Shanghai Airports: Free Wi-Fi Access For All?

Shanghai is one of the few airports in China that offers free Wi-Fi to its visitors. However, foreigners often find it challenging to connect to the public Wi-Fi during layovers. At Shanghai Pudong Airport, free Wi-Fi is available, but a Chinese mobile number is required to receive an access code via SMS. If you don't have a Chinese phone number, there are machines located airside that will print an access code for you. Additionally, Boingo Wireless customers can connect via hotspots in the airport. At Shanghai Hongqiao Airport, the network name is SHA-Airport-FreeWiFi, and you can connect by following a similar process as Pudong Airport.

Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) offers free WiFi

Via SMS

• Open the WiFi settings on your device and select the network "#AIRPORTPVG-FREE-WIFI" or "SPIA-guest".
• Open a webpage in your browser to access the Welcome page.
• Choose the option to log in via SMS.
• Input your mobile phone number and click "Get Code".
• You will receive a verification code via SMS, which you should then enter to gain access to the WiFi.

Via Username and Password

• Scan your passport or Chinese ID Card at a WiFi ticket machine to obtain a username and password. These machines are located in Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, after the security check.
• Open the WiFi settings on your device and select the network "#AIRPORTPVG-FREE-WIFI".
• Open a webpage in your browser to access the Welcome page.
• Click on "Login via Wi-Fi Ticket" and switch to the Username and Password Authenticated Page.
• Enter the username and password you received and click "Send" to connect to the WiFi.

Please note that you may encounter difficulties accessing certain websites due to China's internet censorship. It is recommended that you download a VPN before your visit if you wish to access restricted websites.

You can connect via SMS or username and password

Shanghai offers free Wi-Fi to its visitors in both of its international airports: Pudong International Airport and Hongqiao Airport. However, foreign travellers often find it difficult to connect to the public Wi-Fi.

If you have a Chinese SIM card, you can connect to the Wi-Fi by selecting the appropriate wireless network: SPIA-guest for Pudong International Airport and SHA-Airport-FreeWiFi for Shanghai Hongqiao Airport. Then, open your phone's internet browser, which will redirect you to a login page that requires your mobile number. Once you've submitted your mobile number, you should receive a text message with a PIN code. Input this code, and you'll be connected to the Wi-Fi.

If you don't have a Chinese SIM card, you can still connect to the Wi-Fi via SMS or by using a username and password.

Connecting via SMS

To connect to the Wi-Fi via SMS, follow these steps:

• Open the Wi-Fi settings on your device and select the network #AIRPORTPVG-FREE-WIFI.
• Open any webpage in your browser to access the Welcome page.
• Choose the option to log in via SMS.
• Input your mobile phone number and click "Get Code." You will receive a verification code via SMS.
• Type the verification code and click the "log in" button to connect to the Wi-Fi.

Connecting via Username and Password

To connect to the Wi-Fi using a username and password, follow these steps:

• Scan your passport or Chinese ID Card at a Wi-Fi ticket machine to obtain a username and password. These machines can be found at the information counters or near the gates, and you can change the language to English.
• Open the Wi-Fi settings on your device and select the network #AIRPORTPVG-FREE-WIFI.
• Open any webpage in your browser to access the Welcome page.
• Click "Login via Wi-Fi Ticket" and switch to the Username and Password Authenticated Page.
• Enter the username and password you received from the machine and click "Send" to connect to the Wi-Fi.

Note that the Wi-Fi access code you receive may expire quickly, and you may need a new code for each device you want to connect. Additionally, keep in mind that many non-Chinese websites are blocked in China, so you may need a VPN to access certain services.

Locals or those with a Chinese SIM card can access WiFi easily

Once you've connected to the relevant WiFi network, open any webpage through your mobile phone or laptop browser to access the Welcome page. You will then be able to log in via SMS or by using a username and password.

If you are logging in via SMS, you will need to input your mobile phone number and click "Get Code". You will then receive a verification code via SMS, which you will need to type in and click "log in" to access the WiFi.

If you are logging in via username and password, you will need to scan your Chinese ID Card or passport through a WiFi ticket machine to get your login credentials. You can find these machines at the information counters or near the gates. Once you have your username and password, simply enter them into the login page and connect to the WiFi.

Foreigners may need to scan their passport or ID at a kiosk to generate a PIN

Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) offers free WiFi to its visitors. However, foreigners may find it challenging to connect to the public WiFi network and navigate China's internet restrictions during their layovers. If you are a foreigner using mobile roaming, you can follow the steps below to access the WiFi:

Step 1: Locate the WiFi Ticket Machines

To obtain a username and password for the WiFi, you will need to locate the designated machines at the airport. These machines are typically located near the exit doors in the public arrivals hall. If you need assistance finding the machines, you can ask for directions at the nearest English-speaking help desk.

Step 2: Scan Your Passport or ID

At the machine, change the language to English if necessary. Follow the on-screen instructions, which will guide you through the process of scanning your passport or ID. Ensure that you place your passport correctly on the scanner, as it may require a specific placement, such as the top left corner.

Step 3: Obtain the Username and Password

Once your passport or ID has been successfully scanned, the machine will print out a slip of paper containing your unique username and password. You will need this information to log in to the WiFi network.

Step 4: Connect to the WiFi Network

Use your device to connect to the WiFi network, which is named "#AIRPORTPVG-FREE-WIFI" or "SPIA-guest" for Pudong International Airport.

Step 5: Login via the Web Browser

Open a web browser on your device and navigate to any webpage. This will redirect you to a Welcome page or a login page. Enter the username and password you received from the kiosk to log in and access the internet.

Please note that China has extensive internet censorship, and you may not be able to access certain websites or services without a VPN. Additionally, keep in mind that the connection quality may vary, and some users have reported intermittent connectivity.

A VPN is required to access some websites

Shanghai is one of the few airports across China that offers free Wi-Fi to its visitors. However, foreigners often find it tricky to connect to the public wifi and navigate China’s internet firewall during their layovers.

If you have a Chinese SIM card, you can select the appropriate wireless network and follow the steps to gain access to the Wi-Fi. However, for foreigners using mobile roaming, the process is more complicated. Both the Pudong and Hongqiao International Airports have designated machines where foreigners can scan their passports or IDs to generate a PIN code for access to the public Wi-Fi.

It is important to note that China has extensive internet censorship, and many popular websites such as Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and Gmail are blocked. To access these websites, a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is required. A VPN allows users to bypass geo-blocking features and protect their privacy. It is recommended to install a VPN before travelling to China to ensure access to desired websites and services.

To connect to the Wi-Fi at Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG), there are two methods: via mobile phone SMS or via username and password. For the SMS method, connect to the network #AIRPORTPVG-FREE-WIFI, open any webpage, choose Login via SMS, input your mobile phone number, and enter the verification code received via SMS. For the username and password method, scan your passport or Chinese ID Card through the Wi-Fi ticket machine, connect to the #AIRPORTPVG-FREE-WIFI network, open any webpage, click "Login via Wi-Fi Ticket", and enter the received username and password.

In addition to the Wi-Fi access, there are alternative ways to stay connected in Shanghai. WeChat is a popular app in China that offers social networking, messaging, email, and payment options. OffMap is another useful app for navigation, as Google Maps does not work in China. By downloading a VPN and utilizing these apps, travellers can stay connected and access desired websites during their time in Shanghai.

Frequently asked questions