Transit in Beijing and Shanghai: How to Arrange a Layover

Airport → City Center

Beijing

• Beijing Capital Airport PEK: Airport Express 25 minutes to Dongzhimen (25 RMB); airport shuttle to major hubs (16–30 RMB); taxi to city center 100–150 RMB (including highway toll).
• Daxing Airport PKX: Daxing Airport Line 19 minutes to Caoqiao (35 RMB), transfer available to Line 10 and Line 19. Farther from city center (46 km), taxi 150–200 RMB.
• Between the two airports: Subway transfer about 1.5–2 hours, taxi about 1.5 hours (200–300 RMB). Do not schedule a connection at different airports with less than 4 hours interval.

Shanghai

• Pudong Airport PVG: Maglev 8 minutes to Longyang Road (50 RMB, speed 300 km/h); Subway Line 2 about 70 minutes; taxi 150–200 RMB.
• Hongqiao Airport SHA: Subway Lines 2 and 10 direct access, 30–40 minutes to city center, most convenient.
• Between the two airports: Subway Line 2 direct about 90 minutes, or airport shuttle about 60 minutes.

Transit Visa Exemption

China implements transit visa exemption policy for citizens of certain countries (72 hours, 144 hours), applicable conditions:

• Holding a valid international travel document and a connecting ticket to a third country (region).
• Entering and exiting through designated ports, and entry and exit ports are within the same area (e.g., Beijing area, Shanghai area, Guangdong area).
• Stay time counts from 00:00 on the day following entry.

The list of applicable nationalities and ports may be adjusted, please check the latest announcement on the official website of the National Immigration Administration of China before traveling. Residents of Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau, as well as overseas Chinese, should follow their respective document regulations and are not eligible for transit visa exemption.

24-Hour Stay Plan

• Beijing 24 Hours: Morning at the Forbidden City (reservation required) → Jingshan Hill for a view → Lunch (Siji Minfu or a hutong eatery) → Afternoon at Nanluoguxiang and Shichahai → Evening at Wangfujing or Qianmen.
• Shanghai 24 Hours: Morning at the Bund and Nanjing East Road → Lunch (Old Town or French Concession) → Afternoon at Wukang Road and Tianzifang → Evening Bund night view or Yu Garden.

48–72 Hour Stay Plans

• Beijing 48 Hours: D1 - Forbidden City, Tiananmen, Jingshan, Hutongs; D2 - Great Wall (Mutianyu day trip, including cable car), Bird's Nest and Water Cube night view.
• Shanghai 48 Hours: D1 - Bund, Yu Garden, French Concession, Shanghai Museum; D2 - Zhujiajiao day trip or Suzhou day trip (25 minutes by high-speed train).
• 72 Hours: On top of the above, add another day — Beijing can add Chengde or Gubeikou; Shanghai can add Hangzhou West Lake (1 hour by high-speed train).

Practical Tips

• Transfer Time: International to international - 2 hours; International to domestic - 3 hours; Transfers across airports - 4–5 hours.
• Baggage Check-through: Connecting flights on the same booking can usually be checked through, while separate tickets require collecting and rechecking baggage; allow additional time.
• Overnight at Airport: Beijing Capital and Shanghai Pudong have pay-by-hour lounges and transit hotels; T2/T3 have 24-hour dining.
• Tax Refund: Departing tax refund must be done at the airport, allow 30–60 minutes.
• Airport Internet: Free WiFi requires verification via a Chinese phone number SMS; foreign numbers may not receive it, so it’s recommended to prepare your own internet plan.