Book your flights to Shanghai and you’ll land at one of two very different airports. Pudong International Airport (PVG) sits 30 km east of downtown and has the high-speed Maglev train, while Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) is just 13 km out and mostly a metro or taxi ride away.
This guide covers every Shanghai airport transfer options for both airports, so you can pick the fastest or cheapest route to your hotel.
- Pudong (PVG) is 30 km from downtown Shanghai; Hongqiao (SHA) is just 13 km. Check which airport you’re flying into before you plan your route.
- The Shanghai Maglev is the world’s fastest airport train, covering PVG to Longyang Road in about 8 minutes for CNY 50.
- Metro Line 2 is the cheapest way from PVG (CNY 7, about 60 minutes); Lines 2 and 10 do the same from SHA (CNY 5, about 30 minutes).
- A taxi from PVG costs around CNY 180 and takes about 50 minutes; from SHA, expect CNY 100-150 and roughly 30 minutes.
- Airport buses connect both airports to major downtown hubs and railway stations for CNY 2-36, depending on the route.
Pudong or Hongqiao? Know Your Airport First
Shanghai’s two airports sit on opposite sides of the city, so your transfer plan depends entirely on which one you land at.
Pudong (PVG) is the larger international gateway, 30 km from downtown; Hongqiao (SHA) mostly handles domestic and regional flights and sits much closer in, at 13 km.
Pudong vs Hongqiao: Every Transfer Option Compared
Here’s every mode side by side, grouped by airport, so you can weigh time against cost in one place.
Getting from Pudong Airport (PVG) to Shanghai City Center
Pudong is Shanghai’s main international airport, and it has four practical ways into the city. Here’s how each one works.
Shanghai Maglev Train
The Maglev is the fastest way off the airport grounds. It covers the 30 km to Longyang Road Station in about 8 minutes, running at a top operating speed of 300 km/h — still far faster than any other airport rail link in the world.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Fare | CNY 50 one-way (CNY 40 with a same-day boarding pass); CNY 80 for a round-trip ticket (valid 7 days) |
| Operating hours | Roughly 6:45 am to 9:40 pm, every 15-20 minutes |
| Onward connections | Longyang Road connects to Metro Lines 2, 7, 16 and 18, so you’ll still need a second leg to reach most downtown neighborhoods |
Metro Line 2 (direct)
Metro Line 2 runs straight from the airport to People’s Square without needing the Maglev. It’s the cheapest option, though also the slowest.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Fare | About CNY 7 for the full trip |
| Journey time | Around 60 minutes to People’s Square |
| Operating hours | About 5:30 am until roughly 10:30 pm, every 8-10 minutes through the day |
Taxi
A taxi is the simplest door-to-door option, especially with heavy luggage or a late arrival. Official metered fares from Shanghai Airport (Group) apply day and night rates.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Fare | Around CNY 180 to central Puxi destinations (5 am-11 pm); around CNY 230 after 11 pm |
| Journey time | About 50 minutes in normal traffic |
| Taxi ranks | Outside Gate 12 (Terminal 1) and Gate 25 (Terminal 2) |
Airport Bus
Shuttle buses connect Pudong to People’s Square, Hongqiao Airport, both railway stations, and other hubs on seven main downtown routes. They’re slower than the metro but drop you closer to specific landmarks.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Fare | CNY 2-36 depending on the route; a night bus (11 pm-5:30 am) runs for CNY 18-34 |
| Journey time | 60-90 minutes depending on the route and traffic |
| Operating hours | Most routes run roughly 7 am-11 pm, boarding outside the arrivals hall at both terminals |
Getting from Hongqiao Airport (SHA) to Shanghai City Center
Hongqiao is smaller and much closer to the city, so every option here is quicker than its Pudong equivalent. There’s no Maglev at this airport, but the metro, taxi, and bus network is dense.
