From Pudong Airport to a Bund Hotel
After reading this, you can choose how to get from the airport to your hotel based on your arrival time and hotel location.
A trip to Shanghai usually starts at Pudong Airport.
A trip to Shanghai usually starts at Pudong Airport.
It's quite a distance from the airport to hotels around the Bund.
Most hotels on the Bund and East Nanjing Road are about 32~33km from Pudong Airport in a straight line.
Whether to take the metro, the Maglev, or a taxi depends on your arrival time, luggage, and hotel location.
Here's a comparison using only what I confirmed in official guides.
First, check which terminal you arrived at
Pudong Airport is divided into Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.
The taxi stands differ by terminal, so knowing your arrival terminal first means less wandering.
A free shuttle bus runs between the two terminals.
According to the Shanghai Municipal Government, this shuttle runs 24 hours a day, every 10~15 minutes.
Metro Line 2 takes you to a station near your hotel
Pudong Airport has a Metro Line 2 station.
The station is called Pudong Airport Terminal 1&2 Station.
According to the Shanghai Municipal Government, taking Line 2 from here to People's Square Station takes about an hour.
The city guide describes Line 2 as the cheapest way to and from the airport.
Line 2 also stops at Lujiazui Station and East Nanjing Road Station.
So if your hotel is around Lujiazui or East Nanjing Road, Line 2 alone gets you close to your hotel.
Depending on the time of day, you may have to change trains on the airport section, so check the station signs and announcements.
The advantage of this method is that you get off at a station near your hotel.
On the other hand, you spend nearly an hour on the metro with your suitcase.
If you have just one bag and arrive during the day, Line 2 is a safe choice.
You also need to consider the walk from the station to your hotel.
Puyan Hotel Shanghai The Bund is about a 5-minute walk to East Nanjing Road Station.
At Hanting Hotel Shanghai Nanjing Dong Road Metro Station, the metro station is diagonally across the street.
Shanghai Marriott Marquis City Centre is about a 7-minute walk to People's Square Station.
Radisson Collection Hyland Shanghai is about an 11-minute walk to East Nanjing Road Station, which can feel a bit far when dragging a suitcase.
The Maglev is fast, but you transfer once
Pudong Airport also has the Maglev.
According to the Pudong New Area guide, it covers the 30km between the airport station and Longyang Road Station in under 8 minutes.
At Longyang Road Station, you transfer to Metro Line 2 or Line 7.
For a hotel around the Bund, take Line 2 from Longyang Road Station into the city.
The same guide lists operating hours as 06:45~21:40 departing Longyang Road Station and 07:02~21:42 departing the airport station.
It says trains run every 15 minutes during the day and every 20 minutes after 5 p.m.
Operating hours may change, so check the station signs before you ride.
If your flight arrives late at night, the Maglev may have stopped, so have another option in mind.
The Maglev gets you from the airport to Longyang Road Station quickly.
But it adds the hassle of one transfer.
If you have lots of luggage, that transfer can be quite tough.
On a day when you have time to spare, it's worth riding once.
Take a taxi when you have lots of luggage or arrive late
According to the Shanghai Municipal Government, a taxi to People's Square takes about 50 minutes.
At Terminal 1, you take a taxi outside Exit 12 on the arrivals level.
If you came out of Exit 4 or 8, the guide says to walk south to Exit 12.
At Terminal 2, you take one outside Exit 25 on the arrivals level.
The city guide notes that travel time varies with road conditions.
A taxi takes you right to your hotel door.
For trips with parents or kids, or with two or more suitcases, a taxi is convenient.
Grand Central Hotel Shanghai has an entrance that's easy for getting in and out of a DiDi.
Grand Hyatt Shanghai is inside the Jin Mao Tower, so it's best to enter Gate 3 of the Jin Mao Tower as your taxi destination.
Have your hotel's name in Chinese ready too.
When showing a taxi driver, the Chinese name works faster than the English name.
