Shanghai has two major airports: Pudong International Airport and Hongqiao International Airport. Your best transfer option depends on arrival time, luggage, budget, and where you are staying.
Pudong International Airport
Pudong handles many international and domestic flights and is farther from central Shanghai than Hongqiao. Official Shanghai guidance lists several options to reach downtown.
Metro
Metro Line 2 is usually the budget-friendly choice. Official guidance describes it as the cheapest way to travel to and from Pudong Airport, with a journey to People's Square taking about an hour. It is a good option if you have manageable luggage and arrive during metro operating hours.
Maglev plus metro
The maglev connects Pudong Airport with Longyang Road Station, where you can transfer to Metro Line 2. It can be useful when you want a fast ride to the metro network, but check operating hours, ticket rules, and whether the transfer works for your hotel location.
Taxi
A taxi is convenient after a long flight or with heavy luggage. Official guidance gives People's Square as a common reference point and notes taxi pickup locations at Pudong terminals. Use official taxi ranks and avoid unsolicited ride offers inside the terminal.
Airport buses
Airport buses can be useful if a route stops near your hotel or destination. Check the current route and timetable before relying on a bus late at night.
Hongqiao International Airport
Hongqiao is closer to central Shanghai and is connected with the Hongqiao railway hub. It mainly serves domestic and regional flights.
Metro
Terminal 1 is served by Metro Line 10. Terminal 2 is served by Metro Lines 2 and 10. This makes Hongqiao convenient for downtown areas and some railway transfers.
Taxi
A taxi can be efficient from Hongqiao, especially outside peak traffic. Official guidance says the journey to the city center typically takes around 30 minutes, with cost depending on traffic and destination.
Transferring between airports
Shanghai's airport link line provides a direct transfer option between the two airport areas. Official city guidance says it reduces travel time between the airports to about 40 minutes. Check the latest operating details before planning a tight connection.
Arrival checklist
- Decide your first-choice transfer before landing.
- Keep your hotel address in English and Chinese.
- Prepare a payment backup for ticket machines or taxis.
- Use official taxi ranks only.
- Leave extra time for immigration, baggage, and station walking distances.
Best choice by traveler type
Choose metro for budget and predictable routes, maglev for a fast Pudong-to-metro connection, taxi for heavy luggage or late arrival, and the airport link for airport-to-airport transfers when timing works.