Both Airports, and Getting In

Shanghai has two airports and they are not interchangeable. Hongqiao is close in and mostly domestic plus regional; Pudong is far out and handles most long-haul international flights.

Know which one you are using before you plan your arrival day.

Hongqiao (SHA)

Sits above a massive railway station, connected directly to Metro Lines 2 and 10. Thirty minutes to Jing'an, forty to the Bund, both with no changes.

If you land here and have under seven hours, consider not going into the centre at all — see the Hongqiao After Hours route instead.

Pudong (PVG)

About 45–60 minutes to the centre on Metro Line 2, or a fast maglev to Longyang Road and then the metro. The maglev saves maybe fifteen minutes for a much higher fare; it is a novelty as much as a transfer.

Taxis take 45–90 minutes depending on traffic and cost several times the metro fare.

Between the two

Allow at least two hours to move between Hongqiao and Pudong. They are on opposite sides of the city. If you have a connection there, build in a very large margin.

Arrival sequence

Immigration, then baggage, then — if you are using one — the transit exemption desk, then money and SIM, then transport. Buy your metro ticket before you are tired and carrying luggage.