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You land in Shanghai for the first time and immediately feel overwhelmed. You're in CHINA! And you need to transfer between airports. Eeeek! What do I do? Where do I go? Omg its on the other side of the city!

Before you reach for a Xanax, read this handy dandy guide, because CNS has got you covered. In this guide, we'll be covering how you can transfer from Shanghai's two major international airports to various transportation hubs around the city (as well as transfer options between the two airports). We'll also be covering bus routes as well!

To Start: Shanghai Has Two Major International Airports

Shanghai takes its places among only 30 global cities that have two or more international airports. Servicing the city are Pudong International Airport and Hongqiao International Airport within the cities east and western sections respectively.

East and West... pretty much opposite sides of the city, but we've got some GREAT news. Getting between both of Shanghai's airports is about to get a whole lot easier!

A New Metro Line Will Directly Link Hongqiao and Pudong International Airports

Shanghai is currently in the process of constructing the Shanghai Airport Link Line, spanning a total length of 68.6 kilometers, capable of reaching a top operating speed of 160 kilometers per hour and passing through three administrative districts: Minhang, Xuhui, and Pudong New Area.

Once completed, the line will drastically reduce travel time between Shanghai's two major international airports, Hongqiao and Pudong, to just 40 minutes, a significant improvement over the previous 90-minute journey via Metro Line 2.

The segment from Hongqiao Station to Pudong Airport Station is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2024.

Make sure to bookmark this guide!

Next, Shanghai airports are enhancing the travel experience for international visitors. They've upgraded the airport websites and launched a mini-program.

To get the scoop click here: SH Airports Roll Out Mini-Program + Other Upgrades

Now that you're up to speed on the basics, it's time to dive into some more practical information: "How do you transfer between these various transportation options?"

Guide 1: Departing from Hongqiao International Airport

1. To Pudong International Airport:

Option 1:

Take Metro Line 2 directly to Pudong International Airport.

Approximate travel time: 1.5 hours

Tips:

• Before boarding, ensure you're heading in the right direction on Line 2 (you can listen to announcements, check the platform display screens, or ask staff).
• If you end up on a train terminating at Guanglan Road, you'll need to switch to a train bound for Pudong International Airport upon reaching Guanglan Road (clear transfer instructions will be provided).
• Considering potential inconvenience with luggage, you may opt to get off at Jinke Road Station in advance and wait for the next train heading to Pudong International Airport.

Option 2: Experience Shanghai's Maglev Train!

Take Metro Line 10 to Nanjing East Road Station, transfer to Metro Line 2, get off at Longyang Road Station, and transfer to the Maglev train, which will take you to Pudong International Airport in just one stop (approximately 6 minutes).

Approximate travel time: 1 hour and 15 minutes

The regular one-way fare for the Maglev train is 50 yuan (US$6.9), but with a valid airline ticket for the same day, you can enjoy a 20 percent discount, reducing the fare to 40 yuan. Isn't it awesome?

2. To Hongqiao Railway Station:

Hop on either Metro Line 2 or Line 10 for a quick ride, and you'll reach your stop in just one station, taking about 6 to 7 minutes, taking just about 6 to 7 minutes.

3. To Shanghai South Railway Station:

Option 1:

Take Metro Line 10 to Hongqiao Road Station, then transfer to Metro Line 3 bound for Shanghai South Railway Station. Once there, head to the B1 floor through Gate 3.

Approximate travel time: Around 40 minutes!

Option 2:

Ride Metro Line 2 to Zhongshan Park Station, switch to Metro Line 3 towards Shanghai South Railway Station, and follow the same route to reach the B1 floor,

Approximate travel time: 45 minutes approximately

4. To Shanghai West Railway Station:

Option 1:

Board Metro Line 2 to Loushan Guan Road Station, then switch to Metro Line 15 heading to Shanghai West Railway Station. Use Gate 1 for direct access to Shanghai West Railway Station, taking about 40 minutes.

Option 2:

Take Metro Line 10 to Jiaotong University Station, transfer to Metro Line 11 (towards Jiading North), and exit at Shanghai West Railway Station via Gate 1.

Approximate travel time: About 45 minutes

5.To Nanxiang North Railway Station:

• Catch Metro Line 2 or Line 10 (heading towards Xujing East) for a single stop to Hongqiao Railway Station (Exit D).
• Next, proceed to Hongqiao West Transportation Hub to board the "Hongnan Express" bus for 2 stops to Nanxiang Bus Station.
• From there, switch to bus routes "Jiading 125", get off at "Guyi Garden" after 2 stops.
• Then transfer to "Yinxiang Road Xinghua Road Station".
• Alternatively, you can opt for a taxi from Nanxiang Bus Station.

Approximate travel time: This journey takes about 1.5 hours

6. What about Taxis?

Of course, the easiest way to get around is by taxi. You can find the taxi stand at the Hongqiao International Airport Terminal 1 Arrival Area (1F).

Guide 2: Departing from Pudong International Airport to other transportation hubs in Shanghai

1.To Hongqiao International Airport

Option 1:

Take Metro Line 2 and get off at Hongqiao Terminal 2 Station (Hongqiao International Airport), which is the airport's closest stop.

