Hello, I’m Lila Jiang, a China travel professional with over 5 years of experience. During these five years, I’ve traveled extensively around the world.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 Railway Station (SHA), one of China’s busiest transport hubs integrating high-speed rail, metro, airport links and intercity shuttles. Whether you’re seeking the fastest downtown transfer, budget-friendly commutes, intercity connections, or airport transfers, this guide packs detailed operation steps and insider tips to help you navigate this bustling hub with ease.
Station Basic Information Overview
- Station Code: SHA (Integrated with Hongqiao Transport Hub)
- Location: Minhang District, Shanghai (west of downtown, adjacent to Hongqiao International Airport)
- Core Distance: Approximately 15 km from People’s Square, 30-45 minutes by car/metro
- Terminal & Platform Distribution:
- High-Speed Rail Area: 16 platforms (Platform 1-16) serving Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway, Shanghai-Nanjing Intercity Railway, Shanghai-Hangzhou High-Speed Railway, and intercity routes to Suzhou, Wuxi, Hangzhou, etc.
- Transport Hub Zone: B1 Floor (metro interchange, taxi/rideshare pickup), 1F (arrival hall, ticket counters), 2F (departure hall, security check gates), 3F (waiting lounges & platform access)
- Integrated Hub: Connected to Hongqiao Airport T2 via skybridge (10-minute walk) and T1 via shuttle bus; adjacent to Hongqiao Coach Station for intercity bus services.
Comparative Analysis of 5 Intra-City Travel Options
| Travel Option | One-Way Travel Time | Price Range | Target Audience | Core Advantages | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metro (Line 2/10/17) | 30-50 mins (direct) | $0.71 – $1.41 | Budget travelers, solo visitors, daily commuters | 24-hour service (Line 2), wide coverage, no traffic delays | Crowded during peak hours, inconvenient for large luggage |
| Airport Shuttle Bus | 5-15 mins (to T1/T2) | $0.71 – $1.07 | Airport transfers, travelers with light luggage | Direct, frequent departures, no transfers | Only for airport routes, limited luggage space |
| Taxi | 30-60 mins (subject to traffic) | $10.60 – $17.77 | Groups, travelers with large luggage, elderly/children | 24/7 door-to-door service, comfortable | Rush-hour congestion, night surcharge, long queues during peak hours |
| Ride-Hailing Services | 30-60 mins (subject to traffic) | $8.84 – $14.84 | Travelers preferring pre-booking, small groups | Transparent pricing, selectable car models, no on-site queuing | Need to go to designated pickup areas, surge pricing during peaks |
| Intercity Coach | 40-90 mins (by route) | $2.12 – $7.42 | Travelers to suburbs, neighboring cities (Suzhou, Wuxi) | Sufficient luggage space, direct to destinations | Long departure intervals (15-30 mins/shift), limited downtown routes |
Option 1: Metro (Most Cost-Effective & Punctual)
As the core transit mode connecting Hongqiao Station to downtown Shanghai, the metro network (Line 2/10/17) covers key areas like People’s Square, Lujiazui, and Xujiahui, offering high cost-effectiveness and 24-hour service on Line 2—ideal for late-night or early-morning travelers.
Core Information
Routes:
- Line 2: Hongqiao Railway Station → People’s Square → Lujiazui → Pudong International Airport
- Line 10: Hongqiao Railway Station → Xintiandi → Siping Road → Jiangwan Town
- Line 17: Hongqiao Railway Station → Zhujiajiao Ancient Town → Oriental Land
Station Location: B1 Floor of Hongqiao Station, follow “Metro” signs from arrival hall
Operating Hours:
- Line 2 (24-hour service): Departs Hongqiao 00:00-24:00 (10-15 mins interval at night)
- Line 10: 05:25-23:43 (departs Hongqiao)
- Line 17: 06:00-23:00 (departs Hongqiao)
Departure Interval: 2-5 mins/shift during peak hours (07:30-09:30, 17:30-19:30); 8-12 mins/shift during off-peak hours
Ticketing & Discounts
Ticketing Channels: Station self-service machines, ticket counters, Alipay/WeChat mini-programs (“Shanghai Metro Official Account”)
Price Standard: Fare by distance, $0.71-$1.41 (Hongqiao to downtown core areas)
Child Policy: Free for children under 1.2m, half fare for children 1.2-1.5m
Fare & Travel Time Reference
| Destination | One-Way Fare | Estimated Travel Time |
|---|---|---|
| People’s Square (Line 2) | $1.07 | 35 mins |
| Xintiandi (Line 10) | $1.20 | 40 mins |
| Lujiazui (Line 2) | $1.41 | 50 mins |
| Zhujiajiao Ancient Town (Line 17) | $2.12 | 1 hour |
Option 2: Airport Shuttle Bus (Direct to Hongqiao Airport T1/T2)
The dedicated shuttle bus connects Hongqiao Railway Station to Hongqiao Airport T1 and T2, with short travel time and low fare—perfect for travelers transferring between train and flight.
