Shanghai Pudong International Airport transfers
PVG has 2 terminals and maglev to longyang rd (8 min) + metro line 2. For door-to-door certainty (flight-tracked driver, waiting time included, price fixed before you fly), pre-book a Shanghai (Pudong) transfer below.
Book a fixed-price PVG transfer
Meet-and-greet in arrivals, flight tracking, waiting time included — the price is agreed before you fly.
The airport facts that matter for pickups
- Terminals: 2 — tell your driver the airline and they will know the terminal; guessing costs 20 minutes
- Rail link: Maglev to Longyang Rd (8 min) + metro Line 2
- The local quirk: the Maglev is the attraction and the transfer both — Longyang hands you Line 2
Taxi, train or pre-booked transfer at PVG?
The train wins when it exists and your bags are manageable — maglev to longyang rd (8 min) + metro line 2. The taxi rank wins for door-to-door simplicity, with meter risk at peak hours. The fixed-price pre-booked transfer wins when arrival timing matters: the driver tracks the flight, waits through delays, and the price never surges. After a night long-haul, that certainty is the product.
- Kiwitaxi — Shanghai (Pudong) transfers — fixed prices, meet-and-greet, free cancellation on most bookings.
- Welcome Pickups — Shanghai (Pudong) — English-speaking drivers, arrival-styled service.
- GetTransfer — Shanghai (Pudong) — marketplace pricing; drivers bid, often cheapest for longer rides.
The three real ways into Shanghai, and what each costs you
Pudong sits roughly 30 km east of central Shanghai, which makes the transfer decision more consequential than at most airports. The fastest option is the maglev to Longyang Road: about eight minutes for the airport run at 300 km/h, with a fare in the region of RMB 50 and a discount shown for same-day air tickets. It is genuinely spectacular and genuinely limited — Longyang Road is a metro interchange rather than downtown, so the maglev only wins if your address is on the Pudong side or a connection from there is short. Confirm the current fare and first/last departures at the station.
Metro Line 2 is the cheap, predictable option: roughly 60 to 75 minutes to the People's Square area for a fare of a few yuan. It is the one line that runs all the way into the city centre, it is the option most seasoned visitors take with cabin baggage, and at rush hour it is exactly as crowded as that implies, with luggage. Note the historic shuttling arrangement on the eastern section where some trains required a change — follow the platform signage rather than assuming a single train end to end.
Taxis are metered and rank outside each terminal: about 45 to 60 minutes to central Shanghai outside peak traffic, and a fare that lands in the low hundreds of yuan depending on the destination, plus any queue time at the rank. App-based ride-hailing works well at PVG because pickups are directed to designated zones in the terminal garages, which is a real advantage over trying to flag a car kerbside. Airport buses run several routes to different city drop-offs at low fares; they are comfortable with luggage and entirely at the mercy of traffic.
- Maglev + metro: fastest to the city edge, needs a change, best with light bags.
- Metro Line 2: cheapest and most predictable, slow, crowded at peak.
- Taxi or app ride: door to door, 45 to 60 minutes off peak, the only sane choice with heavy luggage.
Terminal split at PVG and why pickup instructions go wrong
Pudong has two main terminal halls and they are separate buildings with separate ground-transport zones. The Chinese carriers split between them — China Eastern operates from Terminal 1, Air China from Terminal 2 — and the foreign carriers follow their alliance partners, which means two passengers on the same route can land in different buildings depending on who sold the ticket.
This is the single most common cause of a failed meet-and-greet in Shanghai: a driver sent to Terminal 2 for a flight that lands at Terminal 1, twenty minutes of phone calls, and a first impression gone. The fix costs nothing — give the booking the flight number rather than the airport name, and check the terminal on the airline's own app on the day, because carriers do move.
Late arrivals at PVG, and the Hongqiao question
Shanghai's metro and maglev shut down relatively early by world-city standards — the last trains leave around 21:30 to 22:00, and the maglev earlier than most. A late arrival therefore has three real options: the official taxi rank, app-based ride-hailing from the garage pickup zones, or a pre-booked driver who tracks the flight and waits through the delay. For a first arrival in a city where you do not speak the language, the pre-booked driver is the option that removes every unknown at once.
The other question worth asking before you book anything is which airport your ticket actually uses. Shanghai has two: Pudong in the east, about 30 km out, and Hongqiao in the west, which is closer to the traditional city centre and connects to the high-speed rail network. If your hotel is on the western side, a Hongqiao arrival can save an hour of city traffic — and if you land at Pudong because the fare was cheaper, the transfer cost is where the saving goes.
Frequently asked questions
Is the maglev at Shanghai Pudong cheaper than a taxi?
Substantially — a fraction of the taxi fare for the eight-minute run to Longyang Road, with a discount shown for same-day air tickets. But it only takes you to a metro interchange rather than to your hotel, so it wins for Pudong-side addresses and for travellers with light luggage, not for door-to-door trips.
How late do transport links run from Shanghai Pudong?
Metro Line 2 and the maglev both finish relatively early, with the last trains leaving around 21:30 to 22:00 and the maglev earlier. Late-night arrivals should plan on the official taxi rank, app ride-hailing from the terminal garage zones, or a pre-booked flight-tracked driver.
Which terminal does my flight use at Shanghai Pudong?
PVG has two main terminal halls with separate ground-transport zones. China Eastern operates from Terminal 1 and Air China from Terminal 2, with foreign carriers following their alliance partners. Check the terminal with your airline on the day and put the flight number on any transfer booking rather than the airport name.
Should I fly into Pudong or Hongqiao for central Shanghai?
Hongqiao is closer to the traditional city centre and the high-speed rail hub, so for a western-side hotel it often saves an hour of traffic. Pudong is about 30 km east and is the long-haul gateway. The right answer depends on the airline you are flying and where you are staying, not on the airport alone.
How do I find my driver at Shanghai Pudong International Airport?
Pre-booked transfers include meet-and-greet: the driver waits in arrivals with a nameboard, flight-tracked. The provider app or confirmation message shows the exact meeting point per terminal.
What if my flight to PVG is delayed?
The transfer provider tracks the flight number and adjusts pickup automatically — that is the core of what you pay for versus a rank taxi. Confirm the included waiting window on the booking page.
Are taxis cheaper than a pre-booked transfer from PVG?
For short rides with no traffic, sometimes. At peak hours, for families, and for night arrivals the fixed price usually matches or beats the meter — and removes the surge risk entirely. Get the quote and compare; it takes a minute.
Which terminal do I land at Shanghai Pudong International Airport?
2 terminals serve PVG — your airline decides, and the booking form asks for the flight number so the driver plans it for you.