Hongqiao has two terminals and they are not interconnected. The two buildings are located on opposite sides of the airport.
Both terminals are modern and very clear. Walking distances are a maximum of 15 minutes to the furthest departure gates.
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Which terminal?
The terminals are divided by airline and both handle domestic and international flights.
- Terminal 1 - Air China (international flights only), Air Macau, All Nippon Airways, Asiana Airlines, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, China Eastern Airlines (international flights only), EVA Air, Hebei Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Shanghai Airlines (international flights only), Spring Airlines, Xiamen Air
- Terminal 2 - Air China (international flights only), Chengdu Airlines, China Eastern Airlines (domestic flights only), China Southern Airlines, China United Airlines, Hainan Airlines, Juneyao Airlines, Lucky Air, OTT Airlines, Shandong Airlines, Shanghai Airlines (domestic flights only), Shenzhen Airlines, Tianjin Airlines, Tibet Airlines
Transfer between flights
It is very easy to transfer at Hongqiao Airport if there are two international or two domestic flights.
You have to change terminal for Air China and China Eastern Airlines when transferring from an international flight to a domestic flight or vice versa.
I don't change the terminal when changing
Intra-terminal transfers are seamless and do not have to be based in the transit area.
What checks do I go through when transferring?
Even when transferring from an international to a domestic flight, you do not have to come out completely, but after passing through immigration you will go through a special corridor through security to the departure gate area.
- International -> International: security check
- International -> domestic: immigration and security check
- Domestic -> international: immigration and security check
- Domestic -> domestic: no security check, you get off the plane directly into the departure gate area
Do I have to leave the transit zone?
If you have luggage all the way to your destination or are travelling with hand luggage only, you do not need to leave the transit area.
Do I have to collect my luggage?
If both flights are booked on the same reservation and you have less than 24 hours to transfer, you do not need to collect your baggage, even when transferring from an international to a domestic flight.
Do I need a visa for China?
You do not need to arrange a visa for China for an international transfer.
Transfer between terminals
When transferring from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2, you must always exit the building and take the free airport transit bus to the other terminal.
Shuttle buses run once every 10 minutes 24/7 (at night the interval increases to 30 minutes) and the journey between terminals takes about 15 minutes.
It is not possible to transfer between terminals on the airside.
Do I have to leave the transit zone?
Yes, you always have to transfer between terminals by bus in the public area.
Do I have to pick up my luggage?
Yes, when transferring between terminals it is usual that you have to collect your baggage and check it in again.
Transfer to Pudong Airport
If your transfer involves you moving between the two Shanghai airports, expect at least a 2 hour drive.
See the Transportation chapter for details.
Visa-free entry for transfers within 144 hours
Many airlines also offer long layovers of several days.
Shanghai-Hongqiao Airport is included in the visa-free entry programme for up to a maximum of 144 hours.
Upon arrival, before going through immigration, look for the special counter where these visa-free entries are processed.
Please note that if you transfer within 24 hours, the official may refuse to issue a visa-free entry permit and you will therefore have to spend time in the transit zone.
For transfers over 24 hours, visa-free entry permits are always issued without any problems. However, you need to present your flight ticket from China and your accommodation reservation.