Core Information
Routes:
- Shuttle 1: Hongqiao Railway Station → Hongqiao Airport T2 (direct, 5-minute ride)
- Shuttle 2: Hongqiao Railway Station → Hongqiao Airport T1 (via T2, 15-minute ride)
Pickup/Drop-off Points: 1F East Square of Hongqiao Station (Exit 6); T2 Arrival Hall Exit 8, T1 Arrival Hall Exit 5
Operating Hours: 06:00-23:30 (departs every 10-15 mins/shift; extended to 30 mins after last train/flight)
Ticketing & Pricing: On-site purchase (cash/QR code), $0.71/one-way; free for passengers with same-day train/flight tickets
Option 3: Taxi (Door-to-Door Convenience for Groups)
Taxis operate 24 hours a day, with designated waiting areas and no transfers—suitable for travelers with large luggage, elderly, or children, ensuring a direct and comfortable journey.
Waiting & Pricing
Waiting Points: 1F East/West Square of Hongqiao Station (follow ground signs; queue as instructed by staff)
Pricing Standard:
- Daytime (06:00-23:00): Starting fare $1.98 (within 3 km), $0.35/km for 3-15 km, $0.53/km for over 15 km
- Nighttime (23:00-06:00): Starting fare $2.54, 20% surcharge on subsequent kilometers
- Additional Fees: $0.21/min waiting fee (speed < 12 km/h or stopped), no expressway toll for downtown routes
Fare Reference for Popular Destinations
| Destination | Daytime Fare Range | Nighttime Fare Range | Estimated Travel Time (Non-Peak) |
|---|---|---|---|
| People’s Square | $10.60 – $14.84 | $12.72 – $17.77 | 30 mins |
| Xintiandi | $12.72 – $16.95 | $14.84 – $19.08 | 35 mins |
| Lujiazui | $14.84 – $19.08 | $16.95 – $21.19 | 45 mins |
Option 4: Ride-Hailing Services (Flexible & Price-Transparent)
Online booking with clear price estimates, supports economy, business, and 7-seater car selection, avoids on-site queuing—flexible for diverse travel needs, especially for small groups.
Recommended Platforms
DiDi Chuxing, Amap Dache, Alipay Dache (supports English operation interface); DiDi International for foreign users with overseas payment methods.
Pickup Points
- North Pickup Area: B1 Floor, near Metro Line 2 Entrance (follow “Ride-Hailing” signs)
- South Pickup Area: 1F West Square, Zone C (navigate via app for real-time location)
Practical Tips
- Book 15-20 minutes in advance, select “Hongqiao Railway Station Pickup” and bind train number to sync delay information automatically.
- Rush hours (07:30-09:30, 17:30-19:30) may have surge pricing; avoid Hongqiao Hub Expressway during peaks.
Price Reference
| Destination | Fare Range | Estimated Travel Time (Non-Peak) |
|---|---|---|
| People’s Square | $8.84 – $12.72 | 30 mins |
| Xintiandi | $10.60 – $14.84 | 35 mins |
| Lujiazui | $12.72 – $16.95 | 45 mins |
Option 5: Intercity Coach (Economical for Suburbs & Neighboring Cities)
Hongqiao Coach Station, adjacent to the railway station, covers Shanghai suburbs (Songjiang, Qingpu) and neighboring cities (Suzhou, Wuxi, Hangzhou), with sufficient luggage space—cost-effective for long-distance or multi-city travel.
Key Route Information
| Route Number | Terminus | Departure Time | One-Way Fare | Passing Stations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Line Hongqiao-Suzhou | Suzhou North Railway Station | 06:30-20:30 (15 mins/shift) | $7.42 | Kunshan South Station |
| Line Hongqiao-Qingpu | Zhujiajiao Ancient Town | 07:00-21:00 (20 mins/shift) | $3.53 | Qingpu New City |
| Line Hongqiao-Hangzhou | Hangzhou East Railway Station | 07:00-19:00 (30 mins/shift) | $10.60 | Jiaxing South Station |
Booking Guide: On-site purchase (1F Coach Station Ticket Counters) or advance booking via “Shanghai Coach Network” official WeChat account; valid for 24 hours after purchase.
