Shanghai's Gateway for Domestic Travellers

Shanghai has two international airports, and the choice between them matters enormously to your journey. Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) sits just 13 kilometres west of People's Square — close enough that on a good traffic day, you can clear arrivals and be checking into a Bund hotel in under 40 minutes. For anyone flying within China, it is almost always the better choice.

Hongqiao is the older and more centrally located of Shanghai's two airports, with a history stretching back to 1921 when it was established as one of China's earliest civil aviation facilities. Today, after a major modernisation centred on its 2010 Terminal 2, it handles around 40 million passengers per year and serves as the primary base for short- and medium-haul domestic routes across the country.

This guide covers everything you need to know: the airport's layout and terminals, transport connections, top tips for a smooth experience, how it compares to Pudong International Airport, and the best domestic routes to know about.

Shanghai Hongqiao Airport: Quick Facts

Terminal 1 vs Terminal 2: What You Need to Know

Knowing which terminal your flight uses is the single most important thing you can do before arriving at Hongqiao. The two terminals are not connected by an internal walkway — passengers must exit and take a shuttle bus or taxi between them, a journey of around 10–15 minutes. Getting it wrong means a stressful scramble.

Key takeaway: If you are flying with one of China's three major carriers (Air China, China Eastern, China Southern) or catching a high-speed train connection, you will almost certainly be using Terminal 2. Budget and regional carriers typically use Terminal 1.

Getting To and From Hongqiao Airport

Hongqiao Airport enjoys some of the best ground transport connectivity of any airport in Asia. The combination of direct metro access, the co-located Hongqiao Railway Station, and multiple shuttle bus routes means there is a convenient option for almost every budget and destination.

Metro: The Fastest City-Centre Option

Metro Line 2 is the workhorse connection, running directly from Hongqiao Terminal 2 (Hongqiao Airport 2 Station) through the heart of Shanghai — People's Square, Nanjing East Road, Lujiazui — and continuing all the way to Pudong International Airport on the other side of the city. This cross-city line makes Hongqiao the only airport in the world with a direct metro link to another international airport.

Metro Line 10 serves both terminals and connects through Xintiandi, the French Concession area, and eventually Hongqiao Road. It is slightly slower for the city centre but useful if your hotel is in the Jing'an or Changning districts.

High-Speed Rail: Hongqiao's Game-Changer

Hongqiao Railway Station, directly adjacent to Terminal 2, is one of the busiest high-speed rail hubs in China. Trains depart regularly to Beijing (approx. 4.5 hours on the G-class), Hangzhou (25 minutes), Nanjing (1 hour), Suzhou (30 minutes), and dozens of other cities. For routes where rail is competitive — particularly anything within 300 km of Shanghai — the train is often faster door-to-door than flying, and almost always cheaper.

The integration of the airport and railway station under one roof is deliberate urban planning: Hongqiao is designed as a multimodal transport hub, not merely an airport. If your onward journey after landing in Shanghai involves domestic travel, arriving at Hongqiao rather than Pudong dramatically simplifies your connection.

Hongqiao vs Pudong Airport: Which Should You Use?

This is the question every traveller to Shanghai eventually asks. The answer depends almost entirely on your itinerary.

Use Hongqiao if: you are flying domestically within China, connecting to high-speed rail, staying in central or western Shanghai, or making a brief stopover and want to minimise transfer time.

Use Pudong if: you are arriving on an international flight, flying long-haul, or using the Maglev train (which runs only from Pudong). Pudong handles the vast majority of international capacity and is where all overseas airlines base their Shanghai operations.

Top Domestic Routes from Hongqiao Airport

Hongqiao is the departure point for an enormous range of domestic flights. The table below highlights the most popular routes and includes a comparison with high-speed rail — an increasingly relevant alternative for shorter distances.

Note: For routes under 500 km — particularly Shanghai to Hangzhou and Shanghai to Suzhou — high-speed rail is almost always faster and cheaper than flying when you account for airport check-in time, security, and the journey from city centre to Hongqiao. For routes over 800 km, flying wins clearly on time.

Airport Facilities and What to Expect

Shopping and Dining

Terminal 2 offers the strongest retail and dining experience, with over 100 outlets ranging from convenience stores and noodle bars to sit-down Cantonese restaurants, coffee chains, and duty-free retail across a wide range of categories. Terminal 1 is considerably more limited — if you have a long wait, it is worth arriving early enough to eat before clearing security in T2.

Lounges

Both terminals have airline lounges for business class passengers and Priority Pass holders. In Terminal 2, the China Eastern Lounge is the largest and most well-appointed. Third-party lounge options are limited compared to Pudong, so travellers without premium status should not expect comfortable paid alternatives to the main departures hall.

