Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) to Shanghai
The Maglev reaches Longyang Road in about 8 minutes, where you change to Metro Line 2. Metro Line 2 also runs directly from the airport to People's Square in about 60–70 minutes, for much less.
Most international flights use Pudong (PVG). Hongqiao (SHA), much closer to the centre, handles mainly domestic and some regional flights.
Best for most people: Maglev. The Maglev plus Metro Line 2 is the quickest way to central Shanghai and avoids expressway traffic.
All the options
| How | Time | How often | Price* | Hours | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| maglev Shanghai Maglev from Pudong Airport to Longyang Road, then Metro Line 2 or 7 | about 8 min Maglev; about 40–50 min total to People's Square | every 15–20 min | about ¥50 single (about ¥40 with a same-day air ticket) + metro | about 06:45–21:40 | Pay at the ticket office or machines. |
| metro Metro Line 2 from Pudong Airport to People's Square, Nanjing Road and Jing'an | about 60–75 min to People's Square | every 8–10 min | about ¥7–8 | about 06:00–22:30 | You may need to change trains at Guanglan Road on the same line. |
| bus Airport buses to various city areas | about 60–90 min | varies | about ¥20–35 | some routes run until the last flight | Useful for late arrivals. |
| taxi Official taxi rank outside Arrivals | about 45–75 min | about ¥160–250 to Puxi, more at night | 24 h | Use only the official rank; show your hotel address written in Chinese. |
*Approximate 2026 prices and times. Services change: check the operator before you fly, especially for late arrivals.
Sort it before you land
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Other airports
- Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport — SHA — Metro lines 2 and 10 go straight into the city in about 30–40 min (about ¥5–7). A taxi to the centre costs roughly ¥70–100.
Tips
- Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you travel — they are used almost everywhere.
- Have your hotel address written in Chinese for taxi drivers.
- DiDi is the main ride-hailing app and has an English interface.
- The Maglev stops early in the evening; after that, use Line 2, a bus or a taxi.
Common questions
How much is a taxi from Pudong to central Shanghai?
About ¥160–250 to People's Square or the Bund area, more late at night, taking about 45–75 minutes. Use the official taxi rank outside Arrivals and avoid people offering rides inside the terminal. Have your hotel address in Chinese.
Is the Maglev worth it?
It is the fastest way, reaching Longyang Road in about 8 minutes at speeds up to around 300 km/h. You still need to change to Metro Line 2 or 7, so the total trip is about 40–50 minutes. It runs only until about 21:40.
Is there transport at night?
The metro and Maglev stop by about 22:30 and 21:40. Some airport bus routes run later to meet the last flights. A taxi or DiDi is available 24 hours.
Can I pay by card?
Cash and foreign cards are less common in China. Alipay and WeChat Pay now accept foreign cards; set them up before you travel. Metro and Maglev ticket machines and official taxis may also accept cash or cards. Carry some yuan just in case.
Compiled by TonyPlan from airport and transport-operator information and travel knowledge; updated 2026-10-05. Anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.