Christopher Posted March 2, 2009 Report Share Posted March 2, 2009 (edited) I've forgotten to ask, how long should I allow for getting though passport control and customs when I arrive? There is a flight 3 hours after I arrive in Shanghai. If I can take that, I could arrive in Chengdu in the early evening, where my girl would feel safe picking me up by herself. Christopher PS. Actually, minimum/average/maximum times for passport control and customs at different Chinese airports would be a valuable reference. Edited March 2, 2009 by Christopher (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dnoblett Posted March 2, 2009 Report Share Posted March 2, 2009 3 hours is more than enough to pass through that airport, I traveled through there several times and passport control is very fast. Note: There is a handy HSBC ATM in the hallway on the way to passport control that you can use to draw some RMBs from your US bank account. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yuehan123 Posted March 2, 2009 Report Share Posted March 2, 2009 I've been to China at least 12 times. You want statistical data? ha! I'd like to 'see' the traveler who recorded those times. Dream on. Yet, there probably is one... they'll speak right up, I bet! I agree with Dan. Everywhere I've been the process has been fast. The slowest, of course, are also the biggest. Ultimately, like anywhere, it depends on how many jumbo jets arrived before yours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chengdu4me Posted March 2, 2009 Report Share Posted March 2, 2009 I've been to China at least 12 times. You want statistical data? ha! I'd like to 'see' the traveler who recorded those times. Dream on. Yet, there probably is one... they'll speak right up, I bet! I agree with Dan. Everywhere I've been the process has been fast. The slowest, of course, are also the biggest. Ultimately, like anywhere, it depends on how many jumbo jets arrived before yours. If you've never been there before, this will help: www.shanghaiairport.com/en/index.jsp This is one of the most efficient airports in the world. 3 hours is plenty of time to do whatever you need to do and relax and have a brew before your next flight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Posted March 2, 2009 Report Share Posted March 2, 2009 I just flew into Pudong at the height of this year's Spring Festival travel period and although the airport was very crowded it only took me about 20-30 minutes to clear immigration, claim my bags and then clear customs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heyjimi Posted March 2, 2009 Report Share Posted March 2, 2009 Yeah,i've been to this airport 3 times,as everyone is saying,it is very quick,smooth.3 hours...plenty of time !!!! jimi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveandrong Posted March 2, 2009 Report Share Posted March 2, 2009 (edited) been through beijing and shanghai several times on the way to xi'an...i will take shanghai pudong over beijing anyday....very easy to navigate and as others have said, immigration/passport control is much quicker there...3 hours is way more than enough time Edited March 2, 2009 by steveandrong (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NUWORLD Posted March 3, 2009 Report Share Posted March 3, 2009 been through beijing and shanghai several times on the way to xi'an...i will take shanghai pudong over beijing anyday....very easy to navigate and as others have said, immigration/passport control is much quicker there...3 hours is way more than enough time Same here. been through beijing and shanghai several times on the way to xi'an...i will take shanghai pudong over beijing anyday....very easy to navigate and as others have said, immigration/passport control is much quicker there...3 hours is way more than enough time Just went through Beijing during the Chinese new years. That really sucked. Shanghai is the way to go! 3 hours is plenty of time, Don't worry, have fun! Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ShaQuaNew Posted March 3, 2009 Report Share Posted March 3, 2009 I've forgotten to ask, how long should I allow for getting though passport control and customs when I arrive? There is a flight 3 hours after I arrive in Shanghai. If I can take that, I could arrive in Chengdu in the early evening, where my girl would feel safe picking me up by herself. Christopher PS. Actually, minimum/average/maximum times for passport control and customs at different Chinese airports would be a valuable reference. Shanghai Pudong is one of the largest airports in the world. The nice thing about it, is that it's well-laid out, and easy to navigate. I've always tried to allow at least two hours to get though the airport when traveling, which so far, has been more than enough. It should't take you more than 30-minutes to exit your flight, get your bags, and get through customs. Thing is, one never knows whether there will be delays or long lines. Hanging out in the Shanghai airport isn't really too bad though. They have lots of beer and pretty girls walking about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christopher Posted March 3, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2009 I've forgotten to ask, how long should I allow for getting though passport control and customs when I arrive? There is a flight 3 hours after I arrive in Shanghai. If I can take that, I could arrive in Chengdu in the early evening, where my girl would feel safe picking me up by herself. Christopher PS. Actually, minimum/average/maximum times for passport control and customs at different Chinese airports would be a valuable reference.Shanghai Pudong is one of the largest airports in the world. The nice thing about it, is that it's well-laid out, and easy to navigate. I've always tried to allow at least two hours to get though the airport when traveling, which so far, has been more than enough. It should't take you more than 30-minutes to exit your flight, get your bags, and get through customs. Thing is, one never knows whether there will be delays or long lines. Hanging out in the Shanghai airport isn't really too bad though. They have lots of beer and pretty girls walking about. Only downside to Shanghai Pudong is that domestic flights out of there are not so cheap. I've paid much less for longer flights in the US. Beijing has less expensive flights out, and the flights in seem to cost the same as PVG. OTOH, beer and pretty girls is nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now