Layover in Shanghai: Your Ultimate Guide from Visa to What to Do

Written by Catherine | Updated November 22,2025

If you are flying to an Asian country, you may find that many flights have a stopover in Shanghai. This city, being one of the most important gateways to China, serves as a main transit hub not only in China but also for international flights. It has two airports currently, namely Pudong Airport and Hongqiao Airport. They are both popular among foreign visitors for a layover. Nowadays, with the implement of loose visa-free transit policies, passengers are not limited to stay within the airport, but are encouraged to take a side trip to the city area of Shanghai and even neighboring cities. Some may wonder can I leave Shanghai airport during a layover? In many cases, the answer is yes if you can take advantage of the 240-hour visa-free transit facility.

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• First Things First: Can You Leave Shanghai Airport?
• How Long Is Your Layover? What You Can Do in Shanghai
• Shanghai Layover Transportation Options – Airport-to-city transfers
• Best Shanghai layover hotels near Pudong/Hongqiao
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Shanghai Layover
• Shanghai layover tour with China Xian Tour

First Things First: Can You Leave Shanghai Airport?

Understanding China’s Visa-Free Transit Policy

“Can I leave Shanghai airport during layover?” “Do I need a visa for a layover in Shanghai”… These are two most frequently asked questions with regard to China’s visa-free transit policy in Shanghai. In fact, Shanghai allows free entry to almost all passengers if they hold an onward international flight ticket and don’t intend to leave the airport. But this stay should not exceed 24 hours.

You may ask, what if my stopover is longer than 24 hours? Well, if you are from the 55 eligible countries, such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Japan, France, Germany and Russia, you will applicable to the 240-hour visa-free policy and the visa-free stay length can be extended to as long as 240 hours. Again you need to have an international flight ticket to a third country and a passport valid for no less than three months. What is good to know is that the area for you to explore has greatly been expanded. You can not merely enter the city center of Shanghai, but are also permitted to travel in the whole provinces of Jiangsu and Zhejiang!

Related reading: Shanghai Visa Policies

The Essential Pre-Checklist Before Your Shanghai Layover Tour

• Time Buffer: Leave at least 2-3 hours for airport procedure on both ends so that you do not travel Shanghai in a rush. Ensure that you can get to the airport and go through the departure formalities before the visa-free period ends.
• Luggage Storage: Deposit your valuables and large suit cases in the airport so that you can travel light.
• Essential Apps: Install a reliable VPN on your cellphone and laptop if you need to get access to some Apps and websites like Google, Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp and YouTube in China. A translation app is also very helpful if you cannot understand Chinese. You may also need Amap, Alipay, WeChat, and DiDi.
• Hotel Registration: If you lodge in a hotel, it will help you to register at the police. But if you stay in a homestay or at a friend’s home, you need to apply for temporary accommodation registration at the local police station within 24 hours.
• Payment Methods: Mobile payment by Apps like Alipay and WeChat is very prevailing in China. You are advised to bind the Apps to your credit card in advance for payment

How Long Is Your Layover? What You Can Do in Shanghai

Short Layovers (3–6 Hours)

To be on the safe side, most travelers having a layover in Shanghai for 3 to 6 hours choose to stay inside the airport. Pudong and Hongqiao airports are kind of a miniature of Shanghai. They provide a window to take a glimpse of Shanghai while relaxing. You can taste some local food like rice served together with Shanghai style dishes, steamed buns with meat stuffing, and noodles mixed with scallion oil and sauce. Of course, western fast food is also available. Shopaholics always linger in the duty-free shops in the airport to buy some cigarettes, perfume, luxury, and wine. It’s also nice to buy some local products including silk, tea and traditional Chinese desserts as a gift to your families. VIP lounges within the airport are a perfect choice to kill time, where you can enjoy a free meal, Wi-Fi, comfortable seats and a shower room.

If you decide not to leave the airport, it’s advised to check in your baggage first, and then move around.

Medium Layovers (7–12 Hours)

Making full use of the layover in Shanghai gives you an opportunity to take a fast trip to the landmarks in the city. Though time is limited, it’s well enough for a mini trip.

During the layover in Shanghai, one of the commonest things to do in the city center is strolling around the Bund to appreciate the dozens of western buildings in different styles. They tell the city’s past as a financial center. Looking across the Huangpu River, a breathtaking skyline formed by a series of modern high rises decorates the sky. They represent the future of Shanghai. This sharp contrast can be compared to a true portrait of Shanghai!

