Home » China Guide » Shanghai » Layover in Shanghai

Layover in Shanghai

By Sadie Li
Product Development Designer

Shanghai, the major commercial and industrial center in China, boasts its convenient public transportation, urban scene, historical sites, nearby water town, and cool night life. All of this makes Shanghai an ideal city to layover.

Apply for 144-Hour Transit Visa Exemption

Shanghai is one of the 20 cities in China implementing the policy of a 144-hour transit visa exemption for 53 countries.The eligible visitors can stay within Shanghai, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang Provinces up to 144-hours. There are 8 ports to enter and exit: Shanghai Pudong International Airport, Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, Shanghai Railway Station (not Shanghai South Station nor Hongqiao Station), Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal, Shanghai Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal; Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport, Nanjing Lukou Internation Airport, Ningbo Lishe International Airport.

It is easy to apply for the 144-hour transit visa exemption in 4 steps:
1. Get the required documents ready and show them to the check-in counter.
2. After arriving in Shanghai, you need to fill in an arrival card.
3. Hand the arrival card to the "144 hour visa exemption desk". Or submit your application abroad before departure online (Link: https://gaj.sh.gov.cn/crj/ka144/default.jsp), and print out the completed arrival card, or fill in the arrival card on a self-service machine on your arrival.
4. Get the stamp of “Temporary Entry Permit” on your passport.

The applicants who are from the following countries need to prepare a valid passport (at least for 3 months) and your onward ticket (air, ship, train) to a third country or region with the date and seat confirmed. Without a Chinese visa or 144-hour transit visa exemption, you can not leave the port of your entry.

Continents	Countries
Europe under Schengen Visa Agreement	Austria, Belgium, Czech, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland
Other Portion of Europe	Russia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania, Belarus and Monaco
America	the United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and Chile
Oceania	Australia, New Zealand
Asia	South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar

The Popular Services at Shanghai Airports

There are two airports in Shanghai: Pudong International Airport (PVG) as the third major airport in China mainly operates international flights, whereas Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) is a principally domestic airport with some frequent international flights.

Pudong International Airport

1. Luggage Storage
Passengers providing valid certificates can store their luggage for up to two months.
Terminal 1 location: between Gate 4 – 5 and Gate 10 – 11 in the Departures Hall (Hours: 06:00-23:00); between Gate 6 – 7 in the Arrivals Hall (Hours: 06:00-24:00)
Terminal 2 location: near Island A in the Departures Hall (Hours: 06:00-23:00); near the exit of International, HK – Macao – Taiwan Arrivals in the Arrivals Hall (Hours: 06:00-24:00)
Telephone: 4008791617
Prices of luggage storage in different sizes

	Storage Time			Oversize
Size	0-4 hours	4-10 hours	10-24 hours	RMB 50 per piece per day
42cm32cm57cm	RMB 10	RMB 15	RMB 20
42cm32cm77cm	RMB 15	RMB 20	RMB 25
88cm32cm57cm	RMB 20	RMB 30	RMB 35
88cm32cm77cm	RMB 30	RMB 40	RMB 45

2. Wi-Fi

Mobile Number Authenticated User: please select Shanghai Pudong International Airport free Wi-Fi (SSID: #AirportPVG-Free-WiFi) → open any valid webist in your Internet browser to access the welcome page → enter your mobile number and click “Get Code” → enter the validation code and click “Log In”
Passport or Chinese ID Card Authenticated User: please scan your passport or Chinese ID card through Wi-Fi ticket machine to get a username and password → please select Shanghai Pudong International Airport free Wi-Fi (SSID: #AirportPVG-Free-WiFi) → open any valid webist in your internet browser to access the welcome page → click “Login via Wi-Fi Ticket” and jump to Username & Password authenticated page → Enter the username and password you have got and click “Send”

Wi-Fi ticket machine locations:
Terminal 1 Boarding Hall (after Security Check): International Information Counter (near Gate 17/18); International Gate 19/20; Domestic Gate 8/9
Terminal 2 Boarding Hall (after Security Check): International Information Counter (near D73); International Gate D75; Domestic Gate C58
For any enquiry, please call Customer Service Hotline: 400-920-1851.

