Shanghai Airports Guide: Terminals, Transport, and Essential Information

Shanghai, China’s financial and commercial hub, is served by two major international airports that handle its immense domestic and international air traffic. The airports are located on opposite sides of the sprawling metropolis and serve different airline alliances and regional focuses. Choosing the correct airport is crucial, as they are nearly 60 km apart and connected by a long, often congested urban journey.

This guide details both international airports serving Shanghai, including terminal layouts, airline hubs, and clear, practical information on how to get to and from each one, whether you’re headed to downtown Shanghai (Puxi), the financial district (Pudong), or making a connection.

Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)

Overview: Shanghai Pudong International Airport is the city’s primary international gateway and one of the busiest airports in the world. Located approximately 40 km (25 miles) east of downtown Shanghai, in the Pudong district, it is the main hub for China Eastern Airlines and Shanghai Airlines, and a major international hub for the SkyTeam alliance (including Air France, Delta, KLM). It handles the vast majority of long-haul international flights and cargo.

Terminals:

• Terminal 1 (T1): Primarily serves domestic Chinese carriers and some international airlines, including Spring Airlines and several Asian carriers.
• Terminal 2 (T2): The larger, main terminal for most international airlines, China Eastern, and SkyTeam partners. All terminals are connected by an internal free shuttle bus that runs 24/7, taking about 10-15 minutes.
• Satellite Terminal (S1 & S2): Massive satellite concourses connected to T2 by the world’s longest airport people mover (APM). Allow extra time to reach gates in the satellites.

PVG is vast. Walking distances can be extremely long. The airport signage is excellent in both Chinese and English.

Getting to and from PVG Airport:

• Maglev Train (Shanghai Transrapid):
  The fastest way to reach the city edge. The magnetic levitation train runs from PVG to Longyang Road Metro Station in Pudong in just 7-8 minutes, reaching speeds of 430 km/h (267 mph). From Longyang Road, you connect to Shanghai Metro Line 2, 7, or 16. The single fare is ¥50 (approx. $7 USD), or ¥40 with proof of a same-day flight ticket.
• Metro Line 2 (Extended to PVG):
  The most affordable rail option. Shanghai Metro Line 2 now runs directly to both PVG terminals. The journey to central Shanghai (e.g., People’s Square) takes about 60-75 minutes and costs under ¥10. It’s reliable but can be crowded.
• Airport Bus (Shuttle Bus):
  A network of airport shuttle buses (lines like Airport Bus Line 1, 2, 5, 7, etc.) connects PVG to key locations across Shanghai, including Hongqiao Airport, Jing’an Temple, and Shanghai Railway Station. Fares range from ¥16-30. Useful for specific destinations not near a metro line, but subject to road traffic.
• Taxi:
  Available at designated ranks outside both terminals. A trip to downtown (People’s Square) takes 45-90+ minutes and costs ¥180-250, plus a ¥15-20 airport surcharge and any tolls. Ensure the driver uses the meter. Have your destination written in Chinese to show the driver.
• Ride-hailing (Didi Chuxing):
  China’s leading app, Didi Chuxing, operates at PVG. The pickup area is in the parking garage. The app has an English interface and is very reliable, often cheaper than taxis.

Best for: All long-haul international flights, SkyTeam alliance connections, and travelers heading to Pudong or eastern Shanghai.

Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)

Overview: Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport is the city’s older, domestic and regional international airport, located just 13 km (8 miles) west of downtown Shanghai. It is a major hub for China Eastern Airlines and Spring Airlines for domestic routes, and handles almost all flights to/from Taiwan, as well as short-haul international flights to East Asia (Japan, Korea). It is integrated with the colossal Hongqiao Railway Station, a hub for high-speed trains.

Terminals:

• Terminal 1 (T1): After renovation, now serves Spring Airlines and other budget carriers.
• Terminal 2 (T2): The main terminal, serving most domestic and regional international flights for airlines like China Eastern, Air China, and Juneyao Air. It is directly connected to Hongqiao Railway Station.

The terminals are connected by a free shuttle bus. T2 is modern, efficient, and much more convenient for access to downtown than PVG.

