I had been to this airport couple of times last year. So, my review is based on my almost 35 hours of cumulative layover stay at Pudong airport. Its a pretty big airport with a decent architectural design. Their are some good eating outlets at the airport but i feel little expensive. Although, few shops are really cheap and good. Most of these places, they refuse to understand english but still you can order and pay the bills which is not that bad. One currency exchange is located at the airport. I converted few 20 dollar bills to yuan. I guess i received some decent number of yuans. ( Spoiler Alert for Indian Travelers :they dont accept INR). Free Wifi is their but i found it very slow and waste. Luckily, my sprint network offered with free 4G in China. Dont expect and english base content on Airport televisions. They all run local channel which is annoying. Overall, dont expect a lot but still you can hangout at this airport. I forgot to mention, Starbucks is their.
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Very unorganized, signs misleading, staff unfriendly and barely speak English. No decent coffee to be found anywhere. Avoid this airport, especially for transit.
Was there for a connecting, it is not as bad as people say. Yes, I read the reviews so I was expecting the worst. But really, it's fine. Hopefully this will ease your mind if you're going there soon
The bags take a lot of time to be checked in and also to be transferred to the luggage carousel. Make sure to check other luggage carousels if you can't find your bag in the carousel it should be.
Clean, open, and airy. Lines tend to be long, but move well. Signage is adequate but can lead to some confusion. Note to frequent fliers with "status": In Terminal 1 there is no immigration fast lane and the security fast lane is often very long...just find the shortest security line and go. China Eastern lounge is relatively quiet but can be crowded.
Translating to international and domestic flights ... The scale was enormous and it was a long time ago. Transferring to a domestic flight and moving ... It was good not to be censored.
Internet access can be gotten only at a kiosk or with WeChat on your device after connecting to their WiFi. Some planes need a shuttle bus before takeoff so have to be at gate 20 minutes before flight leaves (so arrive at airport very early). Website is blocked unless you are inside of China :(.
Very easy and simple airport. We flew from Shanghai to Hong Kong and found the lounge to be very basic with minimum choices. There are restaurants on the lower level with gift shops on the upper level.
NO ONE IN THIS PLACE SPEAKS ENGLISH!!!!! I ESPECIALLY HATE THE CHINA EASTERN AIRLINES PLANE, BECAUSE THEY ARE SLOWER THAN SNAILS, MEANER THAN SHARKS, AND THEY DON T CARE ABOUT THE HEALTH OF THEIR CUSTOMERS!!!!!! I AM A FILIPINO AND THOSE MEAN CHINESE PEOPLE MISTREATED ME BECAUSE CHINA AND THE PHILIPPINES ARE LOCKED IN A RIVALRY OVER THE SOUTH CHINA SEA AND A ISLAND!!!!!! I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO GIVE THIS PLACE A ONE STAR RATING AND FILE A LAWSUIT AGAINST THESE BRATS!!!!!
Not that I really need to mention it...but a friendly reminder....the crowds are huge so allow enough time to get through, check-in, Immigration and Security Check. As efficient as the aiport is, the number of people passing though does create long delays.
Beautiful, new and large airport. Everything is convenient, there are automatic machines for issuing hot / cold drinking water, a lot of shops in the departure area (but the prices are inhumane). The impression spoils only paranoid security screening.
Every trip to Shanghai, I stay in good hotels. They are within walking distance of downtown Pudong area. Breakfast has a great choice. The service is outstanding. I suggest you get written instructions from the receptionist before you join a taxi.
The airport is equipped with 28 bridges and 127 parking spaces. At the moment there are two runways; 4000-meter runway of category 4E and 3800-meter runway of category 4F, capable of taking the A380. The third runway will also have the category 4F.
Terminal 2, opened on March 26, after the commissioning of the third runway, will increase the airport's capacity to 60 million passengers and 4.2 million tons of cargo annually. Terminal 2 is constructed similarly to the first terminal, but has the form of a gull, and not a waveform. Its dimensions are somewhat larger than Terminal 1.
The Shanghai Pudong International Airport is a very large and modern airport. It has multiple terminals and all of the modern amenities that you could think of for an airport. There are plenty of signs in both English and Chinese so it is hard for a Westerner to get confused in this airport.
