Shanghai is an extremely large and vast city located on China’s Central Coast. Filled with beautiful gardens, impressive skyscrapers and fascinating colonial architecture, there’s so much culture and history to be absorbed in this city.
When it comes to travelling from Shanghai Hongqiao airport to the city centre of Shanghai, you have three options; taxi, bus or metro. Taking a Hongqiao airport taxi is the quickest option as it takes just 40 minutes and costs around €11 (CNY 80) during the day and €14 (CNY 100) at night. Taking the metro is a great option for those travelling on a budget as the cost of a ticket is just €1 (CNY 5) and the travel time is as short as 45 minutes. The least convenient transfer option is taking the public bus, which costs as little as €0.30 (CNY 2), but takes at least 1 hour and 20 minutes to reach Shanghai city centre.
4 options to go from Shanghai Airport to city center
OPTION | PRICE | TIME | AVAILABILITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Welcome Pickups Private Transfer | €42 | 22min | 24/7 | Convenience | Book | |
Taxi | €11 | 40min | 24/7 | Convenience | Book | |
| Taxis in Shanghai are incredibly affordable compared to many other major cities. However, during rush hour, the journey time from Hongqiao airport to the city of Shanghai can be up to an hour and a half. If you're in a rush and travelling during this time, you may wish to take the Metro. | ||||||
Bus | €0.60 | 80min | 24/7 | Convenience | Read more | |
| If you're looking for a cheap but reliable public transfer option, taking the subway is a much more convenient mode of transport than the bus. | ||||||
Metro | €2 | 45min | 05:50–23:50 | Convenience | Read more | |
| Although a very quick transfer option during heavy traffic, if you're travelling with a lot of luggage or small children, taking a taxi is a much safer and more convenient transfer option. | ||||||
The quickest and most comfortable way to get from Hongqiao airport to the city of Shanghai is to take a Hongqiao airport taxi. The total journey time is just 40 minutes and the cost is around €11 (CNY 80) during the day and €14 (CNY 100) at night (23:00 to 05:00).
How much is a taxi from Hongqiao Airport to the City?
The cost of a taxi from Shanghai Hongqiao airport will be determined by a taximeter that calculates your fare based on the distance travelled and the time taken to get there. The average cost for a Hongqiao airport taxi is €11 (CNY 80) during the day and around €14 (CNY 100) if you travel at night (23:00 to 05:00).
If you’d prefer to budget your vacation with a set-rate fare, we recommend pre-booking your Hongqiao airport transfer with Welcome Pickups.
Where do I find a Taxi at Hongqiao Airport?
There are official taxi ranks located outside of both Passenger Terminals at SHA Airport. Simply walk out of the arrivals hall exit doors and you will see the long line of taxis in front of you.
Convenience
Taking a taxi from Hongqiao airport to the city of Shanghai is the most convenient transfer option and the only direct way to get from the airport to your hotel. Plus, you won’t have the stress of having to navigate the city’s complicated public transport system or drag your heavy luggage through bus and metro stations.
Useful Tips
Book a trusted, English-speaking driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular taxi
Learn moreThere are many different bus lines that run to different places in the city. However, the networks are highly complicated and difficult to navigate if you don’t speak the language. The average travel time for a bus from Hongqiao airport to the city is 1 hour and 20 minutes and the cost is around €0.30 (CNY 2) one-way.
How much is the Bus from Hongqiao Airport to the City?
The cost of a one-way ticket on the public buses from Shanghai Hongqiao airport to the city centre is €0.30 (CNY 2). This can be paid to the driver in exact change.
Most of the public buses run from 05:30 to 23:00, with the exception of the Night Line 316 bus, which runs from 23:00 to 05:00.
Where do I find the Bus at Hongqiao Airport?
The more local public buses, such as the 807, 176 and 806, run from Terminal 1 at Hongqiao airport. The more direct buses, such as the CBD Ring Line 1, Hub Line 1, Hub Line 4 and Hub Line 9 all run from Terminal 2.
Convenience
Although a cheap transfer option, taking the public bus from Hongqiao airport to the city is the slowest and most uncomfortable way to travel. The bus networks are very complicated, so if you don’t speak Mandarin, they can be quite stressful to navigate. Plus, once you reach the city of Shanghai, you will need to find alternate transport to reach your hotel safely.
Useful Tips
There’s a metro station located at both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 at SHA airport. Metro Line 2 and 10 runs from Hongqiao airport to the city every day in around 45 minutes. The cost of a ticket depends on your exact destination in the city, but it will be around €1 (CNY 5).
How much is the Metro from Shanghai Hongqiao Airport to the City Centre?
The cost of a one-way ticket on the metro will vary depending on your exact destination in the city and the line you choose to take. However, the average cost of the journey from Shanghai Hongqiao airport to the city centre is around €1 (CNY 5).
The Metro Line 2 runs from 05:50 to 23:50 and the Metro Line 10 from 06:00 to 23:05.
Where do I find the Metro at Hongqiao Airport?
There’s a metro station at both SHA Airport Terminal 2 and Terminal 1. The Metro Line 2 and 10 both run from Terminal 2, however, only the Metro Line 10 runs from Terminal 1.
Convenience
If you’re travelling during rush hour when the traffic is bad on the roads, taking the metro from Hongqiao airport to the city of Shanghai is a very convenient transfer option. However, during these times the trains can get extremely busy, making them hot and uncomfortable. Plus, there’s very little storage space, so you will need to keep a close eye on your belongings and travel light.
Timetables
Metro Map
Useful Tips
Frequently asked questions
What’s the cost of a taxi from SHA airport to Shanghai city centre?
The cost of a Hongqiao airport taxi to Shanghai will depend on the exact location you’re travelling to in the city as cabs use a taximeter to calculate their fares. However, the average cost from Hongqiao airport to the city of Shanghai is around €11 (CNY 80) during the day and €14 (CNY 100) at night (23:00 to 05:00). If you’d prefer the peace of mind that comes with a set-rate fare, we recommend booking in advance with Welcome Pickups.
How can I get from Hongqiao airport to the city of Shanghai?
There are three ways to get from Shanghai Hongqiao airport to the city centre, taxi, bus or metro. Taking an SHA Airport taxi is the quickest option as it takes just 40 minutes and costs around €11 (CNY 80). Taking the Metro is another great transfer option as it costs just €1 (CNY 5) and takes 45 minutes. Your final transfer option from Hongqiao airport to the city is by bus, which takes 1 hour and 20 minutes and costs just €0.30 (CNY 2).
What’s the distance from Shanghai Hongqiao airport to the city centre?
The distance from Shanghai Hongqiao airport to the city centre is 19 km. So taking a Hongqiao airport taxi shouldn’t take longer than 40 minutes, the metro will take 45 minutes and taking the public bus will take around 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Fern Coll
Fern is originally from England, but her love of travel led her to lay roots in Mexico. She’s a business owner and published author with a passion for storytelling. Fern specialises in travel content, helping brands connect with audiences through engaging writing.
Transfer Options in Shanghai
✈ Transfer Options from Pudong Airport to Hongqiao Airport - Welcome
Shanghai Taxi - Prices and Useful Tips for Taxis in Shanghai
FromShanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
ToSuzhou
✈ Transfer Options from Shanghai Pudong Airport to City - Welcome
Shanghai Pudong Airport Taxi: Compare All Taxi Options & Prices
Shanghai Hongqiao Airport Taxi: Compare All Taxi Options & Prices