Sleeping inside or in nearby hotels at PVG Airport

  Overnight layover guide: sleeping options in the public area and the boarding area

Shanghai Pudong Airport is not designed for the comfort of passengers spending the night inside its facilities. It is well known among travellers for being cold (with strong air conditioning overnight), brightly lit, and equipped with hard seating. If you have no alternative but to stay overnight here, it is essential to come prepared with warm clothing, an eye mask, and something to block out noise (headphones or earplugs).

Where to Rest

Finding a comfortable place to sleep in the public area is difficult. Most benches are made of metal, have armrests, and are sparsely distributed. However, in the boarding area of Terminal 2 (after passing through security controls) there is a greater number of seats without armrests, making this the best option within the airport. Keep in mind that you will not be able to access this area if your flight departs very early the following day, as the security checkpoints close overnight.

The VIP lounges provide greater comfort, but none remain open overnight. Closing times are usually between 10:00 pm and 1:00 am, so they are not a suitable option for sleeping.

Nearby Hotels

Given the limited comfort for overnight stays at the airport, the most recommended option is to stay at a nearby hotel. Directly within the Terminal 2 complex (landside area) is the Aerotel Shanghai Pudong Airport Hotel, an ideal choice for long layovers or overnight stays. In addition, several nearby hotels (such as the Ramada Plaza or the Holiday Inn Express) provide complimentary airport shuttle services, making transfers easier.

Baggage

If you need to store your luggage overnight, please note that the left luggage service only operates from 6:00 am to 12:00 am. Outside those hours, there are no official luggage storage options available.

Food and Drink at Night

Options for eating or drinking during the early hours are very limited. The only available alternatives are concentrated in Terminal 2, where outlets such as Burger King and Starbucks operate 24 hours a day.

Showers

There are no public showers with free access. The only shower facilities are located inside the VIP lounges. Since these close overnight, you will not be able to access a shower during the early hours unless you pay for lounge access shortly before closing time or stay at the Aerotel (which offers paid shower facilities by the hour).

Wi-Fi

The airport provides free and unlimited Wi-Fi connection throughout the night. To connect, you will need to register your telephone number or use a self-service terminal to obtain a password.

Other 24-Hour Services

During the night, cash machines, some currency exchange offices and the children’s entertainment area remain operational.

Final tip: If you have a long layover or a very early flight, the unanimous recommendation from other travellers is to book a room at a nearby hotel (such as the Aerotel inside T2) rather than attempting to sleep in the airport’s public area, due to the low temperatures, noise and overall discomfort.

 Hotels

Although the airport is located a considerable distance from the city centre, passengers have access to excellent accommodation options, including a property situated directly within the terminal building, making it easier to rest during long layovers or early morning flights.

Hotels inside the Airport

Aerotel Shanghai Pudong Airport Hotel: Located on levels 6 and 7 of Terminal 2 (public area), this hotel allows travellers to rest just a few steps from the check-in counters, making it ideal for quick transits without the need for additional transport arrangements. It offers hourly rooms, showers and luggage storage service, and is only a 3-minute walk from the security checkpoints.

Accommodation in the Surrounding Area

There are several alternatives located around the airport perimeter offering complimentary shuttle services for their guests:

• Ramada Plaza Shanghai Pudong Airport: Combines the comfort of a full-service business hotel with a regular complimentary shuttle bus connecting directly to the departures and arrivals halls.
• Holiday Inn Shanghai Pudong Airport: Located just a few minutes from the airport complex, it is an ideal alternative for corporate stays or extended rest thanks to its premium facilities and coordinated direct transfers to the airport.
• Jinjiang Inn Select Shanghai Pudong Airport: Offers independent travellers an economical stay with an excellent balance between cost and value, as well as convenient connections for catching early morning flights.
• Holiday Inn Express Shanghai Pudong Airport: Highly convenient for passengers who value the practicality of a complimentary breakfast included and a quick check-in before continuing their air itinerary.
• JI Hotel Shanghai Pudong Airport East Station: Stands out for its proximity to local public transport networks, facilitating both quick transfers to the airport terminal and direct connections to central Shanghai.

To explore more options and find the accommodation that best suits your plans, you can search and book through Booking.com, where it is recommended to verify the availability of complimentary shuttle services before confirming your stay.