3. Currency Exchange

Terminal 1:

Zhangjiang ICE (International Currency Exchange)
Location 1: Boarding Gate 18 of the International, HK – Macao – Taiwan Departures Hall
Location 2: between Luggage Carousel 10 and Luggage Carousel 11 of the Baggage Claim Area in the International Arrivals Hall

Shanghai Pudong Development Bank
Location 1: between Gate 9 and Gate 10 of the Reception Area in the Arrivals Hall
Location 2: between Gate 10 and Gate 11 of the Reception Area in the Arrivals Hall
Loation 3: between Luggage Carousel 8 and Luggage Carousel 9 of the Baggage Claim Area in the International, HK – Macao – Taiwan Arrivals Hall

Terminal 2:

Shanghai Pudong Development Bank
Location 1: in the business zone opposite the International Departures waiting area
Location 2: between Luggage Carousel No.26 - 27 of the Baggage Claim Area in the International, HK – Macao – Taiwan Arrivals Hall

Geoswift Currency Exchange
Location: near the Business Center of the Middle Walkway in the International, HK – Macao – Taiwan Arrivals Reception Hall

Zhangjiang ICE (International Currency Exchange)
Location: between Luggage Carousel No. 22 - 23 of the Baggage Claim Area in the International, HK – Macao – Taiwan Arrivals Hall

Hang Seng United Currency Exchange
Location: between Luggage Carousel No. 29 - 30 of the Baggage Claim Area in the International, HK – Macao – Taiwan Arrivals Hall

Travelex Currency Exchange
Location 1: near the joint inquiry counter in the mixed domestic departures and arrivals area
Location 2: near the inquiry counter of the Middle Walkway

4. Time-charging Hotel
Only at Terminal 2: Dining Floor near the Entrance of International, HK – Macao – Taiwan Departures Hall (24 hours)
Or you can choose star-rated hotels near the airport:
Ramada Pudong Airport Shanghai **** - 1.5 km away from the airport; free shuttle bus delivery available from T1 departing at the opposite of gate No. 9 and T2 departing at gate No. 27
Mengguo Hotel Pudong Airport *** - 5.6 km away; free airport shuttle service on gate 6 on third floor

Hongqiao International Airport

1. Luggage Storage
Terminal 1 location: near Gate 5, Departures Hall (Hours: 07:00 – 20:30)
Telephone: +86-21-22344553
Terminal 2 location: Reception area of Arrivals Hall (Hours: 08:00 – 21:30)
Telephone: +86-21-22381086
Please check the price of luggage storage at Pudong International Airport as above for your reference.

2. Wi-Fi
Terminal 1: waiting areas between Boarding Gate T13 - T14 of International, HK – Macao – Taiwan Departures Area, is free to access.
Terminal 2: all public departures and arrivals areas

3. Currency Exchange
Terminal 1: near No.4 Luggage Carousel of the Baggage Claim Area in the International, HK – Macao – Taiwan Arrivals Hall; west of the Reception Area in the Arrivals Hall; near Boarding Gate T11 in the International, HK – Macao – Taiwan Departures; near Boarding Gate T14 in the International, HK – Macao – Taiwan Departures
Terminal 2: northern side of the Check-in Area on 3F, Departures Hall; southern and northern sides of the Restricted Area, Transfer Hall

4. Time-charging Hotel
Only at Terminal 2:21M-Floor of Departures area, +86-021-22382966 (24 Hours)
Comfortable hotel inside the airport: Boyue Hotel Shanghai Air China Hongqiao Airport ***** - located at Gate 2, Departure Level, Terminal 2
Comfortable hotel near the airport: Cordis Shanghai Hongqiao ***** – 2.5 km away from the airport, offering airport shuttle and car hire service

Shanghai Airports Transportation

Except for taxi or private vehicle, Shanghai offers convienient and efficient public transportation to the city center and even to the nearby regions.

Pudong International Airport

1. Metro
It is an economical way to reach the main attractions in town. Line 2 (green line) is the only one connecting Pudong International Airport and downtown. Passengers need to transfer in Guanglan Road Station, please pay attention to the interchange schedule. The main scenic spots en-route are People’s Square, East Nanjing Road, Lujiazui Finance and Trade Zone, Zhongshan Park, Jing’an Temple. The regular operating hours:
Depart from Pudong International Airport: 06:00 - 22:30
Depart from Guanglan Road: 05:28 - 23:02
For more information, you can check Shanghai Metro Website.

