We recommend at least 1½ hours for a comfortable connection at Shanghai Pudong International. The minimum connection time is 45 minutes for domestic flights and 120 minutes for international flights. Transit between terminals takes up to 30 minutes.

Domestic-to-Domestic: 45 min. Domestic-to-International: 90 min. International-to-Domestic: 90 min. International-to-International: 120 min. These are the shortest layovers airlines will sell at Shanghai Pudong International.

PVG splits operations across two conventional terminals plus a large satellite concourse, linked by an automated people mover, which makes physical transfers straightforward but connections are complicated by China's immigration and customs rules. International-to-international transfers, unless covered by the 144-hour visa-free transit program, generally require a full entry-exit process rather than a sterile transit corridor, adding significant time. An automated people mover connects Terminal 1, Terminal 2, and the Satellite Terminal, with the ride itself taking 5-8 minutes but total transfer time stretching to 20-30 minutes with walking and queuing. International arrivals almost always require immigration and customs clearance before reaching any connecting flight, domestic or international, unless the passenger qualifies for and pre-arranges the 144-hour visa-free transit, in which case a separate transit desk and security recheck still apply.

Still insufficient even for the fastest domestic-domestic connection in the same terminal. See full 30 min guide →

Matches the domestic-domestic MCT exactly, workable only if both flights are in the same terminal with no delays. See full 45 min guide →

Solid domestic-domestic connection, though domestic-international transfers with a terminal change stay tight. See full 1 hr guide →

Workable for domestic-international in the same terminal, but international-domestic or international-international remain risky. See full 1¼ hr guide →

Meets the MCT for domestic-international and international-domestic transfers, including immigration processing time. See full 1½ hr guide →

Matches the international-international MCT, adequate if immigration and security lines move normally. See full 2 hr guide →

Comfortable margin even for international-international transfers with customs and a terminal change. See full 2½ hr guide →

Ample time for any connection type, including slower immigration processing during peak banks. See full 3 hr guide →

Well beyond any realistic transfer need, even allowing for visa or documentation issues. See full 4 hr guide →