Shanghai Hongqiao Airport is about 13 km from Shanghai city centre. Transport costs vary depending on your method, destination, and time of day.
By transport type
Metro Line 2 and Line 10: CNY 4-6 per person. Metro Line 2 and Line 10 both serve Hongqiao. Line 2 goes directly to Nanjing Road and People's Square. Line 10 connects to the French Concession and Yuyuan Garden area. Journey time to central Shanghai is 20-35 minutes. Runs approximately 6:30 AM to 10:30-11 PM.
Airport bus: fare varies by route; check the operator's posted price at the terminal or the airport's official site before boarding.
Taxi: CNY 40-100 to central areas, metered on Shanghai's official tariff (14 CNY for the first 3 km, then 2.7 CNY/km, rising to 1.5x that per-km rate beyond 15 km — Shanghai Municipal Government, shanghai.gov.cn). Trips starting between 11 PM and 5 AM carry a 30 percent surcharge on both the base and distance fare. Rush hour traffic pushes fares toward the higher end.
Pre-booked transfer: $20-45 USD for a sedan. Minivans and premium vehicles cost more. The price is fixed regardless of traffic.
By destination
| Destination | Taxi (CNY) | Transfer (CNY) |
|---|---|---|
| People's Square | 30-50 | 100-180 |
| The Bund | 40-60 | 120-200 |
| French Concession | 25-40 | 90-160 |
| Jing'an | 25-40 | 90-150 |
| Lujiazui (Pudong) | 60-100 | 200-350 |
| Hongqiao Railway Station | 14-18 | 50-80 |
Hidden costs to consider
- Late-night surcharge: Taxi fares between 11 PM and 5 AM carry a 30 percent surcharge on both the base and distance fare, per the official tariff. Budget accordingly.
- Traffic factor: Rush hour (7-9 AM, 5-7 PM) fares can be significantly higher as the meter runs on both time and distance.
- Language confusion: If a taxi driver misunderstands your destination, the detour costs you money on the meter. Having your address in Chinese reduces this risk.
- Payment friction: Without WeChat Pay or Alipay, you are limited to cash. ATMs are available in arrivals.
Tips for managing costs
- The metro at CNY 4-6 is by far the cheapest option, but factor in walking and possible transfers to your final destination.
- For groups of 3-4 people, a taxi or transfer becomes more cost-effective per person than individual transit fares.
- Cash in CNY is the most reliable payment for taxis. ATMs in the arrivals hall accept international cards.
- Pre-booked transfers include the price for the vehicle, not per person, making them economical for families and small groups.