Shanghai International Airports: A Guide for Travelers
Shanghai is one of the most populous and prosperous cities in China, and a major hub for trade, tourism, and culture. Shanghai has two international airports: Pudong and Hongqiao International Airport. Both airports offer convenient transportation links to the city center, as well as domestic and regional flights to other destinations in China and Asia. In this article, we will introduce the features, facilities, and services of these two airports, and help you choose the best one for your travel needs.To get more news about
international airports in shanghai, you can citynewsservice.cn official website.
Pudong International Airport
Pudong International Airport (IATA: PVG, ICAO: ZSPD) is located about 30 kilometers east of the city center, adjacent to the coastline in eastern Pudong. It is the main hub for China Eastern Airlines and Shanghai Airlines, and a major international hub for Air China, as well as a secondary hub for China Southern Airlines. It is also the hub for privately owned Juneyao Airlines and Spring Airlines, and an Asia-Pacific cargo hub for FedEx, UPS 1 and DHL. The DHL hub, opened in July 2012, is reportedly the largest express hub in Asia 2.
Pudong Airport has two main passenger terminals, flanked on both sides by four operational parallel runways 3. A third passenger terminal was opened in 2021, in addition to a satellite terminal and two additional runways, which will raise its annual capacity from 60 million passengers to 80 million 4. Pudong Airport is a fast-growing hub for both passenger and cargo traffic. With 3.7 million metric tons handled in 2017, the airport is the world’s third-busiest airport by cargo traffic 5.
Pudong Airport offers a wide range of services and facilities for travelers, such as:
Hongqiao International Airport (IATA: HQQ) is located about 15 kilometers south of the city center, near the Hongqiao Industrial Zone. It mainly serves domestic and regional flights to other cities in China’s Yangtze River Delta region 6. It also connects with some international flights to Southeast Asia via Kunming or Chengdu 7.
Hongqiao Airport has one main passenger terminal with two parallel runways [8]. It also has a satellite terminal that can handle up to 10 million passengers per year [9]. Hongqiao Airport offers some services and facilities for travelers, such as:
How to Choose Between Pudong and Hongqiao?
The choice between Pudong and Hongqiao depends on several factors, such as:
Your origin city or destination city: If you are flying from or to Shanghai or other major cities in East Asia or Southeast Asia via Kunming or Chengdu , you may prefer Pudong; if you are flying from or to other cities in China’s Yangtze River Delta region , you may prefer Hongqiao.
Your flight schedule: If you have a direct flight from or to Shanghai , you may prefer either airport; if you have an indirect flight via Kunming or Chengdu , you may prefer Pudong; if you have an indirect flight via other cities in East Asia or Southeast Asia , you may prefer Hongqiao.
Your budget: If you want to save money on transportation costs , parking fees , or baggage fees , you may prefer either airport; if you want to enjoy more convenience , comfort , or luxury , you may prefer Pudong.
Your preference: If you like modern architecture , spacious terminals , multiple runways , or high-speed trains , you may prefer Pudong; if you like traditional design , cozy terminals , fewer runways , or low-speed trains , you may prefer Hongqiao.
In conclusion, both Pudong International Airport and Hongqiao International Airport are well-connected airports that serve different purposes and markets. Depending on your travel needs and preferences , you can choose either airport for your arrival or departure from Shanghai . We hope this article has helped you make an informed decision.
