Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)

Layover Guide

Making the most of your stopover at Shanghai Pudong International Airport — hotels, city tours and transit tips.

Your PVG Layover at a Glance

City AccessAccessible
Minimum layover for city5 hours

Best use of a long layover

Maglev and Metro to The Bund — the Huangpu riverfront and Pudong skyline. Xintiandi or Yu Garden are also reachable in a long layover.

Inside the airport

Terminal 2 duty-free has excellent Chinese tea and Moutai baijiu selections. The Maglev ride alone is worth a mention.

Ramada Plaza PVG is between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 with connecting access. Airside transit hotel options available — check with concierge.

Shanghai offers a 72/144-hour Transit Without Visa (TWOV) programme for eligible nationalities — verify eligibility before travel.
Transit visa requirements vary by nationality and change frequently. Always verify with the official embassy or consulate of China before travel.

Layover Duration Guide

Under 3 hrs
Stay Airside

Grab a meal, use the lounge or rest. Not enough time to clear immigration and return safely.

3 – 6 hrs
Airport Exploration

Explore landside facilities, duty-free and airport dining. Consider a transit hotel if you need rest.

6 – 12 hrs
Quick City Visit

Enough time to visit Shanghai (Pudong) city centre if transit visa permits. Allow 3 hrs buffer for return and re-entry.

12 hrs+
Overnight Stay

Book a nearby hotel. You can explore Shanghai (Pudong) properly — consider a guided tour to maximise your time.

Hotels Near PVG

Staying close to the airport? Airport hotels and transit hotels let you rest without a long transfer.

Recommended · Hotels
Find Hotels Near PVG

Airport hotels, transit stays and Shanghai (Pudong) city centre options — free cancellation on most bookings.

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City Tours from PVG

Short on time? Layover tours are designed to fit your connection window — pickup from the airport, back before your gate opens.

Recommended · Tours
Shanghai (Pudong) Layover Tours

Half-day and layover-specific tours with airport pickup. See the highlights of Shanghai (Pudong) without missing your connection.

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Practical Tips for Your PVG Layover

Use left-luggage storage at Shanghai Pudong International Airport if you plan to leave the terminal — most airports offer coin lockers or staffed storage near arrivals.
Get a China eSIM before your layover so you have data for maps and translation the moment you land.
Download offline maps for Shanghai (Pudong) in advance — useful if you leave the terminal and connectivity is patchy.
Always allow at least 3 hours buffer before your next departure when leaving the airport — immigration queues are unpredictable.
Check your next airline's check-in deadline. Some require you to be at the gate 45–60 minutes before departure.
Recommended · eSIM
Stay Connected in China

Activate a China eSIM on Airalo before you travel — instant data, no SIM card queue at the airport.

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