Guide for Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG): terminals and transfers, car rental, arrivals/departures steps, Trip.com lounge access, parking tips and transport to downtown Shanghai.
What are 2 Airports in Shanghai?
2 Airports in Shanghai Source from Unsplash
Shanghai has 2 key airports: Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) and Pudong International Airport (PVG).
PVG, 30km east in Pudong New Area, handles over 90% of Shanghai’s international long-haul traffic, making it the primary arrival point for foreign visitors entering China. Opened in 1999, this 4F-class hub is home to China Eastern Airlines and Shanghai Airlines, with links to 70+ international/regional and 60+ domestic destinations via 50+ airlines. SHA is 13km from downtown, focusing on domestic flights and short-haul regional routes—ideal for local travelers.
Shanghai Pudong Airport Terminals & Transfers
Shanghai Pudong Airport Terminal Map, T1, T2, Map of PVG
PVG has 2 main terminals (T1, T2) and 2 satellite concourses (S1, S2), connected by free, efficient transit options.
Terminal | Core Airlines | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
T1 | Domestic + some regional flights; 28 gates + remote stands | |
T2 | China Eastern (international), Air China, foreign carriers | Primary international terminal; more gates and premium facilities |
S1/S2 | Global airlines | Linked to T1/T2 via automated trains; extra gates for high-volume routes |
How to Transfer Between PVG Terminals
- Free Shuttle Bus: 24/7 service between T1/T2 arrival halls (1F); departs every 10–15 minutes.
- APM Trains: Connects T1→S1 and T2→S2; runs 6:00 AM–11:00 PM, 2–3 minute intervals, 2-minute ride time.
- Covered Walkway: 15–20 minute walk between T1 and T2 for travelers who prefer stretching legs.
Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) Map
(Source from China Airline Travel)
PVG’s layout is designed for efficiency:
- T1 (west) and T2 (east) are parallel, with metro/maglev stations between them
- S1/S2 satellites link to T1/T2 via APM trains
- P1/P2 parking is under terminals; P4 long-term parking has 24/7 shuttle service
- Digital maps are available via the Shanghai Airport app and interactive kiosks throughout terminals
Getting from Pudong Airport to Shanghai
PVG offers multiple transport options balancing speed, cost, and convenience. Most travelers choose the maglev for speed, metro for budget, or taxi for door-to-door ease.
Transport Option | Route | Travel Time | Cost (RMB) | Frequency | Hours | Key Pros |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PVG → Longyang Road | 8 mins | 50 (100 for VIP) | 15–20 mins | 06:45–21:40 | Fastest option; connects to Metro Line 2 | |
PVG → People’s Square | 45–60 mins | 7 | 3–5 mins | 06:00–22:30 | Cheapest; covers major downtown spots | |
Airport Link Line | PVG → Hongqiao Airport | 40 mins | 10–16 | 15 mins | 06:00–22:00 | Direct airport-to-airport link; fewer stops than metro |
Airport Bus | Multiple routes (e.g., Line 1 → Hongqiao) | 60–90 mins | 22–30 | 15–30 mins | 06:00–23:00 | Direct to key districts; luggage storage on board |
PVG → Downtown | 45–90 mins | 150–250 | On demand | 24/7 | Door-to-door; no transfers | |
PVG → Downtown | 45–90 mins | 140–240 | On demand | 24/7 | App-based; usually cheaper than taxi |
Car Rental at Shanghai Pudong Airport
Car Rental at Shanghai Pudong Airport Source from Unsplash
On-site and off-site rental services make it easy to explore Shanghai and beyond.
PVG Rental Locations & Providers
- On-airport counters: T1 and T2 arrival halls (1F)
- Top providers: Trip.com Car Rental, eHi Car Rental, Shenzhou Car Rental
- Off-airport options: Free shuttle buses to terminal pickup points
PVG Rental Requirements
- Valid driver’s license (original: international license or Chinese license + official translation)
- Passport/ID matching the license holder
- Credit card for 5,000–10,000 RMB deposit
- Minimum 21 years old (25 for some providers) + 1 year of driving experience
Trip.com PVG Rental Steps
- Book via Trip.com app/website or airport counter
- Submit documents for verification
- Sign agreement, pay deposit + rental fees
- Inspect vehicle for existing damage (with staff present)
- Collect keys and drive off
China Airport Car Rental
From
US$39.89/day
From
US$61.10/day
Shanghai Pudong Airport Parking: Locations & Costs
Here's how designers are working to take the stress out of airports
PVG offers 3 parking zones for short and long stays, with clear pricing tiers.