Approximate travel time: 1.5 hours

Option 2: Experience Shanghai's Maglev Train!

Take the Maglev train to Longyang Road Station, transfer to Metro Line 2, and get off at Nanjing East Road Station. From there, switch to Metro Line 10 and travel to Hongqiao Terminal 2 Station

Approximate travel time: 1.5 hours

2. To Hongqiao Railway Station:

Take Metro Line 2 to Hongqiao Railway Station and exit at Gate D.

Approximate travel time: 1.5 hours

3. To Shanghai South Railway Station:

To get to Shanghai South Railway station, you can take Airport Bus Route #7 (located at both terminals), heading towards Shanghai South Railway Station (South Square), This bus reaches the destination in just 3 stops.

Approximate travel time: 1.5 hours

Operating hours:

7:30 am to 11 pm (T1)

7:35 am to 11:05 pm (T2)

Please Note: This line is not a direct route! However, each stop is announced upon arrival, so you'll be notified when arriving at the Shanghai South Railway Station.

The ticket price is variable, ranging from 4 to 20 yuan;

Times and prices are for reference only and are subject to change.

4.To Shanghai West Railway Station:

Take Metro Line 2 to Jiangsu Road Station, transfer to Metro Line 11 (toward Jiading North), and get off at Shanghai West Railway Station, Gate 1, approximately 1.5 hours duration.

5.To Nanxiangbei Railway Station:

• Take Metro Line 2 to Jiangsu Road Station.
• Transfer to Metro Line 11 (towards Jiading North), and get off at Nanxiang Station.
• Upon exiting the subway station, take bus routes "Jiading 118" or "Jiading 125" to "Yinxiang Road Xinghua Road Station."

Approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes duration.

Guide 3: Airport Bus Routes

In this guide, we'll outline the various bus routes that leave from Shanghai's airports

1. Airport Route 1

From Pudong International Airport to Hongqiao Hub East Traffic Center

Operating hours:

• 7 am to 11 pm (T1)
• 7:05 am to 11:05 pm (T2)

From Hongqiao Hub East Transportation Center to Pudong Airport

Operating hours:

• 6 am to 11 pm

This line is a direct route.

Ticket price: 36 yuan.

Times and prices are for reference only and are subject to change.

2. Airport Route 2

1) From Pudong Airport to Puan Road and Yan'an Road E.

This airport route takes you downtown terminating at Yan'an Road E.

Operating hours:

• 6:30 am to 11 pm (T1)
• 6:35 am to 11:05 pm (T2)

2) From Puan Road Yan'an Road E. to Pudong Airport

If you're in the area of Puan Road or Yan'an Road E., this is a good bus route to take you to Pudong Airport.

Operating hours:

• 5 am to 9:30 pm

This line is not a direct route.

The ticket price is variable, ranging from 2 to 28 yuan;

Times and prices are for reference only and are subject to change.

3. Airport Route 4

1) From Pudong Airport to Shanghai Railway Station (North Square)

Operating hours:

• 7 am to 11 pm (T1)
• 7:05 am to 11:05 pm (T2)

2) From Shanghai Railway Station North Square to Pudong Airport

Operating hours:

• 5 am to 9:30 pm

This line is not a direct route, but each stop is announced.

The ticket price is variable, ranging from 2 to 28 yuan;

Times and prices are for reference only and are subject to change.

4. Airport Route 9

1) From Pudong Airport to Xinzhuang Metro Station (South Square)

Operating hours:

• 7 am to 11 pm (T1)
• 7:05 am to 11:05 pm (T2)

2) From Xinzhuang Subway Station South Square to Pudong Airport

Operating hours:

• 6 am to 9:30 pm

This line is a direct route.

The ticket price is 28 yuan;

Times and prices are for reference only and are subject to change.

5. Pudong Airport Night Route

There is also a special night bus route for travelers arriving after hours in Pudong.

Pudong Airport to Hongqiao Hub East Traffic Center

Operating Hours:

• Starting from 11 pm and closing 45 minutes after the last flight of the day (T1)
• Starting from 11:05 pm and closing 45 minutes after the last flight of the day (T2)

The night buses depart regularly at intervals of no more than 45 minutes. However, they do depart as soon as each bus is full.

This line operates in one direction only and is not a direct route.

Starting from Terminal 1, the bus will also stop at Terminal 2 to pick up additional passengers (if there is capacity), however, the remaining stops are for getting off passengers disembarking only.

Ticket prices vary from 18 to 34 yuan.

Times and prices are for reference only and are subject to change.

And the easiest way to get around is by taxi. You can find the taxi stand at the Pudong International Airport Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 Hallway (1F).

Finally, here's an essential tool for your travels – the SH MaaS APP!

The SH MaaS APP offers an English version of its services, specifically designed to address the transportation needs of international visitors.

Foreign tourists and expatriates residing in Shanghai can utilize the app to access real-time transportation updates for the city's metro, buses, and ferries.

For more details, please click the link provided for your reference: SH MaaS APP adds real-time transportation updates