There’s conflicting information online, and unclear signage at the airport, so I wanted to explain the process if you’re in transit – i.e. transferring between connecting flights – at Shanghai Pudong International Airport.
The key point is whether you need to check in for your second flight. For example, I was flying China Eastern from London to Cebu; when I checked in at Heathrow, they tagged my check-in luggage for Cebu and gave me boarding passes for both flights. This should be the case for most China Eastern routes.
If you’re on a different airline that can’t check you in all the way through, in Shanghai you’ll need to go through the self-service fingerprint scanners, immigration desks, luggage collection and customs, and then check in again.
If not, unlike some other Chinese airports, you don’t need to go through immigration and customs. Follow the ‘international transfers’ signs (some say ‘Int’l/Taiwan/Macau’). In Terminal 1 this takes you to a little doorway on the left of all the immigration queues, to a separate room with queues for transit passengers.
There are self-service machines that scan your passport and boarding pass, fail about two thirds of the time, and a single manned desk on the left. Hold on to the boarding pass from your first flight because they might ask for this. When you’re through, take the lift up to the 3rd floor and go through security to get back airside.
Security can take ages, but there is a queue called ‘time urgent passengers priorities’ that theoretically fast-tracks passengers whose flights are near boarding.
Alternatively, instead of security, I think you could take the exit opposite and head out into Shanghai for a bit. If your stopover is longer than four hours, I’d recommend this – the Maglev train takes just 8 minutes to Longyang Road Station on the outskirts of central Shanghai. From there you can get on the metro. Head for Yuyuan Garden Station (line 10) for Shanghai’s Old City, or East Nanjing Road (lines 2 and 10) for shopping and skyline views from the waterfront, called the Bund.
Staying overnight? Browse hotels in Shanghai.
Shanghai Pudong airport itself is fine. You’ve got everything you need – enough seating, plug points, indecipherable water coolers, a few restaurants, duty free and souvenirs – in a functional, slightly depressing, fluorescent-lit way. Officially there’s free wifi, if you register with a mobile phone number or scan your passport at one of the kiosks (in terminal 1, they’re at gates 17 and 19). The wifi never worked for me, though, so I wouldn’t rely on it.
36 Comments
Hi, i have 11 hrs layover in Shanghai from Manila going to US. Can I go out of the airport? or do I need to get a visa? Thanks!
Hi Fatima! I haven’t done it myself, but I believe most nationalities can apply for a short-term visa exemption if transiting through Shanghai, meaning you can leave the airport without a visa. Google ‘shanghai visa exemption’ and you should be able to find out more. Good luck, I hope it works out!
I’m transferring through Shanghai from LAX next week to Naha Okinawa. Your page answers my questions about whether or not I have to go through immigration and customs. Sounds like it’ll be easy and exactly what I expected. Thanks!
Thanks Tom, I’m glad my post was helpful! Enjoy your trip!
Hi Lisa,
I just wanted to clarify since I’m abit worried about my flight. I have a Cebu to Shanghai Flight, a 3 hour layover in shanghai, then a shanghai to chicago flight, all under China Eastern. In this case, would I need to recheck my luggage in shanhai? Or is it the same as other airlines where they take care of my check in luggage in cebu and I can expect to get them in Chicago?
Hi John. As both your flights are with China Eastern, I believe your luggage will be checked in all the way to Chicago and you shouldn’t need to collect it in Shanghai. I assume you booked both flights together, as one trip? To be extra sure though, it might be worth giving the airline a quick call to ask. Have a great trip!
Hello Lisa,
Thank you for the reply. I did contact the China Eastern office here in the Philippines and this was there reply, in case it will answer other people’s questions:
[b]”Dear Sir,
If you will be taking China Eastern all the way, there is no need to claim and re-check in your luggage in Shanghai, as it will be tagged thru final destination.
On the other hand, should you be taking other airline for PVG-ORD ei. UA, you have to claim your luggage then re-check in.
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Thank you and regards,
Nicole “[/b]
Hi Lisa, thanks for this post, it’s very helpful. Quick question, I’m doing some slight travel hacking and booking my flight from Ethiopia to Shanghai with Ethiopian Air, and then from Shanghai to Vancouver with Air Canada. I know I’ll have to collect my luggage and then check back in for my Vancouver flight. However, the layover is only 2.5 hours. Do you reckon that is enough time to go through that whole process?
