Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)

China's visa and entry requirements depend on:

Sri Lankan passport holders should check their current visa requirements through the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Sri Lanka before travelling.

Travellers who require a visa should obtain the appropriate Chinese visa before departure unless they qualify for a specific visa exemption or transit arrangement.

China's visa policies can change, so passengers should not rely solely on previous travel experience.

China operates several transit arrangements for eligible foreign travellers.

Passengers making a short international transit without entering China may, in certain circumstances, qualify for 24-hour visa-free transit, subject to Chinese immigration approval and current eligibility requirements.

China also operates an extended 240-hour visa-free transit programme for passport holders from specified eligible countries travelling through designated ports and meeting the required onward-travel conditions.

Eligibility depends on nationality, routing and other conditions. Travellers should not assume they qualify.

Sri Lankan travellers should check their specific circumstances with the Chinese Embassy, airline or Chinese immigration authorities before travelling.

Terminal 1 (T1) handles domestic and international passenger services.

Facilities include:

Terminal 2 (T2) also handles domestic and international passenger services.

Facilities include:

Pudong Airport also operates the S1 and S2 Satellite Halls, which provide additional boarding gates and passenger facilities.

The satellite halls serve domestic and international operations depending on the assigned flight.

Passengers whose boarding gate is located in S1 or S2 should follow airport signs and allow sufficient time to travel from the main terminal area to their gate.

The satellite halls include facilities such as:

Travellers should rely on the airport's current flight and gate information rather than assuming a particular airline always uses the same concourse.

Passengers making an international-to-international connection should follow signs for Transfer / International Transfer after leaving the aircraft.

Passengers with baggage checked through to their final destination normally do not need to collect it during a standard through-ticket transfer.

Passengers travelling on separate tickets should confirm whether they need to enter China, collect baggage and check in again.

Passengers arriving internationally and connecting to a domestic Chinese flight may need to:

Passengers should follow their airline's transfer instructions and allow sufficient connection time.

Passengers connecting from a domestic flight to an international service should:

Baggage arrangements depend on the ticket and airline.

Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 are part of the same airport passenger complex.

Passengers should follow airport signs for:

The exact transfer process depends on whether the passenger is airside or landside and on the gate assigned to the onward flight.

Because Pudong Airport is large, passengers should allow sufficient time to reach satellite gates and complete transfer procedures.

Shanghai Metro Line 2 serves both Pudong Airport Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.

Line 2 provides a direct rail connection through major areas of Shanghai and also continues towards Shanghai Hongqiao Airport Terminal 2.

Important destinations and interchange areas along or accessible from Line 2 include:

Passengers can connect with other Shanghai Metro lines for destinations throughout the city.

Operating hours and train arrangements can change, so travellers should check current Shanghai Metro information before travelling.

Longyang Road

Century Avenue

Lujiazui

People's Square

Jing'an Temple

Hongqiao transportation hub

The Shanghai Maglev provides a high-speed rail connection between Pudong International Airport and Longyang Road Station.

The line covers approximately 30 kilometres, and the official Maglev operator describes the journey as taking approximately 7 minutes and 20 seconds.

At Longyang Road, passengers can connect to Shanghai's Metro network for onward travel.

The Maglev does not travel directly to People's Square, The Bund or Shanghai Railway Station. Passengers continuing to central Shanghai need to change at Longyang Road.

Operating hours, speeds and fares may change, so travellers should check the current Maglev timetable before travelling.

The Shanghai Airport Link Line opened in December 2024 and provides an important rail connection between Shanghai's two major airport hubs.

At Pudong Airport, passengers use Pudong Airport Terminal 1&2 Station.

The line provides access towards the Hongqiao transportation hub, making it especially useful for passengers connecting between:

Passengers should check current stopping patterns and operating information before travelling.

Pudong Airport (PVG)

Hongqiao Airport (SHA)

Hongqiao Railway Station

Airport bus services connect Pudong Airport with several areas of Shanghai.

Current airport services include routes towards destinations such as:

A late-night airport bus service is also provided under current arrangements.

Routes, fares, operating hours and stopping patterns can change, so travellers should check the current Shanghai Airport transportation information before travelling.

Shanghai Railway Station

Shanghai South Railway Station

Other city districts and transport hubs

Official taxis are available at Shanghai Pudong International Airport.

The airport currently provides 24-hour taxi service from designated taxi pickup areas.

Travellers should follow official airport signage and use authorised taxi stands.

Journey times to central Shanghai vary significantly depending on:

Traffic

Time of day

Destination

Road conditions

Private airport transfers can be arranged in advance between Pudong Airport and hotels, residences, businesses or transport hubs.

Private transfers may be useful for:

Families

Groups

Business travellers

First-time visitors

Travellers with significant luggage

Passengers travelling outside central Shanghai