2. Airport Bus

Airport Line 1 to Hongqiao Traffic Hub East Center (T1: 07:00 - 23:00; T2: 07:05 - 23:05; RMB 34)
Airport Line 2 to City Terminal (Jing'an Temple) (T1: 06:30 - 23:00; T2: 06:35 - 23:05; RMB 24)
Airport Line 4 to Hongkou Football Stadium (Huayuan Road) (T1: 07:00 - 23:00; T2: 07:05 - 23:05; RMB 18 - 24)
Airport Line 5 to Shanghai Railway Station (T1: 06:30-23:00; T2: 06:35-23:05; RMB 18-25)
Airport Line 7 to Shanghai South Railway Station (T1: 07:30 - 23:00; T2: 07:35 - 23:05; RMB 8 - 20)
Airport Line 8 to Nanhui Bus Station (T1: 07:00 - 19:30; T2: 07:05 - 19:35; RMB 2 - 7)
Airport Line 9 to East Xinjian Road – Baocheng Road (T1: 07:00 - 23:00; T2: 07:05 - 23:05; RMB 24)
Pudong Hub Line 1 to Hangcheng Park (T1: 08:00 - 19:15; T2: 08:05 - 19:20; RMB 2 - 3)
Late Night Bus to Hongqiao Traffic Hub East Center (T1, Exit 6, Arrival Level, everyday from 23:00 until 45 mins after flights finish; T2 everyday from 23:05 until 45 mins after flights finish; RMB 18 - 34)
Disney Line to Disney West Transit Hub (T2: 11:00; RMB 30)

3. Maglev
If you prefer high-speed experience, maglev is the choice. It can be easily up to 300 km/h – 400 km/h. Only 8 minutes traveling from Pudong International Airport to Longyang Road, from where passengers can transfer to Metro Line 2 to downtown.
Operating hours:
Pudong International Airport – Longyang Road: 07:02 - 21:42
Longyang Road – Pudong International Airport: 06:45 - 21:40
Price:
Normal seats: single ticket RMB 50; round-trip RMB 80
VIP seats: single ticket RMB 100; round-trip RMB 160

4. Long-distance Coach

To Hangzhou: 3 hours (departure time: 8:40, 9:50, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00, 16:40, 17:25, 18:00, 19:00, 20:00, 21:00)
To Jiaxing: 2 hours (departure time: 10:20, 11:50, 13:40, 15:10, 16:30, 18:00, 19:30)
To Nantong: 3 hours (departure time: 9:30, 11:10, 12:40, 14:10, 16:40, 17:45, 19:20, 20:50)
To Kunshan: 2 hours (departure time: 9:00, 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 13:30, 14:30, 15:30)
To Suzhou: 2 hours (departure time: 16:20, 17:10, 18:10, 19:00, 20:00, 20:50)
Hotline: 021-68345743

Hongqiao International Airport

1. Metro
Take Line 10 (mauve line) linking terminal 1 and 2, to Xintiandi, Yuyuan Garden & Bazaar, Nanjing Road
The regular operating hours:
Depart from Hongqiao Railway Station: 05:55-22:30
Depart from Xinjiangwancheng: 05:25-22:30
For more information, you can check Shanghai Metro Website.
Line 2 (green line) only passes by terminal 2, reaching Lujiazui, People’s Square, Jing’an Temple, Zhongshan Park, and Pudong International Airport.

2. Airport Bus

Airport Line 1 to Pudong International Airport T1 (Hongqiao Traffic Hub East Center 6:00 - 23:00; RMB 30)
941 (Special Line 1) to Shanghai Railway Station (South Square) (Hongqiao Traffic Hub East Center 5:30 - 23:00; RMB 2 - 6)
Hongqiao Hub Line 4 (Special Line 19) to Zizhu Science Park (Hongqiao Traffic Hub East Center 6:00 - 24:00; RMB 1 - 8)
Hongqiao Hub Line 9 (Special Line 21) to Jiading Bus Station (Hongqiao Traffic Hub East Center 6:00 - 24:00; RMB 10)
Line 316 (late night) (Special Line 20) to East Yan’an Rd – The Bund (Hongqiao Traffic Hub East Center 23:00 - 5:00; RMB 2)