Parking Lot | Location | Free Period | Hourly Rate (Small Car) | Daily Cap (Small Car) | Key Perks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
P1 | Under T1 | 20 mins | 10 RMB | 110 RMB | Convenient for T1 departures/arrivals |
P2 | Under T2 | 20 mins | 10 RMB | 110 RMB | Ideal for T2 international travelers |
P4 (Long-Term) | 1.5 km north of terminals | 20 mins | 5 RMB | 60 RMB | Cheapest for stays over 1 day; 24/7 free shuttle to terminals; EV charging spots + accessible spaces |
Note: Large vehicles cost may double the small car rates.
Shanghai Pudong Airport Arrivals Guide
PVG International Arrivals (T2/S2)
- Disembark and follow signs to immigration
- Complete arrival card + health declaration; present passport/visa for biometric check (fingerprint scan)
- Collect luggage at assigned carousel (displayed on flight info screens)
- Pass customs: Green channel (no items to declare) or Red channel (dutiable/prohibited goods)
- Head to 1F arrival hall for ground transport
PVG Domestic Arrivals (T1/T2)
- Disembark and go straight to baggage claim
- Exit directly to transport options (no immigration/customs checks needed)
PVG Arrival Tips
- Free Wi-Fi: Connect to
#AirportPVG-Free-WiFifor 24-hour access - Foreigner Service Center (T2): Help with SIM cards, transport cards, and travel info
- Currency exchange: Available in arrival halls and terminal concourses
477565 booked
Shanghai Pudong Airport Departures Guide
PVG Domestic Departures (Arrive 2 hours early)
- Check-in: Online (24–48 hours pre-flight) or kiosk/counter (3 hours pre-flight); drop baggage if pre-checked
- Security: Present ID + boarding pass; place liquids (≤100ml per container, clear bag) and electronics in bins
- Boarding: Proceed to gate; boarding closes 45 minutes pre-departure
PVG International Departures (Arrive 3 hours early)
- Check-in: Same as domestic, plus passport/visa verification
- Security: Stricter checks for international travelers
- Immigration: Present passport + boarding pass + departure card; biometric scan required
- Duty-Free Shopping: Available post-immigration
- Boarding: Satellite concourse gates require APM rides; boarding closes 60 minutes pre-departure
Shanghai Pudong Airport - Facilities & Lounges
Enjoy the Lounges at Shanghai Pudong Airport!
Shanghai Pudong Airport Useful Facilities
- Showers (premium lounges + select public areas)
- 24-hour medical clinic (T2)
- Luggage storage (arrival halls, affordable fees)
- Baby care rooms (all terminals)
Key Lounges at PVG
Lounge Name | Location | Access Rules | Core Amenities |
|---|---|---|---|
China Eastern Lounge | T1/T2 | Business/first class, elite status, or lounge pass | Hot meals, showers, workstations |
DragonPass Lounges | T1/T2/S1/S2 | DragonPass membership, credit card benefits | Snacks, Wi-Fi, charging stations |
Trip.com Free VIP Lounge Access
- Eligibility: Eligible members (based on tier) get free access to select VIP lounges. Show your Trip.com membership card and boarding pass at the reception.
- How to Qualify:
- Sign up for a free Trip.com account
- Earn points via flight/hotel/activity bookings
- Upgrade by hitting point thresholds or completing challenges
- Redemption: Show your digital lounge pass (via Trip.com app) at participating PVG lounges.
Hotels Near Shanghai Pudong Airport
Register on Trip.com & save up to 10% instantly on hotels. ✅
FAQs about Shanghai Pudong Airport
Are SHA and PVG the same airport?
No. SHA is a downtown-focused airport for domestic and short-haul international flights. PVG is Shanghai’s main international hub for long-haul routes. They are 45km apart, connected by the Airport Link Line (40 mins) or taxi (60–90 mins).Is a 2 hour layover enough in Shanghai?
Tight but possible for domestic-to-domestic same-terminal transfers. Risky for international-domestic or terminal changes (immigration/customs take time). For international-international transfers (no checked luggage, airside), 2 hours may work—aim for 3–4 hours for safety.Which county is Shanghai Pudong airport in?
PVG is in Pudong New Area, Shanghai (a direct-controlled municipality in China, not part of any county).Which airport in Shanghai is better?
PVG: Better for international long-haul flights; modern facilities; more lounges. Tradeoff: Farther from downtown.
SHA: Better for domestic flights; closer to downtown; linked to high-speed rail. Tradeoff: Limited international routes.How much is long-term parking at PVG?
P4 long-term lot = 5 RMB/hour, 60 RMB daily cap (20 mins free).How to get free lounge access at PVG?
Use airline elite status, premium cabin tickets, credit card benefits, or Trip.com membership privileges.