Shanghai Hongqiao Intl. Airport (SHA) – Terminals, Transport & Arrivals/Departures

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Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) Guide

Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) Information

Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) Information
Shanghai has two major airports: Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) and Pudong International Airport (PVG). Pudong focuses on long-haul international flights, while Hongqiao specializes in domestic and regional routes (e.g., Hong Kong, Macau).
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) is the major domestic and regional hub (~13 km from downtown Shanghai). It handles flights to/from mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea. The airport has two terminals (T1 and T2), connected by free shuttle buses or Metro Line 10.
CategoryDetails
IATA/ICAO CodeSHA / ZSSS
TerminalsT1 (domestic + limited regional), T2 (most domestic flights)
Address2550 Hongqiao Rd, Changning District, Shanghai

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​Shanghai Hongqiao Airport ↔ Hongqiao Railway Station

The​ Shanghai airport and bullet train station are basically ​​siblings under one roof. Here’s how to transfer:

​Just Need Walk

  • ​Time​​: 10-15 minutes indoors (air-conditioned/heated).
  • ​Route​​: From Hongqiao Airport ​​T2​​, follow ​​bright orange “Train Station” signs​​ → down escalators → through a long corridor with shops → up escalators to station entrance.
  • ​Got luggage?​​ Use elevators near restrooms (look for ♿ symbols).​

Bus Shuttle (If you are already outside)

  • ​Shuttle between T1/T2​​: Free shuttle bus (15 mins, departs every 10 mins) outside T1 Door 6 and T2 Door 1.

​Shanghai Pudong (PVG) ↔ Hongqiao (SHA) Transfer Guide​

​​Shanghai Pudong (PVG) ↔ Hongqiao (SHA) Transfer Guide​


No fluff—just the fastest, cheapest, and least stressful ways to switch airports in Shanghai.

​Option 1: Maglev + Metro (Fastest)​

  • ​Time​​: ~1 hour
  • ​Cost​​: ¥50–60
  • ​Steps​​:
    1. At Pudong Airport, take the ​​Maglev Train​​ to ​​Longyang Road Station​​ (7 mins, ¥50).
    2. Transfer to ​​Metro Line 2​​ (30–40 mins, ¥5–7) → Ride to ​​Hongqiao Airport Station​​ (Terminal 2).
  • ​Best for​​: Tight schedules (e.g., <4 hours between flights).

​Option 2: Metro Line 2 Direct (Cheapest)​

  • ​Time​​: ~90 mins
  • ​Cost​​: ¥7–8
  • ​Steps​​:
    1. At Pudong Airport, take ​​Line 2​​ (towards East Xujing).
    2. Ride 29 stops → Exit at ​​Hongqiao Airport Station​​ (Terminal 2).
  • ​Warning​​: Avoid 7–9 AM & 5–7 PM—packed like sardines.
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​Option 3: Taxi/Didi (Easiest)​

  • ​Time​​: 60–90 mins (traffic-dependent)
  • ​Cost​​: ¥200–300
  • ​Steps​​:
    1. Grab a taxi at Pudong’s arrivals (follow “Taxi” signs).
    2. Say: “去虹桥机场,走外环” (Qù Hóngqiáo jīchǎng, zǒu wàihuán) → “To Hongqiao Airport via Outer Ring Highway.”
  • ​Pro tip​​: Use ​​Didi​​ (China’s Uber) for upfront pricing (~¥220).

​Option 4: Airport Shuttle Bus​

  • ​Time​​: 60–90 mins
  • ​Cost​​: ¥30–40
  • ​Route​​: Pudong T1/T2 → Hongqiao T2 (Bus Line 1).
  • ​Catch it​​: Outside Pudong arrivals (look for green buses).

​Key Notes

  • ​Time Buffer​​: Allow ​​4+ hours​​ between flights (immigration/customs at Pudong can take 1–2 hours).
  • ​Rail Link​​: Hongqiao Airport connects to ​​Hongqiao Railway Station​​ (5-min walk from T2) for bullet trains to Hangzhou/Suzhou.
  • ​Luggage​​: Pudong’s T1/T2 have luggage storage (¥50/day) if you want to explore Shanghai during a layover.
  • ​Late at night?​​ Metro Line 2 stops at ~10:30 PM – take the ​​Night Bus 316​​ (¥2, 90 mins).

Shanghai Hongqiao Airport to Downtown

Shanghai Hongqiao Airport to Downtown
​​Method​​​​Time​​​​Cost​​​​Best For​​
​Metro Line 2​30–40 mins¥4–6Budget travelers, no traffic
​Taxi​25–50 mins~¥70–150Groups, late-night arrivals
​Didi​25–50 mins~¥50–130English app users
​Airport Bus​45–60 mins¥4–10Scenic route (if you’re into highways)

*Cost is just for reference, based on my personal experience.