Wi-Fi and Connectivity

Free Wi-Fi is available throughout both terminals. Speeds are reliable in T2 and functional in T1. As elsewhere in mainland China, a VPN is required to access Google services, WhatsApp, Instagram, and most Western platforms — ensure yours is configured and tested before you board in your home country, as downloading VPN apps is blocked on Chinese app stores.

Currency and Payments

ATMs dispensing Chinese yuan (RMB) are available throughout both terminals. In-terminal shops and food outlets overwhelmingly prefer mobile payments — WeChat Pay and Alipay — over cash or international cards. International visitors who have not set up a linked Chinese payment account should carry ¥200–500 in cash for incidentals.

Expert Tips for Shanghai Hongqiao Airport

• Confirm your terminal before leaving: Check your boarding pass or airline app for T1 vs T2. The shuttle between terminals takes 10–15 minutes and there is no internal connection. Getting this wrong is the most common traveller mistake at Hongqiao.
• Allow 90 minutes for domestic check-in: Hongqiao is one of China's busiest domestic hubs. Security queues, especially on Friday evenings and Sunday nights, can stretch to 30–40 minutes. Arrive 90 minutes before departure as a minimum.
• Use the metro over taxis: At peak hours, road traffic west of central Shanghai can be severe. Metro Line 2 is immune to traffic and runs every 4–6 minutes. Unless your hotel is far from a metro stop, the subway is almost always faster and significantly cheaper.
• Buy high-speed rail tickets in advance: For popular routes such as Shanghai to Beijing or Shanghai to Hangzhou, G-train seats sell out days in advance, especially on Friday and Sunday. Book via the 12306 app or Trip.com before your travel date.
• Set up a VPN before entering China: All major Western internet services are inaccessible in mainland China. Download, install, and test your VPN before you land. Once you are on Chinese soil, downloading VPN apps from foreign app stores is blocked.
• The Hongqiao hub is enormous: Hongqiao Airport, Hongqiao Railway Station, and the surrounding transport interchange cover an area of roughly 86 square kilometres. If you are making a rail-to-flight or flight-to-rail connection, budget at least 45 minutes for the transfer even if the map makes them look adjacent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Hongqiao Airport have international flights?

Yes, but in limited numbers. The majority of Hongqiao's traffic is domestic. A small number of regional international routes operate — primarily to Japan, South Korea, and nearby Asian destinations — but for most international arrivals, Pudong International Airport (PVG) is the correct airport.

How long does it take to get from Hongqiao Airport to The Bund?

By Metro Line 2, approximately 35–45 minutes to Nanjing East Road Station (the closest stop to The Bund), depending on your terminal. By taxi or DiDi in light traffic, 25–35 minutes. In peak hour traffic, the taxi journey can exceed 60 minutes — always take the metro when time matters.

Can I travel directly between Hongqiao and Pudong airports?

Yes. Metro Line 2 runs the full length of the cross-city route, connecting Hongqiao Airport 2 Station to Pudong International Airport Station in approximately 80–90 minutes. This is the cheapest option. Airport shuttle buses also make the cross-airport journey in around 75 minutes for approximately ¥30.

Is there luggage storage at Hongqiao Airport?

Yes — luggage storage facilities are available in both terminals, operated by third-party providers. Rates are typically ¥25–50 per item per day depending on size. Storage desks are located in the arrivals halls and in the main concourses.

What airlines operate from Hongqiao?

China Eastern Airlines and its subsidiary Shanghai Airlines are the dominant carriers, accounting for the majority of seat capacity. Air China, China Southern, Spring Airlines, Juneyao Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, and Xiamen Air also operate significant schedules from Hongqiao.

Guide for International Travellers at Hongqiao Airport

Although Hongqiao handles far fewer international routes than Pudong, a growing number of overseas visitors pass through it — either arriving on one of its regional Asian services or connecting onward by high-speed rail after landing at Pudong. This section covers everything an international traveller needs to know to navigate Hongqiao confidently.

Which International Flights Use Hongqiao?

Hongqiao’s international operations are intentionally limited — the airport’s runway capacity and slot constraints prioritise the high-frequency domestic network. That said, a meaningful number of short-haul international routes do operate, primarily to East and Southeast Asian cities within a four-hour flight radius. Airlines currently serving international routes from Hongqiao include China Eastern, All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan Airlines (JAL), Korean Air, Asiana, and several budget carriers serving routes to Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and selected Southeast Asian destinations. Always verify your specific flight’s terminal on your booking confirmation, as international allocations can change seasonally.

Immigration and Customs: What to Expect

Hongqiao’s international arrivals hall is compact by the standards of a major city airport, which is both a drawback and an advantage: queues at immigration can build quickly during peak arrival banks, but the facility is easy to navigate. Here is what to expect step by step.

