How To Get Free Wifi At Shanghai PVG Airport

If you’re like me, when you land in a new airport, one of the first things you do is look for free WiFi. Now what frustrates us the most at an airport, or anywhere as a matter of fact, is how 1) there isn’t free WiFi and 2) they make you jump through hoops to connect. 

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Free WiFi is becoming more and more an expected service and the good news is that the Shanghai Pudong International Airport is one of those airports. That said, it is a little trickier than most places to connect which is why we decided to put together this quick post.

How To Connect To Free WiFi At Shanghai Pudong Airport

Getting online at Shanghai Pudong International Airport is a little different from many other international airports, but once you know the steps it’s easy to get connected.

There are a few different methods for accessing the #AirportPVG-Free-WiFi network depending on whether you have a Chinese phone number, an international number, or need to use one of the airport’s WiFi password machines.

Methods Of Connecting To #AirportPVG-Free-WiFi

The wireless network or SSID that you’re looking for on your phone is #AirportPVG-Free-WiFi and once you’re connected, this will pop up.

If you look at the bottom, there are a couple of options for logging in. The first method is by SMS, the next is by passport verification, and the last is by a special username and password.

Let us help you walkthrough each method so that you won’t be without data when you land in Shanghai.

Method 1: Via SMS

This method only works if the SIM card you have in your phone can connect to a cellular network in China when you land. We had issues primarily because we realized after the fact that we hadn’t enabled international roaming but that’s another story.

We would say that this is the easiest method because all you have to do is pop in your phone number and with any luck, you’ll receive a text message with the code you can use to log in.

Not much explanation is needed here as this is pretty easy to do.

Method 2: Via Passport Cerification

This is a relatively newer way of accessing the system and useful if you don’t have a Chinese number set up.

Once you have selected the WiFi network and accessed the pop-up in your browser, you will need to select ‘Passport Login’ on this page.

It will prompt you to take a photo of your passport which the system will then verify and give you access to the full WiFi network.

This method also accepts ID cards, Hong Kong and Macau travel permits, and foreign permanent resident permits.

Method 3: Via Username And Password

You’d think this is easy but, especially if this is your first time in Shanghai and you don’t speak the language, it’ll be trickier than you think.

Let’s break this up into two parts: arrival and departure.

Arriving At PVG

If you’re landing in Shanghai, you’re going to have to wait until after customs and picking up your bags until you can get a username and password. This means only when you go out into the public arrivals hall will you be able to start this process.

Thing is, they don’t exactly have an information desk for you to go to. In the name of automation and convenience, they’ve actually installed machines near the door you exit.

Once you’re at the machine, change the language to English and follow the instructions that will lead you to scanning your passport below. Once your passport has been scanned, a slip will be printed from the machine. Use this username and password to log into the WiFi.

Departing PVG

Now if you’re leaving Shanghai, it’s a little different which is why we wanted to highlight this new set of steps.

Similar to arrivals, you’re going to need to look for a machine to print out one of those slips. The machine you’re looking for is between gates 75 and 77. It’s a little hard to spot unless you know what you’re looking for.

This machine is actually a little different from the arrivals one (don’t ask us why) and it’s a console that seems to do a bunch of different things. We couldn’t figure out how to switch it to English, so we’ve taken a sequence of photos to show you what you need to tap on to get things going.

Ultimately, what you want to do is get the machine to scan your passport. Once approved, it’ll print out a slip with the username and password and that’s how you’ll be able to log in.

The one thing to be careful of is that we had a lot of trouble scanning our passports. It’s a larger glass scanner and what we learned after numerous attempts is that you have to place your passport at the top left corner of the scanner. Otherwise, it won’t be able to successfully read your passport.

Planning Your Time In Shanghai?

Once you’re connected and ready to explore, Shanghai is an incredible city that blends futuristic skylines, historic neighbourhoods, traditional gardens, and some of the best food experiences in China.

Whether you only have a short stopover or a few days in the city, we have plenty of guides to help you plan your visit. Start with the top things to do in Shanghai to see the highlights, figure out where to stay in Shanghai with our neighborhood guide, or see how much you can fit into 24 hours in Shanghai on a budget.

If you’re continuing your journey through China, don’t miss our guide to visiting the Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an, one of the country’s most iconic historical experiences.

Staying Connected At Shanghai Pudong Airport

Getting online at Shanghai Pudong International Airport can be a little confusing if it’s your first time travelling through China, especially if you’re used to simply entering an email address and connecting.

Thankfully, PVG offers free airport WiFi, and once you know where to go and how the system works, getting connected is straightforward. Whether you use the airport’s WiFi machines, a VPN, or another connection option like an eSIM, planning ahead will make your arrival or layover much smoother.

With a few quick steps, you’ll be able to get online, message friends and family, check your travel plans, and continue your journey through China.

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Well that’s it! Hopefully you’ll be able to get on the WiFi at PVG. If anything, ask the help desk at the airport for “free WiFi” and they should be able to point you in the right direction.  Best of luck!

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