Shanghai airport arrival guide for foreigners
Shanghai is one of the best first-city pilots for this product: two major airports, high foreign arrivals, mature public transport, and predictable first-day questions.
Quick answer
From Pudong (PVG), most visitors choose Metro Line 2, the maglev to Longyang Road plus metro/taxi, or an official taxi. From Hongqiao (SHA), Metro Line 10 and Line 2 are the core rail options, and taxis are faster for luggage-heavy arrivals. Official Shanghai information says Pudong Airport is about 30 km from downtown, Metro Line 2 to People’s Square takes about one hour, and a taxi to People’s Square costs around 180 yuan and takes about 50 minutes, depending on traffic.
Your first 90 minutes after landing
Keep passport, Arrival Card confirmation, hotel address, and onward tickets accessible.
Activate roaming/eSIM/SIM before you rely on QR payments or ride hailing.
Buy water or coffee with Alipay/WeChat Pay; keep cash/card fallback.
Use metro/maglev if you are light and early enough; use official taxi if tired, late, or carrying luggage.
PVG: Pudong International Airport
| Option | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Metro Line 2 | Budget travelers, light luggage | Connects Pudong Airport with Hongqiao Airport Terminal 2. Official Shanghai info calls it the most economical route. |
| Maglev + metro/taxi | Fast novelty route to Longyang Road | Transfer at Longyang Road to Metro Line 2 or taxi. |
| Official taxi | Late arrival, luggage, hotel door-to-door | Use the official taxi queue. Pudong T1 taxi pickup is outside Arrival Gate 12; T2 is outside Arrival Gate 25 according to Shanghai city guidance. |
SHA: Hongqiao International Airport
Hongqiao is closer to downtown and connected to high-speed rail. Official Shanghai information says Terminal 1 is served by Metro Line 10; Terminal 2 is served by Metro Lines 10 and 2. Taxi pickup points are outside Gate 1 on the arrivals floor of T1 and outside Gate 4 on the arrivals floor of T2.
Common arrival mistakes
- Following unofficial drivers in the arrivals hall instead of the official taxi queue.
- Leaving the airport before mobile payment and data are working.
- Showing a hotel name in English only; drivers may need the Chinese address.
- Using metro too late at night without checking last-train times.
- Forgetting that large luggage makes line changes more painful than the map suggests.
Useful phrase cards
FAQ
Should I take metro or taxi from PVG?
Metro is cheaper and predictable; taxi is easier with luggage, late arrival, or hotel door-to-door needs.
Can I pay taxi by mobile payment?
Often yes, but keep cash/card backup because foreign-card wallet payments may fail with some merchants.
Is the maglev enough to get downtown?
The maglev takes you to Longyang Road, where you still need metro, taxi, or another transfer for most hotels.