Shanghai Airport to City Center (2026): Every Option Compared

You just cleared immigration, grabbed your bags, and walked through the sliding doors into the arrivals hall. Welcome to Shanghai. Now comes the first real question: how do you actually get to the city?

Shanghai has two international airports — Pudong International Airport (PVG) on the eastern coast and Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) on the western side closer to downtown. The answer to “how do I get to the city?” depends on which one you landed at, what time it is, and how much you’re willing to spend.

This guide covers every option for both airports: metro, Maglev, taxi, Didi, and airport bus. We’ll give you the real prices, actual travel times, and step-by-step instructions so you can make a decision before you even leave the baggage carousel.

Quick Comparison Table

From Pudong International Airport (PVG)

Pudong is Shanghai’s main international airport, about 30 km east of the city center. Most long-haul international flights land here. The airport has two terminals (T1 and T2), and all transport options are accessible from both.

Option 1: Metro Line 2 — The Cheapest Way

Cost: ¥5–9 depending on destination
Time: 60–90 minutes to central Shanghai (People’s Square, Jing’an)
Hours: First train ~6:00 AM, last train ~10:00 PM

Metro Line 2 connects Pudong Airport directly to the heart of Shanghai. Follow the blue “Metro” signs in the arrivals hall. You’ll take escalators down to the underground station.

Step-by-step:

1. Follow “Metro / 地铁” signs from Arrivals to the basement level.
2. Buy a single-journey ticket from the machines (they accept coins, bills, and Alipay/WeChat). Or use Alipay’s Transport QR code to tap through directly — see our Shanghai Metro Guide for setup instructions.
3. Board Line 2 toward “Xujing East” (徐泾东) direction.
4. You must transfer at Guanglan Road (广兰路) station — everyone gets off and waits for the next Line 2 train continuing toward the city. This is normal; it takes 3–5 minutes.
5. Exit at your destination: People’s Square, Nanjing Road, Jing’an Temple, etc.

Pros: Cheapest option by far. No traffic. Reliable.
Cons: Takes over an hour. Crowded during rush hour (7–9 AM, 5–7 PM). The Guanglan Road transfer can be confusing the first time. No service after ~10 PM.

Option 2: Maglev + Metro — The Fastest Way

Cost: ¥50 for Maglev (¥40 with same-day flight ticket) + ¥3–5 for Metro
Time: 8 minutes on Maglev + 20–30 minutes on Metro = ~40–55 minutes total
Hours: 6:45 AM – 9:40 PM, trains every 15–20 minutes

Shanghai’s Maglev (磁悬浮) is the world’s fastest commercial train, hitting 431 km/h during peak hours (before 5:00 PM) and 300 km/h in the evening. It runs from Pudong Airport to Longyang Road (龙阳路) station, where you transfer to Metro Lines 2, 7, or 16.

Step-by-step:

1. Follow “Maglev / 磁浮” signs in the arrivals hall. The station is on the basement level (different entrance from the Metro).
2. Buy a ticket at the counter or vending machine. Show your boarding pass for the ¥40 discounted fare.
3. Ride to Longyang Road — 8 minutes.
4. Transfer to Metro Line 2 (most common) and continue to your destination.

Pros: Fastest option. A unique experience worth doing at least once. Smooth transfer to metro.
Cons: Still requires a metro transfer. More expensive than metro alone. Longyang Road isn’t central, so you still need 20+ minutes on the subway.

Option 3: Taxi or Didi — The Most Convenient

Cost: ¥150–250 to central Shanghai (metered; highway toll ~¥15 extra)
Time: 45–70 minutes depending on traffic
Hours: 24/7

If you have heavy luggage, are traveling with a group, or it’s late at night, a taxi or Didi (China’s ride-hailing app) is the most comfortable choice.

For official taxis:

1. Follow “Taxi / 出租车” signs to the designated taxi queue on the ground floor.
2. Join the queue. There’s usually a dispatcher — wait your turn.
3. Only take taxis from the official queue. Never follow strangers offering “taxi” in the arrivals hall — these are unlicensed and will overcharge.
4. Tell the driver your destination. Having your hotel address in Chinese characters on your phone is essential — most drivers don’t speak English.
5. Pay with cash (RMB), Alipay, or WeChat Pay. International credit cards generally don’t work in taxis.

For Didi:

1. You need a working Chinese SIM card or eSIM with data to use Didi.
2. Open Didi, enter your destination, and request a ride.
3. Wait at the designated ride-hailing pickup area (different from the taxi queue — follow “Online Car-Hailing / 网约车” signs).
4. Didi shows the price estimate upfront and supports international card payment.

Pros: Door-to-door. No luggage hassle. Available 24/7.
Cons: Most expensive option. Can take 70+ minutes during rush hour. Highway toll added to fare.

Option 4: Airport Bus — The Middle Ground

Cost: ¥20–30 depending on route
Time: 60–90 minutes
Hours: Various routes run until 11 PM or later; some night bus services available

Pudong Airport has multiple bus routes going to different parts of the city. Airport Bus Line 1 goes to Hongqiao Airport/Railway Station. Line 2 goes to Jing’an Temple area. Line 5 goes to Shanghai Railway Station.