This is a big airport that runs surprisingly efficiently. Shanghai has made it so that there is a lot of ways to get to the airport as well, from Metro, Maglev, Taxi and more. This airport is very far away from the city, where it takes 45 minutes to an hour without any traffic at all. Keep that in mind when trying to get there. Once you are there, checking in, customs (international terminal) and getting through security went very smoothly.
Those who said the airport is far away from the city center and I'll advice u spend 50rmb to take the maglev train only 15mins to city center, and for those who said the time of security check is too long, sorry u are More
3 stars only. Asia is now home to the worlds best airports, but this airport is by far not up to these excellent Asian airport standards, like Hong Kong International Airport, Changi Airport, Incheon Airport or Tokyo. They have lot's of things to improve. Service is not so good, it is quite expensive given the service, lot's of checks, people speak very limited English for such an airport, internet access is not good, power outlets often do not work etc.
There is a starbucks, family mart and all that kind of shops.
The fun thing is that you can take the Maglev train from the airport which travels at a speed of 430+ km per hour and takes you in 8 minutes to Shanghai where you can transfer on taxi or subway. The maglev train is much , much faster than the subway line 2.
In the near future there will be a direct subway link to Hongqiao airport (which is a better one).
Under the influence of the explosion incident two years ago, baggage inspection is necessary when entering the airport. You'd better see more room at the departure time. A taxi with many incidents has also been strengthened security, security personnel & surveillance cameras, and a taxi clerk? So that people like you did not choose customers. (As of 2018/10)
Going to transfer for an international flight in March. I've rung to ask about transit information and seat selection (backward enough not being able to do so online for some Airlines) I've this staff on the phone asking me to send my enquiry to their email and wait for their reply. Then what's the phone number for? I don't expect anything once I land there.
Update - 30/03/18 Just spent 4 hours in this humongous airport this week. It's big for nothing. The security checkpoints are everywhere. You'd need your bag checked every time you're just popping out for a smoke. The toilets are super short (even for an Asian girl myself) and dirty (toilet paper in the bin with no lid). Strictly no lighters or portable chargers if flying from Shanghai. Staff are extremely short-tempered, impatient and unhelpful. I understand it's polite to speak a bit of Chinese there but most of them just seem to try to get rid of you asap if you barely speak any Chinese.
After all, it's a good airport if you like that kind of 3rd world nonsense. Otherwise, don't bother going, not even for a transit or layover. This airport is a joke.
Update - 22/09/18 I was in Shanghai for business for a few days this week. I wasn't expecting anything nice so this airport wouldn't bother me much like last time. The cleaners had very little English but were still nicer and more helpful than the airport staff. I thought the staff were there to help. The staff were there, that was it, not for anything. Still a big-for-nothing airport. Not many shops, too many checkpoints and toilets were still dirty.
I wouldn't spend a penny in this airport, so I didnt bother eating or shopping. There were just a few shops anyway. Nothing to see in this airport. Still no WiFi, I had to use my data for email.
I constantly had people bothering and asking me for a few minutes for palm and face reading. I saw a man doing the same scam to this girl, maybe she's naive, few minutes later she gave him RMB and he was asking for the American dollars in her purse. If you believe in fortune teller bullsh*t, this airport has plenty enough to keep you busy. However, this ''modern'' airport is still a joke.
When I checked my luggage, I took my porch with my wallet to another room, and I wasn't allowed to be present. When I checked later, it was not enough, but I couldn't prove it later, and at other airports, I checked it in front of me.
My personal experience with this airport, unfortunately, miserable! Both inbound and outbound flight was delayed. Domestic lounge is heavily crowded. Not all water dispenser work properly. You will find cheap-lighters are chained in smoking zone. Next time while route planning I might try to avoid this airport eventually!
Oh my God ... I gave you my score too much ... No facilities at the airport. Although the use of the lounge is RMB 250 yuan, the facility is not expensive. If you do not have P.P, just pass. Duty Free Shop? Just a neighborhood hole shop level. Entrance examination is all day. The transfer is not well organized and the 144-hour visa immigration check for transfer takes a long time. Traffic is heavy and one or two hours delay is basic. Even if you have accumulated mileage only with the plane you missed already, it seems that Jeju Island has come and gone a few times. Just being away from this airport is good for mental health.
