To get from Shanghai airport to your city hotel, first check your airport code and terminal: Pudong (PVG) and Hongqiao (SHA) have different rail connections. Choose the metro for a rail-connected destination, a taxi or booked transfer for door-to-door travel, or the Maglev from Pudong if the connection at Longyang Road suits your route.
Shanghai airport transfers at a glance
| Arrival point | Rail options | Planning note |
|---|---|---|
| Pudong T1 and T2 | Metro Line 2; Maglev; Airport Link Line | Maglev requires an onward connection at Longyang Road. |
| Hongqiao T1 | Metro Line 10 | Check your terminal before selecting the route. |
| Hongqiao T2 | Metro Lines 2 and 10; Airport Link Line | Hongqiao Railway Station is a separate stop. |
Sources: Shanghai Airport Metro guide and Airport Link Line guide. The Airport Link Line listing gives Pudong T1&2 departures from 06:00 to 22:00. Check current service before travel; landing time is not the time you will reach the station.
Transport information checked on 18 October 2026. Fares, schedules, and booking conditions can change.
1. Two Main Shanghai Airports
Check your flight booking before choosing a route. Hongqiao Airport Terminal 1, Terminal 2, and Hongqiao Railway Station are distinct stops.
- Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG): Terminals 1 and 2 are served by Metro Line 2. The Maglev connects Pudong with Longyang Road; the Airport Link Line is a separate service.
- Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA): Terminal 1 is served by Line 10; Terminal 2 by Lines 2 and 10. These terminal-specific connections are listed in the official airport Metro guide.
2. Transportation Options from Each Airport
Compare the whole journey, including station walks, transfers, luggage, and the final stretch to your hotel.
Taxi
Use the airport’s designated taxi queue and show your hotel address in Chinese. The official airport taxi guide lists regular urban taxis from CNY 14 for the first 3 km, with higher starting fares for some vehicle types. This is a starting fare, not an airport-to-city quote. Distance, waiting time, and applicable surcharges affect the total. Request a receipt; see our Shanghai taxi guide for the fare breakdown.
Didi (China’s Uber)
Didi is an app-based option. Before requesting a car, check the service category, displayed price or estimate, payment method, and pickup location. Our Didi guide explains the booking workflow.
Check three things before ordering: whether your account and payment method are ready, where the app directs you to meet the driver, and whether the vehicle fits your party and luggage. If using WeChat Pay, complete setup before you need the ride.
A prebooked Kiwitaxi transfer is another option if you prefer to arrange the vehicle and pickup before flying.
Kiwitaxi
Kiwitaxi lets you explore private-transfer options. Compare the final quote and booking conditions before paying. Only count a promotional discount if it is accepted at checkout.
- Meeting point: Use the terminal and meeting instructions in your confirmation. Check whether a name sign and luggage assistance are included.
- Price: Confirm what the quote includes, plus waiting time, flight-delay handling, tolls, and cancellation terms.
- Vehicle: Specify passenger numbers, suitcase sizes, and any child-seat requirements. Obtain confirmation that the selected vehicle meets them.
Maglev Train
The Maglev links Pudong Airport with Longyang Road. The airport’s official listing gives regular fares of CNY 50 one-way and CNY 80 round-trip, departures from Pudong between 07:02 and 21:42, and a listed top speed of 300 km/h. Allow time and budget for the onward trip to your hotel. Confirm any ticket discount with the operator.
Metro
The metro can suit travelers whose hotels are near stations. From Pudong T1/T2, use Line 2; from Hongqiao T1, use Line 10; from Hongqiao T2, use Line 2 or 10. See the official terminal connections and our subway map guide. The fare depends on your destination; check it in the route planner or ticket machine.
3. When to consider a prebooked transfer
A Kiwitaxi transfer may suit travelers who want to arrange pickup in advance. Compare these details with the other options:
What to confirm before booking
- Total cost: Read the final quote and exclusions. Do not assume every extra service is included.
- Language support: Ask whether an English-speaking driver is available for your booking and save the provider’s support contact.
- Pickup timing: Confirm the waiting allowance and how flight changes or baggage delays are handled.
- Passenger needs: Get written confirmation of the vehicle capacity and any requested child seats.
Kiwitaxi vs. Didi and Regular Taxis
Choose the option that fits your arrival circumstances rather than assuming one service is best for every visitor:
- Taxi: Join the official rank, check the meter and applicable fare notice, and keep the receipt.
- Didi: Check the app’s pickup point, vehicle details, fare terms, and payment readiness.
- Booked transfer: Confirm the meeting point, waiting policy, vehicle size, and language support in advance.
Which airport transfer should you choose?
Traveling light with a hotel near a station? Compare rail routes. Arriving with children or several suitcases? Compare a taxi with a suitably sized booked transfer. For a late arrival, check the last train for your full route and keep a road-transfer option available.
For the steps before you reach public arrivals, read our Pudong arrival and hotel-transfer walkthrough. Save your hotel address and booking details offline before flying.