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PVGZSPD

Shanghai Pudong International Airport

Shanghai, CN

Airportist Score

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Security

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PVGGuide

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PVGZSPDNormal

Shanghai Pudong International Airport

Shanghai, China · Asia-Pacific

Solid hub with improving on-time stats and good transport links but suffers from immigration bottlenecks and inconsistent lounges.

Airportist Score

7.1/ 10

Solid

Ease of use6.8
Comfort & amenities7.0
Food & retail6.5
Ground access8.0
Reliability7.5
Lounges6.8

How the score works

An editorial 0–10 score. The overall is exactly the weighted sum of six traveler categories — not a Google rating and not a poll.

25%Ease of use — Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.
20%Comfort & amenities — Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.
15%Food & retail — Food and retail quality and variety.
15%Ground access — Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.
15%Reliability — Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.
10%Lounges — Worth-it density and access quality.

Compare PVG with another airport

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Flying from Shanghai?

Enter your flight for a door-to-door plan: when to leave, security, the lounge you can use and your gate. No account needed.

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PVGGuide

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What travelers say

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PVGZSPDNormal

Shanghai Pudong International Airport

Shanghai, China · Asia-Pacific

Solid hub with improving on-time stats and good transport links but suffers from immigration bottlenecks and inconsistent lounges.

Airportist Score

7.1/ 10

Solid

Ease of use6.8
Comfort & amenities7.0
Food & retail6.5
Ground access8.0
Reliability7.5
Lounges6.8

How the score works

An editorial 0–10 score. The overall is exactly the weighted sum of six traveler categories — not a Google rating and not a poll.

25%Ease of use — Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.
20%Comfort & amenities — Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.
15%Food & retail — Food and retail quality and variety.
15%Ground access — Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.
15%Reliability — Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.
10%Lounges — Worth-it density and access quality.

Compare PVG with another airport

Typical security
25 min
editorial average, not live
Fastest to city
30-40 min
Maglev + Metro
Cheapest to city
Metro Line 2
$ · 60-70 min
Lounges
16
6 rated worth it
On time
87%
of departures
Terminals
2
main + satellites

All 16 lounges at PVG
PVG security wait times

12 photos

PVGGuide

Most important tips

Know before you go

A compact traveler cheat sheet for timing, terminals, food, and disruption checks.

Timing

3 hours international, 2 hours domestic

The satellite tram, not the security lane, is what makes people miss flights.

Immigration for foreigners can run 30–45 minutes at peak. After security, the satellite tram to S1/S2 adds another 10–20 minutes. Do not treat a T2 gate number as “already in the satellite.”

Terminal

T1/S1 vs T2/S2 — read the boarding pass

Wrong terminal plus a satellite tram is a 30-minute mistake.

China Eastern, Shanghai Airlines and China United concentrate on T1 and satellite S1. Most other airlines use T2 and S2. The landside T1↔T2 shuttle is free and about 15 minutes. Satellites are airside trams after security.

Status

Priority Pass works — airline rooms are still better

Confirm the live Priority Pass listing for your terminal and satellite.

No.77 (T2 international, 24h, 2h cap) and Juneyao No.72 (T2 international, 24h, 2h cap) are the useful independents. China Eastern rooms on PP are airline-restricted. Air China / Star rooms are not a general PP key.

Transport

Maglev ¥50 / ¥40 — then Metro Line 2

Downtown = Maglev + Line 2, or Line 2 the whole way. Not the Maglev alone.

Official Maglev: ¥50 economy single, ¥40 with same-day air ticket or Shanghai transport card, ¥80 7-day return, VIP ¥100/¥160 (smtdc.com). Maglev only goes to Longyang Road (~8 min). Line 2 from PVG itself is the cheaper all-the-way option. Airport Link Line is PVG↔SHA, not a downtown shortcut.

Live conditions

Right now at PVG

Security waits and operational status from official feeds, where the airport publishes them.

Honest verdict

Who this airport works for

Best for

Fast Maglev/metro combo
24h lounge access
Strong on-time performance

Watch out for

Long immigration queues for foreigners
Crowded independent lounges
Power bank restrictions
Satellite tram walks

Airportist Score

Why this score

Overall is the published weighted sum of six categories. No holistic fudge on top.

Ease of use · 25%

Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.

6.8

Comfort & amenities · 20%

Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.

7.0

Food & retail · 15%

Food and retail quality and variety.

6.5

Ground access · 15%

Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.

8.0

Reliability · 15%

Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.

7.5

Lounges · 10%

Worth-it density and access quality.

6.8

Key stats

Editorial reference figures, not live readings.

Annual passengers

85M

Terminals

2 main + satellites

On-time departures

87%

Typical security

25 min

Guide quick facts

From the editorial guide for PVG.