Nanjing Road, a bustling pedestrian street is within a walking distance from the Bund. It’s a shopping paradise where you can see a wide assortment of luxury goods and fashions. If you are not in a hurry, spare some time to taste the time-honored brands of dim sum.

In case that your layover in Shanghai is longer, let’s say, if you have a 12-hour layover in Shanghai, you can actually extend your trip to Yuyuan Garden and its surrounding bazaar. Yuyuan Garden is a masterpiece of China’s classical gardens nestled in the city center. A quick visit only needs one hour, but can reward you with a pleasure of adventuring into China’s ancient architectural art.

Long Layovers (13–18 Hours)

Do not waste your long layover in Shanghai! 13-18 hours are enough for a leisurely Shanghai tour to savor the essence. In addition to the iconic buildings in the Bund, the French Concession around Xintiandi Block is worth a visit. A lot of typical Shikumen residences, distinguishing themselves by red brick walls, stone archways and black painted wood doors, can be seen there. They are a witness of the city’s ups and downs in the past century and offer wonderful backgrounds for photos. There are also stylish restaurants and cafes hidden in the lanes. If time permits, you can drop by one to feel the exotic bourgeois lifestyle.

If your layover is in daytime and longer than 12 hours, why not extend your trip to an old water town to enrich your travel experience? Zhujiajiao and Qibao are both on the bucket list of many travelers. On the whole , Zhujiajiao Ancient Town is the best option for the convenient access by metro line 17. It’s called the Oriental Venice and abounds in water and bridges. Comparatively, Qibao Ancient Town is smaller and more commercialized. But considering the shorter ride by metro line 9 from the city center, it’s suitable more those who have a tight schedule.

Recommended Shanghai Layover Tour

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Private Shanghai Tour to Yuyuan Garden

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24-Hour Layover in Shanghai

Considering you will have such a long layover in Shanghai, I strongly advise you to bravely go out of the airport and take an impressive one-day tour in Shanghai.

A classic itinerary goes like this:

First, pay a visit to Yuyuan Garden and the adjacent City God Temple; have an authentic lunch at the nearby restaurants. (2-3 hours)

Next, go to Lujiazui Financial Center to have a bird’s eye view of Huangpu River Cruise on the transparent observation deck of Shanghai Tower, the current highest building in Shanghai. (1.5 hours)

Last, head for the Bund and take a casual walk around. Have a supper at the nearby Nanjing Road. Try Huangpu River Cruise at night to appreciate the dazzling night scene of Shanghai. (4-5 hours)

Where to eat local specialties: It will be a pity if you don’t taste authentic Shanghai food. Around Yuyuan Garden, there are a number of old branded restaurants good at cooking local specialties like Nanxiang Xiaolongbao (steamed buns with meat stuffing), delicate dim sum, and braised pork in brown sauce. Laozhengxing Restaurant near East Nanjing Road with one Michelin star is also recommended.

Recommended 1-day Shanghai Layover Tour

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Best Shanghai Tour with Flexible Choices

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Overnight Layover in Shanghai

Well, you may not be able to see most top attractions in Shanghai if your layover is at night. However, don’t be frustrated! The Bund is still waiting for you. Shanghai is always regarded as a sleepless everbright city, so part of its charm lies in the enchanting night views at the Bund. When the night falls on, the giant led lights on the towering high buildings across the Huangpu River are indeed eye-catching. At this time, nothing is better than taking a Huangpu River cruise to fully taking in the beauty.

Safety tips for an overnight layover:

1. Most important of all, carry your passport and valuables at all times.
2. Be sure to handle with your departure procedures before the allowed stay ends.
3. It’s better to lodge in the airport hotel if you need to catch an early flight.
4. Metro is the most trustful way to getting around at night. But it’s not operated after 11 o’clock pm. Official taxi and car-ride hailing apps are perfect alternatives.
5. Avoid travelling to dark alleys and off-the-beaten destinations at night.