Step-by-Step Arrival Process

• Health Declaration (if required): China may require inbound travellers to complete a health declaration via the “CFDA” or customs declaration app depending on current policy. Check the Chinese Embassy website for your country before departure.
• Immigration (Entry-Exit Inspection): Present your passport and visa (or relevant permit). Foreign nationals are fingerprinted on arrival. Holders of the 144-hour transit visa exemption must declare this at the immigration counter. Budget 20–40 minutes during busy arrival periods.
• Baggage Claim: Carousels are clearly signposted. The international baggage hall is smaller than Pudong’s, so bags typically appear within 15–20 minutes of landing.
• Customs Declaration: Declare cash over USD 5,000 (or equivalent), restricted goods, or commercial quantities of goods. Green channel (nothing to declare) or Red channel (items to declare). Random bag checks occur.

Visa and Entry Requirements

China’s visa policy has evolved significantly in recent years, with new exemptions and transit arrangements making short visits easier than ever for many nationalities. Key entry frameworks relevant to Hongqiao arrivals include:

Money, SIM Cards, and Staying Connected

Currency and Payments

China’s currency is the Chinese Yuan Renminbi (CNY / RMB, symbol: ¥). ATMs in the arrivals hall dispense RMB and accept major international cards (Visa, Mastercard). The exchange desk in Terminal 2 arrivals offers competitive rates for USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, and KRW. China’s retail economy has shifted decisively to mobile payments: WeChat Pay and Alipay now dominate. International visitors can link a foreign Visa or Mastercard to both apps — set this up before arriving to ensure smooth purchases at shops, restaurants, and market stalls. Without mobile payments, many smaller vendors will be unable to accept your money at all.

SIM Cards and Internet Access

SIM card counters from China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom are located in the Terminal 2 arrivals hall. Tourist SIM packages offer data (typically 10–30 GB) for 7–30 days at around ¥50–150. You will need to show your passport to register. Alternatively, a portable Wi-Fi device (“pocket Wi-Fi”) can be pre-ordered online for collection at the airport. Note that all domestic Chinese SIMs are subject to the Great Firewall — Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, and most Western services remain blocked. A pre-configured VPN is essential if you rely on any of these services. International roaming on a foreign SIM may bypass the firewall, depending on your carrier’s routing — check with your provider before travel.

Top Tips Specifically for International Travellers

• Check whether Hongqiao is really your airport: If you are arriving on a long-haul international flight, you are almost certainly landing at Pudong (PVG), not Hongqiao (SHA). Double-check the IATA code on your booking. SHA = Hongqiao; PVG = Pudong.
• Register your passport at check-in, not just immigration: Chinese law requires foreigners to register their accommodation within 24 hours of arrival. Hotels do this automatically. If staying with friends or in a rented apartment, you must register at the nearest police station (派出所).
• Save key addresses in Chinese characters: Taxi and DiDi drivers outside the airport frequently cannot read romanised addresses. Save your hotel name and address in Chinese (中文) on your phone before departure — your hotel’s booking confirmation or website should have this.
• Download offline maps before landing: Google Maps is blocked in China. Download Apple Maps or Baidu Maps offline tiles before your flight. Apple Maps works reasonably well in Shanghai; Baidu Maps is more accurate but is entirely in Chinese.
• Use the 144-hour exemption strategically: If eligible, the 144-hour visa-free transit allows a meaningful visit to Shanghai without a pre-arranged visa. You may not leave the designated administrative region (Shanghai municipality in this case) during the exemption period.
• Translation app is your best friend: English signage in the airport is good, but outside in taxis and restaurants, it drops sharply. Download Google Translate (or Microsoft Translator as a Google-free alternative) with offline Chinese language packs. The camera translate function handles menus, signs, and tickets seamlessly.

Departing Internationally from Hongqiao

If you are departing Hongqiao on an international flight, allow at least 2.5 to 3 hours before your scheduled departure. International departures involve additional security screening and a separate international departures hall. Duty-free shopping is available post-security in Terminal 2. Tax refunds (VAT refunds) for purchases made in China can be processed at the customs declaration counter before check-in — retain your original receipts and have the purchased goods accessible for inspection. The refund is processed back to your credit card or as cash in RMB.

Conclusion: Why Hongqiao Is the Smart Domestic Choice

For most travellers flying within China, Shanghai Hongqiao Airport is the smarter, more convenient choice. Its proximity to the city centre, direct metro connections, and integration with the national high-speed rail network make it a genuinely multimodal hub — not just an airport, but the gateway to an entire network of fast domestic transport.

The key to a smooth Hongqiao experience is preparation: confirm your terminal, book your rail connections in advance, set up mobile payments before you land, and give yourself more time than you think you need for security queues. Do those four things, and one of Asia's busiest domestic airports becomes one of its easiest.