If you're traveling light, take the Metro. If you're traveling with children, have more than two large suitcases, or are arriving late, take a taxi or private transfer.
For this guide, "downtown Shanghai" means the Bund and East Nanjing Road area. Your hotel may be elsewhere, so use the times below as a comparison rather than an exact hotel-to-airport journey.
Your best option depends on four things: which airport you land at, your arrival time, how much luggage you have, and whether your hotel is close to a Metro station.
Pudong or Hongqiao: Which Shanghai Airport Are You Landing At?
Shanghai has two major airports, but they feel very different when you arrive.
- Pudong International Airport (PVG) is about 30 km east of central Shanghai and handles most of the city's long-haul international traffic. Getting into central Shanghai takes longer, but you have more transport choices, including the Maglev.
- Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) is only about 13 km from central Shanghai. It mainly serves domestic and regional flights, and its location makes getting into downtown much easier.
If you are flying internationally from overseas, check your ticket carefully: most long-haul flights use PVG.
From Pudong Airport (PVG) to Downtown Shanghai: Metro Saves Money, Taxi Saves Effort
For most travelers, the decision is simple:
- Light luggage and your hotel is near Metro: Metro Line 2
- Want to try the Maglev: Maglev + Metro
- Late arrival: Late Night Bus, taxi, or private transfer
- Children or several large suitcases: Taxi or private transfer
| Option | Approx. time to the Bund | Approx. cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metro Line 2 | 70–90 min | About RMB 7 | Light luggage, lowest cost |
| Maglev + Metro | 50–60 min | About RMB 55–60 | Maglev experience |
| Taxi | 45–70 min | About RMB 150–250 | Luggage and door-to-door convenience |
| Late Night Bus | Depends on traffic | RMB 18–34 | Late arrivals on a budget |
| Private transfer | 45–70 min | Varies | Families, late arrivals, multiple bags |
Metro Line 2: Cheapest and Simplest
Choose Metro Line 2 if you are traveling light and your hotel is near a station.
The train runs directly from Pudong Airport toward central Shanghai, and the fare to the East Nanjing Road area is only around RMB 7.
The trade-off is time: allow roughly 70–90 minutes to reach central Shanghai, depending on your exact destination.
If you have one carry-on and a hotel close to a Metro station, this is our first choice.
Maglev + Metro: Fun, but May Not Be a Huge Time Saver
Choose the Maglev for the experience, not because it takes you directly to downtown.
The Maglev covers the airport-to-Longyang Road section in about 8 minutes, but you still need to transfer to the Metro or another vehicle for the rest of the journey.
For the Bund area, allow roughly 50–60 minutes in total, including the transfer.
A standard Maglev ticket is RMB 50, so you will usually spend about RMB 55–60 once the Metro is added.
If this is your first time in Shanghai and you want to experience the famous high-speed Maglev, it is worth considering. If your priority is simply getting to your hotel easily, a taxi is usually more practical.
Taxi: The Easiest Choice With Luggage
At Pudong:
- Terminal 1: taxi stand outside Arrivals Gate 12
- Terminal 2: taxi stand outside Arrivals Gate 25
The airport provides official taxi queues at both terminals.
If you have children, two or more large suitcases, or simply do not want to navigate the Metro after a long flight, take a taxi.
Allow roughly 45–70 minutes to the Bund area, although rush-hour traffic can make the journey longer.
The fare is typically around RMB 150–250, depending on your destination, traffic, and time of day.
Keep your hotel's Chinese name and address on your phone. Showing the address is much easier than trying to pronounce an unfamiliar Chinese hotel name.
If you are arriving after a long international flight with children or several large bags, we can arrange a private airport transfer so you can go straight from arrivals to your hotel without dealing with the taxi queue or Metro.
Late Night Bus: The Budget Option After Public Transport Hours
If you arrive after the Metro and Maglev have stopped running, the Late Night Bus is the cheapest way into central Shanghai.
