✈ Transfer Options from Shanghai Pudong Airport to City

Shanghai has a long history as the gateway to China and is one of its largest economical and cultural centres. Shanghai is home to stunning traditional gardens, unique cuisine, ancient sites and modern observation decks. There’s truly so much to see and do in this vibrant city.

When it comes to travelling from Shanghai airport to downtown, you have three transfer options, taxi, bus or metro. Taking a Pudong airport taxi is the fastest and most convenient option, though not the cheapest. A taxi transfer will take 45 minutes and cost around €24 (CNY 170) during the day and €26.50 (CNY 190) at night (23:00 to 05:00). The Metro Line 2 is a cheap transfer option, costing just €1.50 (CNY 7) one-way and taking around 65 minutes. Your final option to get from Shanghai Pudong airport to the city centre is the public bus. This journey takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes and costs approximately €3 (CNY 22).

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to Shanghai at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.

Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS

OPTION	PRICE	DURATION	AVAILABILITY
Taxi	€24	45min	24/7
Bus	€6	90min	07:00–23:05
Metro	€3	65min	06:00–22:30

How to get from Shanghai Pudong Airport to the City Centre by Taxi

The most comfortable and convenient Pudong airport transportation to Shanghai is a Pudong airport taxi. They are available 24/7, take just 45 minutes to reach downtown Shanghai and cost around €24 (CNY 170) during the day and €26.50 (CNY 190) at night (23:00 to 05:00).

How much is a taxi from Shanghai Airport to Downtown?

The cost of a local Shanghai airport taxi will be calculated based on the time you’re travelling and the distance you travel. So, the final fare of your taxi from Shanghai Pudong airport to the city centre will depend on the exact destination you have to get to in the city. Having said this, the average cost is around €24 (CNY 170) during the day and €26.50 (CNY 190) at night (23:00 to 05:00).

If you’d prefer a set-rate fare you can rely on, we recommend booking your Shanghai airport transfer in advance with Welcome Pickups.

Cost

€24 (CNY 170)

Trip Duration

45 Min.

*Prices may vary unless booked in advance.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Taxis are available 24/7 at Pudong Airport.

Where do I find a taxi at Shanghai Airport?

Taxis can be found outside of both Terminal 1 and 2 at Pudong airport. Simply exit the arrivals hall and you will see the long line of cars in front of you.

Convenience

Taking a taxi is the only way to get directly from Shanghai airport to downtown or your hotel. Your loved ones and personal belongings will be safe and secure during your entire trip, and you won’t have the added stress of trying to navigate the complicated public transport systems.

Editor’s Note

If you don't want to wait for a taxi at the airport during peak travel times, you can pre-book your transfer in advance.

Useful Tips

To avoid overcharging, be sure to check your driver resets and turns on the taximeter at the beginning of your journey.

Large luggage items that can fit in the cab's trunk can be brought for free.

How to get from Shanghai Pudong Airport to the City Centre by Bus

There are lots of local bus lines that serve Shanghai airport. Some of the main destinations are Shanghai Railway Station, Nanhui Bus Station, Jing’an Temple and Hongqiao East Center, However, Line 1 and Line 8 are the most frequent and convenient bus lines. The total journey time from Shanghai airport to downtown is around 1 hour and 20 minutes and the cost is an average of €3 (CNY 22).

How much is the bus from Shanghai Airport to Shanghai City?

The cost of the bus from Shanghai Pudong airport to the city centre will depend on the line you choose to travel on but will be around €3 (CNY 22) one-way.

Cost

€3 (CNY 22)

Trip Duration

1 Hr 30 Min.

*There's a waiting time of up to 30 minutes for the bus.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

The Line 1 and 8 buses run from 07:00 to 23:05.

Where do I find the bus from Shanghai Airport to downtown?

No matter which terminal you land in at Pudong airport, the buses will be located right outside of the arrivals hall. Simply look for the correct bus number on the pillars and wait for your bus to arrive. It’s worth noting that most bus lines arrive at Terminal 1 5 minutes before they arrive at Terminal 2.

Convenience

Taking the public bus as your Pudong airport transportation to Shanghai can be stressful and slow. The public transport network is fairly difficult to navigate and the buses make many stops along their route into the city centre.

Editor’s Note

If you're looking for a cheap public transfer option that isn't as slow as the bus, you may wish to take the metro train into Shanghai instead.

Useful Tips

Many buses stop at Pudong airport, so ensure you double-check the number and route before embarking.

You can pay for your bus ticket in exact change to the driver.

There's very limited luggage space on the bus, so be sure to travel light.

How to get from Shanghai Pudong airport to the City Centre by Metro?