Look for “Airport Bus / 机场巴士” signs on the ground floor. Buy tickets at the counter or pay with Alipay/WeChat when boarding. Buses have luggage storage areas.

Pros: Cheaper than taxi, more comfortable than metro with luggage. Some routes run later than the metro.
Cons: Fixed routes — may not go near your hotel. Subject to traffic. Less frequent at night.

From Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)

Hongqiao is closer to downtown — only about 13 km west of the city center. Most domestic flights and some regional international flights (Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia) land here. Hongqiao has two terminals: T1 and T2. T2 is directly connected to Hongqiao Railway Station, making it a major transport hub.

Option 1: Metro Lines 2 and 10 — The Best Option

Cost: ¥3–7
Time: 30–50 minutes to central Shanghai
Hours: First train ~5:30 AM, last train ~10:30 PM

This is the best way to get from Hongqiao to the city for most travelers. The airport is well-connected:

• Terminal 2: Connected to both Line 2 (地铁2号线) and Line 10 (地铁10号线) at “Hongqiao Airport Terminal 2” station.
• Terminal 1: Connected to Line 10 at “Hongqiao Airport Terminal 1” station.

Line 2 takes you directly to Nanjing Road, People’s Square, Lujiazui (Pudong financial district), and beyond. Line 10 takes you to Old Shanghai, Yuyuan Garden area, and Nanjing East Road.

Pros: Fast, cheap, and direct. No transfers needed for most central destinations. Way closer to the city than Pudong.
Cons: Crowded during rush hour. Luggage can be a hassle on packed trains.

Option 2: Taxi or Didi

Cost: ¥40–100 to central Shanghai
Time: 20–40 minutes
Hours: 24/7

Since Hongqiao is much closer to downtown, taxis are significantly cheaper than from Pudong. The same rules apply: use the official taxi queue, have your address in Chinese, and pay with mobile payments or cash. Didi works the same way as described above.

Pros: Quick and affordable. A taxi from Hongqiao to Jing’an or the French Concession can be under ¥60.
Cons: Rush hour traffic on the Yan’an Elevated Highway can double your travel time.

Arriving Late at Night? Here’s What to Do

If your flight lands after 10:00 PM, your options narrow significantly:

• Metro: Last trains leave Pudong Airport around 10:00–10:30 PM and Hongqiao around 10:30 PM. If you clear customs by 9:30 PM, you might make it — but it’s tight.
• Maglev: Last departure from Pudong is 9:40 PM. Not an option for late arrivals.
• Taxi / Didi: This is your best bet for late-night arrivals. Taxis run 24/7 at both airports. Didi is also available but may have slightly longer wait times after midnight. Expect a 10–20% night surcharge on metered taxis (after 11 PM).
• Airport Bus: Some Pudong airport bus routes run until midnight or later. Check the latest schedules on arrival boards in the terminal.
• Stay near the airport: Both airports have nearby hotels. If your flight lands at 1–2 AM, it may be worth sleeping a few hours at an airport hotel (from ¥200–400/night) and taking the first metro in the morning.

Practical Tips for Getting from the Airport

Have Your Hotel Address Ready in Chinese

This is the single most important piece of advice. Whether you’re taking a taxi, Didi, or asking for directions, you need your destination written in Chinese characters. Screenshot it from your booking app, or ask your hotel to send it via email before you arrive.

Set Up Alipay Before You Land

You can link your Visa or Mastercard to Alipay and start using it immediately. This is how you’ll pay for metro tickets (via QR code), taxis, convenience stores, and everything else. See our Metro Guide for QR payment setup.

Fill Out Your Arrival Card Early

You can fill out China’s arrival card online before boarding. This saves you 10–15 minutes at immigration.

Download Offline Maps

Google Maps doesn’t work well in China. Download Amap (高德地图) or Baidu Maps before your trip. Both work offline for basic navigation and show metro routes accurately.

Currency: You Need Digital Payment

China runs on Alipay and WeChat Pay. While you can use cash, many small vendors, metro stations, and taxis prefer mobile payment. Set up Alipay with your international card before you arrive — it takes 5 minutes.

Which Option Should You Choose?

• Budget traveler, light luggage: Metro from either airport. It’s fast enough and incredibly cheap.
• Want the fastest route from Pudong: Maglev + Metro. You’ll hit 431 km/h and save 20+ minutes over the metro-only route.
• Heavy luggage or traveling with family: Taxi or Didi. The convenience is worth the extra cost, especially from Pudong.
• Late night arrival: Taxi or Didi — it’s your only reliable option after 10 PM.
• Arriving at Hongqiao: Just take the metro. It’s so close to the city that a taxi barely saves time.

Bonus: Getting Between Pudong and Hongqiao

If you need to transfer between the two airports (e.g., for a connecting domestic flight), you have two options:

• Metro Line 2: Direct line connecting both airports. Takes about 90 minutes. Cost: ~¥8.
• Taxi / Didi: 45–70 minutes, ¥200–280. Faster but expensive.

If you have a 4+ hour layover, the metro is fine. For tighter connections, take a taxi and leave at least 2 hours.