Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport Transportation Complete Guide

Hi there! I’m Dalia Xu, a 30-year-old female travel enthusiast with over a decade of globetrotting experience. Nature landscapes and hotel reviews are my passions—through years of journeys, I’ve honed a knack for distilling practical, user-friendly travel insights. Today, I’m thrilled to share this comprehensive guide to Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA), designed to cover all your transportation needs. Whether you’re seeking the fastest route, budget-friendly options, intra-city commutes, or intercity connections, this guide packs detailed operation steps and insider tips to help you find the perfect match for your travel plans.

Airport Basic Information Overview

• Airport Code: SHA
• Location: Junction of Changning District & Minhang District, Shanghai
• Core Distance: Approximately 13 km from People’s Square, 20-30 minutes by car
• Terminal Distribution:
• Terminal 1 (T1): Mainly serves domestic flights of various airlines
• Terminal 2 (T2): Serves international and domestic flights, directly connected to Hongqiao Railway Station and metro lines

Comparative Analysis of 5 Intra-City Travel Options

Travel Option	One-Way Travel Time	Price Range	Target Audience	Core Advantages	Notes
Metro (Lines 2/10/17)	20-40 mins (direct)	$0.42 – $0.99	Budget-conscious travelers, solo travelers	Wide route coverage, high punctuality, low cost	Crowded during morning/evening peaks
Intercity Airport Line	40 mins (to PVG)	$3.62 – $3.62	Travelers transferring to Pudong Airport	Fastest inter-airport connection, comfortable	Operates 06:00-22:00 only
Taxi	20-40 mins (subject to traffic)	$1.96 – $3.33	Travelers with large luggage, groups	24/7 door-to-door service, no transfers	Prone to congestion during peak hours
Ride-Hailing Services	20-40 mins (subject to traffic)	$1.63 – $2.90	Travelers preferring online booking	Transparent pricing, selectable car models	Need to go to designated pickup areas
Airport Shuttle Bus	30-60 mins (by route)	$0.28 – $0.42	Travelers to specific business districts	Direct routes, sufficient luggage space	Long departure intervals (20-30 mins/shift)

Option 1: Metro (Most Cost-Effective)

As the backbone of Shanghai’s public transportation network, the metro lines connecting Hongqiao Airport cover the city’s core areas, offering unbeatable cost-effectiveness for most travelers.

• Route Coverage:
• ​Line 2: Direct to People’s Square, Lujiazui (Pudong CBD)
• ​Line 10: Direct to The Bund, Yuyuan Garden, Hongqiao Railway Station
• ​Line 17: Direct to Qingpu District, West Cypress Lake
• Station Location: T2 Terminal B1 floor (directly connected to Hongqiao Railway Station); T1 Terminal: Take free shuttle bus to T2 first
• Operating Hours:
• Line 2: 05:30-23:00
• ​Line 10: 05:30-23:00
• ​Line 17: 05:30-22:30 (weekdays), 06:00-23:00 (weekends)

Fare & Travel Time Reference

Destination	One-Way Fare	Estimated Travel Time
People’s Square	$0.71	25 mins
The Bund (East Nanjing Rd)	$0.85	30 mins
Hongqiao Railway Station	$0.42	5 mins (walkable)
Xujiahui	$0.85	35 mins

Option 2: Intercity Airport Line (Fastest Inter-Airport Transfer)

The dedicated intercity line linking Hongqiao and Pudong Airports cuts transfer time to just 40 minutes, making it the top choice for cross-airport travelers.

• Route: Hongqiao T2 Terminal Station → Pudong T1/T2 Terminal Station

• Operating Hours: Departs Hongqiao 06:00-22:00; Departs Pudong 06:00-22:00

• Departure Interval: 15 mins/shift during peak hours, 20 mins/shift during off-peak hours

• Ticketing & Discounts

1. Ticketing Channels: Station self-service machines, ticket counters, WeChat/Alipay mini-programs
2. ​Price Standard: One-way $3.62 (fixed fare for full route)
3. ​Special Policy: China Eastern Airlines/Shanghai Airlines transfer passengers can get free tickets at “Airport Link” service counters

• Transfer Guide

1. Boarding at Hongqiao T2 Terminal B1 floor (metro interchange area)
2. Direct access to Pudong T1/T2 Terminals without additional transfers

Option 3: Taxi (Door-to-Door Convenience)

Operating 24 hours a day with no transfers required, taxis are ideal for travelers with elderly, children, or large amounts of luggage.