Updated Sep 12, 2026

China’s busiest airport in 2025: 84,994,548 passengers (+10.7%; CAAC) — first year above 80 million; ~#5 worldwide
T1 + satellite S1 (China Eastern / Shanghai Airlines / China United heavy) and T2 + satellite S2 (most other carriers) — confirm on the boarding pass
Maglev Longyang Road↔PVG ¥50 economy / ¥40 with same-day air ticket or Shanghai transport card; official operator smtdc.com
Metro Line 2 runs all the way to PVG (slower, cheaper); Maglev is not a downtown train — it only reaches Longyang Road
Power banks without a visible 3C/CCC mark are banned on Chinese domestic flights
Free hot/warm water dispensers airside near restrooms; Priority Pass rooms are numerous but usually 2-hour and capacity-controlled

1 official source

https://www.shairport.com/enpd/index.html

Full guide

Explore the PVG guide

Each section answers one trip question in depth.

Map
Shanghai Pudong International Airport, the Shanghai city center, and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)
City center1 other airport
View Map
Getting There
4 ways into the city, compared on time, cost, and luggage.
Fastest: Maglev + MetroCheapest: Metro Line 2
View Getting There
Lounges
16 lounges with access rules, hours, and verdicts. 6 rated worth it.
China Eastern Airlines No.36 LoungeChina Eastern No.77 LoungeJuneyao Air Lounge No.72
View Lounges
Traveler Tips
Empty the bottle at security, refill hot/warm water airside near restrooms.
11 tips & hacks
View Traveler Tips
Amenities
6 rated amenities — food, Wi-Fi, quiet spots, family, and sleep.
Free WiFiDuty-free shopping
View Amenities
Water
Where to refill for free, and where a bottle costs the least airside.
3 spots2 free or refill
View Water
Reviews
Editorial and traveler reviews — what people actually complain about.
View Reviews

Shanghai Pudong International Airport, the Shanghai city center, and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)

This airport PVG
City center Shanghai
Other airport SHA

Terminal navigation guide

Terminal-change and gate-area notes pulled from the markdown guide.

From Terminals & Navigation

T1↔T2 landside: free shuttle, about 15 minutes.
S1 is the T1 satellite; S2 is the T2 satellite. Trams are after security.
Walking inside T2 without the tram can exceed 20 minutes.
Arrivals: immigration, then baggage on the lower level, then customs.
Common mistake: following a “Gate 1xx” sign in the main terminal when you still need the satellite tram.

Ground transport guide

City-transfer, rideshare, train, and parking guidance from the markdown guide.

From Ground Transport & Parking

Maglev: PVG ↔ Longyang Road (~8 min). Official: ¥50 economy single, ¥40 with same-day air ticket or Shanghai transport card, ¥80 return (7 days), VIP ¥100 / ¥160. Maglev + 24h metro pass ¥55 / ¥85. Operator: http://www.smtdc.com/en/jszl.html
Metro Line 2: all the way to People’s Square and beyond; slower (often 60–70 min) and a few yuan.
DiDi / taxi: 30–60 min to central Pudong/Puxi depending on traffic; typical meter/app range is tens to low hundreds of yuan — confirm in-app.
Airport buses: multiple routes, 40–90 min; useful late if Maglev has stopped.
Airport Link Line is PVG↔Hongqiao (SHA), not a downtown hop.
Parking: use the official Shanghai Airport products; do not trust a cached WeChat screenshot.

Ride to Shanghai

Pickup at PVG. Where the app supports it, dropoff is set to Shanghai city center for a live price.

To city center

Shanghai

~33 km

Typical fare

¥50

From Maglev + Metro notes

Fixed-price transfers

GetTransfer quotes Kiwitaxi quotes

Compare prepaid private transfers to Shanghai — useful overnight, with luggage, or when you want a locked-in fare before you land.

Cheapest

Metro Line 2

Direct to city center via People's Square or Hongqiao.

Time to city

60-70 min

Cost

$

Tip: Buy single-journey ticket at machines; avoid rush hour with luggage.

Fastest

Maglev + Metro

High-speed Maglev to Longyang Road, then Metro Line 2 into the city.

Time to city

30-40 min

Cost

$$

Tip: Maglev is ¥50 standard or ¥40 with a same-day boarding pass at the counter; Airport Link Line is PVG↔SHA only, not a downtown shortcut.

Best for luggage

Didi

App-based taxi to anywhere in Shanghai.

Time to city

30-60 min

Cost

$$

Tip: Use for door-to-door with heavy luggage; fixed prices reduce haggling.

Airport buses

Multiple lines to railway stations and city points.

Time to city

40-90 min

Cost

$

Tip: Good backup if metro closes; check schedules for last buses ~23:00.

