Shanghai Pudong International Airport

Terminal 1: Shanghai Airlines (home), Air China, Lufthansa, United, Singapore Airlines, Thai, ANA, Asiana, EVA, Turkish, Ethiopian, Air Canada. Terminal 2: China Eastern (home) + most foreign carriers (KLM, Air France, Delta, Korean Air, Aeroflot, Cathay, BA, American, JAL, Qatar, Emirates, Etihad, Air NZ, Qantas, Finnair). Satellite S1 extends T1; Satellite S2 extends T2 — APM 3-4 min ride.

PVG for international + most foreign carriers. SHA (Shanghai Hongqiao) for domestic + some regional Asia. PVG is 30 km east of central Shanghai; SHA is 13 km west of centre (closer for downtown). The two airports are 50 km apart with no direct rail — allow 60-90 min by metro or taxi between them. Always confirm the airport code on your ticket.

A magnetic levitation train — the only commercial maglev in regular passenger service worldwide. Connects PVG to Longyang Road (subway transfer) in 8 minutes at up to 431 km/h. CNY 50 one-way (or CNY 40 with same-day boarding pass). Trains depart every 15-20 min. Tourist attraction in itself — try at least one direction.

Maglev + Metro Line 2 — CNY 50 maglev (8 min) + CNY 4-7 metro (15-25 min) = 25-35 min total to central Shanghai. Pure Metro Line 2 — CNY 8, 60-75 min direct. Taxi CNY 200-260 (50-80 min). DiDi CNY 180-260. The maglev is faster but more expensive.

Yes — China's 144-Hour Transit Without Visa policy allows travellers from 50+ countries (US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, Japan, Korea, Singapore + many more) to enter Shanghai visa-free for up to 144 hours when connecting to a third country. Apply at the special "144H TWOV" desk in arrivals. Use the maglev for a quick city visit — allow 5-6 hours minimum round trip including the Bund + Lujiazui.

International: 3 hours. Domestic: 2 hours. Shanghai security is thorough — laptops + tablets + chargers all out separately. Immigration on departure: 30-60 min at peak. The walk from check-in to far S1/S2 satellite gates: 25-30 min (3-min APM + walk). Allow buffer.