Shanghai Airport Transfer: From PVG & SHA Airports to Downtown

Learn everything about Shanghai airport transfer options to downtown Shanghai. Shanghai has two major airports: Pudong International Airport (PVG) and Hongqiao International Airport (SHA). I cover all recommended transportation methods—metro, bus, and taxi—along with options for late-night or early arrivals. Please Check! 👇👇👇

Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) to Downtown Transportation

If you want to have fast unlimited data in Shanghai, I recommend this China eSIM!

Shanghai Pudong Airport Transfer | By Metro

Source from chinaairlinetravel

Metro Line 2, identified by its light green color, runs directly from Pudong Airport to major city center locations such as Lujiazui, People's Square, and Nanjing East Road, which are close to many of Shanghai's key attractions.

You need to change trains at Guanglan Road Station to continue towards Pudong Airport, where the service switches from 8-car to 4-car trains. The transfer is straightforward—simply cross to the opposite platform.

Timetable

Ticket Pricing

Major Stations

Route: PVG Airport - Guanglan Road - Hongqiao Airport - East Xujing

Main Stops: People’s Square, West Nanjing Road, East Nanjing Road, Lujiazui Finance and Trade Zone, Zhongshan Park, Jing’an Temple, Century Park

Alternative Options

For a faster transfer, consider the Shanghai Maglev Train, which operates from Pudong Airport to Longyang Road Station. From there, you can switch to Metro Line 2 for continued travel into the city.

Shanghai Pudong Airport Transfer | By Maglev

Source from chinaairlinetravel

The Shanghai Maglev Train is the world's first commercial high-speed magnetic levitation line. This service connects Pudong International Airport directly to Longyang Road Metro Station, covering a distance of 30 kilometers in just 8 minutes. Its peak operational speed can reach up to 430 km/h, offering one of the fastest airport transfers in the world.

Route: Pudong International Airport – Longyang Road

Boarding Point: Airport Location: 2F of Pudong Airport Maglev Station; Longyang Location: 2F of Longyang Road Maglev Station (No. 2100 Longyang Road)

Timetable

Ticket Pricing

Shanghai Pudong Airport Transfer | By Bus

Source: TravelChinaGuide.com

To transfer from Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) to the city center by shuttle bus, you have several options depending on your destination within Shanghai. These shuttles take different routes and offer Line No. 1 through Line No. 8, most of them traveling to the city center.

Tickets can typically be purchased from the bus driver or at designated ticket counters at the airport.

Expect the duration to the city center to range between 60 to 90 minutes depending on traffic and specific stops.

The Shuttle bus mostly runs from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., except for the Airport Night Bus between PVG and Shanghai Hongqiao Airport.

Buses run from both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, so make sure you head to the correct terminal for your bus line.

Shanghai Pudong Airport Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 are connected by a free inter-terminal shuttle bus service, which takes 5 minutes for one-way trip. Here is the genreal overview of it:

Shanghai Pudong Airport Transfer | By Rental Car

Shanghai Pudong Airport Transfer | By Taxi

Source from Finance.sina

Where to Board the Taxi: At Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG), you can find taxi stands located outside the arrivals area of both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. These are clearly marked, and there are typically airport staff available to help direct passengers and manage the queue. It’s advisable to follow the signs to the "official taxi" lines to avoid unlicensed taxis and ensure fair pricing.

• Terminal 1 (T1): The taxi pickup point is located outside door number 11 on the 1F level (Arrival Level) of Terminal 1.
• Terminal 2 (T2): The taxi pickup point is located outside door number 25 on the 1F level (Arrival Level) of Terminal 2.

Taxi Fares and Routes: Shanghai taxis operate with a metered fare system, which varies slightly between day and night hours.

Note: All fares include a fuel surcharge of approximately $0.14 (1 CNY).

