Back to Directory
PVG

Shanghai Pudong International Airport

Shanghai, China

Where to start
Maglev + Metro Line 2

The Maglev is the iconic fast option — ~7–8 minutes to Longyang Road at up to 430 km/h — but it doesn't go downtown; you transfer to Metro Line 2 there. Line 2 also runs direct from PVG across the city (affordable, ~60–90 min). For door-to-door, use DiDi (China's ride app — Uber doesn't operate here; English interface) from the zone separate from taxis, or an official metered taxi (T1 Gate 12 / T2 Gate 25). Set up Alipay/WeChat Pay and mobile data before arrival, and confirm you're at PVG, not Hongqiao (SHA).

Ride Options

Shanghai Maglev

transit

Iconic fast airport leg — ~7–8 min to Longyang Road at up to 430 km/h

AvailabilityRoughly 06:00–21:40
Pickup NoteStation a 5–10 min walk from arrivals (follow 'Maglev' signs). To Longyang Road in ~7–8 min, then transfer to Metro Line 2/7/16/18 for the rest of your trip — it does NOT go downtown directly. Flat fare; tap a transit card or scan an Alipay/WeChat QR.
Convenience
Relative costMid cost
Visit Website

Metro Line 2 (Direct)

transit

Lowest-cost one-seat ride from PVG across the city — if light on luggage

AvailabilityFrequent; ~60–90 min to the centre
Pickup NoteMetro Line 2 runs direct from PVG (eastern terminus) across the city — People's Square, Nanjing Road East (Bund), Jing'an, on to Hongqiao. Affordable fare; may require a same-platform change at Guanglan Road. Tickets at multi-language machines, or scan an Alipay/WeChat QR. Slow but the best value.
Convenience
Relative costLower cost
Visit Website

DiDi

rideshare

Door-to-door to any Shanghai address — China's ride app (Uber doesn't operate here)

AvailabilityAvailable 24/7; upfront fare
Pickup NoteDownload 'DiDi' (English interface) before landing; foreign Visa/Mastercard work in-app. The pickup zone is SEPARATE from taxis — T1 Parking P1, T2 Parking P2; follow the ride-hailing signs. Enter your destination in English or Chinese for an upfront price. Needs mobile data.
Convenience
Relative costMid cost
Visit Website

Airport Bus (机场巴士)

shuttle

Budget transfer to districts off Metro Line 2; Night Bus for late arrivals

AvailabilityMultiple routes ~7am–11pm; a Night Bus serves late arrivals
Pickup NoteBus stops outside arrivals at T1 and T2. Multiple city routes serve Pudong and Puxi; buy at the booth. More affordable than the Maglev+Metro but slower in traffic — better off-peak with luggage. A Night Bus covers late arrivals after the trains stop.
Convenience
Relative costLower cost
Visit Website

Licensed Metered Taxi

taxi

Direct door-to-door with luggage — use the official queue only

AvailabilityAvailable 24/7 at the official ranks; night surcharge applies
Pickup NoteOfficial rank on the 1F arrivals level — T1 outside Gate 12, T2 outside Gate 25. Join the managed queue, insist on the meter, and avoid touts inside the terminal. ~45–60 min to the Bund/Lujiazui. Pay by Alipay/WeChat or cash; ask for a receipt.
Convenience
Relative costHigher cost
Visit Website

SIXT Ride — Pre-booked Airport Transfer

Private Transfer

Fixed-rate door-to-door — driver waits in arrivals with your name sign

AvailabilityPre-book via SIXT app or website
Pickup NoteDriver meets you in the arrivals hall. Fixed price, flight tracking, up to 60 min free waiting. Eliminates the language barrier and fare uncertainty, and covers late arrivals after the trains stop.
Convenience
Relative costHigher cost
Book Transfer

Pickup Guidance

Rideshare

DiDi is China's ride-hailing app — Uber does NOT operate here. Download 'DiDi' (English interface; foreign card works in-app) before landing. The pickup zone is SEPARATE from taxis — T1 Parking P1, T2 Parking P2; follow the ride-hailing signs. You get an upfront fare. Needs mobile data.

Taxi

Official taxi rank on the 1F arrivals level — T1 outside Gate 12, T2 outside Gate 25. Use the official queue, insist on the meter, and avoid unlicensed touts. ~45–60 min to the Bund/Lujiazui. Pay by Alipay/WeChat or cash.

Shuttle

Airport buses run multiple city routes (~7am–11pm), and a Night Bus serves late arrivals. Buy at the booth outside arrivals — affordable but slower in traffic.

Transit

The Maglev station is a 5–10 min walk from arrivals (follow 'Maglev' signs) — to Longyang Road in ~7–8 min, then transfer to Metro Line 2/7/16/18 (it does NOT reach downtown directly). Metro Line 2 also runs direct from PVG across the city (People's Square, Nanjing Road East/Bund, Jing'an) — affordable, ~60–90 min, with a possible same-platform change at Guanglan Road. The 2024 Airport Link Line connects PVG to Hongqiao in ~40 min. Tap a transit card or scan an Alipay/WeChat QR.

Private Transfer

Pre-booked private transfers meet you in arrivals with a name sign — fixed price, no language barrier, good for late arrivals after the trains stop.

Travel Extras

Need a SIM?Need a lounge?Need a hotel?Need bag storage?

Some links may be affiliate links. Tarmyq may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more

Local Tips

  • The Maglev does NOT go downtown — it stops at Longyang Road, where you transfer to Metro Line 2. It's fast and fun for the airport leg, but it's a connection, not a door-to-door ride.
  • Set up Alipay/WeChat Pay (link a foreign card) and an eSIM before arrival — needed for DiDi, the Maglev/metro QR, and daily payments.
  • Uber doesn't operate in China — use DiDi (English app, foreign cards in-app); its pickup zone is separate from the taxi rank (T1 Parking P1 / T2 Parking P2).
  • PVG is NOT Hongqiao (SHA): PVG is the far-east international airport (~30 km); Hongqiao is the closer, mostly-domestic one (~15 km). Confirm your airport, and have your hotel address in Chinese for the driver.
  • Last Maglev is ~21:40 and last metro ~22:00 — land later than that and it's taxi or DiDi only.

Tarmyq local tip

Ride the Maglev once for the experience — but know it only gets you to Longyang Road, where you switch to Metro Line 2 for the city. If you're tired and have luggage, a DiDi or taxi straight to your hotel is the lower-stress call.