Roberta Aguirre
Shanghai Pudong Airport is a sprawling, modern airport about 30 kilometres from Shanghai's downtown area. It's easy to navigate, with English signage, and has free Wi-Fi, restaurants, duty-free shops, and play areas for children. If you have a long layover, you can pre-book a pass to access airport lounges, which offer unlimited food and drinks, comfortable seating, and shower facilities. The airport is also a great place to shop, with luxury brands and local souvenirs available. If you have at least 6 hours, you can leave the airport and explore Shanghai's top attractions, like the Bund, Yu Garden, and the Shanghai Museum.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | 30km east of Shanghai's downtown area |
| Transport to city centre | Maglev train, metro, taxi, or private transfer |
| Journey time to city centre | 60-90 minutes |
| Minimum recommended layover time to leave the airport | 6 hours |
| Minimum recommended layover time to leave the airport and return | 8 hours |
| Attractions in Shanghai | The Bund, Shanghai Museum, Jin Mao Tower, Shanghai World Financial Center, Shanghai Disneyland, 3D Magic Fun House, Shanghai Ocean Aquarium, Chocolate Happy Land, Yu Garden, Oriental Pearl TV Tower |
| Currency exchange | Available inside the Arrivals Hall at Shanghai Pudong International Airport |
| Amenities | Restaurants, duty-free shops, lounges, children's play areas, baby care facilities, business centres, indoor gardens, an aviation museum |
| Food | Yonghe King, Ajisen Ramen, Chatime, Chez Choux, Hope Kaweh, Starbucks, Burger King, Ding Tai Fung, Old Shanghai Restaurant |
| Shopping | Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Qitai Tea Shop, Shanghai Tang, international boutiques |
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What You'll Learn
Airport lounges, museums, and indoor gardens
Shanghai Pudong Airport is a sprawling, modern airport with a variety of facilities and amenities to keep travellers entertained during layovers.
Airport Lounges
If you're looking for a quiet and comfortable space to relax, Shanghai Pudong Airport offers several airport lounges with facilities such as gourmet food, private shower suites, business centres, workstations, and high-speed Wi-Fi. The China Eastern VIP Lounge in Terminal 1 and the Cathay Pacific Lounge in Terminal 2 are popular choices. These lounges often provide an all-inclusive experience with unlimited food and drinks, magazines, and a peaceful atmosphere.
Aviation Museum
Located in Terminal 2, the aviation museum is a must-visit for aviation enthusiasts. It showcases vintage aircraft models, exhibits narrating the history of flight, and interactive flight simulators.
Indoor Gardens
For a peaceful escape from the airport chaos, head to the indoor gardens of PVG. These gardens provide a tranquil space to relax and find your inner peace amidst the bustling airport environment.
In addition to these highlights, Shanghai Pudong Airport also features various dining options, duty-free shopping, children's play areas, and convenient transport options to the city centre, making it a well-equipped and traveller-friendly airport.
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Food options ranging from fast food to luxury restaurants
Shanghai Pudong Airport has a variety of food options, from fast food to luxury restaurants. The airport is sprawling and modern, but it lacks the world-class amenities common to other major Asian airports. Nevertheless, you can find a range of eateries to suit different tastes and budgets. Most of the airport's five dozen eateries are outposts of the same few chains: Yonghe King, Ajisen Ramen, Chatime, Chez Choux, and Hope Kaweh, plus many cafes and Western options. A few Starbucks and Burger Kings remain open 24 hours a day, but travellers have reported expensive prices, even at the fast-food kiosks.
If you're looking for a more luxurious dining experience, the China Eastern VIP Lounge in Terminal 1 offers gourmet food, private shower suites, and a business centre. The Cathay Pacific Lounge in Terminal 2 features a sleek, modern design, a noodle bar, workstations, and comfortable seating areas. Both lounges provide complimentary food and beverages, making them excellent choices for travellers seeking a relaxing dining experience.
For those who want to sample authentic Chinese cuisine, Ding Tai Fung and Old Shanghai Restaurant in Terminal 1 are highly recommended. Ding Tai Fung is known for its delicious xiaolongbao (soup dumplings), while Old Shanghai Restaurant serves traditional Shanghainese dishes like braised pork belly and Shanghai noodles.
If you have a long layover and want to explore beyond the airport, the Bund is a must-visit destination. This vibrant district offers a plethora of cafes and restaurants, colonial-era buildings, and breathtaking views of Shanghai's skyline. It is accessible by taxi, private transfer, or Metro Line 2 from the airport.
With a variety of dining options available, ranging from convenient fast food to upscale lounges and authentic Chinese restaurants, travellers can find something to suit their tastes and budgets at Shanghai Pudong Airport.
