Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) and Flights

Know about Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport

Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) is a really historic airport that could be dated back to 1921. For its long time service and healthy development, Shanghai Hongqiao Airport provides very high standard experience for passengers from more than 200 domestic and over 150 international cities and regions. Also, in 2015, it is regarded as the 31st of all the top 100 world airports by the international organization - Skytrax.

From January 30, 2016, the 144-hour visa-free transit policy began to be implemented so that air travelers from the specific 51 countries with valid documents can enter Shanghai from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, and visit Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Nanjing and other cities in Zhejiang and Jiangsu within 144 hours without a visa.

Flights to Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport

1. International (Regional) Flights

Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport as Shanghai’s major airport serving most domestic flights also works for some flights to and from international cities and regions in Asia like Hong Kong, Macau, Taipei, Seoul, Tokyo, etc.

2. Domestic Flights

Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport also operates massive flights between Shanghai and over 200 cities in China, which offers great convenience for you to enjoy a time-efficient transfer with huge comfort for discovering China’s diverse splendors.

Major air-connected Chinese cities with Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport include: Beijing, Xian, Guangzhou, Changsha, Chengdu, Guilin, Kunming, Lijiang, Guiyang, Lhasa, Chongqing, Wuhan, Zhengzhou, Jinan, Luoyang, Jingdezhen, Lanzhou, Jiayuguan, Xishuangbanna, Qingdao, Shenzhen, Taiyuan, Hohhot, Urumqi, Sanya, Haikou, Tianjin, Xiamen, Fuzhou, Wuyishan, etc.

Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport Terminals

Shanghai Hongqiao Airport now has two terminals, namely Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.

Terminal 1 is mainly used for domestic flights of Spring Airlines, and international (regional) flights of other airline companies.

Terminal 2 copes with all other domestic flights except that of the Spring Airlines. Whether you fly for arrival or departure, better check the right terminal to go!

Flight Landing at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport

Location & Transfer of Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport

Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport is situated in Changning District, about 20 km west to the city center, which takes about 30 minutes’ drive. Passenger can get to the airport from downtown and other attractions in Shanghai by various kinds of transportation ways.

By China Discovery’s Private Transfer (Most Recommended)

If it’s the first time you visit Shanghai or you want to enjoy a worry-free transfer without communication concerns, private transfer service offered by us is your best option. We will pick you up, directly send you to your hotel in downtown or places you want to visit in Shanghai, or drop you off by a clean, comfortable, licensed non-smoking private vehicle.

We will hold the pick-up card so that you can see us easily when you come out in the arrival hall. And for your departure, we will take you in advance to the airport departure area after your trip ends. All kinds of services are provided to make your trip smooth and relax and let you have more time and strength for the wonderful attractions and fun, while public traffic with many luggage maybe time-wasting and inconvenient for you.

Check more about How to Transer from Shanghai Hongqiao Airport to Shanghai City Center >>

China Discovery' Worry-free Private Transfer

By Shanghai Metro

Both Shanghai Metro Line 2 and Line 10 get to Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport. If you are in or near Hongqiao Railway Station, Zhongshan Park, Jing’an Temple, West Nanjing Road, People’s Square, Lujiazui, Pudong International Airport, Longyang Road, etc, you can take Shanghai Metro Line 2 between about 06:00 am and 11:00 pm. If you are in East Nanjing Road, Yu Garden, Xintiandi, Shanghai Zoo, Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station, you can take Shanghai Metro Line 10 to the airport.

▶ Read more about Shanghai Metro Lines

By Airport Shuttle Bus

There are free shuttle bus running between T1 and T2 of Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport. Also, you can take airport shuttle bus to the city center area.

By City Taxi

Both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 in Hongqiao Airport have taxis to serve passengers. You can take taxi at the arrival floor of Terminal 1 and south side of Gate 4 of arrival floor of Terminal 2 to any places in Shanghai. Taxi are metered and it charges higher at night than during the day.

By City Bus

There are many city bus lines commuting between Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport and downtown Shanghai and other transport hubs. For example, you can take city bus to Shanghai Pudong International Airport, Shanghai Railway Station, Lujiazui and so forth.

By Long-distance Coach (to nearby destinations)

Just about 1 km from Terminal 2 of Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, Shanghai West Bus Passenger Station runs long-distance coaches to surrounding cities, such as Suzhou, Nanjing, Wuxi, Yangzhou... in Jiangsu Province, and Hangzhou, Mount Putuo, Ningbo, Yiwu and Wenzhou and other cities in Zhejiang Province.

Note: The above information about Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport transportation is only for your reference. If you have any questions about the transportation in Hongqiao Airport, please contact our Travel Consultant!

More Useful Tips for Taking Flights to/off Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport

1. Departure Procedure

Domestic Departures

• Check-in: find check-in counter via flight information display system or terminal guide sign;
• Security-check: Please prepare your boarding pass, valid certificate for security check;
• Boarding: after security check, you can go to the corresponding lounge in accordance with the boarding gate indicated in your boarding pass.

International Departures

• Check-in: find check-in counter via flight information display system or terminal guide sign;
• Inspection & Quarantine
• Customs
• Immigration Inspection
• Security Check: Please prepare your boarding pass, valid certificate for security check;
• Boarding: after security check, you can go to the corresponding lounge in accordance with the boarding gate indicated in your boarding pass.

