There are two terminals at the airport. The airport buildings are large but very clear and the organisation of security and immigration checks is good.
The two buildings are only a 10-minute walk apart and are connected by a pedestrian tunnel or a free shuttle bus. However, walking is faster, even when travelling with large luggage.
Which terminal?
The terminals are differentiated by airline and, unlike in the past, all flights of one airline are always only at one terminal.
- Terminal 1 - Air France, China Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, China United Airlines, Delta, Japan Airlines, Jin Air, KLM, Korean Air, Qantas, Shanghai Airlines, SriLankan Airlines, Virgin Atlantic
- Terminal 2 - 9Air, Aeorflot, Air China, Air Asia, Air Canada, Air Macau, Air New Zealand, All Nippon Airways, American Airlines, Austrian, Batik Air, Beijing Capital Airlines, British Airways, Cambodia Angkor Air, Cathay Pacific, Cebu Pacific, Chengdu Airlines,China Express Air, China Southern Airlines, Chongqing Airlines, Dalian Airlines, Donghai Airlines, Eastar Jet, Egyptair, Emirates, Ethiopian, Etihad Airways, Eva Air, Finnair, Fuzhou Airlines, Garuda, Gulf Air, Hainan Air, Hebei Airlines, Himalaya Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Jetstar, Jiangxi Air, Juneyao Air, Kunming Airlines, Loong Air, Lucky Air, Lufthansa, Mahan Air, Malaysia Airlines, Malindo Air, Peach, Qanot Sharq, Qatar Airways, Royal Brunei Airlines, S7 Airlines, SAS, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Sky Angkor Airlines, Spring Airlines, Suparna Airlines, Swiss, Thai Airways, Thai Lion Air, Tiajnin Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Uni Air, United, Urumqi Air, VietJetAir, Vietnam Airlines, West Air, Xiamen Airlines
Transfer between flights
What procedures do you expect when connecting at Pudong Airport?
When transferring, do not change terminal
Intra-terminal transfers are seamless and do not have to be based out of the transit area.
What checks do I go through when I transfer?
Even when transferring from an international to a domestic flight, you do not have to come out completely, but after passing through immigration, you will go through a special corridor through security to the departure gate area.
- International -> International: security check
- International -> domestic: immigration and security check
- Domestic -> international: immigration and security check
- Domestic -> domestic: no security check, you get off the plane directly into the departure gate area
Do I have to leave the transit zone?
If you have luggage all the way to your destination or are travelling with hand luggage only, you do not need to leave the transit area.
Do I have to collect my luggage?
If both flights are booked on the same reservation and you have less than 24 hours to transfer, you do not need to collect your baggage, even when transferring from an international to a domestic flight.
Do I need a visa for China?
You do not need to arrange a visa for China for an international transfer.
Transfer between terminals
When transferring from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2, you must always exit the building and walk down a short corridor within 10 minutes to the other building.
You can also use the free transit bus, but it takes longer than the walking distance.
You cannot transfer between terminals on the airside.
Visa-free entry for transfers within 144 hours
Many airlines also offer long layovers of several days.
Shanghai-Pudong Airport is included in the Visa Waiver Programme for up to a maximum of 144 hours.
Upon arrival, before going through immigration, look for the special counter where these visa-free entries are processed.
Please note that if you cross within 24 hours, the official may refuse to issue a visa-free entry permit and you will therefore have to spend time in the transit zone.
For transfers over 24 hours, visa-free entry permits are always issued without any problems. However, you need to present your flight ticket from China and your accommodation reservation.