Layover guides
Shanghai layover guide
If you have a few hours you can leave Pudong Airport and catch a glimpse of Shanghai’s skyline and the historic Bund. A short ride into the city lets you see modern towers and riverfront charm.
PVG · Shanghai Pudong International Airport
34 km to the centre
Fastest way into the city: about 8 min
Leave the airport with at least 5 hours
How long is your layover?
About 2 hours in the city
Land and leave the airport · about 1 hour
Shanghai Maglev to Longyang Road → Longyang Road Station · about 8 min-
1
about 1 hourShanghai Museum
Comprehensive museum of Chinese art and history in People's Square
- Back to the airport · about 8 min
Be back at the airport at least 2.5 hours before an international flight
Open this layover as a plan About 4 hours in the city
- Land and leave the airport · about 1 hour
- Shanghai Maglev to Longyang Road → Longyang Road Station · about 8 min
-
1
about 1 hour
Shanghai Museum
Comprehensive museum of Chinese art and history in People's Square
0.8 km-
2
about 1 hour
Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street
Bustling shopping street with historic storefronts and modern malls
- 0.8 km
-
3
about 1 hour
The Bund
Historic waterfront with colonial buildings and skyline views
- Back to the airport · about 8 min
- Be back at the airport at least 2.5 hours before an international flight
About 8 hours in the city
- Land and leave the airport · about 1 hour
- Shanghai Maglev to Longyang Road → Longyang Road Station · about 8 min
-
1
about 1 hour
Shanghai Museum
Comprehensive museum of Chinese art and history in People's Square
- 0.8 km
-
2
about 1 hour
Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street
Bustling shopping street with historic storefronts and modern malls
- 0.8 km
-
3
about 1 hour
The Bund
Historic waterfront with colonial buildings and skyline views
- 0.8 km
-
4
about 1 hour
Yu Garden (Yuyuan Garden)
Classical garden with ponds, pavilions, and tea houses
- 1.2 km
-
5
about 1 hour
Xintiandi
Pedestrian district of renovated shikumen houses, shops and bars
- Back to the airport · about 8 min
- Be back at the airport at least 2.5 hours before an international flight
A night in the city and a full day of sightseeing
- Land and leave the airport · about 1 hour
- Shanghai Maglev to Longyang Road → Longyang Road Station · about 8 min
-
1
about 1 hour
Shanghai Museum
Comprehensive museum of Chinese art and history in People's Square
- 0.8 km
-
2
about 1 hour
Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street
Bustling shopping street with historic storefronts and modern malls
- 0.8 km
-
3
about 1 hour
The Bund
Historic waterfront with colonial buildings and skyline views
- 0.8 km
-
4
about 1 hour
Yu Garden (Yuyuan Garden)
Classical garden with ponds, pavilions, and tea houses
- 1.2 km
A night in the city-
5
about 1 hour
Xintiandi
Pedestrian district of renovated shikumen houses, shops and bars
- 1.3 km
-
6
about 1 hour
Fuxing Park
Large public park with French‑style layout, tea houses and locals exercising
- 0.7 km
-
7
about 1 hour
Shanghai Tower
China's tallest skyscraper with skywalk and city vistas
- Back to the airport · about 8 min
- Be back at the airport at least 2.5 hours before an international flight
Times are estimates. Visa rules depend on your nationality: check official sources and your airline before you leave the airport.
Getting into the city
Shanghai Maglev to Longyang Road
→ Longyang Road Station · about 8 min
Runs every 15‑20 min, tickets bought at the station or via QR code
Metro Line 2 to People's Square
→ People's Square · about 25 min
Every 5‑10 min, use a Shanghai Public Transport Card or mobile payment
Airport taxi
→ City centre (e.g. Nanjing Road) · about 45 min
Available 24 h, pay by cash or card, allow extra time for traffic
Good to know
Leaving the airport
You will pass through passport control to exit the airport; visa requirements depend on your nationality and must be confirmed with official sources before travel.
Left luggage
Left‑luggage lockers are available in the arrivals hall for a few hours.
If you stay at the airport
Inside the terminal you can relax in airline lounges, browse duty‑free shops, or book a short stay at the airport hotel. The Shanghai Aviation Museum is also nearby.
A quick bite
Try a freshly made xiaolongbao (soup dumpling) at the food court near Terminal 2’s arrivals area.
Written with AI using Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA). Check details before you travel. Wikivoyage: Shanghai
Layover tips
Buy a Shanghai Public Transport Card for seamless metro and bus rides
Avoid rush‑hour (7‑9 am, 5‑7 pm) if taking a taxi
Keep your boarding pass handy for re‑entry security checks
Questions about a layover in Shanghai
How long does it take to get from Pudong to the Bund?
About 30 minutes by maglev plus metro, or 45 minutes by taxi, depending on traffic.
Do I need a visa to leave the airport?
Transit visa‑free entry is allowed for many nationals, but you must check the latest rules for your passport.
Can I store my luggage at the airport?
Yes, there are self‑service lockers in the arrivals hall; sizes and fees vary.
What if my flight is delayed and I miss my connection?
Contact your airline immediately; they can rebook you or arrange a later connecting flight.
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