Airport Hubs:
PVG → People's Square, The Bund & Central Shanghai Updated for 2026

How to Get from Shanghai Pudong (PVG) to The Bund & People's Square

Distance 30 km
Fastest 25 min
From 7 - 54 CNY (~$1.00 - $7.50)
Top Pick Shanghai Maglev High-Speed Train (+ Metro Line 2)
Quick 10-Second Verdict:

Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) is located 30 km east of the city center. The most thrilling, world-famous transit choice is the Shanghai Maglev magnetic levitation train, which cruises at 300 km/h, zooms to Longyang Road in just 7 to 8 minutes (50 CNY, or 40 CNY with a same-day flight ticket), where you can transfer to Metro Line 2 straight to People's Square in 15 minutes (4 CNY). Alternatively, Metro Line 2 runs direct for 7 CNY (takes 65 min). An official taxi or DiDi takes 45 to 60 minutes and costs 180 - 240 CNY (~$25 - $33 USD).

Shanghai is China's futuristic financial metropolis, where iconic colonial heritage buildings along The Bund look across the Huangpu River to the neon-lit supertall skyscrapers of Lujiazui in Pudong.

All Transfer Options Compared (2026 Fares)

Transport Option Typical Time 2026 Fare Frequency Best For Booking / Info
Shanghai Maglev High-Speed Train (+ Metro Line 2) Best Overall
25–30 min
44 - 54 CNY
~$6.10 - $7.50 / €5.60 - €6.90
 Every 15-20 min All travelers—world-unique bucket-list speed, avoids all highway traffic Explore Shanghai Tower & Huangpu River Cruises
Shanghai Metro Line 2 (Direct Subway) Cheapest
65–70 min
7 CNY
~$1.00 / €0.90
 Every 5-8 min Budget travelers wanting a direct one-seat ride without changing trains Book Shanghai Disneyland & Yu Garden Passes
Official Metered Taxi / DiDi Ride Fastest
45–60 min
180 - 240 CNY
~$25.00 - $33.00 / €23.00 - €30.50
 On demand (2-5 min) Families, travelers with heavy luggage, and late-night arrivals Book Shanghai Pudong Airport Private Chauffeur

Detailed Step-by-Step Transfer Options

Option #1 Best Overall

Shanghai Maglev High-Speed Train (+ Metro Line 2)

44 - 54 CNY ~$6.10 - $7.50 / €5.60 - €6.90
Travel time 25–30 min
Frequency Every 15-20 min
Operating hours 07:02 - 21:42 daily
Where to buy tickets Maglev ticket counter (show flight ticket for 40 CNY discount) or Alipay.
Main advantage: Incredible 300 km/h magnetic levitation experience; takes only 8 minutes to Longyang Road; costs only 40 CNY with boarding pass.
Keep in mind: Requires a simple transfer at Longyang Road station to Metro Line 2 or Line 7.

Step-by-step from arrivals:

  1. Follow the illuminated Maglev signs between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.
  2. Show your boarding pass to buy a 40 CNY discounted ticket.
  3. Board the Maglev to Longyang Road, then transfer to Metro Line 2 to People's Square.
Explore Shanghai Tower & Huangpu River Cruises
Option #2 Cheapest

Shanghai Metro Line 2 (Direct Subway)

7 CNY ~$1.00 / €0.90
Travel time 65–70 min
Frequency Every 5-8 min
Operating hours 06:00 - 22:30 daily
Where to buy tickets Scan Shanghai Metro QR code in Alipay or buy token at station machines.
Main advantage: Costs only 7 CNY ($1); direct one-seat ride to East Nanjing Road, People's Square, and Jing'an Temple.
Keep in mind: Takes 65 minutes; can get very crowded as you approach central Shanghai.

Step-by-step from arrivals:

  1. Walk to the Metro station between Terminal 1 and 2.
  2. Scan into the turnstiles using your Alipay transport QR code or buy a 7 CNY token.
  3. Board Metro Line 2 towards East Xujing and alight at People's Square.
Book Shanghai Disneyland & Yu Garden Passes
Option #3 Fastest

Official Metered Taxi / DiDi Ride

180 - 240 CNY ~$25.00 - $33.00 / €23.00 - €30.50
Travel time 45–60 min
Frequency On demand (2-5 min)
Operating hours 24/7 continuous
Where to buy tickets Official taxi rank outside ground floor arrivals.
Main advantage: Direct door-to-door transit to your hotel; operating 24 hours continuously.
Keep in mind: Subject to traffic jams on the elevated inner ring road during rush hours.

Step-by-step from arrivals:

  1. Follow the green "Taxi" floor markings down to the official taxi rank queue.
  2. Show your destination hotel address written in Chinese characters.
  3. Verify the taximeter is started and enjoy the drive across the river into the city.
Book Shanghai Pudong Airport Private Chauffeur
ARRIVAL CONNECTIVITY & RIDE-HAILING TIP

Need Mobile Data at the Terminal for DiDi / Taxi & Maps?

Airport Wi-Fi often drops outside the terminal curb where DiDi / Taxi pickup zones are located. Install a local eSIM before your flight so you can order a ride, translate station signs, and show digital train QR tickets immediately after landing.

Get China eSIM on Airalo →Compare China Airport eSIM on Klook →
STRESS-FREE DOOR-TO-DOOR OPTION

Prefer a Driver Waiting at Shanghai (PVG) Arrivals?

Traveling with heavy suitcases, young children, or landing after midnight? Pre-book a fixed-price private airport transfer or express rail pass on Klook with instant confirmation and no meter haggling.

Check Shanghai Transfers & Rail Passes on Klook →View Airport & City Hotels on Klook →

Tickets, Luggage & Late-Night Arrivals

How Tickets & Payments Work

Present your same-day flight boarding pass or e-ticket at the Maglev ticket counter to receive the discounted 40 CNY fare (regular 50 CNY); Alipay and WeChat Pay with foreign credit cards are widely accepted at all Shanghai metro gates.

Traveling with Suitcases

The Maglev and Metro Line 2 feature spacious level-boarding trains with dedicated luggage bays and bilingual English announcements.

Arriving After Midnight

The Maglev operates from 07:02 to 21:42; Metro Line 2 operates until around 22:30. Night Bus Line 1 (Airport Night Shuttle) runs until 45 minutes after the final flight arrival.

Common Mistakes & Airport Scams to Avoid

  • Following touts in the arrivals hall offering "official English taxis"—always follow the green "Taxi" floor markings down to the regulated basement taxi rank.
  • Not setting up Alipay or WeChat Pay before arrival (you can link foreign Visa/Mastercard for instant contactless QR-code subway gate entry).
  • Aggressive touts approach travelers in arrivals offering "cheap limousines" or "English taxis"—always decline and follow signs to the official taxi rank or the Maglev/Metro station.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How fast does the Shanghai Maglev train travel?

The Maglev cruises at a steady operational speed of 300 km/h, covering the 30 km distance to Longyang Road station in precisely 7 minutes and 20 seconds.

Can I take Metro Line 2 directly without riding the Maglev?

Yes, Metro Line 2 departs directly from the airport terminal station and runs all the way to People's Square and Hongqiao, taking about 65 minutes for only 7 CNY.