Airline Crew Layover Guide

Shanghai is one of Asia’s most dynamic and impressive layover cities — a place where futuristic skyscrapers meet colonial-era Bund architecture along the Huangpu River, where the food spans every Chinese regional cuisine plus the world’s best international dining, and where the sheer scale and energy of China’s largest city hits you immediately. Getting in is easy — the Maglev train is one of the world’s great transport experiences. What to do once you are there is the harder question.

Emergency Numbers — Shanghai / China

China uses separate numbers for each service — important to memorise.

Critical note for crew: China uses three separate numbers — 110 police, 119 fire, 120 ambulance. None of these is the same as 911 or 112 (which do not work in mainland China). Shanghai’s 110 hotline is available in eight languages including English — state your preferred language when connected. The Shanghai Call Center at 962288 can provide real-time phone translation between English and Chinese in both emergency and non-emergency situations — pass the phone to the person you need to communicate with.

Medical note: Shanghai ambulances typically take patients to the nearest government hospital. If you have travel insurance and need an international hospital (English-speaking staff, higher standard of care), tell the operator the name and address of your preferred hospital in Chinese — carry this written down. Recommended international hospitals in Shanghai with 24/7 English-speaking emergency departments: Huashan Hospital International Medical Center (+86 21 5288 9999) and ParkwayHealth (+86 21 5830 6678).

Getting from Pudong Airport to the City

Shanghai has two airports: Pudong (PVG) handles most international flights and is approximately 50 km east of the city centre. Hongqiao (SHA) handles domestic and some regional flights, located about 15 km west of the city centre.

From Pudong Airport (PVG)

Maglev Train — unmissable experience, then Metro The world’s first commercially operational high-speed magnetic levitation train — reaching 430 km/h, covering 30 km in just 8 minutes. The ride itself is a genuinely extraordinary experience. The Maglev station is in the airport terminal (Terminal 2 side).

• Fare: CNY 50 one-way (approximately €6.50) — show your same-day flight ticket for 20% discount (CNY 40)
• Round-trip within 7 days: CNY 80
• Journey time: 8 minutes to Longyang Road Station
• At Longyang Road: transfer to Metro Lines 2, 7, 16, or 18 for onward city travel
• Total journey Pudong Airport to People’s Square (city centre): approximately 40 minutes
• Operating hours: 06:45–21:40 from airport / 07:02–21:42 from Longyang Road
• Note: The Maglev only connects airport to Longyang Road — you still need the metro for most hotels

Metro Line 2 — direct but slower Metro Line 2 runs directly from Pudong Airport to the city centre with no Maglev transfer needed, but takes approximately 60 minutes to People’s Square. Fare: CNY 6–9 (approximately €0.75–1.20). Pay with Shanghai Public Transport Card (deposit CNY 20, buy at any metro station) or contactless bank card (Visa/Mastercard accepted at most turnstiles).

Taxi Available 24/7 at the official taxi rank. Metered fare — approximately CNY 150–200 (€20–26) to central Shanghai (The Bund / People’s Square area), 40–60 minutes. Avoid touts — always use the official metered queue. Carry your hotel name and address in Chinese (ask the hotel to provide this) — essential for directing the driver.

Pro tip for crew: Take the Maglev for the experience and to save time, then transfer to Metro Line 2 at Longyang Road. The combined journey is fast, and you will have experienced one of the world’s most remarkable transport systems. For late-night arrivals (after 21:40 when the Maglev stops), Metro Line 2 or taxi are your options.

Best Areas for Crew Stays in Shanghai

Jing’an / Nanjing West Road The most popular crew hotel area — Nanjing Road shopping, convenient Metro access, good restaurants at all price points, and walking distance to the French Concession.

French Concession (Xuhui / Jing’an) Shanghai’s most charming neighbourhood — tree-lined avenues, colonial-era villas converted into cafes and restaurants, excellent boutiques, and the best brunch scene in the city. A favourite for crew who have been to Shanghai before.

Lujiazui (Pudong) The futuristic financial district across the river — Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai Tower, and the best view of The Bund from the Pudong side. More corporate feel but spectacular skyline at night.

The Bund / Huangpu The famous waterfront promenade along the Huangpu River — colonial-era bank buildings on one side, the Pudong skyline on the other. Tourist-heavy but genuinely extraordinary at night.

What to Do on a Layover in Shanghai

Under 8 hours — The Bund and Nanjing Road Take the Maglev then Metro to Nanjing East Road station. Walk The Bund waterfront — the view of Lujiazui across the river is one of the great urban panoramas in the world, especially at dusk and after dark. Walk back along Nanjing Road pedestrian street (China’s most famous shopping street). Lunch or dinner at one of the historic Art Deco buildings converted into restaurants along The Bund.

8–16 hours — French Concession Take the Metro to Changshu Road or Jing’an Temple. Walk the tree-lined streets of the French Concession — Wukang Road (the most photogenic street in Shanghai), Tianzifang arts and crafts market (good for gifts, better than tourist shops), and lunch at one of the excellent cafe-restaurants. Shanghai Museum (People’s Square — free, excellent collection of ancient Chinese art — arrive early, closes at 17:00).

16–48 hours — the full Shanghai experience Yu Garden and the Old City bazaar — chaotic, crowded, but genuinely ancient in feel amid the modernity. Shanghai Tower observation deck (highest in China — book online). Xintiandi for the best evening dining and bar scene. Night cruise on the Huangpu River — the best way to see both the Bund and Lujiazui lit up simultaneously. Day trip option: Suzhou by high-speed train (30 minutes, CNY 25–40) — classical gardens, canals, and silk culture — one of China’s most beautiful ancient cities.

Crew Tips for Shanghai

VPN: Use NordVPN with AirlineCrewDiscount. Most Western internet services are blocked in mainland China — Google Maps, WhatsApp, Instagram, Google, Gmail, YouTube. Download and configure a VPN before arrival. Confirm your VPN is working on Chinese networks — not all work reliably. WeChat and Baidu Maps are alternatives that function without VPN inside China.

Payment: Mobile payments (WeChat Pay and Alipay) dominate daily transactions in Shanghai. Many vendors no longer accept cash. As a foreign visitor, setting up WeChat Pay to your international card is the most practical option — requires a Chinese phone number (local SIM or international eSIM with a Chinese number works). Alternatively, card payment is accepted at international hotels, major restaurants, and tourist sites. Carry some CNY cash as a backup — available at the airport.

SIM card: Buy a Chinese SIM card (or international eSIM with China data) before or at the airport. Without data and a functional maps app, navigating Shanghai independently is very difficult.

Language: Mandarin is essential for navigation away from hotels and tourist areas. Carry your hotel name and address in Chinese characters. The Shanghai Call Center (962288) provides free real-time English translation 24/7.

Safety: Shanghai is very safe for crew. Petty crime is rare. Traffic is extremely heavy and pedestrian crossing rules differ from Western norms — exercise caution crossing roads.

Drinking Water

Do not drink tap water in Shanghai. Tap water in mainland China, including Shanghai, is not safe to drink untreated. All crew hotels provide free bottled water — use this. Many hotel rooms have electric kettles; boiling tap water makes it safe but does not improve taste. Carry a refillable bottle and fill it from your hotel’s filtered water dispenser or use sealed bottled water throughout your stay. This is a firm rule — no exceptions.

Crew Discounts in Shanghai

Below you will find our curated crew discounts for car rentals, hotels, and things to do in and around Shanghai.