China Layover Guide
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Shanghai · leave the airport from ~7h

PVGLayover guide

Shanghai Pudong International Airport · ~30 km east of the centre

Researched and fact-checked by the editorial team against official sources.

Last reviewed

The short answer

You need roughly 7 hours at PVG before leaving the airport is worthwhile, and 8+ hours to be comfortable. Maglev + Metro Line 2 gets you to Shanghai in about ~40–55 min. PVG is a designated port under the 240-hour visa-free transit policy, covering Shanghai municipality.

Getting into Shanghai

  • Maglev + Metro Line 2

    Traffic-proof

    The fastest route in. The Maglev covers 30 km to Longyang Road in about 8 minutes, then you transfer to Metro Line 2.

    Time
    ~40–55 min
    Cost
    ¥50 + ¥4 (¥40 Maglev with same-day boarding pass)

  • Metro Line 2 (direct)

    Traffic-proof

    Cheapest, and it runs the whole way without a Maglev transfer, but it stops 20+ times through Pudong.

    Time
    60–90 min
    Cost
    ¥7–9

  • Taxi / DiDi

    Can be delayed

    Door-to-door and best with heavy bags, but traffic-dependent. Metered fare plus any highway tolls.

    Time
    45–70 min
    Cost
    ¥150–250

  • Airport bus

    Can be delayed

    Fixed routes to specific hubs and hotels. Useful if your destination happens to be on the route.

    Time
    60–90 min
    Cost
    ¥20–36

What fits in each window

  1. Under 6 hours

    Stay airside

    PVG immigration alone can take 60–90 minutes at a peak evening arrival bank. You would reach Longyang Road and turn straight around.

  2. 6–8 hours

    Doable and worth it

    Maglev plus Metro Line 2 to the Bund, roughly 2.5–3 hours on the ground, one good meal, and back with a 2.5-hour buffer.

  3. 8–12 hours

    The sweet spot

    A real half-day: the Bund, Yu Garden and the old town, lunch, and a walk up Nanjing Road.

  4. 12–24 hours

    A proper stopover

    Add the French Concession, a river cruise, and unhurried meals. An overnight in Puxi makes this genuinely relaxed.

Luggage storage

Left-luggage counters (行李寄存) in the arrivals and departures halls; confirm the current location and hours at the airport.

Cost: ¥15–30 per bag per day (indicative)

PVG traps to avoid

  • PVG and Hongqiao (SHA) are about 70 km apart. A cross-airport connection eats 1.5–2 hours by road, never combine one with sightseeing.
  • The Maglev stops running around 21:40, and Metro Line 2 around 22:30. Late arrivals are taxi or DiDi only.
  • The Maglev only reaches Longyang Road, which is not the city centre. You still need a metro transfer.

Transfer times, fares, and operating hours change. Verify against the airport’s own transport page and the National Immigration Administration before you book.