Arrivals at Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
Pudong International Airport handles the large majority of Shanghai’s international traffic. This page explains where to go after your aircraft lands, how long the various stages take, and what to expect on your way into the city.
Where arrivals happen
- Terminal 1 (T1) — arrivals hall and baggage claim on Level 1; international and domestic arrivals are handled in separate areas.
- Terminal 2 (T2) — the larger terminal. Ground-floor baggage claim with international, domestic and Hong Kong / Macao / Taiwan arrival zones.
- Satellite concourses S1 and S2 — boarding gates only, reached by underground MRT from the main terminals. Passengers arriving at a satellite gate are bused to the main terminal for immigration and baggage claim.
Arrival procedure
- Disembarkation — follow the Arrivals signage and the Flight Information screens to the correct terminal.
- Immigration — Chinese entry formalities for foreign nationals. As of 1 January 2013, holders of valid passports issued by 45 countries have been able to transit through Hongqiao Airport without a visa; a 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit option is available at Pudong for eligible travellers.
- Baggage claim — collect checked luggage on the ground floor of the main terminal. T1 has 13 luggage conveying belts.
- Customs — goods must be declared. Duty-free allowances apply within the prescribed limits.
- Exit and ground transport — taxi, metro, maglev, airport bus, car hire, or the Airport Link Line to Hongqiao.
Meeting and waiting
Waiting passengers are not generally permitted past security, so arrange meetings inside the terminal in the arrivals hall. The two terminals are about 600 m apart and a free shuttle bus links them, with a one-way trip taking approximately 5 minutes.
Transit without clearing immigration
International transit passengers who do not need to collect luggage can complete transfer formalities at any of the nine service desks in Terminal 2, then proceed to the departure area after security. At Pudong, 240-hour visa-free transit is available for eligible passengers.
Getting into Shanghai from PVG
- Metro Line 2 — direct to Lujiazui, People’s Square, East Nanjing Road and Hongqiao International Airport.
- Maglev — Longyang Road to Pudong Airport in roughly 8 minutes over 30 km.
- Airport Link Line — opened in December 2024, connects Pudong Terminal 1 and 2 with Hongqiao Terminal 2 and the Hongqiao rail hub.
- Airport buses — eight airport bus lines link the airport to destinations across Shanghai, including Hongqiao Airport.
- Taxi and car hire — metered taxis wait at the arrivals hall; rental desks are available in the terminal.