Qiang Huang
What's Inside (click to jump)
Three hours. That's how long a family from Australia waited at the taxi stand at Pudong last July. I had warned them, but they thought they'd just grab a cab. Nope. Shanghai's airports are massive, and the transfer options can confuse even seasoned travelers. Let me cut through the noise.
In this guide, I'll walk you through the real trade-offs — not the glossy brochure stuff — so you can get to your hotel fast without blowing your budget or getting stuck in a payment nightmare.
Pudong Airport vs Hongqiao Airport: Which One Are You Landing At?
First thing: know your airport. Pudong (PVG) is the big international hub, 30-40 km east of downtown. Hongqiao (SHA) is closer (13 km west) and handles mostly domestic flights plus a few regional ones. If you land at Pudong, you have more transfer pain to deal with. Hongqiao is easier.
I always tell my clients: check your arrival terminal before you even book. Some flights use Terminal 1 or 2 at Pudong — they are connected but a 10-minute walk apart. Hongqiao has Terminal 1 (old, smaller) and Terminal 2 (new, bigger). The metro station at Hongqiao is right under T2.
The Maglev Train: Is It Worth the Hype?
The Shanghai Maglev is the world's fastest commercial train — 431 km/h. It runs from Pudong Airport to Longyang Road station (about 8 minutes). Sounds amazing, right? But here's the catch.
It only goes to Longyang Road, not downtown. From Longyang Road you have to transfer to Metro Line 2 or 7 or grab a taxi. If your hotel is in Lujiazui or East Nanjing Road, that transfer adds 20-30 minutes. For a family with luggage, it's a hassle.
Price: 50 RMB one way (single ticket), or 40 RMB if you show a same-day flight ticket. Kids under 1.3m ride free. The train runs every 15-20 minutes from 6:45 to 21:30. Last train from airport is 21:40, so if you land late, forget it.
Taxi from Shanghai Airport: What Tourists Get Wrong
Taxis are everywhere outside the arrivals halls. But I've seen so many tourists overpay or get lost. Here are the three mistakes I see most.
Mistake 1: Not Using the Official Taxi Queue
At Pudong T1 and T2, follow the signs to the official taxi stand. Ignore the touts offering rides inside the terminal. They charge 2-3x the meter rate. Official taxis have a numbered queue and a dispatcher. Wait your turn.
Mistake 2: Assuming All Taxis Take Cards
This is a big one. Many older taxis only take cash or Alipay/WeChat. International credit cards? Almost never. I always carry 200-300 RMB in small bills for the taxi. If you don't have cash, ask your driver if they accept Alipay — sometimes they will if you scan their code. But don't rely on it.
Mistake 3: Getting Stuck in the Wrong Queue for Distance
At Pudong, there are separate queues for short-distance (under 10 km) and long-distance. If you go to the short queue but your hotel is 30 km away, the dispatcher will send you to the long queue. I've seen people wait 40 minutes in the wrong line. Check the signs: "Short Distance" vs "Long Distance." Most hotels in downtown are long distance.
From Pudong to People's Square: expect ~60 minutes, 170-220 RMB depending on traffic. From Hongqiao to downtown: ~30 minutes, 50-80 RMB.
Airport Shuttle Buses: The Budget-Friendly (but Slow) Option
Shanghai has several shuttle bus lines connecting airports to various parts of the city. They're cheap (around 20-30 RMB) and run every 15-30 minutes. But they can be painfully slow if you hit rush hour.
Two main lines from Pudong: Line 1 goes to Hongqiao (about 90 minutes), Line 2 to the Shanghai Railway Station. From Hongqiao, Line 1 goes to Pudong (same route).
I only recommend shuttle buses if you're on a tight budget, have plenty of time, and are going to a stop near your hotel. Otherwise, the subway or taxi is better.
| Transfer Option | Cost (RMB) | Time to Downtown | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metro (Line 2) | 7-10 | 60-70 min (Pudong) | Solo travelers, light luggage |
| Maglev + Metro | 50+7 | 35-45 min | Speed over budget |
| Official Taxi | 170-220 | 50-70 min | Families, late night |
| Shuttle Bus | 20-30 | 70-90 min | Budget, no rush |
| Private Transfer | 250-400 | 45-60 min | Comfort, groups |
Private Transfer vs Ride-Hailing Apps: My Go-To Choice
Honestly, after years of guiding, I prefer ride-hailing apps like Didi (China's Uber) or a pre-booked private transfer. Why? You see the price upfront, you don't have to fumble with cash, and the car is usually cleaner.
Didi works with a VPN and international SIM. Download the app before you land, add your credit card (Visa/Mastercard works now, but sometimes fails). Plan B: ask your hotel lobby to call a taxi for you.
Private transfer services like Klook or Trip.com offer fixed prices with an English-speaking driver holding a sign. It costs more (250-400 RMB from Pudong) but gives peace of mind. I use this for clients arriving late or with lots of luggage.
One tip: never use Uber in Shanghai — it's very limited. Didi is the standard.
Probably the best airport transfer I’ve ever booked worldwide. Clear communication via WhatsApp before landing, driver tracked my flight perfectly, and the price was actually lower than a taxi from the rank. The car was a luxury sedan with leather seats and mint smell. This is how it should be done.
Used this service with two kids and a mountain of luggage. The driver had a child seat ready as requested and even helped take photos at the airport exit. The car was a spacious MPV with plenty of room. Made our arrival in Shanghai so much easier. Five stars without hesitation!
Absolutely flawless experience! My flight arrived 1 hour early at 11 PM, but the driver was already waiting with a sign. Helped with all four suitcases and drove smoothly through the night traffic. Even offered water and phone charging cables. Highly recommend for first-timers who want zero stress.
Decent ride from Pudong to Jing'an. Driver was professional and the car was spotless, but he took a toll road without asking, which added 40 RMB to the quoted price. Not a huge deal, but I’d prefer transparency upfront. Would consider again if they fix this.
Booked this transfer based on the article's recommendations, but my driver was 25 minutes late without any message. The car was clean and comfortable once he arrived, but the lack of communication left me stressed after a 12-hour flight. For a ‘premium’ service, I expected punctuality. Won't use again.