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How to get from Shanghai-Pudong Airport to the city center
One of the most common entry points into China for international flights is via Shanghai Airport, Pudong Airport. As is often the case with major Chinese airports, This airport is located on the outskirts of the city, so to get to your hotel you may need several means of transport and it may take a while. To try to make your first hours in the city a little easier We tell you how to get from Shanghai airport to the city center.
We have collected information about the time required for each transport, the price and the payment method. This way you can choose the one that best suits you.
Before arriving in China you can read our travel guides so that you are prepared from the start, China is a very peculiar country. In the articles we explain which applications to use, how to take public transport, How to pay with Alipay and we give a lot of advice that we would have liked to know ourselves.
Process of immigration upon arriving in China
Immigration procedures in China They are not too complex but they are slow Due to the large number of travelers arriving in the country, if Shanghai is not your final destination, I recommend leaving at least three hours before your next transport.
The first step is fill out a form with all your personal information, purpose of travel, hotel where you are staying and other information of this type. This form is sometimes given by the airline, otherwise they are on tables next to the queue for passport control. It is very difficult to connect to the airport WiFi if you are not Chinese, so if you are not you carry an eSIM, I recommend that you have the hotel information on hand.
How to get from Shanghai Airport to the center
In the following table we summarize the best ways to get from Pudong airport to the city center, then we analyze each of the options in detail.
Comparison of routes from Shanghai airport to city center
| Transport | Approximate price | Time to the center | Do you need a transfer? | Recommended for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metro, line 2 Cheaper | About 7 RMB | 60–75 minutes | No, it depends on your destination. | Travelers with little luggage who want to save money |
| Maglev train Faster |
50 RMB 40 RMB showing a same-day airline ticket |
8 minutes to Longyang Road 35–50 minutes approx. to the center | Yes, by subway or taxi from Longyang Road | Arrive quickly and experience the Maglev |
| Didi or taxi More comfortable | Between 120 and 200 RMB | 45–60 minutes | No | Families, groups, or travelers with a lot of luggage |
| Airport bus | Between 20 and 30 RMB | 60–90 minutes | It depends on the stop | Night arrivals or accommodations near a stop |
| Private transfer | Price varies depending on vehicle and passengers. | 45–60 minutes | No | Those who prefer to use the reserved transport |
Prices and times are approximate. Travel time may vary depending on traffic, time of day, and the location of your accommodation. The Maglev does not go directly to the city center; it terminates at Longyang Road.
By MAGLEV train
The MAGLEV train, also known as a magnetic levitation train, is the fastest way to get from Shanghai airport to the city centre. This spectacular train is one of the fastest in the world and is the preferred means of transport for most passengers to get from Shanghai airport to the city centre.
The service operates from 7am until 9:40pm and can be book online easily or buy it directly at the station. If you buy it at the ticket office you can pay in cash or with Alipay so don't forget to install the app before arriving in China.
The journey is really fast, less than 10 minutes, and arrives at Longyang Road StationFrom there you can take metro lines 2 and 7 towards the city center. Journeys on the Shanghai metro cost around 4 yuan per person, depending on your final destination. In our guide on the Shanghai public transportation We explain in detail how it works.
By bus to get from Shanghai Airport to the city center
This option is the slowest to get from Shanghai airport to the city center. There are several lines, and They pass approximately every half hourThe most convenient are the line 4 which goes to Shanghai North Station and the line 7 which goes to the south station. From both you can take the metro to go to your final destination.
If you have just arrived in China, the bus can be a bit of a hassle and may not be the best option for getting from Shanghai airport to the city center.
If you arrive early in the morning you should know that There is also a night line which goes to the Hongqiao area.
By subway
Getting from Shanghai Airport to the city centre by subway it's very cheap since it costs around 7 yuan. The price of the metro in Shanghai starts at 3 yuan and increases depending on the distance you travel. In general, the metro is very cheap throughout the country. In Shanghai we traveled more than 50km to go to Zhujiajiao for only 1€.
The airport metro line is number 2 and passes through very central stops such as People's Square and Nanjing Road. The duration of the journey varies depending on your stop but It will take you about an hour to the city center.
Next to the metro entrance you will see some ticket vending machines, don't queue because They only work if you are a Chinese citizenIf you want to buy a subway ticket, go to the counter, tell them where you are going and they will sell you a card to get in. You can also use Alipay, it is the best way to pay for public transportation in China.
Taxi or Didi, to get from Pudong Airport to downtown Shanghai
This is the most comfortable method to get from Shanghai airport to the city center because you won't have to make any transfers or wait for the subway, but also more carHowever, if you're traveling as a family, the price can be cheaper than public transport. Keep in mind that the drivers don't speak English and you'll have to communicate.carYou can use Google Translate or a similar app; however, the translations work very well and If you show him the name of the hotel in Chinese and its location on the map you should have no problems.
The taxi ride to the center takes about 45 minutes with little traffic. and costs 120 to 200 yuan depending on the time and location.
Taxis in China use meters and are not too expensive. caryou, but personally I recommend you use the DIDI app, which is the Chinese equivalent of Uber. It is cheaper than a taxi and you will have a clear idea of the price of the trip from the start. I recommend using Didi directly from the Alipay app, so you have the payment method linked.
You'll just have to searchcar the car's license plate and when you get in confirm that you are the customer who has bookedThey usually ask you for your phone number.
Using Private Transfers, the most premium way to get from Shanghai Airport to the city center
Without a doubt the form more comfortable but also more cara The best way to get from Shanghai airport to the city center is by hiring a private transfer. The driver will be waiting for you at the airport exit with a cartel and it will take you to your Shanghai hotel without wasting a moment.
These premium services must be booked in advance online and in Shanghai they cost between €12 and €20 per passenger. The price of the service increases significantly if you need a van for many passengers.
Where to stay in shanghai
Hotels near Shanghai Pudong Airport
In the surroundings of Shanghai airport There are a large number of hotels and many of them offer a Free shuttle bus service to the airportStaying at one of these hotels is ideal if your flight leaves early in the morning and you don't want to deal with public transport. Plus, these hotels are usually cheaper than those in the city centre so it's also a good way to save money for your last night.
In our case, on the last day we stayed at the hotel. Wanting Boutique for its good quality-price and for having Airport Shuttle Bus Service from the hotel door.
Hotels in downtown Shanghai
In our experience the best area to stay in Shanghai is in Huangpu District, what is considered the central area of the cityMany of Shanghai's tourist attractions are in that area or can be easily reached with a short subway ride.
Staying in this area involves being able to walk to many points of interest of the city, which is great in a city as lively and atmospheric as Shanghai.
Without a doubt The best platform to book hotels in China is Trip.comwhich is the go-to website in the Asian giant and has the best prices. Of course, you can buscar hotels in Booking o AgodaBut there are fewer options, and they are almost always more carthe.
We hope that this guide on how to get from Shanghai airport to the city centre has been useful for you in organising your arrival or departure from China.
Shanghai is an impressive city that we liked as much as we expected. On our blog you can check out many other articles we have written about the city and about the rest of the ChinaYou can also see the route we made in 25 days in the highlights of our Instagram account.