Estimated Costs to Key Locations: Here are some estimated costs for common destinations from PVG to the city center. The exact fare will depend on the specific destination, traffic conditions, and the time of day:

Tips for Taking a Taxi:

• Always ensure that the taxi meter is running to avoid overcharging.
• It's helpful to have your destination written in Chinese or a map on hand to show the taxi driver.
• Receipts are usually available upon request and can be useful for tracking expenses or in case you leave an item behind in the vehicle.

Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA) to Downtown Transportation

Shanghai Hongqiao Airport Tranfer | By Metro

from chinaairlinetravel

The most economical option is the subway. Hongqiao Airport is well-connected by Shanghai’s Metro system, with access to both Line 10 and Line 2.

Line 10 is ideal for those heading to areas closer to the airport, such as the Shanghai Zoo or Hongqiao Railway Station, while Line 2 connects to major city center locations including People’s Square and Nanjing Road.

Trains run from early morning (around 5:35 AM) until late at night (around 10:50 PM), with frequencies of every 6-12 minutes. The cost is minimal at around 5 RMB ($0.70 USD), and the total travel time to People’s Square is about 35 minutes.

Shanghai Hongqiao Airport Tranfer | Shuttle Bus

Shuttle buses from Hongqiao Airport offer another affordable alternative to taxis and private transfers. The buses cover various routes, including direct lines to key locations like Shanghai Railway Station. Operating hours range broadly from early morning to late evening, with buses departing every 15-30 minutes. Fares are typically between 2 to 6 RMB ($0.28-0.83 USD), depending on the distance and specific line.

Shanghai Hongqiao Airport Tranfer | Taxi

Taxis offer a direct and comfortable way to travel to the city center, although they are more expensive than other public transport options.

From Shanghai Airports to Popular Destinations

Here are recommended transportation options from Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) to popular destinations in Shanghai:

From Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) to Popular Destinations

From Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) to Popular Destinations

Arrive Late or Early at Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG)

If you arrive at Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) after 23:00 and need to travel to the city center, taking the Night Bus is a highly recommended option, especially if you want to save money compared to taxis. Here's a detailed guide for using the Night Bus service:

Night Bus Service at Shanghai Pudong Airport

Route: The Night Bus route from Pudong Airport heads to the Hongqiao Traffic Hub East Center, passing through several major stops:

• Pudong Airport T1 & T2
• Longyang Road, Fangdian Road
• Century Avenue Metro Station
• East Yan’an Road, Middle Zhejiang Road
• Middle Yan’an Road, Huashan Road
• West Yan’an Road, Hongxu Road

Details about the Night Bus service from Shanghai Pudong Airport to central Shanghai:

Tips:

• Ensure you have cash ready for the fare, as other forms of payment might not be accepted.
• It's helpful to know a few alternative stops near your destination in case you need to get off earlier or later along the route.

Arrive Early at Shanghai Pudong Airport

If you arrive very early in the morning at Shanghai Pudong Airport and are considering using public transportation, the first train of Metro Line 2 starts at 6:00 AM from Pudong Airport​​. This line connects you directly to key locations in downtown Shanghai, including Lujiazui, People’s Square, and the Hongqiao transportation hub. The journey to central Shanghai typically takes about 59 minutes and costs approximately 7 CNY​​.

However, if you arrive before the subway starts operating and need to travel immediately, you could consider other options such as:

• Taking a taxi, which is available 24/7 at the airport but more costly.
• Using the night bus service if your arrival time aligns with its operating schedule, which runs until 5:00 AM

Nearby Hotels with Shanghai Pudong Airport Free Shuttle

Consider booking a room at a nearby hotel that offers free shuttle services if your arrival time is awkward. 👇👇👇

The hotel is conveniently located just 3km from Shanghai Pudong International Airport and 45km from Shanghai Railway Station. Just a short walk from Haitiansan Road Metro Station.

The hotel is located near to the airport and provides shuttle services every 30 minutes. It is relatively new, and everything is nice and clean.

There are many delicious places around, such as durian, fruit, mangosteen, and a snack center！

It was just perfect. So reasonably priced, breakfast included, airport shuttle each was included, Disney shuttle each way included. Everything ran on time. Can’t fault it for a layover location or Disney trip.

