Pudong airport to central Shanghai: Maglev, metro, taxi or private car
Four ways to get from Shanghai Pudong (PVG) to the city centre, with real times, prices in RMB and AUD, and which one suits a family with luggage after a 10-hour flight from Melbourne.
Flights from Melbourne and Sydney land at Pudong International (PVG), about 45 km east of the Bund. Hongqiao (SHA), the other airport, is closer to the city but mostly serves domestic flights. Here are the four ways in, honestly ranked.
1. Private car with a driver
About 50 to 70 minutes to the Bund or Nanjing Road. From A$120 with us, more with an English-speaking guide meeting you at arrivals.
A 7-seat MPV, a driver holding a sign with your name, luggage loaded for you, and nobody has to think. This is what we book for clients on a tour. If you arrive late at night, with children, or after a long flight, it is the right answer. Our airport transfer prices are on the day guide page.
2. Taxi
About 50 to 70 minutes. RMB 180 to 230 (roughly A$40 to A$50) including the toll, more after 11 pm.
Follow signs to the official taxi rank in the arrivals hall and ignore anyone who approaches you inside the terminal offering a car. Have your hotel address in Chinese ready on your phone; most drivers do not read English. Pay with cash or Alipay. Standard Shanghai taxis are small sedans; two people with two suitcases fit, four do not.
3. Maglev plus metro
About 50 minutes door to door if you are near a metro station. Maglev RMB 50 (A$11), metro RMB 5 to 7.
The Maglev is the fastest train in regular service anywhere, hits 300 km/h (430 at peak times) and takes 8 minutes to Longyang Road station. It is a genuine attraction and kids love it. The catch is that Longyang Road is not the centre; you change to Metro Line 2 for another 20 to 30 minutes with your luggage through turnstiles and stairs. Fine for a couple with carry-on, hard work for a family.
Runs roughly 7 am to 10 pm. Buy tickets at the counter with a card or Alipay.
4. Metro Line 2 all the way
About 70 to 90 minutes. RMB 8 (A$2).
Line 2 runs straight from the airport to People’s Square, Nanjing Road and across to Hongqiao. It is cheap and reliable but slow, crowded at peak times, and not every station has lifts. You may need to change trains at Guanglan Road where the line splits. The Shanghai Metro app or Alipay’s transport code gets you through the gates.
Which one?
- Family of four with suitcases, landing after a long flight: private car.
- Couple with carry-on who want a story to tell: Maglev, then metro.
- Solo, budget, daytime, patient: Line 2.
- Any time after 10 pm: private car or taxi; the trains stop.
One more thing: the SIM
The arrivals hall has China Mobile and China Unicom counters selling tourist SIMs for about RMB 100 to 150 for 20 to 30 GB. They need your passport. An eSIM bought in Australia before you fly (Airalo, Nomad and similar) also works and saves the queue, though those routes data outside China and are slower. If you are on one of our trips, your guide handles this on the way to the car.
