Private Shanghai Layover Tour: Customized City Itinerary

Build your own Shanghai itinerary between connecting flights

A private layover tour in Shanghai pairs you with a professional guide and a driver for 6 to 8 hours, starting from the airport or your hotel. You customize the route based on your interests and layover time: typical stops include Yuyuan garden, The Bund, French Concession, Shanghai Tower and Jade Buddha Temple. The guide meets you at arrivals, plans the day with you, and returns you to the airport or hotel in time for your next flight. Requires at least 8 to 10 hours between connecting flights.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Shanghai Tower40m
2. Yu Garden1h 20m
3. French Concession40m
4. The Bund40m
5. Jade Buddha Temple1h

Private Shanghai layover city tour

• Meet guide at airport or cruise terminal
• Transfer to Shanghai city center
• Visit Lujiazui financial center landmarks
• Explore Yuyuan Garden or Yuyuan Bazaar
• Stroll through French Concession area
• Admire views at The Bund
• Optional visit to Jade Buddha Temple
• Return to airport, cruise terminal, or hotel

The experience

Your guide meets you at the airport arrival hall with a name sign and transfers you by private air-conditioned vehicle to central Shanghai: about 40 to 60 minutes depending on traffic. Before the day starts, you and your guide discuss what you want to see and build an itinerary that fits your layover window. The route is yours to shape: start with Lujiazui's financial center to see Shanghai Tower, the Pearl TV Tower and the World Financial Center, or head straight to the older parts of the city. Your guide explains the landmarks and Shanghai's opening-up period in the 1990s as you move between stops.

Yuyuan garden (a 400-year-old preserved garden with Chinese pavilions and classical architecture) is a common first choice, though it closes at 4:15pm and stays shut on Mondays. On those days, the nearby Yuyuan bazaar offers Ming and Qing dynasty-era buildings, shops and restaurants instead. French Concession shows the colonial architecture and tree-lined walkways of old Shanghai, and The Bund lets you photograph the skyline where the old waterfront meets the modern towers across the river. If your layover is long enough, add Jade Buddha Temple, open until 4:30pm, to walk through the chambers and see the buddha statues, or choose Tianzifang's old alleyways, Shanghai Museum's ancient bronzes and paintings, or even the Maglev train (the world's fastest, which can take you back to the airport). Your guide steers the timing so you don't miss your connection.

The tour ends with return transport to your airport terminal, cruise port or Shanghai hotel. A bottle of water is included. Food, drinks and attraction entry fees are separate. Your driver waits if customs takes longer than expected, though you'll need to contact the operator if delays run past an hour. Bring comfortable shoes and dress for the weather: the tour runs rain or shine.

What’s included

• Transport by air-conditioned private vehicle.
• professional guide in English or Chinese.
• pickup and drop-off at Shanghai airport (PVG or SHA) or your hotel, depending on which transfer option you choose.
• bottle of water.

Options for this experience

2 options

1-way Airport TransferGuide in English or Chinese · 12 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 18:00This layover tour only includes a one-way airport transfer. Pickup can be either from your Shanghai hotel (dropped off at the airport) or from the airport (dropped off at your hotel). Pickup is included.

2-way Airport TransferGuide in English or Chinese · 12 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 18:00Pick this if your flight connects the same day. Your tour begins one hour after your flight lands. You need at least an 8-hour layover before your next connecting flight. Pickup is included.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day12 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 18:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (9 to 80 years) · Child (3 to 8 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Chinese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Amazing Shanghai Trip

Is this one for you?Book the two-way transfer if you're flying in and out the same day. Pick one-way if you're staying overnight or arriving by cruise.

Traveler reviews

4.96★★★★★★★★★★

125 verified traveler reviews

5 ★123

4 ★1

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★1

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Chinese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 8 years); Infant (under 3): free.

Can I customize which attractions I visit on the Shanghai layover tour?

Yes. Your guide meets you at the airport and discusses your interests before the tour starts, then builds the itinerary with you. The sample route includes Yuyuan garden, The Bund, French Concession and Shanghai Tower, but you can swap in other stops like Tianzifang, Shanghai Museum or Jade Buddha Temple depending on your layover time and what you want to see.

What happens if my flight lands late or I'm delayed in customs?

Your driver waits for you in the arrival hall. Contact the local operator if customs takes longer than an hour so they know to expect a delay, and they'll adjust the tour timing. The tour starts about one hour after your flight lands.

Does the tour include entry fees to the attractions?

No. The tour includes transport, your guide and a bottle of water. Entry fees to gardens, temples and museums are separate, and you pay them when you visit each site.

How much time do I need between flights to do this tour?

The tour requires at least 8 to 10 hours between your connecting flights. The latest departure time is 6:30pm, so if you land in the morning you'll have time to see several attractions and still make an evening flight.

Can I choose to start from my hotel instead of the airport?

Yes. If you're staying in Shanghai, you can request hotel pickup and drop-off when you book. Let the operator know your preferred start time. You can also book a one-way airport transfer if you need pickup from the airport but drop-off at your hotel, or vice versa.