Connecting / airport transit inside PVG Shanghai Pudong [Merged PVG connection thread
Sep 14, 23, 8:26 am
#796
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 31
I give you decent odds of being able to swing the earlier flight. If you want to try, I'm thinking that short checking your luggage to PVG* and bringing it with you to the EVA check-in counter might be the best way to go because if your luggage is automatically routed to the 740p flight, redirecting it might not be something the EVA people want to deal with, even if they have time.
If you want to stick with the late flight, you probably won't have to visit the departures lobby at all. In fact, there's a decent chance that immigration wouldn't even grant you an entry permit* because it's a day time layover and EVA has a transfer desk.
So, if you fancy making an attempt at the early flight, print out a copy of its schedule (along with your confirmation for the 740p flight, which is absolutely required) and tell immigration that your objective is to switch to it. As long as the person you speak with is reasonable, he/she will admit you so you can go to departures.
The way I see it, you have nothing to lose. Either you'll get on your way sooner, or you'll have the opportunity to spend part of your 9 hours somewhere other than inside the terminal (e.g. Lujiazui, Disney).
ETA: *I think PVG luggage tags would pretty much guarantee you an entry permit because you'd need to pass immigration in order to retrieve your bags.
If you want to stick with the late flight, you probably won't have to visit the departures lobby at all. In fact, there's a decent chance that immigration wouldn't even grant you an entry permit* because it's a day time layover and EVA has a transfer desk.
So, if you fancy making an attempt at the early flight, print out a copy of its schedule (along with your confirmation for the 740p flight, which is absolutely required) and tell immigration that your objective is to switch to it. As long as the person you speak with is reasonable, he/she will admit you so you can go to departures.
The way I see it, you have nothing to lose. Either you'll get on your way sooner, or you'll have the opportunity to spend part of your 9 hours somewhere other than inside the terminal (e.g. Lujiazui, Disney).
ETA: *I think PVG luggage tags would pretty much guarantee you an entry permit because you'd need to pass immigration in order to retrieve your bags.
Last edited by ukcobra; Sep 14, 23 at 9:07 am Reason: Adding Interline info.
Sep 14, 23, 9:57 am
#797
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 40,598
Thanks for the detailed comments, this is really useful information, and I absolutely will try the earlier flight, as I would rather spend the time waiting in TPE and one step closer to my destination and the information about the transfer desk is exactly what I was hoping for. Although my research indicates that VS do not Interline with EVA. So I am not hopeful this will work, but I will ask :-)
Sep 15, 23, 9:35 am
#798
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 31
On the one hand, going to the transit desk would be much faster than exiting, going to departures, and reentering. On the other hand, if your bags are already tagged on the later flight, I can't imagine the transfer desk people helping switch to the early flight, but I could be wrong.
Is the Transit desk after baggage claim but before Immigration/Customs ?
So is it possible to check in for my much later flight and remain airside ?
Sep 15, 23, 2:18 pm
#799
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 40,598
I'm pretty sure that the transit desks are located before immigration and baggage claim.
Oct 8, 23, 3:23 pm
#800
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 44
Hey guys,
Flying from LHR to KIX via PVG on the 28 March next year. Both flights in and out are with China Eastern. I'll be flying into and out of terminal 1. Time between the arrival flight and departing flight is 1 hr and 55 minutes.
Would I have enough time to transit? I've been told that I need to ask a member of China Eastern staff when I arrive to escort me through transit, collect my luggage, check it back in in a special transit area and then go through special transit security before being spat back out airside. Is that the case even if my bags are tagged to go all the way to KIX?
Flying from LHR to KIX via PVG on the 28 March next year. Both flights in and out are with China Eastern. I'll be flying into and out of terminal 1. Time between the arrival flight and departing flight is 1 hr and 55 minutes.
Would I have enough time to transit? I've been told that I need to ask a member of China Eastern staff when I arrive to escort me through transit, collect my luggage, check it back in in a special transit area and then go through special transit security before being spat back out airside. Is that the case even if my bags are tagged to go all the way to KIX?
Oct 9, 23, 2:24 am
#801
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: PVG
Programs: MU Platinum, HH Diamond
Posts: 740
Hey guys,
Flying from LHR to KIX via PVG on the 28 March next year. Both flights in and out are with China Eastern. I'll be flying into and out of terminal 1. Time between the arrival flight and departing flight is 1 hr and 55 minutes.
Would I have enough time to transit? I've been told that I need to ask a member of China Eastern staff when I arrive to escort me through transit, collect my luggage, check it back in in a special transit area and then go through special transit security before being spat back out airside. Is that the case even if my bags are tagged to go all the way to KIX?
Flying from LHR to KIX via PVG on the 28 March next year. Both flights in and out are with China Eastern. I'll be flying into and out of terminal 1. Time between the arrival flight and departing flight is 1 hr and 55 minutes.