Puyan Hotel is "上海外滩璞硯酒店".
Going by hotel car
Some hotels offer airport transfer service.
Grand Hyatt Shanghai and JW Marriott Hotel Shanghai at Tomorrow Square have airport transfer service.
If you're arriving late at night in a city you've never been to, or don't want to hunt for the taxi stand, this is the easier option.
Ask the hotel in advance after booking about available times and how it works.
Comparing the three options on the same terms
- Travel time: according to the Shanghai Municipal Government, to People's Square Metro Line 2 takes about an hour and a taxi about 50 minutes. The Maglev reaches Longyang Road Station in under 8 minutes, but you have to transfer to Line 2 there.
- Transfers: none by taxi. With the Maglev, you transfer once at Longyang Road Station. On Line 2, you sometimes transfer on the airport section depending on the time.
- Luggage: a taxi is easiest. With the metro and Maglev, you have to walk through stations carrying your suitcase.
- Late hours: the last Maglev from the airport station leaves at 21:42. Taxis are available at any hour.
- Where you get off: a taxi drops you at the hotel door. The metro drops you at a nearby station, so you walk from the station to the hotel.
If you're alone with light luggage, taking just Line 2 is simplest.
If you're two or more with several suitcases, one taxi is less tiring.
If you arrive late in the evening, the Maglev may have stopped, so plan on a taxi from the start.
Choosing by arrival time
- If you arrive during the day with light luggage, take Metro Line 2.
- If you arrive after half past 9 in the evening, look at a taxi or the metro rather than the Maglev.
- If you have lots of luggage or are with parents or kids, take a taxi.
- If you have time to spare and want to try the Maglev, ride it to Longyang Road Station and transfer to Line 2.
If you arrive late at night
Even if you arrive late, don't worry about check-in.
Most hotels in this area run the front desk 24 hours.
Atour Hotel Shanghai Bund Land Plaza, Hyatt On The Bund, and JI Hotel Shanghai The Bund Sichuan Zhong Road also offer contactless check-in.
Atour Hotel serves late-night snacks at 9:30 p.m., so even if you come in on an evening flight and check in late, there's something to eat.
At JI Hotel (Shanghai The Bund Jinling East Road), there was staff at the entrance even in the early hours.
If you arrive before check-in
If you arrive on a morning flight, you'll get there earlier than check-in time.
Most hotels in this area have check-in between 2 and 4 p.m.
Puyan Hotel and Marriott Marquis are after 4 p.m.
Hyatt On The Bund and Grand Hyatt are after 3 p.m.
If you drop off your bags first and head out, you can use that afternoon.
Yitel Premium Shanghai People's Square holds bags before check-in and after check-out.
Hyatt On The Bund sometimes gives early check-in at no extra charge.
Once your bags are stored, starting the first evening with the Bund night view is a good idea.
The walk from your hotel to the riverside is in Walking from an East Nanjing Road hotel to the Bund.
On your way home
On the day you leave, use the same options in reverse.
If your flight is early, check the first Maglev time first.
At Marriott Marquis, it's easy to call a taxi to Pudong Airport the next day.
Puyan Hotel sometimes extends check-out until 4 p.m.
If you have an evening flight, it's worth asking the front desk about this first.
Check-out is mostly before 12:00, so if you can't extend it, store your bags and get out for the last day.
Other questions
Is there an airport bus?
The Shanghai Municipal Government guide says there are five bus routes from Pudong Airport into the city.
Routes and times may change, so find a route toward your hotel on the airport signs.
What if I'm going to Disneyland first?
Novotel Shanghai Clover is about 18km from Pudong Airport in a straight line, closer than the Bund.
It has airport transfer service and a Disney shuttle, so it suits a plan of seeing Disney first and then moving to the Bund.
If you haven't decided which area to stay in yet, read First trip to Shanghai? Why to stay near East Nanjing Road Station first.