Getting to and from SHA Airport:

• Metro Lines 2 & 10:
  The most convenient way. Both metro lines have a station (“Hongqiao Airport T2”) directly underneath Terminal 2. Line 2 goes to Jing’an Temple, People’s Square, and Pudong; Line 10 goes to the French Concession, Nanjing Road East, and Yuyuan Garden. A trip to People’s Square takes about 20-25 minutes and costs ¥4-5.
• Taxi:
  Very convenient and affordable from SHA. A trip to central Shanghai (e.g., People’s Square) takes 25-40 minutes and costs ¥50-80.
• Airport Bus:
  Available but less necessary given the excellent metro link.

Best for: Domestic flights within mainland China, flights to Taiwan, short-haul international flights within Asia, and travelers whose final destination is Puxi (western Shanghai).

Which Shanghai Airport Should You Choose?

The choice is largely determined by your flight’s origin, airline, and your final destination in Shanghai:

Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) is your airport if:

• You are flying from outside Asia (e.g., North America, Europe, Australia, Middle East).
• You are flying on a long-haul international carrier (e.g., United, Lufthansa, British Airways, Emirates).
• Your airline is a member of the SkyTeam alliance (Delta, Air France/KLM, China Eastern).
• Your hotel or business is in Pudong (e.g., Lujiazui Financial District).

Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA) is your airport if:

• You are flying domestically within mainland China.
• You are flying from/to Taiwan (almost all cross-strait flights use SHA).
• You are on a short-haul international flight from Japan, South Korea, or Hong Kong (many, but not all).
• Your hotel or business is in Puxi (western Shanghai: The Bund, French Concession, Jing’an, etc.). SHA is vastly more convenient.
• You need to connect to a high-speed train at Hongqiao Railway Station.

Golden Rule: For downtown/Puxi, choose SHA if at all possible. For international long-haul, you will use PVG.

Airport Transfers Between PVG and SHA

Transferring between Shanghai’s airports is a common necessity for travelers connecting from an international long-haul flight at PVG to a domestic flight at SHA (or vice-versa). They are completely separate facilities with no airside connection.

Is it safe to book connecting flights between PVG and SHA?
On a single ticket issued by an airline (like China Eastern), it is a standard connection, but you are responsible for the ground transfer. On separate tickets, it is high-risk due to distance, immigration, and traffic.

Transfer Time & Best Methods: The airports are about 55-60 km apart.

• Metro Line 2 (Most Reliable): The recommended method. Take Line 2 from PVG all the way to Hongqiao Airport T2 station. The journey takes about 90 minutes and costs under ¥10. It is immune to traffic but involves a lot of walking and transfers within PVG to reach the Line 2 station.
• Maglev + Metro Line 2: Slightly faster. Take the Maglev from PVG to Longyang Road (8 mins), then transfer to Metro Line 2 to Hongqiao Airport (approx. 45 mins). Total time: ~65-75 mins.
• Airport Shuttle Bus (Line 1): Direct bus service between the airports. Takes 60-90+ minutes depending on traffic. Fares are around ¥30-40.
• Taxi/Didi: 60-120+ minutes, very expensive (¥250-350+), and completely at the mercy of Shanghai’s notorious traffic.

Minimum Recommended Connection Time: If you must transfer between airports, even on a single ticket, allow at least 4-5 hours between your scheduled arrival at the first airport and departure from the second. This accounts for immigration, baggage claim, the long transfer, and re-check-in.

Practical Tips for Shanghai Airports

• Visa & Immigration: Most travelers need a visa for China. Ensure yours is in order. At PVG, immigration lines for foreigners can be very long. Have your arrival card filled out.
• Currency: Chinese Yuan (CNY, RMB). ATMs are available in arrivals halls. Have some local currency for transport.
• Mobile Data: Consider renting a portable Wi-Fi device (available at PVG arrivals) or buying a local SIM card to use maps and Didi.
• Language: English signage is good at airports, but minimal English is spoken by staff outside information desks. Have your destination written in Chinese characters.
• WeChat Pay/Alipay: These mobile payment apps are ubiquitous in Shanghai. Setting one up can be very useful for paying for taxis, metro tickets (via machines), and shopping.
• PVG Duty-Free: Excellent, especially for luxury goods, but compare prices with downtown.

Bottom line: For international long-haul travel, you will use Pudong (PVG)—take the Maglev + Metro or Metro Line 2 to the city. For domestic and regional Asian travel, try to use Hongqiao (SHA) for its supreme downtown convenience—take the metro. For transfers between the two, Metro Line 2 is your most reliable bet, but allow a huge amount of time.