See more ideas of things to do in Shanghai at night

Shanghai Layover Transportation Options – Airport-to-city transfers

Maglev train

For visa-free transit passengers, the maglev train in Shanghai is far beyond a technical way to shuttle between Pudong Airport and the city center. It’s actually an unforgettable experience to feel the high developing speed of Shanghai. How fast is it? The speed can reach 430 kilometers per hour, even faster than the famous bullet trains in China. It only takes eight minutes for a single ride between Pudong Airport and the terminal Longyang Road Station, where you can transfer to metro line 2, 7 and 16. Unfortunately, the maglev train is not available in Hongqiao Airport at present.

See also: Shanghai Pudong Airport Transfer Service

Metro

Whether you arrive at Pudong or Hongqiao airport, metro is an economic and reliable way to take you to the city proper. Metro line 2 starting from Pudong Airport can directly run to People’s Square, East Nanjing Road, Jing’an Temple, etc. At East Nanjing Road Station, you can change to metro line 10 to get to Yuyuan Garden. The ticket fare is about only 7RMB. By contrast, Hongqiao Airport is closer to the city center. It is linked with almost all core areas in the city center by metro line 2 and 10.

Taxis, ride-hailing

If your flight lands at late night, when all the public means of transportation stop operation, do not hesitate to call a taxi or get a car through ride-hailing apps. It might be a little expensive to travel from Pudong Airport to the city center. The price fluctuates between 160 and 200RMB, but what you receive is a hassle-free point-to-point service. If departing from Hongqiao Airport, the cost is much lowers, ranging from 50 to 80RMB. Do not hop in an unlicensed taxi at anytime to ensure your personal security!

Recommended guided Shanghai airport layover tour

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Shanghai Food Tour with Zhujiajiao Water Town

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Best Shanghai layover hotels near Pudong/Hongqiao

Recommended Hotels near Pudong

1. Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Shanghai Pudong Airport (上海浦东机场华美达广场酒店)

• Address: Inside Terminal 1.
• Highlights: Directly connected with Terminal 1 by an indoor corridor; about 5 minutes walk from the airport; excellent sound insulation facilities.
• Price Range: CNY 600 – 1,000

2. JI Hotel (Shanghai Pudong Airport) (全季酒店)

• Address: 958, Shixin Road, Pudong New District
• Highlights: A 10-15 minutes drive from the airport; free shuttle bus between the hotel and airport; competitive price…
• Price Range: CNY 350 – 550

Recommended Hotels near Hongqiao

1. Shanghai Civil Aviation Airport Hotel (Hongqiao Branch) (上海大众空港宾馆虹桥店)

• Address: Inside Terminal 2.
• Highlights: An officially recognized hotel; very close to the arrival/departure hall and metro station.
• Price Range: CNY 500 – 8,000

2. Atour Hotel (Shanghai Hongqiao Airport Branch)(亚朵酒店)

• Address: 220, Huqingping Highway, Minhang District
• Highlights: Cost-efficient services; free pick-up and see-off service; budget-friendly.
• Price Range: CNY 500 – 750

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Shanghai Layover

Is it safe to leave the airport during a layover in Shanghai?

Absolutely! Shanghai is one of the safest cities globally. As long as your layover is longer than 6 hours, it’s recommended to leave the airport to take a look at the city.

What is the fastest way to get to the city center from Pudong Airport?

The fastest way is a combo of maglev train and metro. Take the maglev train first from Pudong Airport and get off at Longyang Road Station after only 8 minutes. Then transfer to metro line 2 and alight at Lujiazui. The whole journey only takes 30-40 minutes.

What if my layover is less than 8 hours?

If your layover is between 6 and 8 hours, you can take a quick trip to the Bund to check in at the city’s landmark. Otherwise, it’s better to stay inside the airport.

How is the duration of the 24-hour visa-free transit officially calculated?

It’s officially calculated from the moment that the immigration officer stamps visa-free entry on your passport.

Which airports in Shanghai (Pudong or Hongqiao) participate in the visa-free transit program?

Both Pudong and Hongqiao airports allow visa-free transit programs.

Where do I go to process the visa-free transit upon arrival at the airport?

You can apply for it at the immigration counter in the airport.

Shanghai layover tour with China Xian Tour

Thanks to the visa-free transit policy in Shanghai, you can plan a trip now for your gap between two flights. To play safe, it’s better to use a travel agency for smoother process. China Xian Tour is always ready to help you! We will adjust the itinerary according to your preference and schedule. As we offer pick-up and see-off service at the airport, you can leave more time touring in the city. It must be a hassle-free smooth tour!