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Shopping for luxury brands, local souvenirs, and duty-free goods
Shanghai has two airports: Pudong Airport and Hongqiao International Airport. While Pudong Airport is sprawling and modern, it lacks world-class amenities. Hongqiao International Airport, on the other hand, has a strong focus on luxury brands.
Luxury Brands
If you're looking for luxury brands, Shanghai's Hongqiao International Airport is the place to go. The airport's Luxury Brand Boulevard is a 360-metre-long shopping strip that runs across the central part of Terminal 2. Here, you'll find boutiques from famous brands such as Tiffany & Co., Loewe, Celine, Dior, Loro Piana, Bottega Veneta, and Max Mara. The boulevard also features luxury jewellery, watch, accessory, and fragrance brands.
Local Souvenirs
When it comes to local souvenirs, the Qitai Tea Shop at Pudong Airport offers ready-to-travel souvenirs. If you have a long layover and want to explore the city, you can take a public transit option or a taxi to the city centre. The Bund is a popular shopping and dining district where you can find unique souvenirs.
Duty-Free Goods
Both Pudong Airport and Hongqiao International Airport offer duty-free shopping. You can find Chinese goods, discounts on alcohol and makeup, and luxury boutiques. Duty-Free Hunter is a website that connects travellers directly to airport duty-free stores and luxury boutiques. At Pudong Airport, most shops are concentrated in dedicated shopping areas on the third floor of both terminals. Remember that duty-free goods are for personal non-commercial use, and you may need to provide additional boarding passes if you purchase more than a certain number of items.
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Currency exchange, transportation, and travel time to the city
Shanghai Pudong International Airport is located about 30 kilometres from Shanghai's downtown area. It is recommended that you have at least a 6-hour layover if you want to get out of the airport, see a central Shanghai attraction, and get back in time for your next flight.
Currency Exchange
You can easily find a currency exchange service inside the Arrivals Hall at Shanghai Pudong International Airport. It is recommended to have some cash in yuan as international credit cards are not widely accepted outside of the airport.
Transportation
Shanghai Pudong Airport is described as being transport friendly. You can choose from public transit options such as the high-speed Maglev train, metro, or bus, which can take up to 90 minutes one way. You can also hire a taxi or private transfer, but these may have to deal with heavy traffic.
Travel Time to the City
The journey between the airport and Shanghai's urban area takes about 1 hour. If you want to go into the city, it is recommended that you have at least an 8-hour layover to give yourself enough time.
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Exploring Shanghai's top attractions on a long layover
Shanghai Pudong International Airport is sprawling and modern, with free Wi-Fi, restaurants, duty-free shops, and lounges. However, if you have a long layover, you might want to explore Shanghai's top attractions.
It takes about an hour to get to Shanghai's urban area from the airport, so you'll need at least a 6-hour layover to make the trip worthwhile. If you have a 6-hour layover, you'll have about 2 hours for sightseeing, so it's best to select one or two small sites. The Bund, a waterfront area with stunning views of Shanghai's skyscrapers, is a must-see. You can get there by taking a taxi, private transfer, or Metro Line 2 to Nanjing Road and walking down. While you're there, you can shop and eat at Nanjing Road, known as "China's Shopping Street". You can also walk to the Old City, which is known for its traditional architecture, temples, and local shops.
If you have an 8-hour layover, you can explore larger sites such as Yu Garden, a classic Chinese garden with beautiful scenery, and the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, which offers panoramic views of the city. You can also taste Shanghai food at the adjoining Shanghai Old Street.
For a 12-hour layover, you can consider three or four activities, such as exploring the ancient water towns near Shanghai or experiencing the city's nightlife. If you want to stay near the airport, you can visit Shanghai Disneyland, the 3D Magic Fun House, or the Shanghai Ocean Aquarium.
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Frequently asked questions
You should expect a large crowd of people, with professionals (drivers, greeters) usually at the front. There is signage in English, and airport workers will be stationed to guide you. You will need to present your passport and Chinese visa at immigration.
If you have a long layover, you could leave the airport and explore Shanghai. The journey between the airport and the city centre takes about an hour, so you will need at least a 6-hour layover to get out of the airport, see a central attraction, and get back in time for your flight. You can take the Maglev train, metro, or bus, or hire a taxi. There are also plenty of things to do in the airport, including shopping, eating, visiting the aviation museum, and relaxing in one of the lounges.
International credit cards are not widely accepted, so it is recommended to have some cash in yuan for transportation and restaurants. You can find a currency exchange service inside the Arrivals Hall at Shanghai Pudong International Airport.