• Waiting Points:

Outside T1 Arrival Gate 1; T2 Arrival Gate 2 (queue as instructed by staff)

• Pricing Standard:
• Daytime (05:00-23:00): Starting fare $1.96 (within 3 km), $0.35/km for 3-15 km, $0.53/km for over 15 km
• Nighttime (23:00-05:00): Starting fare $2.55, 30% surcharge on subsequent kilometers
• Additional Fees: $0.10/min waiting fee (when speed < 12 km/h), tunnel/bridge tolls (if applicable)

• Fare Reference for Popular Destinations:

• Hongqiao Airport → People’s Square: $1.96 – $2.62 (daytime), $2.55 – $3.33 (nighttime)
• Hongqiao Airport → Xujiahui: $2.30 – $2.96 (daytime), $2.99 – $3.67 (nighttime)
• Hongqiao Airport → The Bund: $2.13 – $2.79 (daytime), $2.77 – $3.53 (nighttime)

Option 4: Ride-Hailing Services (Flexible and Controllable)

Online booking with transparent pricing allows you to select car models in advance, avoiding on-site queuing and ensuring a smooth journey.

• Recommended Platforms

DiDi Chuxing, Amap Dache, Alipay Dache (supports English interface)

• Pickup Points

• T1 Terminal: P1 Parking Lot Ride-Hailing Dedicated Area
• ​T2 Terminal: P9 Parking Lot Ground Area, Long-Distance Bus West Station (follow ground signs)

• Practical Tips

1. Book 15-30 minutes in advance and select “Airport Pickup Service” to sync flight information automatically
2. ​The pickup points use intelligent access control; drivers enter via order verification for efficient boarding

• Price Reference

• Hongqiao Airport → People’s Square: $1.63 – $2.29
• ​Hongqiao Airport → Jing’an Temple: $1.80 – $2.46
• ​Hongqiao Airport → Xujiahui: $1.96 – $2.62

Option 5: Airport Shuttle Bus (Economical with Wide Coverage)

Multiple fixed routes connect the airport to downtown business districts and transportation hubs, offering high cost-effectiveness and convenient luggage storage.

Key Route Information

Route Number	Terminus	Departure Time (T1/T2)	One-Way Fare	Passing Stations
Line 1	Shanghai Railway Station	06:30-23:00 / 06:35-23:05	$0.42	West Nanjing Road, People’s Square
Line 2	Xujiahui	06:45-22:45 / 06:50-22:50	$0.28	Xujiahui Business District
Line 3	Hongkou Football Stadium	07:00-22:30 / 07:05-22:35	$0.42	North Sichuan Road, Haining Road

• Night Shuttle Service

• Operating Hours: After 23:00 until 45 minutes after the last flight lands

• Route: Hongqiao Airport → Shanghai Railway Station

• Frequency: Departs every 45 minutes, fare $0.42

Inter-Airport/Railway Station Transportation Guide

• Hongqiao Airport ↔ Pudong Airport

• Best Option: Intercity Airport Line ($3.62, 40 mins direct)

• Economical Option: Metro Line 2 ($1.56, 1 hour 40 mins)

• Fast Option: Taxi/Ride-Hailing ($39.13 – $54.78, 50-70 mins)

• Hongqiao Airport ↔ Hongqiao Railway Station

• Direct Access: Walk from T2 Terminal (5 mins) or take free shuttle bus from T1 (10 mins)

• Alternative: Metro Line 10 (2 mins, $0.42)

• Hongqiao Airport ↔ Shanghai Railway Station

• Recommended: Airport Line 1 Shuttle Bus ($0.42, 45 mins direct) or Metro Line 2 transfer to Line 1 ($0.99, 60 mins)

Terminal Transfer & Airport Practical Services

• T1 ↔ T2 Terminal Transfer

• Free Shuttle Bus: Operates 24/7, departs from T1 Gate 1 and T2 Gate 2, 10-15 mins interval, 5-min ride

• Walking: Not recommended (distance over 2 km, no covered walkway)

• Airport Practical Services

• Wi-Fi Connection: Search for “SHA-Free-WiFi”, log in via mobile phone verification code or passport information (free to use)

• Luggage Storage: Available in T1/T2 Arrival Halls, $0.40 – $0.79/item/day (charged by size)

• Charging Facilities: Free charging stations in terminals; wireless charging available in T2 VIP lounge

• Service Hotline: 021-96990 (multilingual support)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

– Q: Arrived late at night, are there any transportation options besides taxis?

– A: You can take the night shuttle bus to Shanghai Railway Station or wait for the first metro (departs at 05:30) in the airport lounge.

– Q: Traveling with a stroller or wheelchair, which transportation method is most convenient?

– A: Taxis, ride-hailing services, or airport shuttle buses are recommended. T2 has full barrier-free access, while T1 requires a shuttle to T2 for metro access.

– Q: Can I book airport shuttle bus tickets in advance?

– A: On-site purchase is available (cash or QR code payment); no advance booking required as routes run frequently.

– Q: What if I need to transfer between flights at Hongqiao and Pudong Airports?

– A: Take the intercity Airport Line (40 mins direct) or use the free transfer service for China Eastern/Shanghai Airlines passengers (inclusive of luggage transfer)