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: CNY 15-30 depending on the route. Slow but inexpensive.
Taxi: CNY 40-100 to central areas. Meters are standard. After 11 PM, fares increase by roughly 20 percent. 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 | 10-15 | 50-80 |
Hidden costs to consider
- Late-night surcharge: Taxi meters increase after 11 PM. Budget an extra 20 percent.
- 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.