Explore Beijing / Getting Between Shanghai Hongqiao and Pudong: Rail Links, Transfers, and Buffer Time
Getting Between Shanghai Hongqiao and Pudong: Rail Links, Transfers, and Buffer Time
Shanghai's two mega-airports sit on opposite sides of the city. Here's how to move between them, and between each airport and the city center, without missing a train or flight.
6 min read · KOULING's Beijing Travel Guide
Many first-time visitors assume Shanghai's two airports are interchangeable. They aren't. Hongqiao (SHA) sits west of downtown and is connected to the main high-speed rail station, while Pudong (PVG) is far to the east near the coast, roughly 45–60 km (28–37 mi) from the city center. Booking an arrival at one airport and a departure from the other in the same day is common but risky if you don't plan the connection. This guide covers every realistic option, what each costs, and how much buffer time to leave.
Know Your Two Airports (and Why It Matters)
Hongqiao handles mostly domestic flights plus some regional routes, and its Terminal 2 is literally attached to the Hongqiao Railway Station, where high-speed trains to Beijing, Hangzhou, Suzhou and beyond depart. Pudong is Shanghai's main international gateway, split across Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 (plus a newer satellite concourse reached by internal people mover). If you arrive at Hongqiao on a train or domestic flight and your onward flight leaves from Pudong, treat it like a city-to-airport trip, not an in-terminal transfer.
Hongqiao (SHA) — West of downtown, roughly 13 km (8 mi) from People's Square; combined with the railway station. [verify before travel] Confirm your terminal, as transit connections differ between T1 and T2.
Pudong (PVG) — East of downtown, roughly 30–45 km (19–28 mi) depending on your destination; allow generous time for international departures. [verify before travel] Check which terminal and concourse your airline uses.
Your Main Options, Compared
There is no simple one-seat express between the two airports in every configuration, so most travelers either route through the city rail network or take a car. Here's the honest breakdown.
Airport Link Line / intercity rail — Shanghai has introduced dedicated airport rail connections linking the two airports via the city's rail network, including the Airport Link Line (Airport Link) serving Pudong and continuing toward Hongqiao. Journey times around 40 minutes to just over an hour are advertised, but routing and transfer points depend on where you start. [verify before travel] Confirm the current line, stations, fares, and whether your ticket requires a transfer.
Metro Line 2 — The workhorse option: Line 2 runs directly between Hongqiao Railway Station/T2 area and the city center, and historically toward Pudong; some through-services toward Pudong and the Guanglan Road split mean you may need to change trains. Expect roughly 90 minutes end to end and a fare of a few CNY (well under USD 2). [verify before travel] Confirm current through-service arrangements and last trains.
Maglev + metro — The famous maglev runs between Longyang Road (on Metro Lines 2/7/13/16 area) and Pudong Airport in about 7–8 minutes at speeds up to 300 km/h (186 mph). Single tickets are around CNY 50 (about USD 7), discounted with a same-day air ticket, and you can pay with transit cards or Alipay/WeChat Pay integration. [verify before travel] Check operating hours, current fares, and payment methods.
Taxi / ride-hailing — A taxi between the airports typically costs CNY 150–250 (roughly USD 20–35) and takes 60–90 minutes depending on traffic; DiDi is widely used. This is the least stressful option with luggage, especially late at night when rail service has ended. [verify before travel] Fares and surge pricing vary; confirm before relying on a late-night pickup.
How Much Buffer Time to Leave
This is where first-timers get burned. Airport-to-airport 'transfer' time in Shanghai is door-to-door travel time plus security, check-in and walking. Do not book a same-day Hongqiao-to-Pudong connection with less than six hours between scheduled arrival and departure; eight is more comfortable.
International departure from Pudong — Arrive 3 hours before departure. Add check-in queues and the size of the complex; the satellite concourse adds walking time.
Domestic departure from either airport — Arrive 2 hours before departure; security lines at Hongqiao during holiday periods can be long.
Rail-to-flight or flight-to-rail — Build in at least 60–90 minutes beyond pure travel time for walking, security, and finding your platform or gate. High-speed rail tickets are train-specific and changes aren't guaranteed. [verify before travel] Confirm rebooking rules for your ticket class.
Hongqiao Railway Station / Hongqiao Airport T2
The easiest hub in China for arrivals: step off a high-speed train and walk to the airport terminal, or descend into the metro. Signage is in English and Chinese, and staff at information desks usually speak some English.
Metro
Line 2, Line 10 and Line 17 serve the Hongqiao hub area [verify before travel] confirm current line and station name.
Opening hours
Metro generally runs from around 5:30 to around 23:00+ [verify before travel].
Tickets
Metro fares roughly CNY 3–7 (under USD 1–2) for city trips; buy at machines or tap a transit app [verify before travel].
How long
Hongqiao to People's Square about 30–40 minutes by metro.
Pudong Airport & the Maglev
Pudong is huge — leave time to walk from security to distant gates. The maglev station is connected to the terminal; if you take it, you'll transfer to Metro Line 2 at Longyang Road for the city center.
Metro
Line 2 serves both airport terminals; the maglev connects Pudong Airport with Longyang Road [verify before travel] confirm current line and station name.
Opening hours
Maglev roughly 7:00–21:30 at intervals of 15–20 minutes [verify before travel].
Tickets
Maglev single around CNY 50 (about USD 7), with discounts for same-day flight tickets [verify before travel].
How long
Maglev ride about 7–8 minutes; Longyang Road to People's Square by metro about 20 minutes.
The Airport Link Line
Shanghai's newer dedicated airport rail connection is the fastest rail option across the city between the two airport areas, with comfortable trains designed for travelers with luggage. It connects Pudong Airport with key interchanges and, via transfers, the Hongqiao hub.
Metro
Airport Link Line (Airport Link); interchange with other rail lines at major hubs [verify before travel] confirm current line and station name.
Opening hours
Approximately early morning to late evening [verify before travel].
Tickets
Priced above standard metro fares; pay by transit card or app [verify before travel].
How long
Roughly 40–70 minutes airport to airport depending on transfers [verify before travel].
Sample Same-Day Airport-to-Airport Connection
08:00
Arrive Hongqiao (rail or domestic flight)Budget 45 minutes from gate/platform to the metro or rail link — the complex is large.
09:00
Board the Airport Link Line or Line 2 eastboundWith luggage, the dedicated airport rail is the most comfortable; Line 2 is cheapest. [verify before travel] Confirm transfer points.
10:30
Arrive Pudong AirportAim for a landing-to-departure gap of 7–8 hours total to stay relaxed.
12:30
Check in and clear securityThree hours before an international departure; grab lunch airside, not landside.
Related Beijing guides
If you found this useful, these cover the next question most visitors ask:
Set up payments in advance — Link Alipay or WeChat Pay to a foreign card before arrival; it works on metro gates, maglev and taxis. Cash is still accepted at staffed counters. [verify before travel] Confirm card acceptance.
Don't cut it close on holiday weeks — During Chinese national holidays (especially Golden Week in early October and Spring Festival), crowds and road traffic multiply. Add hours, not minutes.
Screenshot your itinerary — Airport and station Wi-Fi plus a local eSIM or roaming data will keep maps and translation apps working underground. [verify before travel] Check eSIM/roaming coverage for metro tunnels.
Confirm terminal before you ride — Both airports have multiple terminals; boarding the wrong shuttle or exiting at the wrong stop costs 20–30 minutes. Double-check your airline's terminal the day of travel.