3. Long-distance Coach
The station is located on B1 floor of Hongqiao Transport Hub in Terminal 2.

To Yangzhou, Jiangsu – departure time: 08:10, 09:30, 13:10, 14:30, 16:35, 18:25
To Nantong, Jiangsu – departure time: every 10 - 25 min during 07:25 – 20:20, 20:50, 21:30
Hotline: +86 021 34661821

Shanghai Airports to the Major Attractions in Downtown

Tourist Attractions	How to get there from Pudong Airport	How to get there from Hongqiao Airport	Recommended visiting time
The Lujiazui Financial District (Shanghai World Financial Center, Oriental Pearl Tower, Jin Mao Tower)	40 km Line 2 to Lujiazui Station (around 1 hour) Maglev and transfer Line 2 to Lujiazui Station (around 35 mins)	23 km Line 10 transfer Line 2 to Lujiazui Station (around 45 mins)	2 hours
The Bund and Nanjing Road	40 km Line 2 to Nanjing Dong Lu (around 1 hour 20 mins)	20 km Line 10 to Nanjing Dong Lu (around 50 mins)	2 hours
Yuyuan Garden	40 km Line 2 transfer Line 10 to Yuyuan Station (around 1 hour 30 mins)	18 km Line 10 to Yuyuan Station (around 45 mins)	2 hours
Zhujiajiao Water Town	87 km Line 2 → Line 17 → bus No. 1510 to Zhuhu Lu Kezhiyuan Lu (around 3 hours)	33 km Line 2 → Line 17 →Zhujiajiao bus No. 2 to Kezhiyuan Lu Zhuhu Lu (around 1 hour 20 mins)	4 hours
Jade Buddha Temple	45 km Line 2 transfer Line 13 to Jiangning Lu (1 hour 40 mins)	16 km Line 10 → Line 11 →Line 11 to Jiangning Lu (55 mins)	1 hour
Shanghai Museum	41 km Line 2 to People’s Square Station (around 1 hour 30 mins)	17 km Line 10 transfer Line 8 to Dashijie Station (around 50 mins)	2 hours
People's Square	41 km Line 2 to People’s Square Station (around 1 hour 30 mins)	17 km Line 10 transfer Line 8 to People’s Square Station (50 mins)	1 hour
The French Connection: Tianzifang	41 km Line 2 transfer Line 9 to Dapuqiao Station (around 1 hour 20 mins)	17 km Line 10 → Line 11 →Line 9 to Dapuqiao Station (around 50 mins)	2 hours

What to do during a Shanghai Layover?

Normally it is recommended to get to the airport at least 3 hours before your international flight.

1. If you have less than 6 hours layover
It is better for you to stay at the airport and explore the entertainment facilities. Café, book shops, or VIP Lounge can help you with killing time.

2. If you have a 6 hour layover
You can go straight to the most popular attractions since your time is limited. The Bund and Nanjing Road are the perfect choices. Take in the spectacular panorama of Shanghai World Financial Center, Oriental Pearl Tower and Jin Mao Tower on the opposite side of the Bund as your added bonus.

3. If you have a 9 hour layover
You can visit the historical Yuyuan Garden and taste the local cuisine in its Bazaar. Get to the upper sphere observation deck of the Oriental Pearl Tower and take some amazing pictures if you are not afraid of heights.

4. If you have a 12 hour layover
You can easily do a half day tour. Zhujiajiao is the nearest Jiangnan water town around Shanghai. Go and check out the ancient houses and culture.
Or you can extend the city tour to the French Concession or Jade Buddha Temple.

5. If you have a more than one-day layover
You can plan your travel to the neighboring cities of Shanghai, like Suzhou and Hangzhou. The developed net of high-speed trains have shortened your travel time to these tourist destinations.

The Recommended Shanghai Layover Tour Packages

1. One Day Tour of Shanghai City Essence (8 hours)

2. One Day Water Town and Shanghai Landmark Tour (8 hours)

3. 4 Days Shanghai and Hangzhou Essence Tour

4. 4 Days Shanghai and Eastern Venice (Suzhou) Life Experience

For more tours, please click here to see more options. Or you can feel free to contact us to customize your personal tours.

Have a question? Or can't wait to immerse yourself in the engaging journey of Chinese culture? Send us a message! Our top China specialist is ready to assist and connect with you without delay!