It operates from about 11 PM to 5:30/5:33 AM, with fares of RMB 18–34 depending on where you get off. Stops include Century Avenue and East Yan'an Road & Zhejiang Middle Road, close to the central city.
The important catch is that it is not a door-to-door service. You may still need a taxi or a walk to reach your hotel.
For a late-night arrival with heavy luggage, we would pay extra for a taxi or private transfer rather than add another transfer at midnight.
From Hongqiao Airport(SHA) to Downtown Shanghai: Metro Is Usually the Best Choice
Hongqiao is much closer to central Shanghai, so you usually do not need a complicated transfer.
| Option | Approx. time to the Bund | Approx. cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metro Line 2/ Line 10 | 40–50 min | About RMB 4–5 | Most travelers |
| Taxi | 30–45 min | About RMB 40–70 | Luggage and door-to-door convenience |
| Night Bus 316 | Depends on traffic | RMB 2 | Late arrivals on a budget |
| Private transfer | 30–45 min | Varies | Families and hassle-free arrival |
Metro: Best for Most Travelers
If your hotel is near a Metro station, take the Metro.
At Terminal 2, you can access Metro Lines 2 and 10. Terminal 1 is served by Line 10.
For a hotel near East Nanjing Road or the Bund, allow roughly 40–50 minutes, depending on your terminal, route, and walking time.
The Metro is inexpensive, but the real question is not the fare. Check your final walking distance with your luggage.
If your route requires a line change followed by a 10–15-minute walk with a suitcase, paying around RMB 40–70 for a taxi may be the better decision.
Taxi: Worth the Extra Money When Your Hotel Is Inconvenient
Taxi pick-up points are:
- Terminal 1: outside Arrivals Gate 1
- Terminal 2: outside Arrivals Gate 4
Take a taxi when the Metro saves money but adds too much walking or changing.
The ride to the Bund area usually takes about 30–45 minutes, depending on traffic, and typically costs around RMB 40–70.
If you are traveling with children or arriving with several suitcases, this is often the easiest choice.
Night Bus 316: Useful for Very Late Arrivals
If you land after the Metro has stopped, Bus 316 runs from about 11 PM to 5 AM and costs only RMB 2.
It runs from Hongqiao East Transportation Center to Yan'an East Road & Zhongshan East 1st Road, putting you close to the Bund area.
It is excellent value, but you will still need to make your own way from the final stop to your hotel.
For a solo traveler with light luggage, it is worth considering. For a family arriving after midnight, a taxi or private transfer is usually worth the extra cost.
Between Pudong and Hongqiao: Take the Airport Link Line
If you are connecting between Shanghai's two airports, do not travel through central Shanghai by ordinary Metro.
The Airport Link Line connects Hongqiao Airport Terminal 2 with Pudong Airport Terminals 1 and 2 in about 40 minutes, with a full fare of RMB 26.
It currently operates roughly from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM, so check the departure time if your flight connection is early or late.
This is now the obvious choice when you need to move between PVG and SHA.
Things to Prepare Before Leaving the Airport
1. Save Your Hotel's Chinese Address: Not everyone speaks English in China. For a taxi driver, showing the Chinese address on your phone is often much easier than trying to pronounce an unfamiliar Chinese hotel name.
2. Prepare Two Payment Methods: Remember to download a mobile payment app to your phone and arrange for currency exchange. Have a physical bank card as backup, and feel free to ask airport staff for help when encountering difficulties.
3. Keep Your Phone Charged: Your phone becomes your map, translation tool, hotel information, and payment device once you leave the airport. Ensure your mobile phone is fully charged, or that you have a charged power bank with you before leaving the airport.
4. Use Official Taxi Queues: You do not need to negotiate with individual drivers inside the terminal. Use the official taxi queue or a confirmed ride-hailing service like Didi/private-transfer pick-up point instead for a safe ride.
Thinking of planning a layover trip in Shanghai? Check out our Shanghai Layover Guide.