The room was really nice, it had a Mickey Mouse theme which made it a lot more aesthetically pleasing, especially for family with children. It was spacious and huge as well. I will definitely recommend travelers to stay at this hotel. The staffs there were really helpful and friendly.

The location is pretty near Pudong International Airport and the hotel provides free shuttle bus to and pro from Pudong International Airport and Shanghai Disneyland. 5 stars from me!!

Arrive Late or Early at Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA)

If you arrive at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) either very early in the morning or late at night, there are several reliable options to get to the city center:

Taxi

Taking a taxi is the quickest and most direct method available 24/7. The journey to downtown Shanghai usually takes about 40 minutes and costs approximately CNY 80 during the day and CNY 100 at night (about $11-14 USD). Taxis are readily available at official taxi ranks outside both terminal buildings​.

Night Bus

For late-night travel, you can use the night bus service. The Night Bus Line 316 operates from the Hongqiao Traffic Hub East Center to key destinations such as East Yan’an Road/The Bund, running from 11:00 PM to 5:00 AM the next day. This service is frequent, departing every 30-40 minutes, and is very affordable at just CNY 2. This makes it a viable option for those on a budget.

Metro

If your arrival aligns with metro operating hours, you can catch the metro as early as 5:35 AM and as late as 11:30 PM. The subway, particularly Line 10 from Hongqiao Airport, connects directly to downtown areas like People’s Square, with trains running every 6-12 minutes. This is the most economical option, with fares as low as CNY 5 (about $0.70 USD)​.

Private Transfer

For convenience and comfort, especially with heavy luggage or group travel, consider pre-booking a private transfer. Hotels with shuttle services can best suit your needs, check the hotels below to get airport shuttle👇👇👇

Nice new hotel with a super comfortable bed. The hotel is near the Hongqiao airport and does provide shuttle bus service to the airport. Definitely a great choice for transit.

Because the flight was delayed, I chose Feiman Hotel. The service was really great. They served tea and water and helped to take the luggage to the room. In the morning, because it was raining, the handsome boy Xiao Guo also helped with the luggage, helped to hold the umbrella, and helped to send it to the car. The breakfast was also good and the room was very clean. There was also a midnight snack in the evening, and the robot helped to deliver it. Comrade Xiao Guo also helped to dry the clothes. The service was first-class. The hotel is really good and all the requirements that can be met will be met good👍

Where to Stay in Shanghai

When visiting Shanghai, choosing the right hotel can make your trip even better. For top comfort, consider one of the city's five-star hotels. 🏩

There are also hotels for everything from business centers for work trips to spas, indoor swimming pools, hot springs, and gyms for relaxing. 😍

Located in the best parts of Shanghai, these hotels offer excellent service and all the amenities you could want for a comfortable stay. ✨

Must-Have Apps in Shanghai

From personal experience, having lived in China for 12 years, I've curated a list of indispensable apps that will make your trip to Shanghai much easier.

DiDi Chuxing 🚕

DiDi Chuxing is akin to Grab and essential for getting around Shanghai easily. If you have a Chinese phone number, you can use the app directly for ride-hailing. For those without a local number, Alipay provides integration with DiDi, allowing you to book rides and automatically handle fares through your Alipay account, streamlining the process whether you're a local or a visitor.

Alipay 💳

Alipay is a must-have for any visitor to China, functioning nearly everywhere for easy payments. By simply scanning a QR code, you can pay for goods and services seamlessly. Before arriving, it’s wise to set up your Alipay account and link it to an international debit or credit card. Alipay also simplifies public transit and taxi rides through its ‘Transport’ feature, which lets you use subways and buses or hail taxis directly from the app, with charges directly applied to your card.

Trip.com 🌐

Trip.com is an invaluable tool for anyone traveling in China, offering services entirely in English. From booking hotels and flights to securing tours and local transportation, Trip.com covers all your travel needs. It boasts a vast selection of accommodation and travel options, with over 5,000 hotels and flights across more than 45 cities. Additionally, Trip.com provides exclusive discounts across a network of over 3,000 partners, making it not just convenient but also cost-effective.