Would I have enough time to transit? I've been told that I need to ask a member of China Eastern staff when I arrive to escort me through transit, collect my luggage, check it back in in a special transit area and then go through special transit security before being spat back out airside. Is that the case even if my bags are tagged to go all the way to KIX?
Oct 19, 23, 10:40 am
#802
Join Date: May 2023
Posts: 6
Yes but if i'm on two separate tickets (incoming booked solely with one airline and outgoing booked solely with a completely different airline), they wouldn't have a sign showing my connecting flight number. Does China Eastern (as a hub I would assume yes) have a transfer desk? I would arrive on the Delta flight into PVG and out on China Eastern (yes I know they are both SkyTeam and NO it is impossible to connect the tickets. I'll spare the diplomatic details but there is no way to have them on the same reservation or even to checkin the China Eastern when i'm at the Delta desk in USA)
Oct 19, 23, 6:29 pm
#803
Join Date: Aug 2008
Programs: HHonors Gold, Marriott Lifetime Gold, IHG Gold, OZ*G, AA Gold, AS MVP
Posts: 1,856
Yes but if i'm on two separate tickets (incoming booked solely with one airline and outgoing booked solely with a completely different airline), they wouldn't have a sign showing my connecting flight number. Does China Eastern (as a hub I would assume yes) have a transfer desk? I would arrive on the Delta flight into PVG and out on China Eastern (yes I know they are both SkyTeam and NO it is impossible to connect the tickets. I'll spare the diplomatic details but there is no way to have them on the same reservation or even to checkin the China Eastern when i'm at the Delta desk in USA)
Oct 23, 23, 3:48 am
#804
Join Date: Sep 2018
Programs: BA/VS Gold
Posts: 252
Hi everyone. Quick question. I'm flying to Taiwain via Shanghai, booked on two separate tickets. LHR-PVG on Virgin, arriving in T2 at 09:25. My flight to Taiwan is China Airlines (T1) departing 12:05.
I plan to get the 24hr transit visa but I'm worried that the schedule is going to be very tight. I've done plenty of tight self-connects before, always at the same terminal, so a bit worried about this (particularly the queue for the transit visa/immigration).
Any advice?
I plan to get the 24hr transit visa but I'm worried that the schedule is going to be very tight. I've done plenty of tight self-connects before, always at the same terminal, so a bit worried about this (particularly the queue for the transit visa/immigration).
Any advice?
Oct 23, 23, 5:14 am
#805
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 40,598
Hi everyone. Quick question. I'm flying to Taiwain via Shanghai, booked on two separate tickets. LHR-PVG on Virgin, arriving in T2 at 09:25. My flight to Taiwan is China Airlines (T1) departing 12:05.
I plan to get the 24hr transit visa but I'm worried that the schedule is going to be very tight. I've done plenty of tight self-connects before, always at the same terminal, so a bit worried about this (particularly the queue for the transit visa/immigration).
Any advice?
I plan to get the 24hr transit visa but I'm worried that the schedule is going to be very tight. I've done plenty of tight self-connects before, always at the same terminal, so a bit worried about this (particularly the queue for the transit visa/immigration).
Any advice?
2. 2.5 hours does seem a little tight to me (and my risk tolerance is quite high)
3. However, 925a shouldn't be too busy at arrivals
4. The terminal switch isn't a huge deal, but the 115p BR flight (from T2) strikes me as a safer option
5. If you do end up in T1 and miss the CI flight, the 345p MU flight is a decent fallback
Oct 23, 23, 8:36 am
#806
Join Date: Sep 2018
Programs: BA/VS Gold
Posts: 252
1. You probably don't need to get a visa for this transit
2. 2.5 hours does seem a little tight to me (and my risk tolerance is quite high)
3. However, 925a shouldn't be too busy at arrivals
4. The terminal switch isn't a huge deal, but the 115p BR flight (from T2) strikes me as a safer option
5. If you do end up in T1 and miss the CI flight, the 345p MU flight is a decent fallback
2. 2.5 hours does seem a little tight to me (and my risk tolerance is quite high)
3. However, 925a shouldn't be too busy at arrivals
4. The terminal switch isn't a huge deal, but the 115p BR flight (from T2) strikes me as a safer option
5. If you do end up in T1 and miss the CI flight, the 345p MU flight is a decent fallback
Oct 23, 23, 9:13 am
#807
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 40,598
Actual transit visas are a rare beast these days in large part because the visa free transit schemes exist, and in part because the cost/effort of procuring them is often identical to getting a long term visa.
Back to your instant case, there are many flights between PVG/SHA and Taiwan and they aren't particularly expensive so missing your preferred flight would not be the end of the world, but I think grabbing the BR flight leaving an hour later would certainly put your mind at ease. You see, immigration at PVG can take up to 2 hours (though the 925a arrival makes the long wait time less likely), and you'll need to check in for the next flight about an hour in advance.
Furthermore, airside transit between VS and BR might be possible (there were some posts on this exact scenario about a month ago), but I don't think that is possible in the case of the CI connection.
