Shanghai Airport: Ultimate Guide for Arrivals, Departures & Parking

Shanghai soars with ​​two major airports​​, ​​Shanghai Pudong (PVG)​​ and Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA). Together, PVG and SHA connect you across China and to nearly anywhere on earth. Below, find the information of two airports.

Shanghai Airports & Terminals

(Source from Unsplash)

Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)​​

• ​​Terminal 1 (T1): International & Domestic Hub​​
• • Handles the ​​majority of international flights​​ (Airlines like Air China, ANA, Lufthansa, British Airways, Delta) plus ​​many domestic routes​​ (including China Eastern, Shanghai Airlines, Spring Airlines domestic). Features vast immigration halls, extensive duty-free, airline lounges, and direct links to the Maglev station, metro Line 2, and taxi ranks.
• ​​Terminal 2 (T2): International & Domestic Hub​​
• • Handles another large portion of ​​international flights​​ (Airlines like China Eastern international, Emirates, United, Qatar Airways, Cathay Pacific) and ​​significant domestic traffic​​ (especially China Eastern, Juneyao). Also offers duty-free, lounges, Maglev/metro Line 2 access, and taxis. Note: T1 and T2 are separate buildings but connected ​​airside​​ via a long underground corridor (post-security).
• ​​Satellite Concourse (S1 & S2): Gates Only​​
• • Expands T1 (S1) and T2 (S2). You check-in and clear security in the main terminal (T1 or T2), then take an automated people mover underground to reach these additional gates. Primarily used for flights, with limited basic facilities like restrooms and small shops.

Getting Between Them?​

1. ​​PVG T1, T2, S1, S2:​​ These are all connected as part of Pudong Airport. Transferring airside within PVG is possible via shuttles/trains after security. Transferring landside between T1 and T2 requires exiting and re-entering.

Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)​​

• ​​Terminal 1 (T1): Older Terminal​
• • Primarily handles ​​budget domestic airlines​​ (like Spring Airlines) and ​​some regional international flights​​ (e.g., to Taipei, Tokyo-Haneda, Seoul-Gimpo). Smaller, older facilities with metro Line 10 access. Renovated but less shiny than T2.
• ​​Terminal 2 (T2): Main Domestic & Bus Terminal Hub​​
• • The ​​primary terminal for domestic flights​​ by major carriers (China Eastern, Air China, Juneyao, China Southern) and ​​Shanghai Airlines' regional international flights​​. Features modern amenities, lounges, extensive ground transport links: metro Lines 2 & 10, Hongqiao Railway Station (high-speed trains), long-distance buses, taxis. 

​​Getting Between Them?​

1. ​​SHA T1 & T2:​​ These are two distinct terminals ​​1.5km apart​​. A landside transfer requires using:
2. • ​​Free Inter-Terminal Shuttle Bus:​​ Runs frequently (5-10 min journey). Find stops outside arrivals.
   • ​​Walking:​​ Possible (~15-20 mins) via covered walkways and underground passages, but not ideal with luggage.

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How to Get from Shanghai Airport to City?​

Where is Shanghai Airport Parking?

cars parked in parking lot Via Unsplash (by Michael Fousert)

Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) Parking​

• ​​Where you park:​​
• • ​​Terminal 1 (T1):​​ Dedicated ​​P1 (long-term)​​ and ​​P2 (short-term)​​ garages right in front of the terminal. P1 is slightly further back. Follow huge signs.
  • ​​Terminal 2 (T2):​​ Dedicated ​​P2 (long-term)​​ and ​​P1/P2 (short-term - check level)​​ garage integrated with the terminal. Entry/exit can be surprisingly tight. P1 is closer to check-in.
• ​​The Cost:​​
• • ​​Short-Term:​​ First hour ~ ¥10. Then roughly ¥10/hour. 24 hours can hit ¥​​180-240​​. Designed to make you think twice about leaving the car.
  • ​​Long-Term:​​ Still pricey. Around ​​¥70-90 per 24 hours.​​ Slightly better weekly rates exist but aren't cheap.

​​Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA) Parking​

• ​​Where you park:​​
• • ​​Terminal 1 (T1):​​ ​​P1 Garage​​ right opposite the terminal. Small, basic, older.
  • ​​Terminal 2 (T2):​​ ​​P6​​ (Ground level for immediate access) & ​​P7​​ (big multi-story garage, slightly further walk) garages. ​​P7 connects underground to T2 via the Railway Station concourse​​ – follow signs carefully (it's a tunnel walk).
• ​​The Cost:​​
• • ​​Short-Term:​​ ​​First hour ~¥10.​​ Then roughly ¥10/hour. Cap around ​​¥80 per 24 hours.​​.
  • ​​Long-Term:​​ ​​Approx ¥60-70 per 24 hours.​​ Still not cheap, but better value.

