Flights to Shanghai (PVG)

Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) is mainland China's great international gateway on the East China Sea coast, and it is where most travellers from Singapore touch down in Shanghai. It handles long-haul routes to Europe and the Americas, a dense network across Asia and a large share of China's air cargo. If your plans centre on the Bund, Lujiazui, the east side of the city or Shanghai Disneyland, landing at Pudong is usually the most natural choice.

About Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG)

Pudong opened to take international traffic away from the older Hongqiao airport, and it has grown into one of the busiest airports in the world. Arriving international passengers clear immigration before collecting their bags and pass customs on the way out, and the arrivals halls have currency exchange, SIM card counters and transport desks.

Location

The airport sits on flat coastal land at the far eastern edge of Pudong New Area, facing the sea. It is a long way from the historic centre, so plan your transfer before you land, especially if you arrive late at night.

Terminals

Pudong has two main terminals, T1 and T2, set opposite each other with a shared transport centre between them where the Maglev, metro and airport buses stop. Two large satellite concourses extend the airport's gate capacity and are reached from the main terminals by an automated people mover. Your e-ticket shows which terminal your airline uses, and the walk between T1 and T2 is manageable if you need to switch.

Getting to and from Pudong

The Maglev magnetic-levitation train is the fastest link, running from the airport to Longyang Road in Pudong, where you change to the metro. Metro Line 2 serves the airport directly and continues through Lujiazui, the Bund area and People's Square to Hongqiao, though it involves many stops and you may need to change trains at Guanglan Road. The Airport Link Line runs from the terminals across the city to Hongqiao Terminal 2 with far fewer stops than Line 2. Several airport bus routes run to downtown districts and Hongqiao, and taxis queue in marked ranks outside arrivals, which is the only place to pick one up.

Direct and connecting flights to Shanghai Pudong

Nonstop flights link Changi and Pudong on a regular basis, operated by several airlines. Tick the Direct filter to see which ones run on your dates, then compare departure times; overnight flights let you land in the morning, while daytime departures suit travellers who dislike red-eyes. Pudong is also a useful connecting hub: many itineraries from Singapore to North America or to smaller Chinese cities route through PVG. If you need to connect to a domestic flight from Hongqiao, allow generous time for the cross-city transfer.

When to fly to Shanghai Pudong

Weather matters at a coastal airport. Summer brings heat, humidity and the chance of typhoons or thunderstorms that can disrupt schedules, while winter fog occasionally delays early-morning flights. Spring and autumn are generally the smoothest seasons to fly and the most pleasant for exploring Shanghai.

For Singapore travellers, Pudong flights fill up fast around Chinese New Year and during the June and December school holidays. China's early October Golden Week and the May Labour Day holiday also bring crowds at the terminals and the city's attractions. Use the monthly and weekday charts on this page to compare patterns, and set a Price Alert so fare changes on your route reach you quickly.

Popular places near Pudong and across Shanghai

Shanghai Disneyland

The theme park sits in Pudong between the airport and the city centre, and it has its own metro station on Line 11, which makes it a manageable first or last stop. Its storybook castle and themed lands draw families from across China.

Century Park

Pudong's largest park has lakes, lawns and cycling paths, a welcome green break from the towers. Weekend mornings bring out kite flyers and families with picnics.

Lujiazui riverside

A walkway along the Huangpu on the Pudong side offers the best close-up views of the historic Bund facades across the water, especially after dark.

Shanghai Science and Technology Museum

Hands-on galleries on nature, space and robotics make this museum a good rainy-day option for children. It is on Metro Line 2, on the way between the airport and the centre.

Dishui Lake

Near the coast south of the airport, this circular man-made lake anchors the Lingang new town, with a maritime museum, parks and quiet waterfront walks, a contrast to downtown crowds.

Where to stay near Shanghai Pudong

For late arrivals and early departures, the areas around the airport and the nearby Chuansha town keep your transfer short. Lujiazui is the most popular Pudong base, with skyline views and Line 2 straight to PVG. Across the river, the Bund and Huangpu district put you among the classic sights, while Jing'an and the Former French Concession offer leafy streets and great dining further west. Families heading to the theme park often stay in the Disneyland area of Chuansha.

Food to try in Shanghai

Ci fan tuan

A breakfast roll of sticky rice wrapped around fried dough, pickled vegetables and pork floss. Street vendors press them to order in the morning.

Pork chop with rice cakes

A crisp fried pork chop served with chewy rice cakes in a sweet soy glaze. It is a much-loved Shanghainese comfort dish.

Shanghai fried noodles

Thick wheat noodles stir-fried with pork, cabbage and dark soy sauce until smoky. Simple, filling and found in local eateries everywhere.

Xie ke huang

Flaky, sesame-crusted baked pastries named for their golden, crab-shell shape, with savoury fillings such as pork or spring onion, or sweet ones. They are a classic Shanghainese snack alongside a morning cup of soy milk.

If Pudong suits your plans, compare flights to Shanghai Pudong on Traveloka, pick arrival times that suit your transfer, and keep your e-ticket and 24/7 customer service in one place.