Should you leave the Shanghai Pudong International Airport during a Shanghai layover? The quick answer is: yes, but only if you have 6 hours or more to spend.
Remember: your layover clock shrinks fast. Immigration, baggage, and the round-trip transfer to the city can easily eat up 2–3 hours. You need to be back at the airport at least 1.5 hours before your next flight.
Though we have listed out so many experiences, we still think a successful Shanghai layover is not about checking off as many attractions as possible. It is about choosing the right experience for the time you actually have.
So ask yourself before planning: do you have enough real city time to enjoy Shanghai, or will leaving the airport only turn your layover into a stressful race?
Things to Know Before Leaving the Airport During a Shanghai Layover
If your layover is 6 hours or longer, leaving the airport is absolutely worth it.
However, if it is less than 6 hours, you are not recommended to leave the airport. Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) has free Wi-Fi, restaurants, and duty-free shops. You will be fully entertained.
1. Know Your Real Available Time: At Least 6 Hours
Your layover time on your ticket is not your city time. The clock starts shrinking the moment you land.
Here is a realistic breakdown for Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG):
| Step | Time Needed |
|---|---|
| Immigration and arrivals (assuming luggage is checked through) | 30–45 minutes |
| Transfer from airport to city center (taxi/metro/Maglev) | 1 hour |
| Sightseeing at a relaxed pace | 2 hours |
| Return to the airport | 1 hour |
| Security and immigration for your connecting flight | 1.5–2 hours |
| Total buffer needed | Approx. 6 hours |
This is why we suggest having at least 6 hours to embark on a Shanghai layover tour.
Remember always add an extra 30-minute buffer for unexpected delays, such as traffic jams, long queues, or slow immigration. It is better to arrive at the gate early than to miss your flight.
2. Do You Need a Visa for a Shanghai Layover?
Shanghai municipality offers the Transit Without Visa (TWOV) policy for travelers, which lets you visit Shanghai visa-free for up to 10 days. See our China Visa-Free Transit Policy page.
Key Conditions
- You must be traveling between two different countries/regions (e.g., USA → Shanghai → Japan).
- You must have a confirmed onward ticket.
- You must enter and exit through Shanghai Pudong (PVG), Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA), or certain other ports.
If you are unsure whether the policy could work for you, check with your airline or the nearest Chinese embassy before traveling.
3. How to Get from Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) to the City
Shanghai Pudong Airport is about 45–60 minutes from the city center. Here are your options:
- Metro: Take Line 2 to People's Square or Nanjing Road to get to the Bund, or Lujiazui for Shanghai Tower. Trains run every 8 minutes from the airport between 6:00 AM and 10:30 PM. Traveling to People's Square takes about 68 minutes and costs 7 yuan.
- Maglev: Experience the world's fastest train, and it takes only 7–8 minutes to travel from the airport to Longyang Road Station, where you can transfer to Metro Line 2 or 7 to the city center. Expect to pay 50 yuan for a one-way trip.
- Taxi: You can find taxis outside the arrivals halls of both T1 and T2 terminals. It takes about 1 hour to get to the city center, and maybe 1½–2 hours during rush hour. Typically the cost is about 150–200 yuan for a one-way trip.
- Private Transfer: We offer a secure, reliable, and fast private transfer service from Shanghai Pudong International Airport and other ports, starting at a cost of 18 USD. It is the best option for those who are looking for a hassle-free journey with efficiency and flexibility. See the details about our service.
If you have 7–10 hours, a taxi or private transfer saves you the most time. If you have 10+ hours, the metro is fine and gives you a glimpse of local life.
However, if you happen to be traveling during rush hour, choose the Maglev train back to the airport to avoid traffic congestion in case missing your next flight.
4. Do You Have a Payment Method Ready?
Nowadays, China is a predominantly cashless society, and international credit cards are not widely accepted outside of luxury hotels and tourist shops. You will need one of the following to pay for taxis, meals, and entrance fees:
- Alipay or WeChat Pay: These are the most convenient options, and the two most widely used payment apps in China. You can link your international credit card to either app before you travel.
- Cash (RMB): Still accepted everywhere, though you may receive change in coins or small bills. Exchange some currency at the airport arrivals hall—there are multiple currency exchange counters available. Avoid exchanging large amounts; a few hundred RMB is usually enough for a layover.
