Pudong Airport to Shanghai City Center
How to choose between metro, Maglev, taxi, and Didi after landing at Shanghai Pudong Airport.
Quick Answer
From Pudong Airport, take the metro if you want the cheapest route and have light luggage, Maglev plus metro or taxi if you want the fastest partial route, and an official taxi or Didi if you have heavy luggage or arrive late. Before leaving the terminal, save your hotel name, Chinese address, and phone number.
Who This Helps
Choose an airport-to-city route
Steps
-
Decide based on luggage and arrival time
Metro is cheapest but slower with transfers. Taxi or Didi is easier with bags. Maglev is fast to Longyang Road but usually still needs another transfer.
-
Prepare the destination in Chinese
Do this before you reach the taxi line. Include hotel name, Chinese address, phone number, and nearby landmark.
-
Use official transport points
Follow airport signs for metro, Maglev, taxi, or app-based pickup. Avoid unofficial drivers who approach you inside the terminal.
Fallback Plan
- If your payment app fails, use the official taxi line and cash.
- If you miss the metro or Maglev, use taxi or a hotel-arranged pickup.
- If you cannot communicate with the driver, call the hotel and ask staff to explain the destination.
Local Notes
- Needs field check: verify current terminal signage, metro operating hours, Maglev hours, taxi queue locations, and Didi pickup points.
- Add photos from Pudong after field visit.
Useful Chinese
FAQ
Is Maglev always the best option?
No. It is fast between Pudong and Longyang Road, but the transfer can reduce the benefit if your hotel is not nearby.