How to Get from Shanghai Airport to City Centre

First time at Shanghai Airport? Shanghai has two major airports: Hongqiao (closer to downtown) and Pudong (international hub). You’ll find 5-7 transport options to get to the city centre: metro, Maglev, taxis, e-hailing, bus, airport bus (night bus) and airport transfer. We'll help you pick the best route.

🛬About Shanghai Pudong & Hongqiao Airport

Shanghai has two main airports: Pudong (PVG) and Hongqiao (SHA). Pudong, located 30km east of the city, is larger and handles most international flights, including those from the UK. Hongqiao Airport, just 13km west of downtown, mainly serves domestic and short-haul Asian routes. Travellers from the UK typically land at Pudong. Travellers from the UK usually arrive at Pudong Airport, as it is the main airport for long distance flights to Shanghai.

Both airports offer convenient transport links. From Pudong Airport, take the Maglev train (fastest option), Metro Line 2, or taxis. The Maglev connects to Longyang stations in 7 minutes, while the underground takes about an hour. Hongqiao Airport is closer to downtown, with Metro Lines 2/10 (20–30 minutes) or taxis (25–40 minutes) as easy choices.

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How to Get from Shanghai Pudong Airport to Central Shanghai

🚍Transport Options from Shanghai Pudong Airport to City Centre

Shanghai Pudong Airport provides 7 transport options to the city centre, including the metro, maglev + metro, taxi, e-hailing, airport transfer, bus and airport bus (night bus). You can choose the best option according to your budget and schedule.

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🚇Pudong Airport to City Centre: By Metro

1️⃣ Go to the Metro Station

• Follow signs to Pudong Airport Terminal 1&2 North Exit
• Look for Line 2 (Green Line) – clearly marked with green signage

2️⃣ Buy a Ticket or Use Contactless Payment

• Single-journey tickets cost ¥3-8 (depending on distance)
• Accepts cashless payment (Shanghai Public Transport Card, WeChat Pay, or Alipay)

3️⃣ Take Line 2 towards the City Centre

• Line 2 operating hours: 06:00-22:30 (Pudong Aiport to National Exhibition and Convention Center)
• Board trains bound for National Exhibition and Convention Center
• Travel time: 60-70 minutes to central stations like People's Square or Jing'an Temple (¥7)

4️⃣ Transfer to Other Lines (If Needed)

• Key interchanges:
• • People's Square: Switch to Line 1//8
  • Century Avenue: Transfer to Line /4/6/9

How to Use Shanghai Metro? See the Guide Below! 👇

🚅Pudong Airport to City Centre: Maglev + Metro💨

1. Board the Maglev at Pudong Airport

• Location: Pudong Airport Terminal 1&2, Entrance 1 (follow "Maglev Line" signs)
• To: Longyang Road Station (7 mins)
• Ticket Options:
  Standard: ¥50 (¥40 with same-day flight proof)
  Business: ¥100 (twice the standard fare)
  🚅 Book a One-way Maglev Train Ticket from £5.20 on Trip.com
• Payment: Cash/WeChat or use Shanghai Transport Card
• Schedule: 7:02 AM - 9:42 PM | Every 20 mins
• Max Speed: 300km/h (world's fastest commercial train!)

2. Transfer to Metro Line 2 at Longyang Road

• Direction: "National Exhibition and Convention Center" (green line)
• Key Downtown Stops: Lujiazui (financial district), Nanjing East Road (shopping), People’s Square, Jing’an Temple

🕘 Total Journey: ~40 mins | 💰 Total Cost: ¥44-54

🚕Pudong Airport to City Centre: By Taxi

1. Find the Taxi Stand

• Terminal 1: Go to Exit 12 on the first floor of Terminal 1
• Terminal 2: Go to Exit 25 on the first floor of Terminal 2
• Operating Hours: 00:00-24:00
• Follow signs for "Taxi" and join the queue

2. Know the Fare

• Starting fare: ¥14 (first 3km)
• Then: ¥2.5 per km (daytime), ¥3.6 per km (over 10km)
• Typical city centre fare: ¥160-190 (60-80 min)
• Night surcharge (11PM-5AM): +30%
• Highway tolls: Extra ¥15-20 (paid by passenger)

3. Prepare Your Destination

• Have your hotel address written in Chinese characters
• Or show the location on your phone map (Google Maps may not work→Use Amap instead)
• Popular areas to say:
  "People's Square" (人民广场)
  "The Bund" (外滩)
  "Nanjing Road" (南京路)

4. Payment

• Preferred: Mobile payment (WeChat Pay/Alipay)
• Cash: Have small bills (¥50/¥100 notes best)
• Always ask for a receipt (发票) - shows driver info

