Located on the eastern coast of Pudong, approximately 19 miles (30 km) east of central Shanghai, Shanghai Pudong International (PVG) is one of Asia’s main aerial hubs. In 2010 it handled 40.6 million passengers, making it the third busiest airport in China and the 20th busiest in the world.
Shanghai Pudong consists of two passenger terminals, flanked on either side by three parallel runways, with the Maglev Railway Station located at the centre of the complex. Inside the terminals, you’ll find a fair variety of services and facilities, in addition to a number of upmarket retail and duty free stores.
A range of renovations are planned: by 2015 a third passenger terminal, satellite terminal, and two more runways will be built, the result of which will increase the airport’s handling capacity from 60 to 80 million passengers per year.
Like most major international hubs, Shanghai Pudong can get chaotic during peak hours. Not all staff are bilingual; however, they are generally friendly and helpful. Overall, the airport is clean, efficient and reasonably modern.
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Terminals may be accessed either by foot, via one of three long corridors, or shuttle buses that run between the terminals every 10 minutes.
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Train: The Maglev Train departs from the station between Terminals 1 and 2 every 15 minutes. Being the world’s fastest train, it can reach Longyang Road Metro Station in Shanghai in as little as 7 minutes. Fare is usually CNY 50, but airline ticket holders need only pay CNY 40.
Taxi: Taxis are available outside the Arrivals hall. Journey time to the city centre is 45 minutes and fare is CNY 150-180.
Bus: 8 bus lines run from Shanghai Pudong to various parts of the city. Fare is CNY 14-20, depending on your destination.
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Two car parks offer short- and long-term parking for over 3 000 vehicles. Rates are CNY 10 per hour for the first two hours and CNY 5 per hour thereafter, up to a daily maximum of CNY 50.
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Money and communications: ATMs, currency exchange and post office.
Luggage: There are left luggage and lost and found facilities.
Conference and business: A business centre offering telephone, Internet, copying and fax facilities is located between the domestic and international Arrivals Halls. The two airline hotels, Jinjiang Inn and Ramada, provide extensive business and conference facilities.
Other facilities: Facilities include text telephones, transit beds (available on an hourly basis), beauty salons, clinics, childcare rooms and a pharmacy.
Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi is available in both terminals.
Shopping: Shopping ranges from large high-end fashion boutiques to small retail concept stores selling everything from jewellery and fragrances to books, toys and clothing. Popular names include Dunhill, Tumi, Longchamp, Benetton, Lacoste, and Folli Follie, to name a few. Perhaps of greater significance, though, is the airport’s extensive range of duty free shops stocking tobacco and cigarettes, fragrances, sweets, alcoholic beverages and beauty products.
Food and drink: Shanghai Pudong has a good variety of restaurants, the most famous being Canglang Ting and Hong Fangzi, the latter of which serves a blend of Western dishes. There is also an extensive assortment of cafés, bars, bistros and fast food vendors offering an array of both local and international flavours as well as hot and cold beverages.
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