Flight to Shanghai Pudong International Airport

Shanghai Pudong International Airport is where most Malaysians begin a trip to Shanghai. It is the city's main international gateway, sitting on reclaimed land along the coast of the Pudong New Area. If you are searching for a flight to Shanghai from Kuala Lumpur, the result will almost always be a PVG arrival, so it helps to know the airport before you land. This page explains the terminals, the ways into town and how to plan your days on the Pudong side of the river and beyond.

About Shanghai Pudong International Airport

Pudong is one of the busiest airports in Asia and a major hub for flights between China and the rest of the world. It works as a partner to Hongqiao airport in the west of the city, which mostly handles domestic traffic.

Location

The airport lies in the far east of Shanghai, close to the East China Sea and a long way from the historic centre. That distance matters on arrival, so plan your transfer before you fly, especially if you land late in the evening.

Terminals

PVG has two main terminal buildings, T1 and T2, set side by side with the rail and metro station between them. Satellite concourses connected by an underground people mover add extra gates. Check your e-ticket for the terminal and allow time for immigration, which can be busy when several long-haul arrivals come in together.

Getting to and from Pudong airport

The Maglev is the signature ride: a magnetic levitation train that runs from the airport to Longyang Road station, where you can switch to the metro. Metro Line 2 links the airport with the city centre and beyond, a good budget choice if you are not in a hurry, though some trains ask you to change partway along the line. The Airport Link line also runs from Pudong to Hongqiao, useful if your next flight leaves from the other airport. Airport buses serve several districts, and official taxis wait at marked ranks outside arrivals. Ride-hailing apps are common, but set up a payment method that works in China before you travel.

Direct and connecting flights to Shanghai Pudong

From Kuala Lumpur (KUL), nonstop services to PVG are available, and the Direct filter on the search page will show them straight away. Travellers from Penang, Johor Bahru or East Malaysia usually connect once, through Kuala Lumpur or another regional hub. When comparing fares, look at the total journey time and the layover length as well as the price, and check whether baggage is included. If you are heading somewhere in China after Shanghai, a domestic connection may leave from Hongqiao instead, so read the ticket carefully. For the western side of the city, see flights to Shanghai Hongqiao, or compare both airports on our Shanghai city page.

When to fly to Shanghai Pudong

Shanghai's weather swings more than Malaysians are used to. April, May, October and November are generally the most pleasant months, with fresh air and comfortable afternoons. June and early July bring the humid plum rain, and midsummer can be very hot. From December to February temperatures drop close to freezing on some days, so a warm layer is essential.

Flights from Malaysia get busier around the school holidays, Chinese New Year, Hari Raya and year-end breaks. Inside China, the Spring Festival and the Golden Week holiday in early October are the peak travel weeks, when Pudong, the Bund and Disneyland are at their most crowded. If you want a cheap flight ticket to Shanghai, the fare charts on this page show the usual pattern across the year and the week.

Popular places near Pudong and across Shanghai

Shanghai Disneyland

The Disney park lies in the Pudong New Area, on the same side of the river as the airport. It is a favourite with Malaysian families and is linked to the metro network, so it is easy to combine with an airport arrival day.

Lujiazui skyline

The cluster of towers facing the Bund includes some of the tallest buildings in the world. Take the lift to an observation deck, or stroll the riverside path at night for the best views.

Century Park

Pudong's largest park has lakes, lawns and cycling paths, a green break from the skyscrapers nearby. It is popular with local families at weekends.

Nanjing Road

Across the river, this long shopping street runs from People's Square down to the Bund. The pedestrian section is bright and busy in the evening.

Jade Buddha Temple

A working Buddhist temple in the west of the city, known for its two white jade Buddha statues. Its halls and incense courtyards offer a calm contrast to downtown.

Where to stay near Pudong airport and in Shanghai

Lujiazui is the natural base for travellers who want to stay on the Pudong side, with skyline views and a short hop to the Bund by metro or ferry. Families visiting Disney often choose the resort area around the park itself. For classic sightseeing, the Bund and Huangpu district put you close to Nanjing Road and Yu Garden. If you only have one night before an early departure, the zone around the airport and the nearby Chuansha area are the most practical.

Food to try in Shanghai

Shengjian bao

Pan-fried pork buns with a crisp golden base and juicy filling, topped with sesame and spring onion. They are a classic Shanghainese breakfast.

Scallion oil noodles

Plain wheat noodles tossed in fragrant fried spring onion oil and soy sauce. Simple, cheap and deeply satisfying.

Pork chop with rice cakes

A crumbed, fried pork chop served with chewy rice cakes in a sweet soy glaze. It is an old-school Shanghai comfort dish.

Shanghai wontons

Large wontons stuffed with pork and greens, served in a clear broth, or cold with a sesame and peanut dressing in summer. Muslim-run noodle shops offer halal options across the city if you need them.

Ready to go? Compare every flight to Shanghai Pudong on Traveloka, filter for nonstop options and set a Price Alert for your dates. Keep your e-ticket in the app, and remember to check the entry requirements for your passport before you fly.