Inter-Station/Airport Transportation Guide
Hongqiao Railway Station ↔ Hongqiao Airport
- To T2: 10-minute walk via skybridge (24-hour accessible); or shuttle bus (5 mins, $0.71)
- To T1: Shuttle bus (15 mins, $0.71) or metro Line 10 (20 mins, $1.07)
Hongqiao Railway Station ↔ Other Shanghai Railway Stations
- To Shanghai Railway Station: Metro Line 2 (40 mins, $1.20) or high-speed rail (20 mins, $2.83)
- To Shanghai South Railway Station: Metro Line 10 + Line 1 (50 mins, $1.41) or taxi (45 mins, $14.84-$19.08)
Hongqiao Railway Station ↔ Neighboring Cities
- To Suzhou: High-speed rail (25 mins, $7.42) or intercity coach (40 mins, $7.42)
- To Hangzhou: High-speed rail (45 mins, $14.84) or intercity coach (1.5 hours, $10.60)
- To Nanjing: High-speed rail (1 hour, $21.19) or intercity coach (2 hours, $14.84)
Platform Transfer & Station Practical Services
Intra-Station Transfer
- High-Speed Rail Transfer: Within the station, follow “Transfer” signs to security check (no need to exit; 5-10 mins between platforms)
- Metro/Rail Transfer: B1 Floor metro station to 2F departure hall via escalator (3-5 mins)
Practical Services
- Luggage Services: B1 Floor Luggage Storage Area (charged by size: $0.71-$1.41/item/4hrs, $2.12-$3.53/item/day); “Light Travel” service available via 12306 app (door-to-door luggage delivery, book 48hrs in advance) <superscript>4.
- Wi-Fi Connection: Search for “Hongqiao Hub-Free-WiFi”, log in via mobile verification code or passport (free, unlimited time).
- Charging Facilities: Free charging stations in waiting lounges (USB & socket ports); wireless charging in VIP lounges.
- Service Hotline: 021-12306 (multilingual support for train inquiries) and 021-96990 (hub service consultation).
- Currency Exchange: Available in 2F International Service Area, supports major global currencies.
- Dining & Shopping: 1F/2F Arrival/Departure Halls with chain restaurants (KFC, Starbucks) and duty-free shops; local snacks available in B1 Food Court.
Peak Hour Congestion Tips & Avoidance Strategies
Core Congestion Periods
- Daily Peak: 07:30-09:30 (arrival/departure for commuters; ticket counters and security checks queue easily)
- Evening Peak: 17:30-19:30 (intercity travel surge; taxi/rideshare pickup areas congested)
- Holiday Peak: Weekends/holidays 09:00-11:00, 15:00-18:00 (family travel surge; metro and shuttle buses crowded)
Avoidance Suggestions
- Rush-hour travel: Prioritize metro (no traffic delays) over taxis/rideshares; arrive 1.5 hours early for train departure.
- Luggage with large items: Book “Light Travel” service to avoid carrying luggage in crowded areas.
- Holiday travel: Book rides 1 hour in advance, or take intercity coach to avoid surge pricing.
FAQ
Q: Arrived in the early morning (after midnight), what transportation is available besides taxis?
A: Take 24-hour Metro Line 2 to downtown, or wait in the 24-hour waiting lounge until the first coach (06:00). The lounge provides charging facilities and comfortable seating.
Q: Traveling with a stroller or wheelchair, which transportation is most convenient?
A: Taxis/rideshares (barrier-free access) or airport shuttle buses (wheelchair ramps). Metro stations have elevators but some exits need staff assistance; contact station service desk for help.
Q: What if I miss the last metro/coach?
A: Choose taxi/rideshare, or take 24-hour Metro Line 2. Consult the service desk for real-time night route information.
Q: Can I book intercity coach tickets in advance for peak holidays?
A: Yes, advance booking is recommended via official channels (book up to 7 days in advance for holidays). On-site tickets may sell out quickly during peak periods.
Lila Jiang
She is Lila Jiang, a 28-year-old girl.
With over 10 years in the travel industry, she’s chased wanderlust near and far;
what she loves most is diving into local cultures,
finding hidden gems, and connecting with people who bring journeys to life.