Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) Guide for Beginners
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) is one of the two major large-scale civil aviation airports in Shanghai. For complete beginners, it is helpful to know that the airport’s passenger flights are currently mainly distributed across two main terminals: Terminal 1 (T1) and Terminal 2 (T2). The two terminals are close to each other and connected by convenient internal walkways and shuttles.
How to get from PVG to downtown Shanghai and surrounding areas?
For beginners, the transportation network at Pudong Airport is highly developed and mainly divided into rail transit, airport buses, and intercity buses.
Trains / Rail Transit If you want to avoid traffic jams, rail transit is the most foolproof choice:
Metro Line 2: This is the most economical and beginner-friendly route, with fares ranging from 3 to 9 RMB. It can take you directly to many popular destinations in the city center.
City Airport Line (Shiyu Jichang Xian): This is another rail transit option, with fares ranging from 4 to 26 RMB.
Maglev Line: If you want to experience the thrill of “flying on the ground,” you can choose the famous Maglev train. Standard tickets are 50 RMB for a single trip and 80 RMB for a round trip; VIP tickets are 100 RMB for a single trip and 160 RMB for a round trip.
Airport Buses If you have a lot of large luggage and want to avoid carrying it up and down subway stairs, the airport bus is a very friendly option.
Boarding and Ticketing Locations: Beginners should head directly to the Arrival Level of Terminal 1, where there are two service centers located at Gate 6 and Gate 9. You can easily scan the QR code on the service window to purchase tickets via your phone, or buy them manually from the counter, which supports WeChat, Alipay, and transit cards. After purchasing, simply walk out of Gate 4 or Gate 8 on the T1 Arrival Level, and the boarding point is less than 100 meters away; for T2, the boarding point is at the former bus hub.
Main City Routes: During the day, the main operating lines are Airport Line 7 heading to Shanghai South Railway Station (8-20 RMB), Airport Line 8 to Nanhui Bus Station (2-10 RMB), and Airport Line 4 (2-28 RMB). For short trips around the airport, there is also the Airport Loop Line 1 regular bus, costing only 2 RMB.
⚠️ Beginner Warning: Do not rely on outdated travel guides! As of November 15, 2025, the previously common “Airport Line 1” and “Airport Line 9” buses have been officially suspended. Furthermore, the custom bus line traveling directly from Pudong Airport to the Disney Resort, which opened in the summer of 2025, has also been suspended.
Intercity Buses (Traveling outside Shanghai)
If your final destination is another city in the Yangtze River Delta region rather than Shanghai, the long-distance bus station in Terminal 2 provides an extremely rich network of intercity buses.
Jiangsu Direction: Direct buses are available to Suzhou, Kunshan, Changshu, Zhangjiagang, Wujiang, Taicang, Wuxi, Changzhou, Jiangyin, Nantong, and Qidong. What is extremely beginner-friendly is that the routes to Suzhou, Kunshan, Changshu, Zhangjiagang, Wujiang, and Taicang offer “Intercity Express” services, which provide free door-to-door pick-up and drop-off in the local downtown areas.
Zhejiang Direction: Direct buses are available to Hangzhou, Jiaxing, Jiashan, Cixi, Qingtian, Yiwu, and Anji.
What if my flight arrives too early or too late?
If you are taking a late-night “red-eye” flight, there is absolutely no need to panic.
Late Night Line (Shouhang Yexiao Line): Pudong Airport is specially equipped with a late-night bus line for evening passengers, with fares ranging from 18 to 34 RMB, acting as a reliable transport backup during the night.
Free Shuttle Hotels: There are multiple hotels located more than 10 kilometers away from Shanghai Pudong Airport that offer free airport pick-up and drop-off services. You can book these hotels in advance to solve the hassle of commuting too early or too late.
Comprehensive Services at PVG
Where can I eat at Pudong Airport?
The departure and arrival halls of T1 and T2 at Pudong Airport are equipped with rich food courts. Everything from affordable fast-food chains (like McDonald’s and KFC) and casual Chinese meals (such as noodle shops and local Jiangsu/Zhejiang cuisine) to various cafes (like Starbucks and Costa) is readily available. For beginners, note that prices inside and outside the security checkpoints may vary, so it is recommended to check the directory boards in the terminals for specific restaurant locations.
Are there vegetarian or Halal restaurants?
Many Chinese and Western restaurants in the airport offer vegetarian options, and some large noodle shops and Western restaurants have clear vegetarian labels on their menus. As for strict Halal restaurants, there are dedicated Halal dining outlets within the terminals; you can look for specific store signs or ask the airport information desk for guidance.
Where can I stay near Pudong Airport?
In addition to the hotels 10 kilometers away offering free shuttles mentioned earlier, there are hotels directly inside or adjacent to the terminals (such as the Dazhong Airport Hotel, located right between T1 and T2) that you can walk to. These are highly suitable for passengers who need to catch early morning flights or have tight layovers.
Where can I shop at Pudong Airport?
Pudong Airport is one of the largest duty-free shopping paradises in China. The massive Sunrise Duty Free shops are located in the restricted international and Hong Kong/Macau/Taiwan departure and arrival areas of T1 and T2, making it a must-visit for purchasing cosmetics, skincare products, perfumes, and liquor. Additionally, the public areas of the terminals feature various convenience stores, local specialty shops, and clothing boutiques.
Where can I get a SIM card or portable Wi-Fi device?
There are multiple telecommunication service counters and vending machines near the exits of the international arrival halls. If you are an overseas traveler just arriving in China, you can directly purchase a prepaid SIM card or rent a portable Wi-Fi device here. The counter staff will usually assist beginners with the activation process.
Where can I exchange currency or find ATMs?
Foreign currency exchange counters (such as Travelex) and automated teller machines (ATMs) from several major domestic banks are located in the international arrival and departure areas of both T1 and T2. Beginners can easily withdraw RMB using major overseas bank cards at ATMs displaying the Visa, MasterCard, or UnionPay logos.
How do I store/check my luggage?
If you want to take a short tour of downtown Shanghai during your layover and don’t want to carry heavy luggage, dedicated “Luggage Storage” service counters are available in the departure and arrival halls of both T1 and T2. You can safely store your luggage there and pay by the hour or by the day.
What other facilities are in Pudong Airport?
In addition to the above, Pudong Airport provides passengers with nursing rooms, smoking rooms, medical first aid stations, free drinking water dispensers, and charging stations. If you encounter any difficulties finding your way, simply look for airport staff in uniform or head to the service desks marked “Information,” and they will provide detailed guidance for beginners.
