Pudong Airport (PVG)
Tel: (21) 3848 4500.
Website: www.shanghaiairport.com

Pudong Airport is located 30km (19 miles) southeast of Shanghai. Officially opened on 1 October 1999 and growing at a rapid pace, the airport is Shanghai's international hub as well as serving some domestic routes and all Hong Kong and Macau flights. A second terminal and third runway opened in early 2008. Free shuttle buses transfer passengers between T1 and T2, and operate every 15 minutes between 0600-2100. A third terminal and fourth and fifth runway are in planning stages. 

Pudong is about a 45-minute drive from downtown (traffic permitting). In early 2004, a prestigious flagship infrastructure project, the 431km/hour magnetic levitation shuttle train (or maglev), was opened, which covers the 30km distance between the airport and Longyang Lu metro station in Pudong in just short of 8 minutes. An extension connecting Pudong to Hangzhou via Shanghai South Railway Station and Hongqiao International Airport in time for the Shanghai World Expo 2010 has been postponed.

Airport facilities: Although T2 is newer and easier to navigate, both terminals have handy facilities including banks, ATMs, bureaux de change, post offices, car hire, restaurants and tourist information. Most of the major city hotels have reservation desks at the airport. The terminals also have left-luggage, souvenir stalls and other shops, cafes, public telephones and free Wi-Fi Internet access. Business facilities, including fax, Internet and long-distance calls, are available between the international and domestic arrival halls. Fully equipped meeting and conference rooms are provided by the Ramada Pudong Airport Shanghai Hotel (tel: (21) 6885 2886; www.ramadaairportpd.com) and Dazhong Merrylin Air Terminal Hotel (tel: (21) 38799999) located on the central walkway between T1 and T2.

Transport to the city: Shanghai Airport Bus Co and the Shanghai Dazhong Bus Corporation buses depart every 13-21 minutes between 0705-2305 (journey time - 60-90 minutes) from outside T1 and T2 arrivals halls. There are eight routes into the city, with only route five going to Pudong itself. Other routes include a dedicated hotel shuttle, People's Square, Hongkou in the city's northwest district and Hongqiao Airport. Price, route and departure details can be found on Traffic Guide boards throughout the airport. Further information is available from Airport Shuttle Bus Services (tel: (21) 6834 6912 or 6645).

The maglev train (tel: (21) 2890 7777; www.smtdc.com) runs daily every 15-30 minutes between 0700-2130 from the airport to Longyang Li metro station in Pudong, from where you will need to catch a connecting cab or Line 2 metro train to your final destination. In the opposite direction it runs daily every 15-30 minutes between 0645-2130. Ticket machines are easy to use and are in English. To get discounted tickets (available with airline ticket) or a receipt, use the ticket counter.

Metered taxis are available at the official stand outside T1 and T2 arrival halls - the fare to downtown Puxi/Pudong is about RMB150/RMB170 (journey time - 45-60 minutes).


Hongqiao Airport (SHA)
Tel: (21) 6268 3659 or 8918.
Website: www.shanghaiairport.com

Formerly the principal airport, Shanghai's Hongqiao Airport is now used for domestic departures and arrivals (NB: Hong Kong and Macau flights are considered to be ‘international' and use Pudong International Airport). The airport is situated 13km (9 miles) southwest of central Shanghai, about a half-hour taxi ride away.

Airport facilities: Facilities include bureaux de change, banks, ATMs, post office, luggage lockers, car hire, duty-free and other shops, cafes, restaurants and tourist information. There are also hotel reservation services as well as a basic business centre in the baggage deposit room of Departure Terminal B.

Transport to the city: A number of public bus routes run from Hongqiao to central Shanghai (see Public Transport section in Getting Around). Shanghai Airport Bus Co. and the Shanghai Dazhong Bus Corporation operate regular shuttle buses, between 0600-2400 (journey time - 30-45 minutes) to destinations including People's Square and Shanghai Railway Station. Luggage space is limited. Tickets are sold on the bus. Transfer buses to Pudong Airport leave from outside domestic arrivals every 30 minutes 0600-2130 (journey time - 60 minutes). Further information is available from Airport Shuttle Bus Services (tel: (21) 6834 6912 or 6645). A metro line 2 extension linking the airport and a new bus terminus is due to be completed in time for the 2010 World Expo.

Metered taxis are available from outside the arrivals hall. The fare is about RMB90 to downtown Puxi, and RMB120 to Pudong, including toll fees (journey time - 30-50 minutes). It is best for tourists either to have the destination written in Chinese or a map handy.