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​1. Metro Line 2: Cheapest

  • ​Route​​: Hongqiao Airport Station (虹桥机场站) → Downtown stops like ​​People’s Square​​ (人民广场, Exit 19 for shopping) or ​​Jing’an Temple​​ (静安寺, Exit 1 for hotels).
  • ​Steps​​:
    1. Follow “Metro” signs in T2 (10-min walk from arrivals).
    2. Buy a ticket (cash/WeChat) or tap Alipay’s “Metro QR Code”.
    3. Board Line 2 (towards ​​East Xujing​​).
  • ​Pro Tips​​:
    • Avoid ​​7–9 AM & 5–7 PM​​ – trains get packed.
    • Last metro departs Hongqiao at ​​~10:30 PM​​.

​2. Taxi: Door-to-Door Convenience​

  • ​Where​​: Taxi ranks outside T1 (Door 3) and T2 (Door 1).
  • ​Cost​​: ~¥120–150 (metered).
  • ​Warning​​:
    • Avoid ​​black cars​​ (illegal taxis) – they’ll quote ¥300+.
    • Rush hour (7–9 AM, 5–7 PM) can double travel time.
Shanghai Hongqiao Airport to Downtown

​3. Didi (China’s Uber): Slightly Cheaper​

  • ​App Setup​​: Download Didi (English available), link Alipay/WeChat.
  • ​Pickup​​: T2 B1 Parking (follow “Didi Pickup” signs).
  • ​Car Types​​:
    • ​Express​​ (~¥90–110) – Basic ride.
    • ​Premium​​ (~¥130–160) – More legroom.

​4. Airport Bus: For Night Owls​

  • ​Night Bus 316​​: Runs 11 PM–5 AM from T2 → ​​People’s Square​​ (¥2, pay cash).
  • ​Daytime Buses​​: Bus 941 to ​​Shanghai Railway Station​​ (¥4, slow but scenic).
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Shanghai Hongqiao Airport - Terminal Map & Layout

Shanghai Hongqiao Airport - Terminal Map & Layout

Credit: china airline travel

T1 (Older, Smaller)​

  • ​Level 3​​: ​​Departures​
    – Check-in counters (A/B zones for domestic flights like Spring Airlines).
    – Security: Left side for Priority Lane (business class/elite status).
  • ​Level 2​​: ​​Arrivals​
    – Baggage belts 1-4.
    – Taxi rank: Exit Door 3 (ignore touts offering “fixed rates”).
  • ​Level 1​​: ​​Services​
    – 24-hour FamilyMart (instant noodles, SIM cards).
    – Lost & Found near Door 6.
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Shanghai Hongqiao Airport - Terminal Map & Layout

Credit: china airline travel

​T2 (Modern, Connected to Rail)​

  • ​Level 4​​: ​​Departures​
    – Check-in Zones A-M (A for international, B-M for domestic).
    – Self-check kiosks near Zone B (English available).
  • ​Level 3​​: ​​Mezzanine​
    – Food: Yang’s Fried Dumplings, Starbucks, Haidilao hot pot (¥200/person).
    – VIP Lounges: Near Gate 41 (Priority Pass, DragonPass).
  • ​Level 2​​: ​​Arrivals​
    – Baggage belts 5-12.
    – Metro Line 2/10 entrance (follow green signs).
  • ​Level 1​​: ​​Parking/Trains​
    – Direct walkway to ​​Hongqiao Railway Station​​ (10 mins, follow “Train” signs).
    – Didi pickup at B1 Parking (use app’s “Departures” pickup code).

Shanghai Hongqiao Airport - Lounges & Facilities

Shanghai Hongqiao Airport - Lounges & Facilities

Credit: Priority Pass, China Eastern Airlines V01 International Lounge

VIP Lounges​

  • ​T1​​: Spring Airlines Lounge (near Gate 3) – Basic snacks, no showers.
  • ​T2​​: Priority Pass Lounge (near Gate 41) – Free beer, hot noodles, and charging stations.
  • ​Access​​: Priority Pass/DragonPass members or biz class tickets. No walk-ins.

​Nearby Offices​

  • ​China Eastern Airlines Office​​: T2 Level 3 (Gate 15) – Rebook flights, print tickets.
  • ​Ctrip Travel Desk​​: T1 Level 1 (Door 2) – Book hotels/trains without Chinese apps.

