Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA) Temporary Driving Permit Guide
Arriving at Shanghai Hongqiao Terminal 1 (SHA) from Tokyo Haneda, Seoul Gimpo, Taipei Songshan, or Hong Kong? Get your Temporary Driving Permit at the T1 International Arrivals Service Station—or drive 10 minutes to Hami Road 1330 Branch No. 1 right next to the airport!
Terminal 1 International/HK-MO-TW Arrivals Hall Exit Hub (1st Floor)
T1 International Parking Garage & T2 Hongqiao Railway Hub P6/P7 Car Rental Center (biggest high-speed rail + car rental hub in East China).
30-Day Visa-Free, 240h Transit, HK/Macau/Taiwan & L/M Visas
虹桥国际机场 T1 境外人员临时驾驶许可服务点
Terminal 1 International/HK-MO-TW Arrivals Hall Exit Hub (1st Floor)
虹桥机场 1号航站楼（T1）国际及港澳台到达出口综合服务中心旁
Eligible Entries: 30-Day Visa-Free, 240h Transit, HK/Macau/Taiwan & L/M Visas
📞 Airport Station Hotline: +86-21-2238-1114 / +86-21-6269-0606
3-Step Arrival Walkthrough at Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA)
Exit SHA Terminal 1 Customs & Locate the Foreign Service Hub
All international and regional flights at Hongqiao land at the newly renovated Terminal 1 (T1). After passing customs inspection on the ground floor, walk into the T1 Arrivals Greeter Hall and locate the Foreign Passenger Comprehensive Service Desk (外籍人员一站式综合服务中心).
If you arrive at Hongqiao T2 via domestic flight or high-speed train on a weekday, do not take the shuttle to T1—simply take a ¥14 RMB taxi (3.5 km, 10 minutes) straight to Shanghai DMV Branch 1 at No. 1330 Hami Road!
Where to Pick Up Your Rental Car at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport
| Rental Agency | Exact Terminal Pickup Bay | Foreign Payment & Deposit | Popular EV & SUV Fleet | Local Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trip.com / eHi Car Rental (虹桥枢纽旗舰店) | T1 Parking Garage B1 & T2 P7 Garage 2F | Yes — International Visa/Mastercard & Alipay | Zeekr 001 / Tesla Model 3 (Green Plate), Audi A4L, Buick GL8 | Largest fleet in West Shanghai; ideal for driving straight to Suzhou, Wuxi, or Moganshan. |
| CAR Inc. / Zuche (神州租车虹桥T1/T2网点) | T1 Outdoor Parking Lot & T2 P6 Garage | Yes — Foreign Passport + Temporary Permit | BYD Song Plus DM-i, VW Passat, Toyota Highlander | Supports one-way drop-off at Hangzhou East Station or Nanjing South Station. |
| AVIS / Hertz China Partner Desk (安飞士租车) | T2 Hongqiao Hub Transportation Center | Yes — Corporate & International Cards | Cadillac CT5, Volvo XC60, Mercedes-Benz E-Class | Popular with business travelers attending National Exhibition Center (NECC) trade shows. |
Driving from Hongqiao Hub (SHA): G50 Yangtze Delta & Yan’an Elevated Rules
Hongqiao Airport sits right at the junction of the Yan’an Elevated Road (into downtown Puxi) and the G50/G2 Expressways (into Jiangsu and Zhejiang).
Direct Access to Yan’an Elevated Road (Check Your Plate Color!)
Driving east from SHA puts you directly onto the Yan’an Elevated Road toward Jing’an Temple and the Bund (20 mins). Ensure your rental car carries a Shanghai `沪A/B` blue plate or `沪A` green EV plate so you are not fined during 07:00–20:00 weekday restrictions.
Hami Road 1330 DMV is Only 3.5 km (10 Mins) From SHA Terminal 1
Shanghai’s main Foreign License Conversion Center (Branch No. 1 at No. 1330 Hami Road) is practically next door to Hongqiao Airport. If you ever want to upgrade your temporary permit to a full 6-year license, it is a 10-minute ride away.
Yangtze River Delta 1-Hour Highway Circle (Suzhou / Wuzhen / Hangzhou)
Heading west from SHA on G2 Jinghu or G50 Huyu Expressways completely bypasses downtown Shanghai traffic—putting you in Zhouzhuang or Suzhou in 50 minutes and Wuzhen Water Town in 90 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions — Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA)
I am arriving at Hongqiao Railway Station or SHA Terminal 2 on a domestic flight. Where should I get my permit?
Because Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 at Hongqiao are separated by the runway, taking a 10-minute Didi taxi (3.5 km) from T2/Railway Station to Shanghai DMV Branch No. 1 at No. 1330 Hami Road (长宁区哈密路1330号, Mon–Fri 09:00–17:00) is just as fast as going to T1.
Why is the SHA T1 counter closed on Saturdays and Sundays?
SHA T1 has fewer long-haul weekend flights compared to Pudong (PVG). If you land at SHA on a Saturday or Sunday and need a temporary permit immediately on arrival, you can take the Airport Link Line (市域铁机场联络线 — only 40 minutes from Hongqiao to Pudong!) to the PVG T2 counter which is open 7 days a week.
Can Taiwan, Hong Kong, or Macau residents use the SHA T1 service point?
Holders of full Hong Kong or Macau driving licenses can actually swap directly for a 6-year Mainland C1/C2 license with zero exam at Hami Road 1330 (10 mins from SHA). Taiwan license holders can get a 3-month Temporary Driving Permit without an exam or take Subject 1 for a 6-year license.
How much does the Temporary Driving Permit cost at Hongqiao?
The statutory government fee set by the Ministry of Public Security is ¥10 RMB (~$1.40 USD).