- International credit cards: Widely accepted at major hotels, upscale restaurants, and larger stores. But hard to count on them for taxis or street food.
It's best to download and set up Alipay or WeChat Pay before you leave home. And you will need a working internet connection to activate them, which brings us to the next point.
You may need more information at: Payment Methods in China
5. Do You Have Internet Access?
Your phone will not automatically work in China due to the Great Firewall.
- eSIM: Purchase an eSIM before you travel (apps offer China coverage). This gives you data immediately upon landing.
- Local SIM card: Available at the airport, and remember to look for an official one, but it requires registration and can take 15–30 minutes to set up.
- Roaming: Check with your home carrier. Some international plans include China coverage, but speeds may be slow.
If none of the above methods work, that's okay. You can ask airport staff for assistance in connecting to the airport's free Wi-Fi to complete all the setup and registration.
And it's best to download offline maps of Shanghai (Google Maps is not very stable in China, so Baidu Maps or Gaode Maps are recommended), and save your hotel or attraction addresses in Chinese characters to show taxi drivers.
See our How to Use Your Cell Phone While Traveling in China.
6. Where Can You Store Your Luggage?
If you are carrying luggage, you won't want to drag it around the city.
There are five luggage deposit offices in Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 at Shanghai Pudong International Airport.
- Terminal 1: Near Gate 4–5 and Gate 10–11 in Departures Hall, and near Gate 6–7 in Arrivals Hall. Tel: 021-6834 6324.
- Terminal 2: Near Service Counter A and Service Counter M in Departures Hall, and near the International Arrivals exit. Tel: 021-6834 0076.
This may cost you approximately 50 RMB per day for large items, while smaller luggage is cheaper.
Our advice: Store your luggage in the same terminal you will depart from, so you can pick it up on your way to check-in without backtracking.
Final Checklist Before You Leave the Airport
- Your real available city time is at least 6 hours.
- You have confirmed you do not need a visa (or have one ready).
- You have cash (RMB) or Alipay/WeChat Pay set up and linked to your card.
- You have internet access (eSIM, SIM, or roaming).
- You have stored your luggage or are traveling light.
- You know your return route and have allowed enough time to get back.
If you have all six checked off, you are ready to step out and see Shanghai.
Top Things to Do During a Layover in Shanghai
Once you know what kind of experience appeals to you, the next question is: does your layover actually allow it? Below is a time-based guide that helps you match your available hours to the right depth of experience.
We have also listed the top things to do in Shanghai for your inspiration.
1. 6-Hour Layover in Shanghai: See the Skyline from the Bund
| Activity | Time Needed |
|---|---|
| Land and clear immigration | 30 minutes |
| Transfer from airport to city center (taxi/metro/Maglev) | 1 hour |
| Walk the Bund waterfront | 40 minutes |
| Have a quick lunch nearby | 30 minutes |
| Stroll around Nanjing Road | 40 minutes |
| Return to the airport | 1 hour |
| Security and immigration for your connecting flight | 1.5–2 hours |
| At the gate, ready to board | |
| Total buffer needed | Approx. 6 hours |
As we did the math above, having a 6-hour layover actually means you only have about 2 hours to do sightseeing, so the Bund is usually your only and best choice, showcasing the most charming and representative scenery of Shanghai.
The Bund, Nanjing Road, and the Old Street should basically meet your needs. But if your actual time is less or you encounter terrible traffic, like rush hours, skip the Yu Garden and Old Street and stick to the Bund and Nanjing Road.
2. 8-Hour Layover in Shanghai: Walk the Bund and Explore Yu Garden
| Activity | Time Needed |
|---|---|
| Land and clear immigration | 30 minutes |
| Transfer from airport to city center (taxi/metro/Maglev) | 1 hour |
| Walk the Bund | 40 minutes |
| Walk to Yu Garden / Old City | 15 minutes |
| Explore old city lanes, snack on street food | 1 hour |
| Have a sit-down meal at a local centuries-old restaurant | 45 minutes |
| Stroll around the Yu Garden | 1 hour |
| Return to the airport | 1 hour |
| Security and immigration for your connecting flight | 1.5–2 hours |
| At the gate, ready to board | |
| Total buffer needed | Approx. 8 hours |
If you have about 8 hours to spare before your connecting flight, you can experience the stark contrast between the grand skyline and old Shanghai city by extending your walk to Yu Garden.