Other ​​Essential Facilities​

​​Need It?​​​​Where to Find​​​​Pro Tip​​
​Free WiFi​Network: SHA-FREE-WIFINo Chinese number? ​ Get fast Data in China with instant access to WhatsApp/IG.
​Cash Exchange​T2 Level 3 (near Gate 25)​Avoid​​ – ATMs (T1/T2 arrivals) give better rates.
​Luggage Storage​​ 🧳T2 Level 2 (¥50/day, closes at 11 PM)Store bags here if hopping to Hangzhou/Suzhou for the day.
​Pharmacy​​ 💊T1 (Level 1, Door 4) / T2 (Level 3, Gate 35)Stock up on motion sickness pills before bullet train rides.

​Late-Night Hack​​: T2’s ​​FamilyMart​​ (Level 1) sells SIM cards, beer, and hot braised chicken – open 24/7.

​Need to print a ticket?​​ Use self-service kiosks near T2 Gate 6.

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Shanghai Hongqiao Airport - Arrivals & Departures

Shanghai Hongqiao Airport - Arrivals & Departures

Credit: china airline travel

Shanghai Hongqiao Airport - Departures Guide

After entering the terminal, head to ​​Area 01​​ for check-in:

  • ​International/Hong Kong/Macao/Taiwan flights​​ (T1) or ​​domestic flights​​ (T2). Use self-service kiosks or airline apps for QR boarding passes to skip lines.

Next, ​​Area 02​​ handles inspections:

  • For international flights: Pass through ​​health quarantine​​ (customs) and ​​immigration​​. Have your passport/visa ready.
  • For domestic flights: Direct to ​​security check​​.

At ​​security​​ (Area 03):

  • Remove laptops/liquids (100ml max).
  • Priority lanes available for biz/first class.

Post-security, head to ​​2F departures waiting area​​ (domestic) or ​​international gates​​. Duty-free shops, Starbucks, and lounges (Priority Pass/DragonPass in T2 near Gate 41) await.

​Terminal hours​​: Opens at ​​4:00 AM​​ until the last flight. Night owls—T1’s benches are brutal; book a nearby capsule hotel if stuck overnight.

​Last call reminders​​:

  • Metro Line 2’s last train leaves at ​​10:40 PM​​; Line 10 runs later on weekends.
  • Taxis are 24/7 but cost double after ​​11 PM​​.

Scan the airport’s ​​WeChat mini-program​​ (search “上海虹桥机场”) for live updates. Need a SIM card? Grab one at T2’s 24-hour FamilyMart. 🚨

🎁 Grab cheap flights to Shanghai and search the best hotels in Shanghai! Just 1 click to get fast Data in China!
Shanghai Hongqiao Airport - Arrivals & Departures

Credit: china airline travel

Shanghai Hongqiao Airport - Arrivals

  1. Baggage Claim: Follow signs to 1st-floor carousels. Report lost items to red-vest staff immediately .
  2. ​Immigration​​: Have your passport + China visa (or 240-hour TWOV doc) ready.
  3. Transport Links:
    • Metro: Lines 2 & 10 connect to downtown (T2 B1 level) .
    • Taxis: Rank outside T1/T2 arrivals. Insist on using the meter! It's ok to book a DiDi (China Uber, but I find it hard to meet the driver)
    • Airport Link Line: Runs to Pudong Airport (6 AM–10 PM, 15-min intervals) .

Late-Night Arrival? Pre-book airport transfer on Trip.com’s app – drivers meet you at Arrivals.

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FAQs about Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)

  • Is Shanghai airport Hongqiao or Pudong?

    Shanghai has two major airports: Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) and Pudong International Airport (PVG). Hongqiao is closer to downtown (13 km west) and mainly handles domestic flights, while Pudong is farther (30 km east) and serves most international routes.
  • Is PVG and SHA the same airport?

    No. PVG is the IATA code for Pudong Airport, and SHA refers to Hongqiao Airport. They are separate facilities with different locations and functions: Pudong focuses on long-haul international flights, while Hongqiao specializes in domestic and regional routes (e.g., Hong Kong, Macau).
  • How do I get from Shanghai Hongqiao Airport to the city?

    Options include: Taxi: 40-minute ride to downtown (¥80-100, 24/7). Metro: Line 2 (to People’s Square, 45 mins, ¥5) or Line 10 (until 11:30 PM). Airport Bus: Lines 807/176 from T1 (¥2, 1 hour); Line 941 from T2 to Shanghai Railway Station. Pro tip: Avoid rush hours (7:30-9:30 AM, 5-7 PM) for faster travel.
  • Does Hongqiao Airport have international flights?

    Yes, but limited. Hongqiao operates some international charters and regional flights (e.g., Hong Kong, Macau, Japan, Korea). Most long-haul international flights depart from Pudong. Check airlines like China Eastern or Spring Airlines for specific routes from SHA.
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Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport