Shanghai runs two airports simultaneously — and they’re on opposite sides of the city. Pudong International (PVG) sits 45 km east of downtown, handling virtually all international flights plus many domestic routes. Hongqiao (SHA) is 13 km west of the city center, a tightly run hub focused on domestic flights and the odd short-haul international route. If you’re flying into Shanghai for the first time, you’re almost certainly landing at Pudong. If you’re taking a domestic flight onward to somewhere like Xi’an or Chengdu, your departure might well be from Hongqiao.
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Pudong International Airport (PVG)
Pudong has two terminals — T1 and T2 — connected by a free shuttle bus and an underground people mover. T1 handles China Eastern, SkyTeam carriers, and some others. T2 handles Air China, Star Alliance airlines, and most One World carriers. Check your ticket carefully so you head to the right terminal from the start.
Arrival at Pudong follows the standard pattern: immigration (foreign passport lines can be 30–60 minutes on busy international arrival banks), baggage claim, customs (usually smooth unless you have something to declare), then the arrivals hall.
The Maglev — Worth It Just for the Experience
The Shanghai Transrapid Maglev departs from directly below T2 (and T1 passengers can take the shuttle across). It covers the 30 km from Pudong Airport to Longyang Road metro station in 7 minutes and 20 seconds, reaching a top speed of 431 km/h — and yes, you can see the speedometer hit that number if you know where to look (the small display at the front of the carriage).
From Longyang Road, you transfer to subway Line 2 for central Shanghai. The Maglev fare is ¥50 (or ¥40 with a same-day flight boarding pass). Trains run every 15–20 minutes from roughly 6:45am to 9:40pm. The full journey from airport to People’s Square on Line 2 from Longyang Road takes another 30 minutes, so total time is under 45 minutes city-center to airport — excellent.
The Maglev is worth it beyond mere efficiency: riding the world’s fastest commercial passenger train is a travel experience in itself. Sit on the right side going toward the city — you’re more likely to see an oncoming train briefly pass at the combined approach speed of over 800 km/h.
Metro Line 2 Direct
If you’d rather skip the Maglev, metro Line 2 runs directly from both Pudong Airport terminals into the city without a transfer. It’s slower (about 1 hour to the city center) but runs longer hours and is cheaper — ¥7 to most central stations. Good option for late arrivals after the Maglev stops running.
Line 2 is also how you reach Hongqiao airport from Pudong — the line runs the full east-west length of the city, with Hongqiao Railway Station at the western terminus. That transfer takes about 65–70 minutes and costs ¥7. Useful if you’re landing international at Pudong and need to catch a domestic high-speed train from Hongqiao.
Taxis from Pudong
Metered taxis from PVG to central Shanghai (Jing’an District, People’s Square) typically run ¥160–¥200. The journey takes 45–60 minutes in normal traffic, longer during rush hours. There’s a legitimate taxi queue outside arrivals; follow the signs and ignore anyone approaching you inside offering rides. DiDi pickup zones are also designated at both terminals.
Airport Express Bus
Multiple bus routes connect Pudong to various parts of the city — useful if you’re going somewhere not well-served by metro. Fares are ¥20–¥30 and buses stop at major hotels. Slower than metro/Maglev but more luggage-friendly.
Hongqiao Airport (SHA)
Hongqiao is compact and efficient — a domestic-focused airport with two terminals. T1 handles Spring Airlines and some others. T2 is the main terminal and also connects directly to Hongqiao Railway Station, one of Shanghai’s two major HSR stations.
If your itinerary involves arriving internationally at Pudong and then catching a high-speed train to Nanjing, Suzhou, Hangzhou, or Beijing, note that trains leave from both Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station and Shanghai Railway Station (which is more central). Check which station your train uses.
Getting from Hongqiao to the City
Metro Line 2 connects directly from Hongqiao T2 (and the connected railway station) into central Shanghai. It’s 30–40 minutes to People’s Square for ¥5–¥7. This is the obvious choice for anyone heading to the main tourist districts.
Metro Line 10 also serves Hongqiao T1, connecting to the French Concession and Xintiandi area — useful if those neighborhoods are your destination.
Taxis from Hongqiao to central Shanghai typically cost ¥60–¥90 — significantly cheaper than from Pudong since the airport is much closer to downtown.
Transferring Between PVG and SHA
If you land at Pudong and need to catch a domestic flight from Hongqiao (or vice versa), the transfer is manageable but takes real time.
The most reliable option is metro Line 2 — it connects both airports across the city. The trip takes about 65–70 minutes. Allow 3 hours minimum between an international arrival at Pudong and a domestic departure from Hongqiao — clearing immigration, collecting bags, rechecking, and the transit itself needs that buffer.
Alternatively, taxis and DiDi from Pudong to Hongqiao typically take 45–70 minutes depending on traffic and cost ¥150–¥200. During rush hour, allow longer.
Practical Notes
Duty-free at Pudong is extensive — particularly for spirits, cosmetics, and high-end goods. Buy on the way out (departure duty-free) rather than on arrival.
SIM cards: Available at both airports — China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom booths are in the arrivals halls. A tourist SIM with data is around ¥50–¥100 for 15–30 days. This is often the first thing you want to sort after clearing customs, as it makes everything else (DiDi, Alipay, navigation) much easier.
Currency exchange is available in arrivals at both airports at reasonable rates — better than airport rates in most Western countries, particularly for major currencies.