Hi Harley – thanks, I’m glad it’s helpful! That’s a tricky one though. In theory yes, 2.5h probably will be enough, but personally I’d want more time just for peace of mind – there’s always a risk your first flight is delayed, or security is particularly slow. Are you able to take hand luggage only? And can you check in for your Vancouver flight online in advance?
Thanks for the input Lisa. I haven’t booked my second flight yet, so I’ll probably just give myself a longer layover. The next one is five hours, but should be worth it.
Oh that’s good – I agree, that takes the pressure off. Enjoy your trip!
Hi Lisa, I will be flying with Air China London-Shanghai-Tokyo (one ticket) with 3h transfer time only. I will be arriving to T2 and leaving from the same T2 without any checked in luggage (only 1 small hand luggage). My understanding is that I will have to pass security even if I stay in the same terminal 2, correct? Do I just follow International transfers sign? Thanks (I am very confused)
Hi! Yes that’s right – you’ll need to have your passport checked and go through security. I don’t know the layout of T2, but believe it’s also a case of following the ‘international transfers’ signs. 3h is loads of time to find your way, don’t worry!
Thanks so much for this information. I have 2 daughters that are flying international for the first time on their own so I’m a bit nervous. They have a 6 hour layover in Shanghai but will stay in the transit area. Do you know if most restaurants take USD there? Thinking of exchanging some to Yuan…just in case… How much would you estimate one meal in a simple restaurant would be there?
Hi Blond Reports,
could you let me know how it was there, please. . i have the same sytuation but i will have to collect my laguage? was ther 3h enough time? could you let me if you have aany tips etc. Thank you
kind regards MArcin
Hi Blond Reports,
could you let me know how it was there, please. . i have the same sytuation but i will have to collect my laguage? was ther 3h enough time? could you let me if you have aany tips etc. Thank you
kind regards Marcin
Dear Lisa,
So glad I found your website! Thanks for sharing youer knowledge to us.
I will be transiting at Pudong Airport (Terminal 2) between 2 different airlines but I only have 2 hrs transit time. I won’t have any checked luggage but 1 small backpack. Do you think I will have enough time?
I already purchased my ticket before I found out that there’s a risk to miss the flight but all information I found was from those with checked-baggage.
Your kind suggestion/ view will be greatly appreciated. Thanks again, Lisa!
Hi Kate, glad you found it useful! Are you able to check in for your second flight in advance, online? That would really help, then you can just go straight through security after immigration. I think you’ll be fine, it should be enough time. Enjoy your trip!
Lisa,
Travel agent booked me from Manila to Shanghai to DFW to Gulfport, Mississippi.
Philippine airlines in Dumaguete isn’t sure they can check baggage to DFW or Gulfport. I have 2:30 minute layover in Shanghai arriving on Philippine Airlines and departure with American Airlines.
It appears I should NOT travel with check in baggage for this trip…I have refundable ticket…flight is in 30 days….but I prepaid for select seats on American separate from the booking agent.
I must arrive on time in Mississippi. I have traveled extensively around the world but…I have a feeling transiting Shanghai will be a nightmare.
Very Respectfully,
GEC
Even…if I have carry on luggage only….and no boarding pass for the connecting…I stand to miss my connecting flight…it’s 2 hours not 2 1/2 hours…
Why are we being routed through this airport! My return flight…bypasses Shanghai. Can I get a boarding pass in Manila? I thought the problem was the luggage…not a boarding pass.
“All of your flights are on the same ticket and we have a baggage agreement with them. They will check your bags to GPT. You will pick them up in DFW to clear customs then put them back on the carousel to your final destination.” American Airlines
American Airlines response to my question “Will Philippine airlines check my luggage from Manila via Shanghai to Gulfport, Mississippi
Hi Lisa, Thanks for your website. It’s very useful.
I just have one concern on my transfer in PVG.
My flight is from Manila to Seattle with transfer in Pudong.
I will be taking China Eastern Airlines from MNL to PVG, then Delta Airlines from PVG to SEA. They are booked in one flight and they are partner airlines.
My concern is if I have to collect my luggage in PVG after the immigration and have to re-checked it in for my next flight.
Thanks a lot.
Received this message from American Airlines a few hours ago….