One of the largest international airports I've visited. Four stars simply because you pick up your lighter even if you leave it in your suitcase to be loaded. Too exaggerated. Very large, I was in terminal 2. Very chaotic but organized in its own way. Fast queues at check in, checks and gates. Even passport control is very fast, you get carried away by the crowd. Inside, with futuristic architecture, you can find multiple restaurants and shops for your last-minute shopping. Or simply to spend the little money left over which is not worth repaying in euros. I recommend leaving your hotel half an hour earlier than expected, along the way you may find some accidents and simply traffic.
Nice large well maintained airport Only downside, they confiscated the lighters from you at the entrance, surely to supply those who are attached to the smoking room. In my opinion they have enough to use it for years.
I was disappointed. The waiting area for check in wasn't comfortable. There were peoples trying to trick for money. If you see someone is coming at you and trying to sell something to you. I recommend to call the security right away.
The worst airports I have ever been to. Very long and slow security/immigration/transit checkpoints. Limited shop & restaurant. Very limited seats at gate with rude people and staff. People are pushing each other to get on the plane. Horrible experience! maybe this is the reason flights with transfers at this airport are cheaper.
The design above the airport is very beautiful and full of modernity. The lights are on at night. At 6:00 in the morning, when the lights are off, the hollow-out design allows the natural light of the sun to enter the airport lobby, which is very energy-efficient and well-lit. It's not easy to find. After entering the customs, the indicators are not clear. Later, on the b302 net, I saw Burger King, Sunrise Tea, Dumpling House and Western Restaurant. If the indicators are clearer, it will be better. The duty-free shops have insufficient checkout staff and too many purchasers, resulting in long queues for checkout, and time is exhausted..
Don t visit this airport. They intend to miss your flight by doing lot of security checks so that you have to buy other flight ticket from agents. There is no staff to help you . And however is there , will just shout on you. Even we have a transit flight they asked to get a visa and go out of airport and come again. This place is filled with Agents which try to get money. We had inconvenience during both arrival and departure.
Well maintained and managed international hub. Very efficient passenger handling with quick, organized flow for passenger transits, entry and exit into China. Well staffed immigration and security check points. Plenty of clean passenger ammenites.
Yes, there are people from Japanese-style travel agencies who travel to another plane that can get on quickly if there is a delay or next day transfer (airport staff style). Usually, the original plane ticket refund plus around 50,000. I think it's good to be convinced to purchase, but sometimes it's just a ticket for a plane, so even if you run it, you may not be on board. Still no refund. Please be careful.
It was nice overall but I m giving it two starts because there were scammers inside the airport. My brother got scammed 15,000 php due to a guy selling an iPhone saying that he was from hong kong and he s desperate for money.
Pudong International Airport is one of the two international airports in Shanghai. It has three terminals : Terminals 1 & 2 are departure terminals for domestic and International flights (please be at the airport as early as possible to catch your flight or they is possibility you will miss your flight due to the large number of people travelling at any one time).
Arrivals are at Terminal 3. Taxis are available from the airport. Also you may use the Shanghai Metro to travel to your hotel from PVA. Line 2 will take you to down town Shanghai and you can just transfer on the way to other lines along the way. Please ensure you purchase the tickets before going through security check before entering the subway line. The ticket machines have the English option, choose the line to which you will be travelling (if it is other then line 2 you will need to transfer) PLEASE NOTE EVEN IN LINE 2 there is a transfer from one train to another (which appear in the yellow box where each stop is displayed). Also the announcement is both in English and Mandrin and a neon display. Please pay attention to all announcements.
The tickets from PVA costs 7CN (Yuan) per adult and for children under the height of 1.20 metres it is free.
Importantly, while travelling on metros and China Railway you must keep your tickets until you exit from your final destination. If you do lose your ticket you will be required to purchase a new ticket, so be careful.
While travelling by public transportation you will need to stand your ground.
Although it is a very large airport, I felt that restaurants were relatively small. In addition, departure procedures and examinations take time. Depending on the flight, you will be boarding by bus, and the number of buses is small, so I think you should act early.