If you want to spend a few days in Shanghai before continuing onto Taiwan, you can do so, and might prefer to fly from SHA instead of PVG (far more convenient if you are downtown).
Oct 23, 23, 9:34 am
#808
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: PVG
Programs: MU Platinum, HH Diamond
Posts: 740
Changing terminals at PVG most certainly qualifies for visa free transit. In fact, departing from a different airport is also allowed (e.g. pretty much anywhere in Mainland China except for Tibet if you do 24 hours, and anywhere in Shanghai, Jiangsu, or Zhejiang if you opt for the 144 hour version).
Actual transit visas are a rare beast these days in large part because the visa free transit schemes exist, and in part because the cost/effort of procuring them is often identical to getting a long term visa.
Back to your instant case, there are many flights between PVG/SHA and Taiwan and they aren't particularly expensive so missing your preferred flight would not be the end of the world, but I think grabbing the BR flight leaving an hour later would certainly put your mind at ease. You see, immigration at PVG can take up to 2 hours (though the 925a arrival makes the long wait time less likely), and you'll need to check in for the next flight about an hour in advance.
Furthermore, airside transit between VS and BR might be possible (there were some posts on this exact scenario about a month ago), but I don't think that is possible in the case of the CI connection.
If you want to spend a few days in Shanghai before continuing onto Taiwan, you can do so, and might prefer to fly from SHA instead of PVG (far more convenient if you are downtown).
Actual transit visas are a rare beast these days in large part because the visa free transit schemes exist, and in part because the cost/effort of procuring them is often identical to getting a long term visa.
Back to your instant case, there are many flights between PVG/SHA and Taiwan and they aren't particularly expensive so missing your preferred flight would not be the end of the world, but I think grabbing the BR flight leaving an hour later would certainly put your mind at ease. You see, immigration at PVG can take up to 2 hours (though the 925a arrival makes the long wait time less likely), and you'll need to check in for the next flight about an hour in advance.
Furthermore, airside transit between VS and BR might be possible (there were some posts on this exact scenario about a month ago), but I don't think that is possible in the case of the CI connection.
If you want to spend a few days in Shanghai before continuing onto Taiwan, you can do so, and might prefer to fly from SHA instead of PVG (far more convenient if you are downtown).
Oct 24, 23, 3:29 am
#809
Join Date: Sep 2018
Programs: BA/VS Gold
Posts: 252
Changing terminals at PVG most certainly qualifies for visa free transit. In fact, departing from a different airport is also allowed (e.g. pretty much anywhere in Mainland China except for Tibet if you do 24 hours, and anywhere in Shanghai, Jiangsu, or Zhejiang if you opt for the 144 hour version).
Actual transit visas are a rare beast these days in large part because the visa free transit schemes exist, and in part because the cost/effort of procuring them is often identical to getting a long term visa.
Back to your instant case, there are many flights between PVG/SHA and Taiwan and they aren't particularly expensive so missing your preferred flight would not be the end of the world, but I think grabbing the BR flight leaving an hour later would certainly put your mind at ease. You see, immigration at PVG can take up to 2 hours (though the 925a arrival makes the long wait time less likely), and you'll need to check in for the next flight about an hour in advance.
Furthermore, airside transit between VS and BR might be possible (there were some posts on this exact scenario about a month ago), but I don't think that is possible in the case of the CI connection.
If you want to spend a few days in Shanghai before continuing onto Taiwan, you can do so, and might prefer to fly from SHA instead of PVG (far more convenient if you are downtown).
Actual transit visas are a rare beast these days in large part because the visa free transit schemes exist, and in part because the cost/effort of procuring them is often identical to getting a long term visa.
Back to your instant case, there are many flights between PVG/SHA and Taiwan and they aren't particularly expensive so missing your preferred flight would not be the end of the world, but I think grabbing the BR flight leaving an hour later would certainly put your mind at ease. You see, immigration at PVG can take up to 2 hours (though the 925a arrival makes the long wait time less likely), and you'll need to check in for the next flight about an hour in advance.
Furthermore, airside transit between VS and BR might be possible (there were some posts on this exact scenario about a month ago), but I don't think that is possible in the case of the CI connection.
If you want to spend a few days in Shanghai before continuing onto Taiwan, you can do so, and might prefer to fly from SHA instead of PVG (far more convenient if you are downtown).
I'll be spending a few days in Shanghai on the return - but don't want to do that on the way out!
Thanks for your advice. I'll take a look at B2.
Oct 24, 23, 2:33 pm
#810
Join Date: May 2023
Posts: 6
Yes I think the veterans keep getting hung up on the "do you need a visa for a twov" when us newbies ask the question. We're not specifically asking "Do I need a visa or can I transit without visa" ... what we're asking is do I need to go through ANY sort of process or can I just walk to the next gate without dealing with any diplomatic issues ... ie: when I have to transfer at ICN on two separate tickets, I don't need to deal with any of the diplomatic process, they have directionals for those transiting where I can simply just walk to my next gate.
