Shanghai Pudong Airport: Ride the World's Fastest Commercial Train

Getting there, at a glance

Amenities, at a glance

Shanghai Pudong International Airport (IATA: PVG) is Asia’s busiest airport by passenger traffic, serving more than 85 million travelers a year. It’s China Eastern Airlines’ primary hub and one of the country’s two main international gateways, sitting about 30 km east of central Shanghai — far enough that fast transport options genuinely matter.

Overview

PVG operates two terminals connected by an internal shuttle. Its most famous feature is the Shanghai Maglev, the world’s fastest commercial train, which connects the airport to Longyang Road station on the edge of the city in about 8 minutes at speeds up to 431 km/h — from there, passengers transfer to the regular metro system for the rest of the journey into central Shanghai. PVG handled approximately 76.8 million passengers in 2024, surpassing 2019’s pre-pandemic level and ranking as mainland China’s largest international gateway.

Terminals

• Terminal 1: Primarily SkyTeam and other international carriers.
• Terminal 2: China Eastern Airlines’ main terminal, along with Star Alliance partners.

Airlines

China Eastern Airlines dominates PVG as its home hub, operating an extensive domestic network across China alongside international routes as a SkyTeam member. Shanghai Airlines also has a significant presence. PVG serves as one of China’s two primary gateways for international long-haul traffic, alongside Beijing.

How to Get There

• Maglev + Metro: ¥50 for the maglev (¥40 with a same-day boarding pass), covering the 8-minute trip to Longyang Road at up to 431 km/h, then transfer to Metro Lines 2, 7, or 16 for the rest of the journey (an additional standard metro fare).
• Metro Line 2: ¥8, the cheapest option, running directly into the city center but taking considerably longer — about 75–90 minutes.
• Taxi: ¥160–¥250 to central destinations like the Bund or People’s Square, about 45–70 minutes depending on traffic — the most convenient but priciest option.

Prices above are indicative and can change — always check current fares with Shanghai Metro or the Shanghai Maglev official site.

Getting Through Security and Passport Control

• Domestic flights: Security only. Typically 20–30 minutes off-peak, up to 35–50 minutes during busy periods.
• International flights: Security plus passport control. Typically 30–45 minutes off-peak, but can stretch to 60–90 minutes during peak departure banks — Chinese airport security is generally thorough, so budget accordingly.
• Foreign visitors should have their passport and any required visa or transit documentation readily accessible, as checks can be more detailed than at some other major hubs.

Parking

Both terminals have adjacent short- and long-stay car parks. Given the airport’s scale and distance from the city, most visitors rely on the maglev, metro, or taxi rather than driving.

Wifi

Free wifi is available throughout the airport, though registration with your passport number is typically required to get online — a common requirement across Chinese airports.

Best Times to Arrive

• Domestic flights: 90 minutes before departure is typically enough.
• International flights: Arrive 3 hours ahead — security and passport control processing can take longer than at some other major hubs, especially during peak periods.
• Given PVG’s distance from the city (about 30 km), build in extra time for the journey to the airport itself, particularly if relying on the metro rather than the maglev.

Where to Eat

PVG has a solid selection of regional Chinese cuisine alongside international chains, spread across both terminals. Options range from quick noodle counters to full sit-down restaurants — look for Yang’s Dumplings in Terminal 2’s public area for genuine Shanghainese pan-fried pork buns (shengjianbao), and Tai Hing for Hong Kong-style barbecue.

Airport Hotel

The Hyatt Regency Shanghai Pudong Airport connects directly to the terminal — no shuttle needed. It’s a genuinely convenient option for an overnight layover given how far PVG sits from central Shanghai, roughly 40 minutes even on the high-speed Maglev plus a metro transfer.

Lounges

• China Eastern lounges across Terminal 2, accessible with eligible tickets, elite status, or membership.
• Several Priority Pass-affiliated lounges are also available.

Duty-Free Shopping

PVG’s duty-free area features Chinese specialties — tea, silk products, and Chinese liquor (baijiu) — alongside the usual international fashion, cosmetics, and electronics brands.

Airport Map

This is a simplified layout to help you get oriented — for real-time, gate-by-gate wayfinding, use Shanghai Airport’s official resources.

Useful Links

• Official airport site (Shanghai Airport Authority) — terminal info, services, flight status.
• Shanghai Maglev — tickets and schedules.
• Shanghai Metro — metro fares and route planner.

Long Layover Tips

• With 6+ hours and a visa situation that allows entry (China offers visa-free transit for many nationalities under certain conditions — check current rules before you fly), the Maglev makes central Shanghai genuinely reachable for a short visit.
• If staying airside, Terminal 2 has the better mix of lounges and dining for a long wait.
• Given PVG’s distance from the city, the Maglev ride itself is worth experiencing even on a shorter layover if you have landside access — it’s a unique experience in its own right.