Shanghai Airport Transfer Guide: PVG & SHA to the City

¿Necesitas recogida en el aeropuerto al hotel?

Ver Opciones de Conductor Privado en Shanghái

Primero compara las opciones de transporte

From Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)

Pudong Airport has the widest choice of transport into Shanghai. The main options are Metro Line 2, the Maglev, taxi, DiDi, airport bus and pre-booked private vehicle.

PVG Option 1: Metro Line 2

Metro Line 2 provides a direct rail route from Pudong Airport toward central Shanghai.

A trip from Pudong Airport to People's Square costs about 7 RMB and takes roughly one hour under normal operation.

Line 2 is useful because it continues through major central areas, but the full airport-to-hotel journey depends on where your accommodation is relative to a station.

Best for:

• Solo travelers
• Couples with manageable luggage
• Daytime arrivals
• Travelers staying near Line 2
• Budget-conscious visitors

Less convenient for:

• Several large suitcases
• Families managing children and luggage
• Hotels requiring additional transfers
• Arrivals after normal rail service

*Current fare/time reference: Shanghai Airport Authority / Shanghai Municipal Government.*

PVG Option 2: Shanghai Maglev

The Shanghai Maglev connects Pudong Airport with Longyang Road in about eight minutes.

A standard single journey costs 50 RMB, while a standard round trip costs 80 RMB.

The key point is that Longyang Road is not central Shanghai. From Longyang Road, most visitors still need Metro Line 2, another metro connection, taxi or DiDi to reach their hotel.

The Maglev therefore saves time on the airport-to-Longyang segment, but it does not eliminate the final city connection.

Best for:

• Travelers who specifically want to experience the Maglev
• Destinations convenient from Longyang Road
• Travelers who value a very fast first rail segment
• Light-luggage travelers comfortable transferring

Less useful for:

• Door-to-door hotel travel
• Groups where several rail tickets approach road-transfer cost
• Heavy luggage
• Hotels requiring another long connection

PVG Option 3: Official Taxi

Official taxis provide direct airport-to-hotel transport from Pudong Airport.

As a general reference, Shanghai Airport Authority currently estimates a Pudong Airport to People's Square taxi trip at around 180 RMB and around 50 minutes, although the actual fare and travel time depend on traffic, distance and applicable surcharges.

Follow airport signs to the official taxi queue rather than accepting unsolicited rides inside the terminal.

Keep your hotel name and address in Chinese on your phone.

PVG Option 4: DiDi

DiDi is useful if you prefer entering your hotel digitally and seeing an estimated fare before pickup.

Shanghai airports use designated ride-hailing pickup areas, so follow the pickup instructions in the app after a driver accepts the booking.

DiDi offers an English-language interface, and international visitors can use services through DiDi itself or supported Alipay and WeChat workflows.

The app reduces the need for spoken destination instructions.

PVG Option 5: Pre-Booked Private Transfer

A pre-booked transfer is useful when you want the airport pickup arranged before landing rather than deciding between rail, taxi and ride-hailing after arrival.

It becomes more valuable with several suitcases, children, elderly travelers, larger groups, business schedules, late arrivals or additional stops after the airport.

DragonTrail's private-driver service is vehicle + driver with English-language coordination. A licensed sightseeing guide is separate unless specifically included.

See Shanghai private driver vehicles and options →

From Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)

Hongqiao Airport is much closer to central Shanghai than Pudong, so public transport and road transfers are generally simpler.

The correct rail option depends on your terminal.

SHA Option 1: Metro

Hongqiao Airport Terminal 1 is served by Metro Line 10.

Hongqiao Airport Terminal 2 is served by Metro Lines 2 and 10.

For many central Shanghai destinations, metro is the simplest low-cost choice because Hongqiao is already on the western side of the urban area.

Terminal 2 is also part of the larger Hongqiao transport hub, making it particularly useful for travelers connecting with Hongqiao Railway Station.

SHA Option 2: Official Taxi

An official taxi is straightforward when you want to travel directly from Hongqiao Airport to your hotel.

Shanghai Airport Authority currently gives a general city-center reference of about 100–150 RMB and around 30 minutes, depending on traffic and destination.

Use this only as an approximate reference.

SHA Option 3: DiDi

DiDi works well for travelers who prefer to enter the destination in an app rather than explain it verbally.

Hongqiao Airport has designated ride-hailing pickup areas. Follow the current terminal signs and app instructions after booking because pickup locations can change as airport traffic arrangements evolve.

SHA Option 4: Pre-Booked Private Transfer

Because Hongqiao is closer to central Shanghai, taxi or DiDi may be sufficient for a simple hotel transfer.

A pre-booked private vehicle becomes more useful when airport pickup is part of a larger schedule — for example business meetings, multiple stops, luggage-heavy group travel, railway connections or a full-day vehicle booking.

View Shanghai Private Driver Service →

Shanghai Maglev: When Does It Make Sense?