“We’ve double checked this, and bags do have to be reclaimed in PVG and PEK, and rechecked to the connecting flight. The only exception to their rule is when you’re connecting on Cathay to HKG.”
Hi Lisa,
Thanks for the great write-up! My wife and I are going to be flying from Hiroshima to Singapore with China Eastern with a 6 hour layover in Shanghai. We plan to travel with just carry-on items, no check-in luggage.
Based on what you wrote up above, would we be able to stay in the international terminal and not have to go through security again?
Hello,
Thank you for this post. I am actually concerned as I will only have 1h and 45min transit time to Phuket. Both on China Eastern and both from terminal one. If you were in this situation would you bring a check in bag? Surely they will transfer from one plane to another as both flights are on China Eastern?
Not gonna lie, I’m a bit worried. I will have to run for my life and if the first flight is delayed I will be in a big trouble….
Thanks
Hello Rim,
I emailed China Eastern since I am in a similar situation. This was their reply:
“Dear Sir,
If you will be taking China Eastern all the way, there is no need to claim and re-check in your luggage in Shanghai, as it will be tagged thru final destination.
On the other hand, should you be taking other airline for PVG-ORD ei. UA, you have to claim your luggage then re-check in.
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Thank you and regards,
Nicole ”
Hope this helps.
Hi Lisa, good to talk to you!
First I’d like to thank you for your post “What happens to Shanghai airport transit passengers”. It’s rich of infos and very didactic!
I will have 4 hours connection at PVG (terminal 2). I don’t need to collect luggage, but we are talking about different reservations and airline companies (both operates on T2).
You think I have enough time? I’m not sure if I will be able to do the online check-in. If I don’t have the boarding pass for the connecting flight, I can’t take the queue called ‘time urgent passengers priorities’. Right?
Thank you so much! Have a great Friday!
Lorenzo
Hey,
I traveled London to Phuket with a stopover in Shanghai. I had 1.5 hours to get another plane. I was worried but for nothing. I went through security, check in, quarantine and everything else in 20 minutes and I was not even running 😀
That’s awesome, Rimi!! Was it separated tickets and airlines?? Or just one booking?
Did you do your check in out of the security area? Terminal 2?
Thank you!!!
Hi,
2 seperate tickets but same airline at the same terminal 1. Everything went very smoothly with no delays. I also think it depends how busy what time of the day and etc. We got our new tickets and finished with everything as I said in 20 minutes but then I looked at the check in area and I saw around 100 people waiting for their check in and only one lady was doing it, she was stressed, mad. So I think we were lucky to get it done so fast. Bu I also believe that 1.5 or 2 hours you will be fine anything over that you have nothing to worry about.
Thanks again! You are really kind.
In fact, I got about 3h30 layover (from the moment that my plane lands, to the moment it departs). Both companies are in T2 (different tickets). I’m a bit nervous because I saw many bad comments about it.
Did you have your visa already? Or you got the 24-96h visa on arrival?
Hi,
I’m flying Auckland to Copenhagen via Shanghai (16 hour stopover).
As I’m flying with Scandinavian Airlines from Shanghai to Copenhagen, I don’t need to pick up my luggage in Shanghai.
However, here’s my question:
As I’m planning on seeing Shanghai as I’m spending 16 hours there, can I go through immigration without my luggage?
i am thinking of going to cebu via china with china eastern do i need a covid test to transfer plane i have 3/5 hours i think
I am travelling from Manchester UK to Auckland New Zealand and transiting through Shanghai pudong airport , but the airline has told me that I have to collect my bags in Shanghai and then check them in for my onward flight to Auckland , but to get my bags I will have to go through customs , so will I need to apply for a visa before I fly , or can I go through customs to collect my bag without a visa if I am not leaving the airport , I have heard you can get a 24 hour visa free exemption but I don’t know were to get one from
Hai Lisa
Saya melakukan perjalanan dari Indonesia ke Nagoya, dengan Air China dengan kode nomor belakang pesawat yang berbeda, dan harus Transit di Beijing dan Shanghai. apakah saya harus mengambil bagasi saya? dan melakukan Check-in ulang di setiap Bandara Transit?
Hi im going Auckland via shanghai through chaina eastern. Ihave 18 hrs layout, can i get trnsit longe free or paid. Im travel with family