Metro Line 2 runs from Shanghai airport to Downtown every day, the total journey time is 65 minutes and the cost is €1.50 (CNY 7), making it very affordable. The Maglev train also runs from Pudong airport to Longyang Rd in just 8 minutes, where you will then jump onto the Metro Line 2 to complete your journey into the city. Choosing to take the Maglev train costs more, but cuts 20 minutes off your journey time.

How much does the Metro from Shanghai Airport to Shanghai City cost?

The cost of a one-way ticket on the Metro Line 2 from Shanghai Pudong airport to the city centre costs €1.50 (CNY 7). The journey to Longyang Rd on the Maglev train costs €7 (CNY 50).

Cost

€1.50 (CNY 7)

Trip Duration

65 Min.

*There's a waiting time of up to 10 minutes for the Metro Line 2 and 20 minutes for the Maglev train.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

The Metro Line 2 runs from 06:00 to 22:30 and the Maglev train from 07:02 to 21:42.

Where do I find the Metro at Pudong Airport?

There’s a metro station located at both Terminal 1 and 2 at Pudong airport. Simply follow the signs for ground transportation and then walk to the platform that has the sign for Metro Line 2.

Convenience

If you’re travelling during rush hour, taking the metro as your Pudong airport transportation to Shanghai city could be a quick transfer option. However, neither the Metro Line 2 nor the Maglev train run directly to the city of Shanghai. You will need to make a change at either Guanglan Rd or Longyang Rd station, adding time and stress to your journey.

Timetables

Maglev Train

Metro Map

Editor’s Note

Although taking the metro is a cheap transfer option, it's not direct. To avoid carrying your luggage through different metro stations, we recommend taking a convenient taxi for your transfer instead.

Useful Tips

The Maglev train is faster than the Metro by 20 minutes but it's more expensive.

If you take the Metro Line 2, you will need to change trains at Guanglan Road station.

Be sure to travel light as there's not much luggage storage on the metro.

Welcome Pickups has a Net Safety Score of 99 of 100

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20 minute gap between transfers
Regular Car Sanitisation
Contactless ride
Sanitiser in every car

What’s the cost of a taxi from Shanghai Pudong airport to the city centre?

The cost of a local taxi from Shanghai Pudong airport to the city centre costs around €24 (CNY 170) during the day and €26.50 (CNY 190) at night (23:00 to 05:00). Your fare will be calculated by a taximeter, so the final fare may vary. If you’d prefer a set-rate fare you can rely on, we suggest pre-booking your Pudong airport transfer with Welcome Pickups.

How can I get from Shanghai airport to Shanghai city?

There are three ways to get from Shanghai airport to Shanghai city, taxi, bus or metro. Taking a Shanghai airport taxi is the fastest way to travel as it takes just 45 minutes and costs around €24 (CNY 170). Taking the metro is another fast option as it takes 65 minutes and costs just €1.50 (CNY 7) one-way. The bus, on the other hand, takes 1 hour and 30 minutes and costs around €3 (CNY 22).

What’s the distance from Shanghai airport to downtown?

The distance from Shanghai airport to downtown is 46 km. Taking a Pudong airport taxi will take around 45 minutes, the Metro Line 2 will take 65 minutes and taking one of the public buses will take around 1 hour and 30 minutes to reach Shanghai city centre.

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How to get from Shanghai Pudong Airport to the City Centre by Taxi

How much is a taxi from Shanghai Airport to Downtown?

Cost

€24 (CNY 170)

Trip Duration

45 Min.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Taxis are available 24/7 at Pudong Airport.

Where do I find a taxi at Shanghai Airport?

Convenience

Editor’s Note

Useful Tips

How to get from Shanghai Pudong Airport to the City Centre by Bus

How much is the bus from Shanghai Airport to Shanghai City?

Cost

€3 (CNY 22)

Trip Duration

1 Hr 30 Min.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

The Line 1 and 8 buses run from 07:00 to 23:05.

Where do I find the bus from Shanghai Airport to downtown?

Convenience

Editor’s Note

Useful Tips

How to get from Shanghai Pudong airport to the City Centre by Metro?

How much does the Metro from Shanghai Airport to Shanghai City cost?

Cost

€1.50 (CNY 7)

Trip Duration

65 Min.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

The Metro Line 2 runs from 06:00 to 22:30 and the Maglev train from 07:02 to 21:42.

Where do I find the Metro at Pudong Airport?

Convenience

Timetables

Maglev Train

Metro Map

Editor’s Note

Useful Tips

Frequently asked questions

What’s the cost of a taxi from Shanghai Pudong airport to the city centre?

How can I get from Shanghai airport to Shanghai city?

What’s the distance from Shanghai airport to downtown?

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