The Maglev is famous because it covers the Pudong Airport to Longyang Road section in about eight minutes, but that does not mean every traveler reaches their hotel faster.

Longyang Road is in Pudong, east of the traditional city center. Most visitors still need another metro or road journey afterward.

If your goal is simply the lowest-cost rail trip into central Shanghai, Metro Line 2 is usually easier to understand.

If your goal is door-to-door convenience, compare taxi, DiDi or private transfer instead.

Taxi vs DiDi vs Private Transfer

All three provide door-to-door travel. The main difference is how the journey is arranged.

If your only requirement is a straightforward airport-to-hotel ride, an official taxi or DiDi may be sufficient.

A pre-booked private vehicle becomes more useful when the transfer is part of a larger plan — for example airport pickup followed by meetings, sightseeing, another city transfer, or several stops.

PVG to Hongqiao Airport

Shanghai's Airport Link Line connects Pudong Airport T1 & T2 with Hongqiao Airport Terminal 2 in about 40 minutes.

The full end-to-end fare is 26 RMB.

The line is particularly useful when transferring between Shanghai's two airports or when one of its intermediate stations works for your destination.

It does not replace Metro Line 2, the Maglev or road transport for every airport-to-hotel journey.

If connecting between airports, always leave additional time for walking, terminal access, check-in, security and any flight-specific requirements.

Late-Night Arrivals in Shanghai

Do not assume Metro Line 2, the Maglev or Airport Link Line will still be operating when a late international flight clears immigration and baggage claim.

For late arrivals, the practical options are usually:

• official taxi
• DiDi or another licensed ride-hailing service
• pre-booked private transfer
• an airport night-bus service where the route suits your destination

Pudong Airport operates late-night airport-bus service after normal rail hours, but timetables and stops can change. Check the current airport schedule for your arrival date.

For travelers with luggage whose hotel is not near a night-bus stop, a direct road transfer is usually simpler than taking a bus and arranging another connection afterward.

Which Shanghai Airport Transfer Fits Your Trip?

Choose the Metro if

• You arrive while rail service is operating
• Your luggage is manageable
• Your hotel is convenient from the metro
• Low cost matters more than door-to-door convenience

Choose the Maglev from PVG if

• You want the fastest airport-to-Longyang Road rail segment
• Your destination is convenient from Longyang Road
• You specifically want to experience the Maglev
• You are comfortable making another connection

Choose an Official Taxi if

• You want a direct ride
• You are comfortable using the airport taxi queue
• You can show your destination in Chinese
• You do not need the pickup arranged in advance

Choose DiDi if

• You prefer entering the destination digitally
• You are comfortable using a ride-hailing app
• You can follow the designated airport pickup instructions
• You want an estimated fare before pickup

Choose a Private Transfer if

• You want the pickup arranged before landing
• You have children, elderly travelers or several suitcases
• You are traveling as a larger group
• You arrive very early or late
• You have business meetings or multiple stops
• You need the airport transfer to connect directly into a longer vehicle service

Need a vehicle arranged before you land?

See Shanghai Private Driver Service

View airport, business and flexible day-hire options.

Airport Transfer to Popular Shanghai Areas

The most practical airport transfer depends on the final district, not only the airport.

Payment, Apps and Practical Arrival Tips

Save your hotel in Chinese

Keep the hotel's Chinese name and full address on your phone. This is useful for taxi drivers and when confirming a destination.

Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay

International travelers can use Alipay and WeChat Pay for many transport services in China.

How to Use Alipay in China

DiDi has an English interface

DiDi can be used in English and allows the destination to be entered digitally. The app also provides vehicle and license-plate information after a driver accepts.

Shanghai rail is increasingly foreign-card friendly

Shanghai Metro supports eligible international contactless bank cards at rail gates, including supported Visa, Mastercard, American Express and JCB cards.

The Maglev also supports eligible international contactless bank-card payment.

Follow official pickup signs

Use official taxi stands and designated ride-hailing pickup areas.

Do not accept unsolicited rides from people approaching travelers inside the terminal.

Check current transport hours

Rail and airport-bus operating hours may change because of schedule revisions, seasonal services or temporary operating conditions.

If you are connecting through Shanghai rather than staying in the city, see our Shanghai Layover Guide.

For Pudong-specific layover timing, see the PVG Layover Guide.

Continue with the Shanghai City Guide once you have arrived.

Official Transport References

Transport fares, operating hours and airport pickup arrangements can change. Key information on this guide was checked against current Shanghai government, airport and rail sources.

• Shanghai Airport Authority — airport transportation
• International Services Shanghai / Shanghai Municipal Government — airport-to-city transport
• Shanghai Metro — Metro and Maglev
• Shanghai Municipal Commission of Transport
• Shanghai Municipal Development and Reform Commission
• Shanghai Airport Link Line information

Last checked: September 2026