Metro Lines 2 and 10
Both lines reach downtown Shanghai directly, making the metro the fastest and cheapest way out of Hongqiao. Terminal 2 connects to both Line 2 and Line 10; Terminal 1 only has Line 10.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Fare | About CNY 5 to reach the city center (e.g. East Nanjing Road) |
| Journey time | Around 30 minutes |
| Frequency | Trains run every 5 minutes in both directions |
Taxi
Taxis queue outside both terminals and are a fast, straightforward option for the short hop into town.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Fare | Typically CNY 100-150 depending on traffic and your exact destination |
| Journey time | About 30 minutes |
| Pickup points | Arrivals Level at both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 |
Airport Bus
Hongqiao has two shuttle routes from Terminal 1 (807, 176) and several more from Terminal 2, including a direct link to Pudong Airport.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Fare | Around CNY 2 for most downtown routes; the Pudong Airport link (Airport Line 1) runs CNY 36 |
| Journey time | Roughly 25-80 minutes to downtown stops, depending on the route |
| Boarding & payment | Buses depart from both terminals’ arrivals halls; pay cash to the conductor onboard |
Which Transfer Option Should You Choose?
Your best pick depends on luggage, budget, and how tired you are after the flight. A few quick rules of thumb help narrow it down.
| If you’re… | Do this |
|---|---|
| First time in Shanghai, landing at PVG | Take the Maglev to Longyang Road for the novelty and speed, then switch to the metro or a taxi for the final leg |
| Carrying heavy luggage or arriving late at night | A taxi is worth the extra cost at either airport, especially after metro hours |
| On a tight budget | Metro Line 2 (PVG) or Lines 2/10 (SHA) beat every other option on price |
| Connecting between PVG and SHA | Metro Line 2 links both airports directly, and an airport bus route also runs between them |
Once you’re checked into your Shanghai hotel, the same metro and taxi network gets you around the rest of the city.
Before You Land: Entry and Arrival Essentials
Sort out your paperwork before you touch down, so you’re not doing it in the immigration queue. Most travelers now complete China’s digital arrival card online in advance.
It’s also worth checking whether your passport qualifies for one of China’s visa-free entry schemes, which can save you a separate visa application altogether.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fastest way from Shanghai Pudong Airport to the city center?
The Maglev train is the fastest single leg, covering 30 km to Longyang Road Station in about 8 minutes. You’ll still need a metro transfer or taxi from Longyang Road to reach most downtown neighborhoods, so a direct taxi (around 50 minutes) is often just as quick door to door.
How much does the Shanghai Maglev train cost?
A one-way economy ticket costs CNY 50, dropping to CNY 40 if you show a same-day boarding pass. A round-trip ticket costs CNY 80.
Is Hongqiao or Pudong airport closer to downtown Shanghai?
Hongqiao (SHA) is much closer, at about 13 km from downtown versus Pudong’s (PVG) 30 km. That’s why every transfer option from Hongqiao is quicker than its Pudong equivalent.
Can I get between Pudong and Hongqiao airports by public transport?
Yes. Metro Line 2 runs directly between both airports, and a dedicated airport shuttle bus also connects them for travelers with connecting flights.
Is it cheaper to take a taxi or the metro from Shanghai’s airports?
The metro is far cheaper at both airports — CNY 7 versus roughly CNY 180 by taxi from Pudong, and CNY 5 versus CNY 100-150 from Hongqiao. Taxis cost more but save time with luggage or a late arrival.
Do I need to arrange anything before I land in Shanghai?
Most visitors now complete a digital arrival card online before landing, and some nationalities qualify for visa-free entry. Check both before your flight so immigration goes smoothly.
Getting Around, Sorted
Whichever airport you land at, Shanghai’s metro, taxi, and bus network gets you downtown reliably. Compare flights to Shanghai and book your stay on Wego before you go.
Sources
- Shanghai Municipal People’s Government — Transportation at Shanghai’s Airports
- Wikipedia — Shanghai Maglev Train (operating speed, schedule and fares)
- Travel China Guide — Shanghai Maglev Train Ticket: Types, Fare
- Shanghai Airport (Group) Co., Ltd. — Pudong Airport Taxi Fares
- Travel China Guide — Shanghai Metro Line 2
- China Air Travel — Shanghai Hongqiao Airport Taxi Fares
- Travel China Guide — Shanghai Pudong Airport Shuttle Bus: Schedule, Price, Night Line
- Travel China Guide — Shanghai Hongqiao Airport Shuttle Bus: Hours, Fare, Routes
- China Travel Radar — China Digital Arrival Card 2026
Disclaimer: We’ve worked hard to make sure the information in this article is as accurate and up to date as possible at the time of publishing. Travel details such as prices, schedules, visa rules, and entry requirements can change at short notice, so it remains your responsibility to verify the current details with official sources before you book or travel. Wego accepts no liability for any loss or inconvenience arising from the use of this content.
