Shanghai to Pudong Airport: Transit Guide 2026

How to Get from Downtown Shanghai to Pudong Airport:

Comparing Private Transfers vs. Metro

Words & Photos © Hi-Bubu

On the final day of your amazing Shanghai adventure,

it's sadly time to pack your bags and get ready to head back home.

But are you feeling a bit lost about how to get from the city center to the airport?

Today, I'm going to share four different ways to get from downtown Shanghai to Pudong Airport (PVG)

and compare them side-by-side to help you choose!

How to Get from Downtown Shanghai to Pudong Airport (PVG)

There are four main ways to travel from downtown Shanghai to Pudong Airport,

as detailed below.

📌 Metro, Metro + Maglev,

DiDi Taxi, and Private Airport Transfers are your options!

Let's compare them using the table below.

📍 First up is the most popular public transit option: the Metro.

You can take the Metro all the way, or opt for a combo of the

Metro and the high-speed Maglev train.

Taking only the Metro takes over an hour, but

because it's incredibly cheap, 👉🏻 I highly recommend this

for solo travelers.

On the other hand, if you take the Metro and transfer to the Maglev,

you can shave off over 20 minutes from your travel time.

However, the fare is over ~$6 per person,

and you do have to deal with the minor hassle of transferring once.

Still, it's cheaper than a taxi or private transfer,

👉🏻 making it a great option for duos and couples!

📍 DiDi Taxi is super convenient because you can easily summon

your preferred vehicle type right from the app.

(Though fair warning: cigarette smell in the cabs is a bit of a gamble

and sometimes unavoidable...)

The price varies depending on traffic conditions, but

you can expect to pay around ~$19 to ~$26.

👉🏻 So, I recommend this option for groups of 3 or more!

📍 Lastly, if you are traveling with kids or elderly parents,

👉🏻 booking a Private Airport Transfer is a no-brainer.

I highly recommend going with this hassle-free option.

When traveling with family, you inevitably have more luggage and suitcases,

which might not all fit into a single standard taxi.

If you end up needing to hail two separate taxis,

the total cost of two cabs is almost identical to a private transfer.

Plus, when you factor in the sheer stress of managing family members

while frantically trying to hail taxis on the street,

booking ahead and enjoying a stress-free ride

is a much more comfortable way to end your trip.

​

I also booked our private airport transfer in advance

for my upcoming trip to Shanghai with my parents this year!

You can book the same airport transfer service

using the link below!

> Shanghai Airport Pick-up & Drop-off Booking Link <

My Experience Taking the Metro from Downtown Shanghai to Pudong Airport

On my last trip to Shanghai, instead of booking a private airport transfer,

I decided to use the local subway to get to the airport.

Let me show you exactly how to get from downtown Shanghai to Pudong Airport

using the subway step-by-step!

Since many travelers tend to stay near East Nanjing Road,

I'll base this guide on starting from People's Square Station on Line 2.

When you're deciding where to stay in Shanghai,

I highly recommend booking a spot near East Nanjing Road or People's Square Station.

The big reason? You can take Line 2 directly to Pudong Airport Station

without having to make a single transfer!

At People's Square Station, just head towards the platform marked "To Pudong Airport Terminal 1&2."

Make sure you board the train heading in the direction of East Nanjing Road!

However, there is one super important thing to keep in mind

when heading towards Pudong Airport.

To make sure you get all the way to Pudong Airport from People's Square without transferring,

you absolutely must double-check the final destination of the train before boarding.

We only checked the general direction and hopped right on,

and ended up having to get off at Guanglan Road (广兰路) Station

to switch to another train.

While transferring at Guanglan Road Station wasn't overly difficult,

we had to take an elevator up and then head back down,

which was a bit of a hassle with all our luggage..!

It seemed like we weren't the only ones—other travelers

also looked a bit lost, asking around to confirm

if they were on the right track to Pudong Airport.

Once you finally get off at the Pudong International Airport Station,

you’ll immediately spot signs pointing towards Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.

From the exit, heading left will lead you to Terminal 2,

and turning right will take you to Terminal 1.

Since we were flying with China Eastern Airlines,

we made our way over to Terminal 1.

Just a heads up, there are a handful of restaurants right outside the subway exit.

If you didn't have time to grab a bite before leaving the city,

stopping by one of these spots is a fantastic option!

As you follow the signs to Terminal 1, you'll spot a handy directory

listing all the airlines operating out of this terminal.

It includes many major carriers like Korean Air, Jin Air, Shanghai Airlines, and China Eastern Airlines.

When you enter the airport, you'll go through a quick baggage security check,

and then you can head straight to check-in!

Today, we looked at four different ways to get from downtown Shanghai to Pudong Airport,

along with a step-by-step guide on how to take the metro.

While riding the metro isn't too difficult,

it can be time-consuming and a bit of a hassle.

So if you're traveling with heavy luggage or with family (parents or kids),

I highly recommend booking a private airport transfer

to make your journey smooth and stress-free..!

You can book your airport transfer directly through the link below!

> Shanghai Airport Private Transfer Booking Link <

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