This guide will go through the things to do near Shanghai Airport and that your Shanghai stopover won’t cost you more than 20 euros. My love affair for Shanghai goes a long way back. When I was 18, I did my exchange program in a French school in Shanghai, China. It was the first time I ever truly lived and travelled alone outside of the Philippines. I immediately fell in love with the city — with its Western and Eastern influences and the contrast of modern with traditional architecture. Many people have a misconception of what Shanghai is like but for me it’s a surprising city with great vibes and culture. It was ultimately what opened my eyes about seeing the world in a different light.
Fast-forward to 6 years later, I have completely moved out of the Philippines and started a new chapter in Europe. Hence, when I had the chance to go on a long Shanghai layover in the city which started my love for it all, I couldn’t pass up the chance. I’ll show you all the things to do near Shanghai Airport for your Shanghai stopover!
Luggage Storage in Shanghai Pudong Airport
If you have carry-on luggage that you want to get rid-off before going into the city, the Shanghai Pudong Airport has a luggage storage service available. Valid passport and flight ticket/boarding pass are required. Rates vary from 10 – 30 yuan (1.5 euros) per bag for up to 4 hours, 15 – 40 yuan per bag for 4 to 10 hours, and 20 – 45 yuan per bag for 10 to 24 hours. It’s cheap and convenient. You can find one in both arrival and departures area, terminal 1 and 2. Just check around and you’ll spot one.
How to get from Shanghai Pudong Airport to Downtown
Maglev Train - Shanghai Airport to Longyang Station (Pudong)
The Maglev is an ultra high speed train that takes you to Pudong (not exactly the city center but the business district) in around 8 minutes. It runs every 10-15 minutes from the Pudong Airport and Longyang Station. A single ride ticket cost around 50 yuan (7 USD / 6.5 EUR) with a 10 yuan discount (40 yuan) for passengers holding a receipt or proof of an airline ticket purchase. From here, you transfer to subway line 2 to get to the Bund area.
Subway - Shanghai Pudong Airport to East Nanjing Road (Bund)
The Shanghai Metro is the cheap but slower way into the city. Personally, I prefer this way. I find the subway is cheap and easy despite the extra time. If you want to get to East Nanjing Road or the Bund (where the view of the skyline is), you have to get off at Pudong either way and transfer to subway line 2. One subway ride to the city center (Pudong or East Nanjing Road, Line 2) will cost you around 5 yuan (0.5 USD / 0.3 EUR).
Where to Stay for a Shanghai Stopover
I love Captain Hostel. It’s right by the Bund and has a rooftop bar with a beautiful view of the skyline and decent alcohol prices. Their lobby also has a beautiful postal service, where you can write a letter to yourself or to be somebody to be mailed today or at some future date. The price of a bed here if you would like to nap during your layover or shower is around 70 Yuan (10 USD / 10 EUR) which is not bad considering it’s at the heart of everything.
Bufan International Hostel is really cozy, convenient and near the airport. The staff speak English and are really kind. They offer you free coffee, tea and snacks. There’s also a lot of affordable restaurants around and the cost for a bed is around 50 Yuan (7 USD/ 6.5 EUR). It’s walking distance from Chuansha Metro Station which is line 2, the same line as the airport and the city center. If you’re looking for the best nearest hostel from the Shanghai airport, then pick this place.
What to Do on a Shanghai Stopover
Check out the Pudong District
See the skyline at the Bund
This is my favorite part of Shanghai. On one side, you have a view of the Pudong skyline and on the other side, european style buildings from the French colonization. It’s the perfect backdrop of East meets West, old meets new, traditional meets modern.
Walk the streets of East Nanjing Road
Immerse yourself with the vibes of the French Concession Area
Our Final Thoughts
So that’s it! Enjoy your quick layover in Shanghai. Hopefully, this guide has been helpful in providing you with information on the things to do near Shanghai Airport for your much awaited Shanghai stopover. If you have any questions on the experience, don’t hesitate to reach out in the comments below!
That’s a cool guide. Coming to the end, I was wondering about wine bars in India, not many. And I like the idea of posting a letter to myself. I would like to try that for sure, Maybe I will just begin a travel journal.
Shanghai layover guide is very good and has lot of things to do. Shanghai has a very good metro loop from airport to Pudong station. And the Pudong skyline is awesome and hard to believe that it was a farmland 20 years ago. Bund skyline is amazing with two different styles of architecture in contrast. Shopping at East Nanjing road is a great idea and checking the vibrant vibes at the coffee shops of French Concession area would be a perfect choice.
If I had a long layover in Shanghai I would definitely like to go out and visit the city. I actually have a very good friend who is from there, and who has just been for a long 2 months back home, to see her family. It’s great to know that you can leave your carryon luggage at the airport if you want to explore the city, and that the cost is very low. I would like to explore the French Concession Area, do a bit of shopping and enjoy a meal and a drink here before getting back to the airport.
I do love scheduling long layovers and leaving the airport to explore the destination. Shanghai sounds much more accessible than I had thought, Having a coffee in the French Concession Area sounds really nice.
East Shanghai Road looks exactly how I picture Shanghai to be. I’ve never been to China even for a stopover so this is a helpful post. As someone that enjoys taking public transport, the metro sounds fun and cheap to me! The skyline at the Bund also sounds interesting. I know a bit about the past colonisation so I’m sure the European-style buildings makes a fascinating image.
It’s hard to believe that Pudong was once a traditional farm land, its such a distinct city scape. My best friend moved to Pudong when she was 16 and stayed there for 2 years before heading north then returned back to England. She was like you and really loved it for all it’s diversity. It really sparked her travel bug. I really liked Bund, I love architecture, whenever I see traditional european style architecture in a modern city, I’m just amazed that they are still standing so proud and carry the same feeling of awe for me.
We haven’t really considered Shanghai as a layover destination but it is good to know that there are many things we can do near that airport in case we decide to do so. IT would be nice to explore the streets of East Nanjing and perhaps do a little shopping.
Thank you for this amazing guide to Shanghai! I’ve heard of Shanghai history a lot and I’ve always been fascinated by it. If I get a chance, I would love to visit all the different places and culture of people in Shanghai.