Check your lounge access at PVG

Sign in, save your cards, airline status, and lounge programs once, and we'll check them against every lounge.

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Depends

China Eastern Airlines No.35 Lounge

Terminal 1airside, domestic departures

A very early-opening domestic lounge near Gate 15, but only for eligible SkyTeam-side passengers.

Access: Priority Pass

Hours: 04:30-last China Eastern flight

Amenities: Alcoholic drinks · Children's play area

Best for: Early domestic departures

Full access guide

Worth it

China Eastern Airlines No.36 Lounge

Terminal 1airside, international departures

A useful Terminal 1 international option with day beds, if your flight meets the airline restriction.

Access: Priority Pass

Hours: 05:30-last China Eastern flight

Amenities: Alcoholic drinks · Day beds

Best for: International departures · Long layovers

Full access guide

Depends

Terminal 1airside, international departures

A basic Terminal 1 international lounge that is most useful for its fourth-floor location.

Access: Priority Pass

Hours: 06:00-last flight

Amenities: Alcoholic drinks · Flight information

Best for: International departures

Full access guide

Skip it

Terminal 1airside, domestic departures

A bare-bones domestic option between Gates 8 and 9, with hot food only at meal times.

Access: Priority Pass

Hours: 06:00-last flight

Amenities: Flight information · Newspapers / magazines · Soft drinks

Best for: Domestic departures

Full access guide

Worth it

China Eastern No.77 Lounge

Terminal 2airside, international departures

A 24-hour international lounge with day beds, making it one of the more useful Terminal 2 choices.

Access: Priority Pass

Hours: 00:00-23:59 daily

Amenities: Alcoholic drinks · Flight information · Day beds

Best for: Long layovers · Late-night departures · International departures

Full access guide

Worth it

Juneyao Air Lounge No.72

Terminal 2airside, international departures

The useful all-day international option near D73, though Priority Pass entry can be capacity-controlled.

Access: Priority Pass

Hours: 00:00-23:59 daily

Amenities: Alcoholic drinks · Flight information

Best for: Late-night departures · International departures

Full access guide

Worth it

Juneyao Air Lounge No.86

Terminal 2airside, domestic departures

The strongest domestic Terminal 2 pick if you value a day bed or massage chair.

Access: Priority Pass

Hours: 05:30-23:00 daily

Amenities: Alcoholic drinks · Flight information · Day beds · Massage chairs

Best for: Domestic departures · Long layovers

Full access guide

Depends

Terminal 2airside, international departures

A Gate 69 international option with drinks and a smoking area, but little reason to detour for it.

Access: Priority Pass

Hours: 06:00-last flight

Amenities: Alcoholic drinks · Flight information · Newspapers / magazines · Smoking area

Best for: International departures

Full access guide

Skip it

Terminal 2airside, domestic departures

Use it only when it is the closest option; hot food is limited to three short meal windows.

Access: Priority Pass

Hours: 06:00-last flight

Amenities: Flight information · Newspapers / magazines · Soft drinks

Best for: Domestic departures

Full access guide

Worth it

China Eastern Airlines No.101 Lounge

Terminal S1airside, domestic departures

An early-opening domestic S1 lounge with day beds, subject to a strict airline eligibility rule.

Access: Priority Pass

Hours: 04:30-last China Eastern flight

Amenities: Alcoholic drinks · Children's play area · Day beds

Best for: Early domestic departures · Long layovers

Full access guide

Worth it

China Eastern Airlines No.137 Lounge

Terminal S1airside, international departures

A well-equipped S1 international option with day beds, provided your airline makes it accessible.

Access: Priority Pass

Hours: 05:30-last China Eastern flight

Amenities: Alcoholic drinks · Children's play area · Day beds

Best for: International departures · Long layovers

Full access guide

Depends

Terminal S1airside, domestic departures

A basic domestic satellite lounge near Gate 120 with standard drinks and flight information.

Access: Priority Pass

Hours: 06:00-last flight

Amenities: Alcoholic drinks · Flight information

Best for: Domestic departures

Full access guide

Depends

VIP Lounge 135B

Terminal S1airside, international departures

A simple S1 international lounge whose main advantage is being close to Gate 135B.

Access: Priority Pass

Hours: 06:00-last flight

Amenities: Alcoholic drinks · Flight information

Best for: International departures

Full access guide

Depends

China Southern First/Business Class Gold/Silver/Elite Plus Lounge 152

Terminal S2airside, domestic departures

A practical domestic satellite lounge with massage chairs, but its hours follow China Southern's schedule.

