Shanghai Pu Dong Airport, China (PVG) Flights & Information

Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) is huge – a testament to the fact it serves the most populated city in China – and acts as a major hub for the wider Asia Pacific Region. There are more international than domestic flights, so if you’re coming to Shanghai from overseas then your journey will most likely start and end here.

With 2 main terminals and an additional satellite, mastering this vast space can take a while. This guide to Shanghai Pudong International Airport will give you the lowdown on what to expect and how you can arrive, navigate and leave with the minimum level of fuss.

Arriving at Shanghai Pudong International Airport

The size of PVG can make it feel overwhelming. Along with 2 main terminals, there is also a satellite terminal, which is linked by a high-speed rail service. This speeds passengers to their respective gates, although you’ll need to check your ticket and ask at check-in where you need to go. I recommend having a translation app on your phone, as many of the staff do not speak English or other languages.

It’s a hefty distance from the heart of Shanghai (about 25 miles), and getting to PVG can take time if you opt for the Metro or choose to take a taxi or bus – often over an hour. However, it’s also served by a high-speed Maglev train, the first in the world no less, which can speed you from Longyang Road station in the city right to the terminal in just 8 minutes.

Getting to and from PVG by public transportation

The best way to reach Shanghai Pudong International Airport is by public transportation. The options are wide ranging, meaning you can choose a cheaper, slower way or pay more to get there quickly, depending on how much time you have.

The Metro

Metro Line 2 runs all the way to Pudong and it’s by far the most affordable way to get out there. The cheaper cost does mean it takes time, however, with journeys over an hour from People’s Square in the heart of Shanghai. The good news is that if you travel from People’s Square or East Nanjing Road you won’t need to change trains, as both stations are on Line 2.

The Metro station is found between terminals 1 and 2 and is easy to find by following signs as soon as you clear baggage claim and customs.

Airport Shuttle Bus

Alternatively, you can choose from 8 different Airport Shuttle Bus lines that drop off throughout the city, as well as at Hongqiao Airport and Disney West Transit Hub. You’ll find Airport Bus signs when you reach arrivals. From the city, you can take buses to the airport from the north square of Shanghai Station and the south square of South Railway Station, as well as Xinzhuang Metro Station.

While the buses serve a wide range of destinations, they can take as long as 90 minutes to reach central Shanghai, thanks to the city’s often relentless traffic.

The Maglev train

Finally, you can choose the lightning fast Maglev train from Longyang Road to Pudong. Yes, it’s more expensive and yes, you’ll need to get a Metro to Longyang Road, which takes around 15 minutes from People’s Square, but the fact is it only takes 8 minutes, covering about 19 miles at speeds of over 180 mph.

For train fanatics and travel obsessives like me, this makes it well worth the added cost. Throw in the fact it was the first passenger Maglev train in the world when it opened in 2004 and you’ve got something you’ll want to experience first-hand.

You’ll find the Maglev station by the Metro station between Terminals 1 and 2. I advise you to get a joint Maglev and Metro ticket, which you can buy at either Longyang Road or at Pudong International. This will give you a day’s worth of travel on both services. Longyang Road also connects to lines 2, 7, 16 and 18 of the Shanghai Metro.

Getting to and from PVG by car

A taxi to PVG from the center of Shanghai can take between 45 and 60 minutes depending on where you pick it up and the time of day. If you’re leaving the airport, you’ll find taxi stands outside Gate 12 on the first floor of Terminal 1 and outside Gate 26 on the first floor of Terminal 2.

Thankfully, local authorities reversed their decision to ban ridesharing services from Pudong after just 5 days in February 2024. You can use China’s biggest taxi app, Didi Chuxing, as a foreign visitor by registering your credit card and mobile number with them, much as you would with Uber, which no longer operates in China.

I find that using Didi is best when taking a car to and from the airport, as you can input your address and avoid any language barriers in the process, as drivers already know where you want to go. Despite this, I still prefer using public transit as it’s fast, reliable and cheaper than going in a cab. Also keep in mind that local cabs cost more at night.

Security lines

As with all security in China, you should be prepared for a slower experience as your documents are fully checked and fastidious security is undertaken. In terminal 1 you’ll find domestic and international departures on floor 3. In terminal 2 you’ll find departures for domestic flights on floor 2, with international and select domestic departures on floor 3.

While you can check in on some airline websites, you may find that it isn’t possible for your route, especially if you are heading overseas. Therefore, you’ll need to leave ample time, in my experience as much as 2.5 hours, to complete this and security before departure. Lines at Pudong check-in desks can be epic, especially as this is where you’ll be dropping your bags too.

Personally, I’ve always found the security lines to move at a decent speed, even if checks can sometimes take longer than at other international airports. Again, it’s a case of being patient. If you’re leaving the country you’ll need to factor in time for immigration and customs checks, too, before you can reach the gates.

Priority pass and fast track

You can pay for a concierge service to fast track you through PVG, whether you’re departing or arriving. This will smooth any issues with language and allow you to skip to the front of line, although I find the very high cost only worthwhile if you’re in a serious hurry.

You can also sign up for services like Priority Pass to gain access to lounges or use your credit card to get this membership for free. In some cases, this can also help you use faster lanes to clear security.

Free Wi-Fi

You can access free Wi-Fi at PVG directly via your device or by using a Wi-Fi ticket machine. Scan your passport at the latter and you’ll be given a username and password, which you can use to log in when you select the airport Wi-Fi option on your device.

However, now that you can use international numbers to get an access code sent to your device via text, you don’t really need to use the kiosks anymore. All you need to do is select the free Wi-Fi network and follow the prompts when it asks for your number.

In general I’ve found the Wi-Fi to be fast and reliable at Pudong. Keep in mind that you won’t be able to access many major international platforms like X, Instagram or WhatsApp due to Chinese bans. If you have an international SIM with data roaming, you may be able to get around this, but don’t count on it.

Eating at Shanghai Pudong International Airport

While you’ll find plenty of global chains including Starbucks, McDonalds and Burger King rubbing shoulders with more local offerings, the food options at Shanghai Pudong fall well below the standard you would expect from a major hub airport. Many outlets seem to be closed at random times and if you’re traveling late, it can be hard to find anywhere to eat.

My advice would be to pay for lounge access or to get into a lounge using services such as Priority Pass or an airline credit card. Otherwise, bring snacks.