PVG — Shanghai (Pudong) — Taxi Fare Guide
Use only the official metered taxi rank, clearly signposted outside the arrivals halls of Terminals 1 and 2. Staff marshal a queue and put you in a licensed cab; do not accept offers from touts inside the terminal, who charge inflated flat rates. The meter starts at ¥18 (¥14 in some cars) and a ride to the city centre (People's Square, the Bund, Jing'an) typically runs ¥150–250, including a small airport surcharge and any bridge/tunnel tolls. Journey time is 45–90 minutes depending on traffic — allow extra during rush hour.
Fares to nearer Pudong-side business districts such as Lujiazui are lower, around ¥120–160, while a cross-city trip to Hongqiao Airport can reach ¥200–260. Always ask for a printed receipt (fapiao); it shows the taxi number and helps if you leave something behind.
For app-based rides, DiDi (China's dominant ride-hailing app) works at PVG with upfront pricing of about ¥200–230 to downtown; the pickup point is in the parking structure. DiDi is convenient if you have a Chinese payment method (Alipay/WeChat) linked, but during peak demand the metered rank is often faster and comparably priced.
| Destination | Approx. fare | Time |
| People's Square / The Bund | ¥150–250 | 50–90 min |
| Lujiazui (Pudong) | ¥120–160 | 40–60 min |
| Jing'an / Xujiahui | ¥170–230 | 50–80 min |
| Hongqiao Airport | ¥200–260 | 60–90 min |
Practical tips: Have your hotel address written in Chinese to show the driver. Insist the meter is running, keep the receipt, and carry some cash as backup even if you plan to pay by app. Because Pudong is so far out, consider the Maglev or Metro if you are travelling light in rush hour.
Other ways to the city
Pudong has excellent rail links, which often beat a taxi in rush hour:
- Maglev Train: The star attraction — the magnetic-levitation train reaches Longyang Road Station in just 7–8 minutes at up to 300 km/h. A single ticket is ¥50 (¥40 if you show a same-day boarding pass). At Longyang Road transfer to Metro Line 2 or 7 for the last leg into town.
- Metro Line 2: The cheapest way downtown at about ¥7–8. It runs from the airport toward People's Square and beyond, taking roughly 60–90 minutes. Note a same-platform or short transfer may be required at Guanglan Road on some services.
- Airport shuttle buses: Seven-plus lines serve downtown, People's Square, Hongqiao Airport and the railway station, with fares of about ¥16–30, running roughly 07:00–23:00 plus a night line. Journey times are 60–120 minutes depending on route and traffic.
- Airport Link Line: Opened December 2024, this rail line connects Pudong and Hongqiao airports in about 35 minutes, a fast option if you are transferring between the two.
Fares are researched from official and public sources and are approximate — always confirm the meter or fixed fare before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the official taxi rank at Pudong Airport?
How much does a taxi from Pudong to downtown Shanghai cost?
Is the Maglev worth taking?
Can I use DiDi or Uber at Pudong Airport?
Traveling via another city?
Check taxi fare guides for other airports before you fly.
See more airport guides