Ele.me 🍜

Ele.me is your go-to for food delivery in Shanghai. If you have a Chinese phone number, you can directly download the app and register. Without a local number, you can still order through Alipay. The service is known for its fast delivery, often within an hour, and offers very reasonable or even free delivery options. Make sure to have your address handy in Chinese to ensure a smooth delivery experience.

Shanghai Popular Attractions

Shanghai Disney Resort 🎢🏰

Shanghai Disney Resort is an unforgettable treat for both the young and young at heart. With an abundance of fun rides and beautiful scenery, it truly feels like a fairy tale come alive. It's perfect for a day out with family or friends. Each visit feels special, as there's always something new to discover. I'd recommend planning a full day to really soak in the magic and excitement of this place. Whether it’s the thrill of the rides or the joy of the parades, there’s something here to delight everyone.

• 📍 Location: 310 Huangzhao Road, Pudong, Shanghai, approximately 20.8 km from downtown.
• 💵 Entry Fee: Tickets start at $89.31, with variations during peak seasons and for special events.

Oriental Pearl Radio & Television Tower 📺🌐

The Oriental Pearl Tower is not just an icon of Shanghai's skyline but also a fantastic place to explore modern architecture and enjoy panoramic views of the city. Walking along the Bund and looking up at this towering structure is a breathtaking experience. It's particularly beautiful at night when the lights of the city and the tower itself light up the sky. For anyone interested in photography or just looking for the best view in Shanghai, this is the place to be.

• 📍 Location: 1 Century Avenue, Pudong, Shanghai, just 2.7 km from the city center.
• 💵 Entry Fee: Admission starts at $27.39.

Lujiazui 🌆🍜

Lujiazui is known for its dazzling skyscrapers and the wealth of dining options hidden within its bustling streets. Here, you can find some of the best local dishes at very reasonable prices. The area is safe to wander around, and discovering these hidden gems is part of the adventure. It's a must-visit for food lovers and anyone looking to experience the vibrant local culture of Shanghai.

• 📍 Location: Lujiazui Ring Road, Pudong, Shanghai, about 3.1 km from downtown.
• 💵 Entry Fee: Free.

The Bund 🌇

The Bund is an essential part of any visit to Shanghai, offering some of the most picturesque views of the city's historical architecture juxtaposed with modern skyscrapers. It's a lively place, especially in the evening, with locals and tourists alike soaking up the atmosphere. Great for a leisurely stroll, it's a cultural landmark that captures the essence of old and new Shanghai perfectly.

• 📍 Location: Zhongshan East 1st Road, Huangpu, Shanghai, approximately 1.8 km from downtown.
• 💵 Entry Fee: Free.

Shanghai Wild Animal Park 🐾🦁

A visit to Shanghai Wild Animal Park is a thrilling adventure, especially for families. It's home to a variety of animals from around the globe, including the beloved giant pandas. The park is spacious, allowing for leisurely walks while observing animals in well-maintained habitats. It’s a fantastic spot for kids to learn about wildlife and conservation. The park is also quite large, so be prepared for a lot of walking, but it’s worth it for the up-close animal encounters!

• 📍 Location: 178 Nanliu Main Road, Pudong, Shanghai, around 30.6 km from downtown.
• 💵 Entry Fee: Starting from $22.71, with different packages available for extra experiences.

Yu Garden 🌿🏮

Yu Garden is a peaceful retreat in the heart of Shanghai, perfect for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. The traditional Chinese garden design here is meticulous, with beautiful pavilions, koi ponds, and lush greenery. It’s also a great spot for souvenir shopping and trying out local snacks. The garden itself is a delightful experience, rich with history and perfect for a slow, relaxing day of exploration.

• 📍 Location: 218 Anren Street, Huangpu, Shanghai, just 1.8 km from downtown.
• 💵 Entry Fee: A modest $4.13, making it an affordable cultural experience.