Landing at Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) is easier when you know what comes next: follow the arrivals signs, complete the required entry checks, collect your luggage, pass through customs, and find your transport into the city. Our Shanghai Specials video follows that journey through to meeting a prebooked driver and leaving for the hotel.
This guide turns the short walkthrough into a practical arrival checklist. It focuses on passengers entering China and staying in Shanghai; if you are connecting to another flight, follow your airline’s transfer instructions instead.
Shanghai Pudong Airport arrivals: the main steps
| Stage | What to do |
|---|---|
| Before landing | Save your hotel address, transfer details, and required travel documents. |
| Arrival corridor | Follow signs for arrivals and immigration, completing any directed checks. |
| Immigration | Have your passport and required entry information ready. |
| Baggage reclaim | Find the carousel for your flight and collect your bags. |
| Customs and exit | Follow the appropriate customs channel, then enter the public arrivals area. |
| Onward transport | Meet your booked driver or follow signs for your chosen transport. |
Immigration and customs are separate steps. For example, Air China’s Pudong arrival guide places passport control before baggage collection and customs after baggage collection. Follow the signs and staff instructions for your terminal rather than relying on a particular escalator or elevator shown in a video.
1. Prepare your arrival information
Before you fly, keep your hotel’s name and address, flight number, and any transfer booking accessible on your phone. Save a copy you can open without internet access. If you have arranged a pickup, check the terminal, meeting point, contact method, and waiting-time terms in the confirmation.
If you are required to complete an immigration arrival card, you can use the National Immigration Administration’s official online arrival-card service before traveling. The NIA confirms that the service is free; paper cards and on-site options remain available for travelers who cannot complete it online beforehand. See its official arrival-card guidance for the available channels.
2. Follow signs to custom check
After leaving the aircraft, follow the arrivals route. Walking through the terminal and passing self-service kiosks. Use passport or fingerprint machines if directed by airport staff, then continue to the appropriate custom queue.
Keep your documents close to hand and follow the instructions relevant to your journey.
3. Collect your luggage and clear customs
After passing the custom, check the baggage displays for your flight number and carousel. Match the bag to your luggage tag before leaving. If a bag is missing or damaged, speak to the relevant baggage-service desk before continuing out.
Don’t forget to message your driver while waiting for your bags if you booked a driver to pick you up. A short update—“I’m at baggage reclaim” or “I have my luggage now”—helps you coordinate without guessing when you will reach the meeting point.
Once you have your luggage, follow the customs signs and use the appropriate channel. Then continue into the public arrivals area.
4. Meet your driver at Shanghai Pudong Airport
A prebooked pickup can simplify the last part of the journey, especially when you are tired or carrying several bags. Kiwitaxi is the very choice for foreign travellers to transit from airport to city.
After booking kiwitaxi, you will meet the driver after exiting the arrivals process, and the driver helps with the luggage on the way to the car.
Click here to book a your private transfer
Use the meeting instructions in your own booking. Do not assume every driver waits at the same door or holds the same type of sign. Confirm the name or booking reference before leaving together, and contact the provider if you cannot find your driver.
- Check your arrival terminal against the pickup confirmation.
- Keep the driver’s contact details available offline.
- Tell the provider about flight changes and significant delays.
- Confirm luggage capacity and any child-seat requirements when booking.
- Have your hotel address ready, preferably in Chinese as well as English.
For more context on the options, read our Shanghai taxi service and private-transfer guide.
Other ways to get from Pudong Airport to your hotel
The pickup shown in the video is one option. The best choice for your trip depends on your destination, luggage, arrival time, and how much walking or changing trains you want to do.
- Metro Line 2: the airport’s official Metro information confirms that it serves Pudong Terminals 1 and 2. Check your hotel’s nearest station and the current service times.
- Airport Link Line: this is a separate rail service worth checking if you are heading toward Hongqiao. Use the airport’s official Airport Link Line information to plan your route.
- Taxi or booked transfer: follow airport transport signs or your provider’s pickup instructions, and confirm how the fare and any waiting charges are calculated.
Compare the options in our Shanghai airport-to-city transfer guide. If you plan to travel by rail, our Shanghai subway map guide can help you plan the rest of your journey. Check current operator information for fares and schedules.
Shanghai Pudong Airport FAQs
Can I fill in my arrival card before landing?
Yes, travelers who need an arrival card can submit it through the official NIA online service before traveling. This also avoids depending on an airport Wi-Fi connection to complete the form.
Where will my airport pickup driver meet me?
Check your booking confirmation for the exact terminal and meeting point. The video shows a meeting in the public arrivals area after baggage collection and customs, but individual pickup arrangements vary.
How long does it take to leave the airport?
There is no reliable single time for every arrival. Walking distance, entry checks, queues, and baggage delivery all affect the journey. When arranging a pickup, check how the provider handles delays rather than assuming you will reach the exit a fixed number of minutes after landing.
Do I need to book a private transfer?
No. You can compare rail and taxi options with a prebooked pickup. Choose based on your hotel location and arrival circumstances, not just the transport shown in the video.
Watch the airport walkthrough
Once you are settled at your hotel, use our guide to things to do in Shanghai to plan your first day.