Pudong Airport Terminals Explained: T1, T2, the S1 and S2 Satellites and How to Move Between Them

Pudong is two parallel terminals with a shared central area between them, plus an H-shaped satellite concourse to the south that opened in 2019 and became the largest single satellite building in the world. Understanding the layout matters for two reasons: it decides how long a transfer takes, and it decides which hotel is on your side of the airport.

Terminal 1 and Terminal 2

Terminal 1 (opened 1999) and Terminal 2 (opened 2008) face each other across the central area that holds the metro, Maglev and Airport Link Line station, car parks P1 and P2 and the bus stands. China Eastern, Shanghai Airlines and most SkyTeam airlines use T1; Air China, most Star Alliance and oneworld carriers and many foreign airlines use T2. Departures are on Level 3 of each terminal, arrivals on Level 2 with the arrivals halls opening onto the taxi ranks and bus stands at ground level.

Walking between the terminals takes 10 to 15 minutes through the covered walkways, with the station roughly halfway. A free inter-terminal bus runs about every 10 minutes from outside the departures level for those with heavy luggage.

The S1 and S2 satellites

The satellite concourse is 7.8 km of underground track from the main terminals: S1 serves T1 and S2 serves T2, linked by an automated people mover that runs every few minutes and takes about two and a half minutes. Check-in, bag drop, security and immigration all happen in the main terminal; you ride to the satellite only if your gate is there, which the departure boards show as gates H (S1, domestic and international) or G (S2, international). Allow an extra 20 minutes to a satellite gate, and note that the train does not run the other way for landside access: arriving passengers ride back to the main terminal for immigration and baggage.

Both satellites have lounges, including the No. 170 lounge in S2 on Priority Pass, and free rest zones near Gates H105 and G148; see our sleeping at Pudong Airport guide.

Transfers between flights

Same-airline or same-terminal international transfers use the transfer counters and security in T1 or T2 without leaving the airside area. A change of terminal on an international-to-international connection means immigration, the walk or bus to the other terminal, and check-in again, so allow three hours; the 24-hour visa-free transit rule covers it for most nationalities. Domestic legs always require entry into China and a landside transfer. Our visa-free transit guide explains the rules.

Which hotel for which terminal

The Aerotel Shanghai is inside T2 on Levels 6 and 7, behind check-in counter G, and a 15-minute walk from T1 arrivals. The Dazhong Airport Hotel and Holiday Inn Shanghai Pudong Airport on Yingbin Avenue are between the terminals, six to ten minutes from either. The shuttle hotels pick up at both terminals from fixed points, listed in our hotel shuttles guide, for example the Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Shanghai Pudong Airport opposite arrivals hall Gate 9 at T1 and at arrivals hall Gate 27 at T2.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 at Pudong?

Walk through the covered central walkways, about 10 to 15 minutes, past the metro and Maglev station; or take the free inter-terminal bus outside the departures level, about every 10 minutes.

What are S1 and S2 at Pudong Airport?

The two halves of the satellite concourse south of the main terminals, opened in 2019. Flights that board there are reached by an underground automated people mover from T1 (to S1) or T2 (to S2), a ride of about two and a half minutes; check-in stays in the main terminal.

Which terminal do China Eastern and Air China use?

China Eastern, Shanghai Airlines and most SkyTeam partners use Terminal 1; Air China, most Star Alliance and oneworld carriers and many other international airlines use Terminal 2. Always check your ticket, because assignments change.

Information last verified: September 7, 2026