The rules matter more than the sights. China’s 24-hour transit rule keeps you inside the port’s restricted area unless the port’s immigration authority gives you a temporary entry permit. The 240-hour scheme covers 57 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia, and needs an onward ticket to a third country or region.
Tell us your flight times and passport. We tell you whether the plan works before you pay anything, and we build in the time for immigration at both ends.
Sunset over the Bund, Shanghai · David Zhang from Canada, CC BY-SA 2.0Shanghai maglev train at the platform · kallerna, CC BY-SA 4.0A high-speed train at Shanghai Hongqiao railway station · Ermell, CC BY-SA 4.0Highlights
Moments to look forward to
The Bund
Skyline view
Timed return to the airport
Itinerary
Your day, unhurried
一Arrival
Meet at arrivals
Your driver waits after immigration. We track your flight.
PlanYour driver waits after immigration with a sign, and we track your flight. If it is late we adjust the start. You need to have your entry route confirmed before you book: see our visa and 240-hour transit pages.
二Midday
Drive to the Bund
About 30 km from Pudong or 13 km from Hongqiao. The drive time depends on traffic, so we confirm it for your hour.
PlanThe drive is about 30 km from Pudong or 13 km from Hongqiao, according to Wikipedia. The time depends on traffic, so we confirm it for your hour.
三Afternoon
The Bund and lunch
A walk along the 1.6 km riverfront and a quick lunch.
SeeThe Bund, a 1.6 km riverfront of 52 buildings. The HSBC building was completed in 1923 and the Customs House in 1927. Across the Huangpu stand the Lujiazui towers, including the 632 m Shanghai Tower.
PlanYour guide walks the promenade with you and tells you which building is which. We time the walk for the light you want: late afternoon for the glow on the old buildings, dusk for the Pudong skyline lit up.
四Return
Back to the airport
A fixed leave-by time so you reach check-in with margin.
PlanA fixed leave-by time, agreed in advance, so that you reach check-in with margin. We keep a buffer for traffic and your airline’s check-in close.
Included
Private air-conditioned vehicle with driver
English-speaking guide
Hotel pick-up and drop-off
Parking and road tolls
Bottled water
Not included
Entry tickets
Meals
Gratuities
Make it extraordinary
Private upgrades
珍Yu Garden instead of the Bund
珍Luggage handling arrangements (we check what is available)
Each tip names the page it comes from. These are published facts, not our own trip reports, and they can change; we re-check them before your date.
Pudong airport is about 30 km from downtown. By taxi the government page estimates around 180 yuan and about 50 minutes; by Metro Line 2 about 7 yuan and about one hour to People’s Square (updated 4 June 2026, source Shanghai Airport Authority). With a private driver you skip the queue and the transfers. Shanghai government, Getting to and from the airports
The maglev runs from Pudong Airport to Longyang Road 07:02 to 21:42, at up to 300 km/h, for 50 yuan one way (airport authority page updated 17 March 2025). It stops at Longyang Road, where you change to Metro Line 2. Shanghai Airport Authority, Maglev
The Airport Link Line connects Hongqiao and Pudong airports in about 40 minutes, per the Shanghai government metro page updated 29 June 2026. Shanghai government, Metro fares and payment
The metro accepts contactless UnionPay, Visa and Mastercard cards at the gate, and fares start at 3 yuan for trips up to 6 km (government page updated 29 June 2026). A fare rise was proposed in August 2026 and we have not found the outcome, so check the current fare. Shanghai government, Metro fares and payment
Choosing between tours
How this differs from similar tours
Airport Transfer + Highlights: For arrivals who are staying: a transfer to your hotel with one sightseeing stop, 3 to 5 hours.
Shanghai Private City Tour: If you have a full day and not a layover: museum, Yu Garden and the Bund, about 8 hours.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Shanghai Layover Tour cost?
From US$220 per private group of up to 2 travellers, with driver, guide and vehicle (estimate). Entry tickets and meals are extra. We confirm the final price in writing within 12 hours.
How long a layover do I need for a Shanghai tour?
Our layover tour is built for 6 to 10 hours. Pudong airport is about 30 km east of the city centre, according to Wikipedia, so with much less than 6 hours between landing and your next check-in the drive alone leaves too little time on the ground. We plan a firm leave-by time and keep a buffer for traffic.
Can I leave the airport on a layover?
It depends on your nationality and onward ticket. The 240-hour scheme covers 57 countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia, and needs a ticket onward to a third country. See our 240-hour transit page for the current list and the source, and confirm with your airline before you book.
Can I leave the airport on a layover in Shanghai?
It depends. The NIA page of 20 August 2026 says 57 countries can use 240-hour visa-free transit with an onward ticket to a third country or region, and travellers of all other nationalities can transit for up to 24 hours inside the port’s restricted area.
How far are the airports from the Bund?
Wikipedia puts Pudong about 30 km east of the city centre and Hongqiao 13 km west of downtown.
Sources for the facts on this page
The places and figures named here were read from these pages on 2026-11-09. The route, timing and inclusions are our own plan.