🚗Pudong Airport to City Centre: E-Hailing Car

1. Book Your Ride

• Use Didi, Amap apps or other e-hailing apps (English interface available)
• Fare estimate: ¥110-220 to city centre (50-60 mins)
  

Foreigner-friendly Taxi Apps

2. Go to Pick-up Area

• Terminal 1: Go to P1 E-hailing Zone (follow "E-hailing" signs)
• Terminal 2: Go to P2 Parking Building, B2 Level - Zone 3
• Avoid touts - only use official e-hailing zones

3. Meet Your Driver

① Check app for real-time driver location
② Stand near the designated parking space
③ Find your car's license plate (e.g. 沪A·12345) displayed on your mobile app and get in the car

4. Payment Options

✓ In-app payment (link credit card, bank card, Alipay, WeChat, etc.)

🚙Pudong Airport to City Centre: Airport Transfer

How to Book & Use Trip.com Airport Transfer Service

1. Book Your Transfer
• Visit Trip.com → Select "Airport Transfer"
• Enter:

• Your flight number (for real-time tracking)
• Pickup: Pudong Airport T1/T2 (select terminal)
• Drop-off: Hotel/address in Shanghai (e.g., The Bund)
• Car Type: Standard (4 seats) or Premium (6 seats)

2. Confirm Details
• Check email/app for:

• Driver’s contact number (sent 12h pre-pickup)
• Meeting point (e.g., Arrivals Gate 5)
• Signboard with your name (English/Chinese)

3. At Pudong Airport

• After baggage claim, go to the assigned meeting point
• Can’t find driver? Call directly via app

Your driver will wait for you in advance at the agreed exit. Your driver will assist you with your baggage, and guide you to a fast-track lane to board your vehicle.

4. Enjoy Your Ride
• Travel time: 50-70 mins to city centre
• Fixed fare: ¥200-400 (no surprises)

🚌 Pudong Airport to City Centre: By Bus

Taking a bus from Pudong Airport to major areas of Shanghai is economical, but the journey time is longer. Multiple routes connect popular destinations like Nanjing Road, People's Square and Lujiazui. Services run frequently from 7:00am to 11:00pm, with fares ranging from ¥18-27. Here are the most useful routes for tourists:

Recommended Bus Routes

🚌 Pudong Airport to City Centre: Airport Night Bus

Image source: TikTok

For late-night arrivals, the Airport Night Bus (守航夜宵线) is your best choice when metro and taxis are inconvenient. After collecting your luggage, follow signs to "Airport Bus (Night Bus)", then take the lift down to the platform. Simply scan the QR code to buy tickets (¥18-34) before boarding.

Night Bus Details:

Image source: Amap

• Route: Pudong Airport → Hongqiao Transport Hub
• Stops include: Pudong Airport T1 → Pudong Airport T2 → Longyang Road/Fangdian Road → Century Avenue Metro Station (Dongfang Road/Zhangyang Road) → Yan'an East Road/Zhejiang East Road (near People's Square) → Yan'an Middle Road/Huashan Road (Jing'an Temple) → Yan'an West Road/Hongxu Road → Hongqiao Transport Hub East Center
• Schedule: Operates After 11:00 PM (23:00-05:30) until last flight. Frequency: ≤45 mins (may depart earlier if full)
• Journey time: ~80 mins to final stop
• Ticket Price: ¥18-34 (distance-based)

How to Get from Shanghai Hongqiao Airport to Central Shanghai

🚍Transport Options from Shanghai Hongqiao Airport to City Centre

Shanghai Hongqiao Airport offers 5 transport options to reach the city centre, including the metro, taxi, e-hailing, airport transfer and bus. Each method has its own advantages in terms of price, speed and comfort. Let's compare their benefits and prices to find your best option.

🚇Hongqiao Airport to City Centre: By Metro

1️⃣ Go to the Metro Station

• Follow signs to Hongqiao Terminal 2 metro entrance (clearly marked)
• Choose between:
  Line 2 (Green Line) – To Pudong Airport Terminal 1&2 direction (05:33-22:05)
  Line 10 (Purple Line) – To Jilong Rond direction (05:26-22:31)
  Line 17 (Brown Line) – To Xiqin direction (06:00-23:00)

2️⃣ Buy a Ticket or Use Contactless Payment

• Fare: ¥5 (flat rate to central stations)
• Payment options:
  • Single-journey ticket machines (English interface available)
  • Shanghai Public Transport Card
  • Mobile payment (WeChat Pay/Alipay)

3️⃣ Board Your Train

• Line 2 (Recommended):
  → 30-50 mins to central stations: Jing'an Temple (for hotels/shopping), People's Square (transfer hub), Nanjing East Road (for the Bund), Lujiazui (financial district)
• • Operating hours: 5:33 AM - 10:50 PM

