Airport Guide
Pudong Airport to the city centre.
Four ways to get from Pudong International Airport to Shanghai city centre — metro, Maglev, taxi, and Didi — with honest tradeoffs on cost, speed, and luggage.
Quick overview
Choose by priority: speed, cost, or convenience
Most newcomers take the metro or a taxi on their first arrival. The Maglev is fast but drops you at Longyang Road, not the city centre. Didi is the most comfortable option with luggage but requires a working app before you land. If you have not set up Didi yet, a metered taxi from the official queue is the reliable backup.
Cheapest option
Metro Line 2
The most practical option for most newcomers — cheap, frequent, and connects directly to Jing'an, Puxi, and People's Square.
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Cost
Approximately ¥7 to ¥9 to central Shanghai
The exact fare depends on your destination. Pay by Alipay QR code, WeChat Pay, metro card, or foreign bank card at newer gates.
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Time
Around 50 to 70 minutes to People's Square
Frequent service with no traffic delays. Trains run from early morning until after midnight. Follow signs to the metro from the arrivals hall.
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Note
Best for central Puxi destinations
Line 2 runs east–west through the city. If your accommodation is off Line 2, you will need one transfer. Check your route in Baidu Maps or MetroMan before you leave the airport.
Fastest option
Maglev to Longyang Road
The world's fastest commercial train reaches 430 km/h. The catch: it only goes as far as Longyang Road, not the city centre.
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Cost
¥50 standard, ¥40 with a same-day plane ticket
Buy a ticket at the Maglev station in the arrivals hall. The discounted fare requires showing your boarding pass at the counter.
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Time
8 minutes to Longyang Road, then metro onward
The Maglev ride itself is 8 minutes. From Longyang Road you take Line 2 (or Lines 7, 16, or 18) to your final destination, adding 30 to 50 minutes.
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Note
Worth it for the experience, not always for speed
Total journey time including the metro connection is often similar to taking the metro the full way. Most useful if you are heading to Pudong or somewhere near Longyang Road.
Most comfortable with luggage
Taxi and Didi
Door-to-door service. The best choice if you have heavy luggage, are travelling with family, or have an unfamiliar destination.
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Cost
¥150 to ¥250 to central Shanghai by metered taxi
Fares vary by destination and time of day. Didi prices are similar to metered taxis and can be paid by Alipay or WeChat Pay directly in the app.
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Time
45 to 90 minutes depending on traffic
Rush hour (7–9am and 5–8pm) can significantly extend journey time. Off-peak, the Yan'an Elevated Road provides a fast route into central Puxi.
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Taxi tip
Use the official taxi queue, not the touts
Follow signs to the official metered taxi rank outside arrivals. Never accept rides from people approaching you inside the terminal — these are almost always overpriced and unregulated.
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Didi tip
Set up Didi before you land
Didi requires a working Chinese phone number and Alipay or WeChat Pay. If you have not set these up yet, the official taxi queue is your most reliable option at the airport.
Next step
New to Shanghai? Start with the essentials
Set up payments, apps, and transport with the Shanghai starter guides, then explore neighbourhoods and daily life at your own pace.