Question reg 16 hour layover in Shanghai Pudong

Forums › Travel (planes, train, cruise) › Question reg 16 hour layover in Shanghai Pudong

danepak

1030 posts

Uber Geek

#306061 25-Jun-2023 10:50

I’m planning on flying Auckland - Copenhagen in June 2024.
There’s a stopover (16 hours) in Shanghai Pudong.
I’m keen on visiting the city, given the long stopover. They also have a fast Maglev train, so should be fast to get to and from the airport.

According to AirNZ’s website, I can check my luggage in all the way to Copenhagen, as my flight from Shanghai to Copenhagen is with Scandinavian SAS (with some airlines you apparently have to pickup luggage and check it in again - like in the US).

Here’s my question:
Can I leave the airport without picking up my luggage and checking it in again?
I’ve asked both AirNZ and Shanghai Pudong airport, but no answer yet.

eracode

Smpl Mnmlst
7288 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Subscriber

#3094637 25-Jun-2023 11:15

We went on the maglev about 10 years ago and it was quite a short ride. I can’t remember now where we got off but it was a somewhat inconvenient place and we had to get a taxi to our hotel.

Not sure whether the track has been extended since then but I see it goes to Longyang Road railway station which is on the outskirts of the Pudong financial district - not really city-centre. In hindsight I’m pretty sure this is where we got off.

However don’t let any of this put you off going on it - it’s a blast and a never-to-be-forgotten thrill if you’re into that sort of thing (as I am).

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

Lenovo

Lenovo computer and accessories deals (affiliate link).

eracode

Smpl Mnmlst
7288 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Subscriber

#3094652 25-Jun-2023 11:28

I don’t have specific knowledge of this for Shanghai but I would be really surprised if you would be able to to leave the airport without luggage and without going through customs and immigration etc, if you are in transit.

Years ago Changi Airport in Singapore had a brilliant arrangement where they would provide free 2-3 hour city bus tours for passengers who were in transit for long periods. You were on the bus but technically still in transit. Don’t know whether they still do that.

If you are unable to get into the city, another thing you could investigate is whether Shanghai airport (or your airline) provides free hotel accommodation for long-transit passengers. We’ve been through Guangzhou Airport in S China a few times. If your transit is longer than than eight hours, you can have the use of an on-site hotel room.

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

danepak

1030 posts

Uber Geek

#3094654 25-Jun-2023 11:34

eracode:
I don’t have specific knowledge of this for Shanghai but I would be really surprised if you would be able to to leave the airport without luggage and without going through customs and immigration etc, if you are in transit.

Years ago Changi Airport in Singapore had a brilliant arrangement where they would provide free 2-3 hour city bus tours for passengers who were in transit for long periods. You were on the bus but still technically in transit. Don’t know whether they still do that.

Thanks, I’m OK with picking up my luggage and re-checking it in, if this is the only way to do it.
But I guess they need to know this when they check me in in Auckland, as the luggage tag otherwise says CPH (Copenhagen).
I do need someone to store it for me during my stopover though. Not walking around Shanghai with a 23kg piece of baggage.

Ideally through I would be able to have the luggage checked in all the way to Denmark and still be allowed for visit Shanghai (go through customs and security).

eracode

Smpl Mnmlst
7288 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Subscriber

#3094677 25-Jun-2023 12:35

I believe you need a visa to enter China - even for a very short visit.

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

danepak

1030 posts

Uber Geek

#3094688 25-Jun-2023 13:19

Apparently I don’t need a visa if it’s under 24 hours.

From https://www.china-briefing.com/news/china-visa-free-travel-policies-2023-complete-guide/#:~:text=24%2Dhour%20visa%2Dfree%20transit,free%20entry%20permit%20upon%20arrival.

24-hour visa-free transit

All international travelers (except those exempted due to special circumstances) that are transiting through China are permitted to apply for a 24-hour visa-free entry permit upon arrival. As with the other two visa-free transit policies, travelers must provide a connecting ticket to a third country. They are not permitted to leave the city in which they arrived during their 24-hour stay and must leave the country within 24 hours.

danepak

1030 posts

Uber Geek

#3094895 26-Jun-2023 08:36

eracode:
I don’t have specific knowledge of this for Shanghai but I would be really surprised if you would be able to to leave the airport without luggage and without going through customs and immigration etc, if you are in transit.

I would obviously expect to go through customs, immigration etc, but would I need to pick up my luggage, if it’s checked in all the way to Copenhagen from Auckland?

Beccara

1467 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#3094910 26-Jun-2023 08:49

With Emirates at least any stop over less than 24 hours there is no options to pick up luggage, it's checked thru. At checking you also get both boarding passes so assuming you get the transit visa you should be able to exit the airport, upon coming back you should be able to go straight to security and get airside again. In Beijing at least things were pretty chill with foreigners and not knowing processes, I expect a transit hub like Shanghai should be the same

https://www.chinahighlights.com/shanghai/layover-guide.htm

Most problems are the result of previous solutions...

