Shanghai Maglev Guide 2026: Airport to City in 8 Minutes

When traveling from Shanghai Pudong Airport to the city center,

the fastest way is the Maglev (magnetic levitation train).

Connecting to the city center in just 8 minutes from the airport,

it's easy and quick to get downtown

even for first-time visitors to Shanghai.

Didi Taxi: Takes about 50 minutes to 1 hour ~$23 ~ ~$30 (150 CNY ~ 200 CNY) Maglev: Within 30 minutes ~$8 per person (Maglev 40 CNY + Subway 2-4 CNY)

Considering the price, if multiple people are traveling together,

the cost difference with a Didi taxi isn't significant.

However, the Maglev is less affected by traffic conditions

and can reduce travel time, so if your itinerary is tight,

I recommend using the Maglev.

Today, I've organized everything from how to ride, boarding location, timetable,

to transfer information, so you can see it all at a glance.

Even first-time visitors can easily

travel to the city center.

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1. Maglev Boarding Location

Boarding Location & Route Guide

The Maglev (Maglev / 磁浮列车) is located

between Pudong Airport Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, which are connected,

specifically on the 2nd floor in between them.

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Upon Arrival at Terminal 2

After immigration and baggage claim (1st floor),

head up to the 2nd floor.

Follow the "Maglev / 磁浮" signs

on the airport display to the 2nd floor.

After a quick security check (X-ray) before boarding,

pay for your ticket at the automatic ticket machine or counter,

then board the Maglev.

TIP

There are escalators and elevators

that go directly up from the T2 arrivals side,

making it convenient to move even with a lot of luggage.

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Upon Arrival at Terminal 1

After immigration and baggage claim, use the Terminal 2

connecting passage. As you walk along the passage,

follow the "Maglev / 磁浮" signs.

TIP

It takes about 5-10 minutes to walk from Terminal 1 to T2,

so allow a little extra time for the transfer.

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2. Luggage Check Procedure

Shanghai has relatively strict security procedures, so

luggage X-ray screening is required before boarding the Maglev.

Both carry-on and backpacks are screened.

It doesn't take long.

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3. Fares

Airport → Longyang Road one-way approx. 50 CNY, round-trip approx. 80 CNY

Discount applied with same-day flight ticket, one-way approx. 40 CNY

Payment: WeChat Pay or Alipay

After checking several sites,

Trip.com was the cheapest.

Additionally, if you purchase a flight ticket on Trip.com, it can be bought for 40 CNY

(~$6).

And if communicating in Chinese is difficult,

I recommend purchasing it in advance.

(I'm someone who can't speak a lick of Chinese...!)

Trip.com Booking Link

Category	Trip.com Price
Standard Class One-Way	~$8
Trip.com Flight Ticket Member Exclusive	~$6
Children under 1.3m	Free

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You can also use Trip.com points when paying,

If you're a Trip.com member who booked a flight,

you can reserve a Maglev one-way ticket

for the exclusive discounted price of ~$6.

​

>> Book Shanghai Maglev at the lowest price <<

​

4. Maglev Official Timetable (Latest 2026)

Longyang Road Station → Pudong Airport
First Train	06:45
Last Train	21:40
Frequency	06:45–07:00 : approx. 15 minutes 07:00–21:40 : approx. 20 minutes

TIP

The last train time is quite early based on the airport schedule,

so if you have a late-night flight, be sure to check the timetable.

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5. Travel Time

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Pudong Airport ↔ Longyang Road: Approximately 8 minutes!

Accelerates up to 430km/h during peak hours

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You can reach Nanjing East Road Station (city center)

within 30 minutes.

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6. How to Transfer at Longyang Road Station

The Maglev doesn't go directly to the city center.

Most people transfer to the subway at Longyang Road Station

to reach their destination.

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Line 2: Easy access to People's Square, Nanjing East Road, and Pudong areas

Line 7: Convenient for traveling to Jing'an Temple and Changning areas

🔄 Transfer Guide from Longyang Road Station to Nanjing East Road

After arriving at Longyang Road Station via Maglev,

take the escalator down from the platform.

→ Follow the transfer passageway leading to Subway Line 2.

Take Line 2 from Longyang Road Station

Take a westbound train towards Nanjing East Road (南京东路 / Nanjing East Road)

After approximately 6 stops, you'll arrive at Nanjing East Road Station.

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7. For Travelers with Family and Children

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If you're traveling with children and luggage,

the Maglev + subway transfer can be more challenging than you might expect.

Especially if you have a lot of luggage or are on a family trip with children,

using an airport pickup service that takes you directly to your accommodation

without transfers can be much more convenient.

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Klook Private Transfer Booking Link

If you book in advance through Klook, you can head straight to your destination

upon arrival, making it great for your first or last day in Shanghai.

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Travel comfortably and easily, going directly to your hotel

without worrying about luggage or transfers!

Conclusion

On your first day in Shanghai, the fastest way from the airport to the city center is by Maglev.

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If you're traveling with children, we recommend using a pickup service to conserve your energy.

>> Book Maglev at the lowest price <<