By T1 gates, Relay is the default grab-and-go stop
Just past security in Terminal T1, Relay sits in the main departures concourse as the standard airport newsstand: magazines, snacks, drinks, and basic travel gear. You’ll see the blue Relay sign near other high-traffic shops, so it’s easy to spot on a quick walk between gates.
Stock shifts a bit between morning and evening, but you can usually find bottled water, soft drinks, and simple packaged snacks in the ¥10–¥40 range. Expect the usual airport markup over downtown Shanghai, but still cheaper than many sit-down spots elsewhere in T1.
Relay in T1 carries Chinese and some English-language magazines and paperbacks, along with stationery, power banks, and charging cables. Prices on cables and adapters often sit in the ¥80–¥150 range, which is steep but still better than arriving at a dead phone at boarding.
Hours typically track the T1 schedule, opening early for the first wave of domestic departures and staying open into the late evening when the last flights leave. If you have a 30-minute gap between boarding time and actual gate call, that’s usually enough to duck in and grab water plus a snack.
Card payments work fine here, including major credit cards, but local methods like Alipay and WeChat Pay tend to be faster at this T1 branch. One practical tip: buy your water and snacks at Relay before you head to a remote or bus gate, where options drop to vending machines or nothing at all.