1The Bund (Waitan)
Art Deco European bank buildings facing the Pudong skyline — the most dramatic urban contrast in the world. Best at dusk.
Photo: 钉钉, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Pudong Airport (PVG) · China
12-Hour Layover in Shanghai: What To Do
By AirConnect Editorial
Photo: King of Hearts, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Quick answer
Can you leave the airport on a 12-hour layover in Shanghai?
Entry
144-hour transit visa-free for 54 nationalities through Shanghai. Also the 24-hour transit visa-free for airside stopovers.
Into town
Maglev to Longyang Rd + Metro Line 2.
Time outside
6–8 hours exploring
Times from PVG arrivals. Check entry rules for your passport before you fly.
Top Shanghai: Where to Go
The sights in Shanghai worth leaving the airport for.
1
2French Concession (Tianzifang)
European-era tree-lined streets with boutiques and cafes. Tianzifang alley maze is the most photogenic part.
Photo: Fabio Achilli from Milano, Italy, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
3Yuyuan Bazaar & Garden
Ming Dynasty private garden surrounded by a traditional bazaar — xiaolongbao at Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant next door.
Photo: Szalai.laci, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Itinerary ideas for Shanghai
Pick the plan that fits the time between your flights.
3 hours in Shanghai
Stay airside — 3h is too tight
See the 3-hour planPhoto: Atlantic Ambience on Pexels.
6 hours in Shanghai
4–5 hours in the city (stay close)
See the 6-hour planPhoto: King of Hearts, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
You are here12 hours in Shanghai
6–8 hours exploring
Photo: Stefan Fussan, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Insider tip
The Maglev (world's fastest commercial train at 430km/h) is the most fun airport connection on earth. Worth taking once even if the metro is cheaper.
Photo: User Alex Needham (own photography) on en.wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
Getting to Shanghai City Centre
| Mode | Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Maglev to Longyang Rd + Metro Line 2 | ¥50 + ¥10 | 20 min + 30 min |
| Taxi / DiDi (direct) | ¥170–250 | 45–80 min |
Photo: kyle tsui from Washington, DC, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Eat Like a Local in Shanghai
Xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) at Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant in Yuyuan — the originator. ¥48 for a bamboo steamer of 6.
12 hours in Shanghai
12-Hour Itinerary
1
0–60 min
Clear passport control and head into Shanghai
Take Maglev to Longyang Rd + Metro Line 2.
2
1–4 hrs
The Bund (Waitan)
Art Deco European bank buildings facing the Pudong skyline — the most dramatic urban contrast in the world. Best at dusk.
3
4–6 hrs
French Concession (Tianzifang)
European-era tree-lined streets with boutiques and cafes. Tianzifang alley maze is the most photogenic part.
4
6–8 hrs
Eat like a local
Xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) at Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant in Yuyuan — the originator. ¥48 for a bamboo steamer of 6.
5
8–10 hrs
Yuyuan Bazaar & Garden
Ming Dynasty private garden surrounded by a traditional bazaar — xiaolongbao at Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant next door.
6
10–12 hrs
Back to Pudong Airport
Head back to Pudong Airport by Maglev to Longyang Rd + Metro Line 2. Be at the airport at least 2 hours before your flight.
Your questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa for a 12-hour layover in Shanghai?
144-hour transit visa-free for 54 nationalities through Shanghai. Also the 24-hour transit visa-free for airside stopovers. Check the rules for your own passport before you fly.
Is 12 hours enough to leave Pudong Airport?
6–8 hours exploring.
How do I get from Pudong Airport to Shanghai centre?
Maglev to Longyang Rd + Metro Line 2. Taxi / DiDi (direct).
Getting out of Pudong Airport
Skip the taxi rank and lock in your fare before you land.
Pre-book a fixed-price transfer
Our pickDriver waits at arrivals with your name, tracks your flight, and the price you see is the price you pay. English-speaking, fixed price. No surge, no haggling at 2am.
Check transfer pricesRenting a car instead? Compare rentals with free cancellation.Things to do in Shanghai
Lock in a few experiences before you go — the good ones sell out.
Tours, tickets & day trips
Our pickGetYourGuide has the deepest catalogue for Shanghai and free cancellation on most experiences — book now, decide later.
Browse ShanghaiJust need timed-entry attraction tickets in Shanghai? Try Tiqets.Want a private driver-guide? Trip.com Private Tours in Shanghai.Trains & buses from Shanghai
Compare overland routes — often cheaper, more scenic and skip the airport queue.
Photo: Engin Akyurt on Pexels.
Hotels near Shanghai Airport
With 12 hours, a day-use hotel room is worth it — shower, sleep, and recharge before your next flight.
Find hotels in Shanghai
Hotels, hostels & more · Trip.com
Search hotels
Planning a longer stay in Shanghai?
Read our full destination guide — hotels, attractions, visa tips, and more.
Shanghai Destination Guide →Also useful for your Shanghai trip
Stay connected abroad — no roaming bills
Buy a travel eSIM before you fly and install it by QR code.
Airlines that fly to Shanghai
See each airline’s route map: where else it flies from PVG.
Flights to Shanghai from 158 cities: fares and airlines →
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Airport lounges at Pudong Airport
Wait for your flight in a lounge — one membership covers lounges at airports across the country and worldwide.
Shanghai travel deals
Weekly layover, flight + hotel deals. No spam.
How a layover in Shanghai works
01
Check you can leave
144-hour transit visa-free for 54 nationalities through Shanghai. Also the 24-hour transit visa-free for airside stopovers.
03
Back in time for your flight
Head back to Pudong Airport by Maglev to Longyang Rd + Metro Line 2. Be at the airport at least 2 hours before your flight.
Ready for Shanghai?
Tours, tickets and day trips that fit between your flights.
Daylight on the ground
Daylight in Shanghai runs from about 10 hours in Dec to 14 in Jun. Enough of a difference that a winter stopover gives you noticeably less usable time outside than a summer one.