You can see the bustling crowds and various stalls at the bazaar of City God Temple, which is just outside the Yu Garden.
But once you enter Yu Garden, it seems as if all the noise of the world is shut out from this garden, leaving you only with exquisite garden scenery and pavilions and towers that showcase refined oriental aesthetics.
3. 12-Hour Layover in Shanghai: The Bund + Yu Garden + Former French Concession + Shanghai Tower
| Activity | Time Needed |
|---|---|
| Land and clear immigration | 30 minutes |
| Transfer from airport to the Former French Concession (taxi/metro/Maglev) | 1.5 hours |
| Walk Wukang Road, and take a coffee or tea break | 1 hour |
| Taxi to Yu Garden / Old City | 30 minutes |
| Explore the Old City and Yu Garden | 1.5 hours |
| Taxi to Shanghai Tower | 15 minutes |
| The tower visit (line up, enjoy the view, see the massive damper) | 2 hour |
| Taxi to the Bund | 15 minutes |
| Walk the Bund and Nanjing Road | 1.5 hours |
| Return to the airport | 1 hour |
| Security and immigration for your connecting flight | 1.5–2 hours |
| At the gate, ready to board | |
| Total buffer needed | Approx. 12 hours |
If you have a 12-hour stopover in Shanghai, you can have a full-day immersion. These are the richest experiences you can pack into a single day without feeling rushed, including seeing Shanghai's past (Old City), its iconic present (the Bund), and its everyday life (the French Concession).
Sure, you can switch to the attractions that interest you more; three or four activities a day is about right.
But we do not recommend visiting attractions outside Shanghai city, like Zhujiajiao or Tongli Water Town, or even a side trip to another nearby city, due to the unpredictable transportation connections and the need for your time to be very precise.
4. Overnight Layover in Shanghai (16+ Hours): Explore Shanghai's nightlife
While the 12-hour version shows you Shanghai by day, this overnight layover itinerary shows you the city's dramatic transformation after dark, and lets you experience its neon-lit glamour and vibrant nightlife.
- Enjoy a romantic sunset dinner at the Shanghai Tower while watching the city bathe in the dusk, then gradually light up with colorful neon lights.
- Take a Huangpu River night cruise to take in the dynamic skyline on the water.
- Take an evening walk along the Bund and explore Nanjing Road to do some souvenir shopping.
If you are staying overnight near the airport, ensure you return before the last train. After 10:30 PM, only taxis or private transfers are available, and they could be 20% or more expensive.
Where Should I Stay to Catch an Early Morning Flight?
If you have a full night, we recommend staying at a hotel at Pudong Airport (e.g., Holiday Inn) for maximum convenience, which saves you the hassle of morning traffic since you can walk to your terminal in minutes.
If you only have a few hours between domestic flights, you can find free rest areas at:
- Terminal 1: Near Gate 6–7 in Departures Hall.
- Terminal 2: Near Gate C71, or Gate C91–C98 in Departures Hall.
For international connections, consider capsule pods or an overnight spa package at the airport. You can find capsule pods at:
- Terminal 1: Near Gate 24, International Departures.
- Terminal 2: Near Gate D64 and D67, International Departures.
- Price Reference: Approximately 65 RMB per hour; 299 RMB for 6–8 hours.
Should You Book a Private Shanghai Layover Tour?
A layover in Shanghai can easily become a stressful race against the clock if you are not prepared.
Between immigration queues, navigating public transport, language barriers, and the constant worry of missing your connecting flight by checking the clock, the experience can feel more like an anxious gamble than a delightful adventure.
This is where a private layover tour changes everything.
What a private layover tour gives you
- A custom itinerary built around your exact available hours: Your travel consultant designs a route that fits your schedule and interests.
- Door-to-door airport transfers: No taxi-hailing, no metro maps, no language barriers. Your driver and guide will meet you at arrivals and get you back in plenty of time.
- Expert local insights: Your guide shares the stories behind the buildings, the history of the neighborhoods, and navigates the best places to eat.
- Complete peace of mind: Your guide monitors the clock so you do not have to. You will return to the airport with time to spare, not with a racing heart.
It is all about worrying less for a layover tour. You trade the stress of logistics for the luxury of immersion, where every minute is precious and almost always worth it.
Travel with China Highlights, and let's see how we plan your magic day together.