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Shanghai Airport Departures and Arrivals

Arrivals

• Pudong (PVG): * International: Follow signs to the shuttle train (10-15 mins) to reach main terminals (T1/T2) for immigration and baggage. Confirm your pickup Exit Letter (A, B, C).
• • Domestic: Direct terminal access; shorter walk to baggage and the same public hall.
• Hongqiao (SHA):
• • Terminal 1: Compact layout for budget/regional flights; taxis/Metro Line 10 are steps away.
  • Terminal 2: Large hall with Numbered Exits (1-10). Direct internal walkways to High-Speed Trains and Metro Lines 2 & 10.

Departures

• Pudong (PVG):
• • Check-in: T1 (most International), T2 (China Eastern & partners). Note: You must check in at T1/T2 before taking the shuttle to Satellite gates (S1/S2).
  • Timing: Allow 20-30 mins extra if your gate is in a Satellite terminal. Curbside drop-offs have strict 3-5 min limits.
• Hongqiao (SHA):
• • Check-in: T1 (Spring Airlines/Budget), T2 (Main Domestic & International).
  • Efficiency: Generally faster security than PVG. T2 is seamlessly integrated with the Railway Station for travelers arriving by high-speed train.

Shanghai Airport Duty Free

​（Source from Unsplash)​

📍 Pudong (PVG)​

• ​​T1 International Departures:​​ Major shops ​​after passport control​​. Usual suspects: liquor (Moutai, whisky), cosmetics (Estée Lauder, Lancôme), perfume, cigarettes. Look for ​​Sunrise Duty Free (CDF)​​ – the main operator.
• ​​T2 International Departures:​​ Slightly larger than T1, similar brands. ​​China Duty Free (CDF)​​ dominates.
• ​​Satellites (S1/S2): Limited pickings.​​ Tiny outlets with basics: cigarettes, perfume, snacks.
• ​​⚠️ Critical Notes:​​
• • ​​Shop BEFORE the shuttle train​​ if flying from satellites. Once airside at S1/S2, options dwindle.
  • ​​Arrivals Duty-Free?​​ Tiny shops in international baggage claim (PVG). Skip – prices match downtown stores, no real discount.

​​📍 Hongqiao (SHA) ​

• ​​T2 International Departures Only:​​ Single main duty-free zone ​​after security/passport control​​. Compact but covers essentials: cosmetics, liquor, tobacco, confectionery. Brands like Dior, Chivas, Marlboro.
• ​​T1 (Mostly Domestic): No duty-free.​​

Trip.com Car Hire Shanghai Airport

Booking & Basics​​

• ​​Coverage​​: Available at both ​​PVG (Pudong)​​ and ​​SHA (Hongqiao)​​.
• ​​Biggest Hurdle​​: You ​​ABSOLUTELY NEED​​ a ​​Chinese International Driving Permit (IDP)​​ alongside your home license. Agencies ​​won’t rent without it​​. 

​​The Process​​

1. ​​Pickup Location​​:
2. • ​​PVG​​: Desks are ​​inside T1 or T2 arrivals halls​​. Catch: After signing papers, you’ll take a ​​shuttle bus (5-10 mins)​​ to an off-site depot. Annoying with bags.
   • ​​SHA (T2)​​: Better. Some depots (Hertz, eHi) are ​​inside the P7 parking garage​​ – walkable via tunnel. For T1: smaller desks/shuttle to depot.
2. ​​Required Docs​​:
3. • Passport with valid visa.
   • Home driver’s license.
   • ​​Chinese IDP​​ (physical copy).
   • Credit card in driver’s name for payment/deposit.
3. ​​Insurance & Fees​​:
4. • Basic insurance included. ​​Add Super CDW​​ to reduce excess/deductible to ¥0.
   • Deposit hold: ¥3,000-15,000 (luxury cars higher) blocked on your card. Use credit, not debit.
   • Extra traps: Daily "toll pass" fee (¥50-80) if you want ETC device – decline if staying city center.
4. ​​Return​​:
5. • ​​Return with full tank​​ or pay agency markup prices + service fee.
   • PVG/SHA depots have nearby gas stations – fill up before arriving.
   • Deposit refund takes 7-14 days.

The Map of Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA)

(Source from China Airline Travel)

The Map of Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)

(Source from China Airline Travel)

Hotels Near Shanghai Airport

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