All comment's I make are my own personal opinion and do not in any way, shape or form reflect the views of current or former employers unless specifically stated

danepak

1030 posts

Uber Geek

#3094913 26-Jun-2023 08:52

Beccara:
With Emirates at least any stop over less than 24 hours there is no options to pick up luggage, it's checked thru. At checking you also get both boarding passes so assuming you get the transit visa you should be able to exit the airport, upon coming back you should be able to go straight to security and get airside again. In Beijing at least things were pretty chill with foreigners and not knowing processes, I expect a transit hub like Shanghai should be the same

https://www.chinahighlights.com/shanghai/layover-guide.htm

Thanks, that’s what I’m hoping as well, but I’d rather ask the question first, as I otherwise will fly the other way (via SFO).
But I really want to go via Shanghai to check it out (food etc.).
If I get an answer from Pudong Airport or AirNZ, I’ll post it here.

stoffel

18 posts

Geek

#3094951 26-Jun-2023 09:38

On a side note, don't rely on using at ATM to get cash in China. I was last there about four years ago and hardly any ATMs would take my card. I'd get some currency before arriving.

danepak

1030 posts

Uber Geek

#3094952 26-Jun-2023 09:39

stoffel:
On a side note, don't rely on using at ATM to get cash in China. I was last there about four years ago and hardly any ATMs would take my card. I'd get some currency before arriving.

OK, that’s handy to know.
Thanks

eracode

Smpl Mnmlst
7288 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Subscriber

#3095028 26-Jun-2023 11:38

stoffel:

On a side note, don't rely on using at ATM to get cash in China. I was last there about four years ago and hardly any ATMs would take my card. I'd get some currency before arriving.

We were in Shanghai twice about ten years ago and had no problem getting cash out of ATMs.

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

danepak

1030 posts

Uber Geek

#3101039 7-Jul-2023 17:41

danepak:
Beccara:
With Emirates at least any stop over less than 24 hours there is no options to pick up luggage, it's checked thru. At checking you also get both boarding passes so assuming you get the transit visa you should be able to exit the airport, upon coming back you should be able to go straight to security and get airside again. In Beijing at least things were pretty chill with foreigners and not knowing processes, I expect a transit hub like Shanghai should be the same

https://www.chinahighlights.com/shanghai/layover-guide.htm

Thanks, that’s what I’m hoping as well, but I’d rather ask the question first, as I otherwise will fly the other way (via SFO).
But I really want to go via Shanghai to check it out (food etc.).
If I get an answer from Pudong Airport or AirNZ, I’ll post it here.

Got a response:

Thank you for contacting Air New Zealand regarding your stopover query.

Your baggage is through checked when Air New Zealand have a baggage transfer agreement with the other airline. Air New Zealand have baggage transfer agreements with Scandinavian Airlines.

Where your connecting flight is on a separate ticket, Your baggage cannot be through checked. You will need to collect your baggage and check in for your separately ticketed flight.

Please note that if you have an overnight stopover, you must collect your baggage and check in again 3 hours prior to departure of connecting flight.

If you are wanting to leave the Airport in Shanghai as the passenger you need to have all the correct documentation and the government allow you to leave the Airport.

KiwiSurfer

1110 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#3101073 7-Jul-2023 20:32

eracode:

I don’t have specific knowledge of this for Shanghai but I would be really surprised if you would be able to to leave the airport without luggage and without going through customs and immigration etc, if you are in transit.

Generally, what you describe is not an issue at all. If the connection is <24 hours and it's on the same ticket, your baggage will always be checked through to your final destination so don't worry about the bags, the airlines will take care of it all the way. There are a few exceptions like LAX where you do need to recheck your bags and certain international-domestic connections where you need to recheck bags at the point of entry. If you're not sure just ask. If you already have boarding pass(es) for your onward flights and you can enter the country (for example you don't need a visa, or you do have a visa, etc) then it's just basically going through customs/immigration as usual. If the people at immigration query your intentions, just explain you are just going out for a few hours. This is not anything new to them, they see plenty of people doing that every day. As long as you have proof of onwards travel (which you require in any case anyway -- just show them your boarding pass) then that's not an issue. Then you're free to explore. Just make sure to leave enough time to return to the airport to go through the usual formalities. As long you have your boarding pass already you don't need to check in, just go straight to security/immigration/etc as a passenger who has already checked in and go through the usual security theatre to get airside and go to your gate as usual.

My only regret is I didn't figure this out earlier! I eventually figured this out about 8 years ago and did exactly the above for a 5-hour stopover at LAX between an AKL-LAX and LAX-LHR flight. The only thing I needed to watch out for was rechecking my bags, but this was well signposted at LAX so easily done and out of the terminal minutes after depositing my bag on the recheck carousel. Sadly, I didn't know this for a SYD stopover I did years ago and spent something like 10 hours inside when I could have been exploring Sydney! Live and learn! :)