2. Arrival Procedure

Domestic Arrivals

Gate Arrival – Domestic Arrival Access – Luggage Claim – Arrival Hall

International Arrivals

Gate Arrival – International Arrival Access – Inspection & Quarantine –Immigration – Luggage Claim – Customs – Arrival Hall

3. Check-in Time

The check-in time of domestic flight is usually closed 45 minutes before the departure time, and 30-40 minutes for most international flights. It is recommended to arrive at the airport in advance for about 2 hours.

Note: To board on the flight smoothly, it is suggested make sure about the airline and terminal of your flight while booking and reach the airport in advance to get your flight ticket and check in.

4. Luggage Restriction

Domestic Flights

First Class passengers can have 2 pieces of carry-on luggage, and Business Class and Economy Class passengers with only 1 piece. Every piece of luggage shall be no more than 20*40*55 cm and the total weight shall be under 5 kg.

International Flights

Usually, every piece of carry-on luggage shall be no more than 20*40*55 cm and the total weight shall be under 7 kg.

Click to See Diagram for T1 Departure - Area A

Click to See Diagram for T2 Departure

Click to See Diagram for T1 Arrival - Area B

Different airlines have slight differences in the regulation of baggage allowance, and there are also difference between the domestic flight and international flight. For more details, you can check the Baggage Allowance for Entry & Exit China and What to Pack for China Travel!

How to Plan a Shanghai Tour

Best known as an international popular tourist destination, Shanghai perfectly preserves mixed culture of the western and eastern. The duration and theme of your Shanghai tour can be flexibly arranged based on your time and interests. Usually, tourists spend 2 days on sightseeing the most famous landmarks, including the Bund, Yu Garden, skyscrapers like Shanghai Tower, World Financial Center, Wukang Road, Shanghai Museum, etc. With one extra day, you can enjoy family fun in Disneyland Park or visit Zhujiajiao Water Town in the suburb. Don't miss the Shanghai Maglev Train, wonderful nightlife and Shanghai Cuisine.

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Travel Shanghai with Hangzhou Suzhou, More Nearby Destinations

Convenient transportation makes it quite efficient and popular to make day trips from Shanghai to Hangzhou, Suzhou, and longer vacation in Huangshan Mountain, Nanjing, Mount Jiuhua and other places in surrounding areas. So you can visit West Lake and learn Chinese tea culture in Hangzhou, marvel at tasteful classical gardens and witness Chinese silk productive process. Splendid rocky mountains with exotic pine trees are highlights in Huangshan Mountain.

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Travel Shanghai with Beijing, Xian & More China Destinations

Beijing Xian Shanghai are golden triangle cities often visited together for a week holiday. You can use 3 days to visit the Great Wall and major iconic spots like Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven in Beijing, and leave 2 days for fulfilling your Terracotta Warriors tour in Xian. With more time, you can extend the trip from Shanghai to Zhangjiajie, Guilin, Chengdu, Yunnan, Silk Road, Tibet and more phenomenal destinations to enrich your China discovery. (more top China tours from Shanghai >>)

✔ 6 Days Beijing Shanghai Tour by High Speed Train
✔ 8 Days Best of China Tour (Beijing/Xian/Shanghai)
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Click to Check Our Customers' Shanghai Travel Photos>

Travel with China Discovery

As a leading travel agency in China which dedicates to offering high-quality China tours, China Discovery has helped thousands of travelers enjoy their trips to Shanghai, Beijing, Xian, etc., in China. Travel with us, you can enjoy worry-free tour services as well as well-organized itineraries, even our assistance of Chinese Visa application, convenient airport/train station pick-up & drop-off and transfer between all scenic spots, knowledgeable tour guide, safe & licensed private vehicle, satisfactory accommodation and dining and so on. You are free to choose from our most popular Shanghai tour packages or contact us to design a memorable holiday in Shanghai, China.

Questions & Discussions

Following are latest questions and answers from our webusers and customers. You can learn many useful information from the discussion and cases. You can also join in the discussions or ask your own question. Our experts will help you ASAP.

Jacqueline Jiménez

Airport to Airport

Hi! I have a flight connection in Shanghai, first of all i have to move from Pudong airport to Hongqiao, so ¿Whats the best option to get to Hongqiao airport for someone who doesnt speak chinese at all if I only have 5 hours?, my second question is ¿How do i know to which terminal i have to go? I saw the picture from above, but the airline that im flying with, is in both terminals (China eastern).
Thank you very much!

2018-12-21 01:43

Hello Jacqueline,

Thank you for the message! From Shanghai Pudong International Airport to Shanghai Hongqing International Airport, you can transfer by the convenient metro system very easily, since there are many signs and directions both in English and Chinese to guide you. You just need to take the extension section of Metro Line 2 (二号线; To Guanglan Road广兰路) from Pudong International Airport (浦东国际机场) to Guanglan Road Stop (广兰路), and then transfer to Metro Line 2 (To East Xujing徐泾东) from Guanglan Road to Hongqiao Airport Terminal 2 Stop (虹桥2号航站楼). The whole transfer by metro needs about 1 hour and 40 minutes. And in fact, both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 of Hongqiao Airport serve for flights of China Eastern Air, so we suggest you confirm your flight number and destination to know the exact terminal to go to.

Wish you a wonderful day!

Carrie at China Discovery 2018-12-21 10:27