafts.

Lounges & relaxation

Pudong arranges its lounges following its own structure: Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 each have a satellite, S1 and S2, and almost everywhere the lounges are separated between domestic and international flights. Alongside the independent VIP Lounges, identified by a number, there are those of China Eastern, Juneyao Air and China Southern, and most accept Priority Pass. To choose, what matters most is whether the gate is in the terminal or in the satellite and whether the flight is domestic or international.

lounges: 20
with Priority Pass: 16
open 24 hours: 2

Which lounge to choose: full comparison

Connectivity & Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi covers the entire terminal area, often requiring phone registration for access. For a local SIM, China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom have service desks at the airport.

Families & Children

Play areas and family assistance are set up in waiting areas, with support services for traveling families.

Terminal guide

Two terminals (T1 and T2), connected by an internal people mover. From check-in to gate you generally walk 15-20 minutes.

Customs and security controls can take longer than expected: it is better to arrive at least 3 hours early for international flights.

Map of Shanghai Pudong International Airport

Frequently asked questions

Q. Is it worth taking the Maglev in Shanghai?

Yes, as an experience (over 300 km/h in 8 minutes), although it then requires a metro change to reach the actual city centre: with heavy luggage, the direct metro (line 2, slower) is often more practical.

Q. Pudong or Hongqiao: which is better for Shanghai?

Pudong (PVG) handles most international flights; Hongqiao (SHA), much more central, is mainly dedicated to domestic flights and is integrated with the high-speed train station.

Q. Do you need a visa for China when arriving in Shanghai?

The same rules apply for all entries into the country: it depends on nationality, with visa-free entry for 77 countries for up to 30 days.

Q. What to buy at Shanghai's duty free?

Fine Chinese tea and baijiu, the traditional Chinese spirit, along with porcelain and local crafts.

Q. Which lounges accept Priority Pass?

16 lounges, including No. 120 VIP Lounge (S1), No. 135 VIP Lounge (S1), No. 170 VIP Lounge (S2), No. 190 VIP Lounge (S2), No. 39 VIP Lounge (T1) and No. 9 VIP Lounge (T1).