4️⃣ Transfer Options
At key stations:

• People's Square: Change to Line 1/8
• Hongqiao Railway Station: Connect to Line 10/17

How to Use Shanghai Metro? See the Guide Below! 👇

🚕Hongqiao Airport to City Centre: By Taxi

1️⃣ Locate the Taxi Stand

• Terminal 2: Follow signs to Gates 3 or 4 on Level 1 (Arrivals)
• 24 dedicated bays with orderly queues (managed by staff)

2️⃣ From Baggage Claim to Taxis

① Collect luggage at B1 Level
② Take lifts/escalators to Level 1 (Arrivals)
③ Walk to clearly marked "Taxi" zones (3/4 Gates)

3️⃣ Boarding & Fares

• Queue system: Staff allocate taxis – no haggling
• Starting fare: ¥14 (first 3km)
• To city centre: ¥50-120 (~30-50 mins)

🚗Hongqiao Airport to City Centre: E-Hailing Car

1️⃣ Book Your Ride

Use DiDi or Amap apps (English interface available)
Select:

• Pick-up: Hongqiao T1/T2 (choose terminal)
• Drop-off: City centre address (e.g., "The Bund")
• Car Type: Standard (4 seats) or Luxury

2️⃣ Go to Designated Pick-up Points

• Terminal 1:
  P1 Car Park B2 Level (by escalators)
• Terminal 2 Options:
  ① P5 Panda Car Park (dedicated e-hailing zone)
  ② P6 Car Park 2F (Giraffe Level)
  ③ P7 Car Park 2F (Orange Level, near Volvo store)🔥

3️⃣ Meet Your Driver

• Check app for real-time driver location
• Look for your car’s licence plate (e.g., 沪A·12345)
• Confirm destination with driver before departure

Journey Details:
⏱️ 30-40 mins to city centre
💴 ¥50-100 (fixed price in app)
🕒 24/7 service (surcharge 11PM-5AM)

🚙Hongqiao Airport to City Centre: Airport Transfer

The booking process (e.g., flight tracking, meet-and-greet arrangements) is the same as for Pudong Airport Transfers - see the step-by-step instructions above.

🚍Hongqiao Airport to City Centre: By Bus

1. Bus Terminals at Hongqiao Airport

Hongqiao Airport has two main bus terminals operating daytime and night services:

• East Traffic Center of Hongqiao (虹桥枢纽东交通中心)
• West Traffic Center of Hongqiao (虹桥枢纽西交通中心)

2. Key Bus Routes to Central Shanghai

Destinations: People’s Square, Nanjing Road, The Bund, Lujiazui

Notes:

• Daytime buses: 5:30 AM – 11:00 PM
• Night buses: 11:00 PM – 5:00 AM Limited routes (e.g., 316/320 to The Bund)
• Payment: Cash or Shanghai Public Transport Card

3. Bus List: East & West Traffic Centers

East Traffic Center (虹桥枢纽东交通中心)

West Traffic Center (虹桥枢纽西交通中心)

Shanghai Restaurant Recommendations - Taste of China 味

Chef Fancy Zhao, with a Chinese soul, creates a feast of authentic but innovative Chinese cuisine, combining Western cooking skills. Panda Chef Trippaw also takes you on a hunger journey – taste the most delicious Chinese cuisine, enjoy it like a local, and maybe learn something about Chinese culture from its time-honoured food!

*Note: Opening August 17, 2025 – but please call ahead to confirm hours before visit!

Shanghai Airport to City Centre FAQs

1. How do I travel from Shanghai airports to the city centre?
Both Pudong (PVG) and Hongqiao (SHA) airports offer the Maglev train, metro, or taxis. Pudong’s Maglev is ideal for speed, while Hongqiao’s metro connections (Lines 2/10) are quicker due to its closer location.

2. How much does the Maglev train cost from Pudong Airport?
The Maglev costs 50 RMB for the 7-minute journey to Longyang Road Station. From there, transfer to Metro Line 2 for central areas.

3. Is there public transport from Pudong Airport to Shanghai?
Yes, Metro Line 2 runs directly from Pudong Airport to downtown (approx. 60-70 min, ¥7-8). Night buses and taxis are also available.

4. What is the taxi fare from Shanghai airports to the city centre?
From Pudong, expect ¥160-190 (60-80 min). From Hongqiao, fares range ¥50-120 (30-50 min), depending on traffic.

5. How long does it take to reach central Shanghai from the airports?
Pudong: 7 min (Maglev) + metro transfer, or 60–80 mins by taxi. Hongqiao: 30-50 min via metro or 30-50 min by taxi.

Shanghai Travel Guide