Access: Priority Pass

Hours: First China Southern flight-last China Southern flight

Amenities: Alcoholic drinks · Flight information · Luggage storage · Children's play area · Massage chairs

Best for: Domestic departures

Full access guide

Depends

Terminal S2airside, international departures

A functional international satellite lounge near Gate 170, best chosen for its location.

Access: Priority Pass

Hours: 06:00-last flight

Amenities: Alcoholic drinks · Flight information

Best for: International departures

Full access guide

Depends

Terminal S2airside, domestic departures

A straightforward domestic S2 option when you need a drink and seat near departure.

Access: Priority Pass

Hours: 06:00-last flight

Amenities: Alcoholic drinks · Flight information

Best for: Domestic departures

Full access guide

Lounge & amenity notes

Lounge, food, and quiet-spot picks pulled from the markdown guide.

From Lounges, Food & Amenities

China Eastern No.77 (T2 international): 24h Priority Pass, 2-hour cap, day beds; crowded at banks.
Juneyao No.72 (T2 international, near D73): 24h Priority Pass, 2-hour cap, capacity-controlled.
China Eastern T1/S1 rooms: airline-restricted even when they appear on Priority Pass.
Air China / Star rooms in T2: Star Alliance Gold / CA premium — not PP.
Many “VIP Lounge ##” contract rooms exist in both satellites; they are basic drinks-and-seat spaces with 2-hour caps.
Eat landside or in an airline room. Independent lounge food is inconsistent.

good

Free WiFi

Fast WiFi

Free registration-based WiFi throughout terminals and airside.

good

Mother-and-baby rooms

Family Friendly

Multiple dedicated rooms with changing facilities in both terminals.

good

Charging points

Accessibility

Widespread USB and power outlets airside and landside.

basic

Luggage storage

Easy Transport

Secure storage services available in arrivals areas.

good

Duty-free shopping

Shopping

Sunrise Duty-Free and luxury brands post-security in T2.

good

Medical service

Accessibility

24h clinic and first-aid stations in terminals.

Editorial guide tricks

The markdown guide's highest-signal tactics before the data-backed tips below.

From Best Airport Tricks & Hacks

Empty the bottle at security, refill hot/warm water airside near restrooms.
Maglev for the 8-minute run to Longyang Road, then Metro Line 2. Or ride Line 2 the whole way if you want one ticket and do not care about time.
Same-day boarding pass (paper or phone) drops Maglev economy to ¥40 at the counter. Shanghai transport card also charges ¥40.
Book DiDi in-app. Ignore arrivals touts.
Luggage wrapping landside is widely available — treat the price as a posted counter rate, not a blog number.
Wi-Fi needs registration; it works once you complete it.
For long layovers, the 24h No.77 / Juneyao No.72 rooms beat most paid rest pods if Priority Pass is still accepting.

01

SecurityTraveler Tips & Hacks

Prep power banks

Remove and show 3C-labeled power banks before X-ray.

Non-compliant ones are banned on domestic flights and may be confiscated.

Pro

Avoids delays

Watch-out

Extra step at screening

02

TransportTraveler Tips & Hacks

Use Didi for late arrivals

App-based rides avoid touts and offer fixed pricing.

Available 24/7; cheaper than street taxis for city center.

Pro

Reliable at night

Watch-out

App registration needed

03

LayoverTraveler Tips & Hacks

Book lounge access in advance

Priority Pass or day passes via apps for guaranteed entry.

Walk-up often restricted during peaks; No.77 popular.

Pro

Better rest options

Watch-out

Variable food quality

04

NavigationTraveler Tips & Hacks

Follow satellite signs

Tram to S1/S2 after security saves walking time.

Clear bilingual signs but allow extra 15 min buffer.

Best value

Hot/warm water dispensers

Near restrooms along T1/T2 and satellite gate walkways

Refill stationTerminal 1/2airside

Free sterilised hot or warm water; bring an empty bottle. Cold taps are not the default.

Price: Free

Bottled water vendors

Duty-free and convenience stores post-security

Buy a bottleTerminal 2airside

Cheapest reliable sealed purchase after security.

Price: About ¥5 for 500 ml

Best quality

Restroom-adjacent fountains

Satellite concourse restrooms after the tram

Free waterTerminal S1/S2airside

Extra refill points at satellite restrooms.

Price: Free

Entry requirements

China (CN)

Sign in and add a passport to see the entry requirement for China.

Passports are saved in profile settings. Check the official site before you travel.

Disruptions

No current alerts on file

No editorial alerts are on file for this airport. We do not invent them.

Editorial file dated Aug 8, 2026. Typical delay percentages are omitted — they are not live news.

Live operations

Live operational signals from Flighty or FAA, plus checkpoint waits where airports publish them.

Traveler reviews

What travelers say

Write a review

Alternatives

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