The plane's on the ground at Pudong after a long-haul flight, your phone is back on, and one question is nagging: how long until you're actually in Shanghai? Most routes into town take an hour or more. The Shanghai Maglev covers 19 miles in about 8 minutes.
The train tops out at 186 mph, which makes it one of the fastest commercial trains in the world, and it's the quickest way out of Pudong Airport. The catch is that it stops at Longyang Road station in eastern Pudong, not downtown. This guide covers the ride itself and the trip from there to your hotel in Shanghai.
Shanghai Maglev at a glance
Short on time and a little jet-lagged? The line is one nonstop route between the airport and Longyang Road station, with a train every 15 to 20 minutes.
- Ride time: about 8 minutes for 19 miles (30 km)
- Shanghai Maglev speed: 300 km/h (186 mph)
- Shanghai Maglev hours: first train at 6:45 a.m. and last at 9:40 p.m. from Longyang Road; 7:02 a.m. and 9:42 p.m. from the airport
- Fares: USD 7 (CNY 50) one-way, USD 11 (CNY 80) round-trip, USD 14 (CNY 100) VIP one-way
The Shanghai Maglev used to hit 268 mph (431 km/h) on some runs, but that was cut back years ago, and 300 km/h is the norm now. Fares and timetables have shifted over the years, so check the operator's timetable before you fly.
How to ride the Shanghai Maglev, step by step
Shanghai Maglev
First-time airport nerves are real, but this is one of the easier parts of landing in China. The Maglev station sits between Terminals 1 and 2, a short covered walk from either.
- Follow the Maglev signs (磁浮) from arrivals.
- Get your ticket. Counters and machines at the station sell Shanghai Maglev tickets. You can also pre-book on Klook for USD 7.49, show the QR code at the counter and collect a paper ticket.
- Show your flight ticket. A same-day flight ticket or boarding pass drops a one-way economy fare to CNY 40 (about USD 5.60).
- Hold on to the ticket. You need it to exit at the other end, and a lost one means a fine.
- Get to the gate early. Doors close 1 minute before departure, and check-in for the last train stops 5 minutes before.
Paying is where people get tripped up. Counters take cash, Alipay and WeChat Pay, and you may find foreign Visa and Mastercard accepted at the desk, though that's not guaranteed. The Klook ticket costs about 50 cents more than the counter fare, but it saves you hunting for yuan or setting up an app.
Seats aren't assigned, and there's some luggage storage onboard but not much. Kids 130 cm (4 ft 3 in) and under ride free with an adult.
Klook Tip: Landing before 7 a.m.? The first Maglev leaves the airport at 7:02, so plan for a wait or take the Metro instead.
Getting to your hotel from Longyang Road station
After 8 minutes at up to 186 mph, you get off the Maglev and you're still not downtown. Longyang Road station is a big Metro interchange in eastern Pudong with little around it. Follow the signs for Metro Line 2, an indoor walk of 5 to 10 minutes.
Address: Longyang Road station, corner of Longyang Road and Baiyang Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai
Shanghai Metro Line 2 runs west into the center, with fares under USD 1. Lujiazui, the skyscraper district, is under 15 minutes away, and East Nanjing Road or People's Square takes about 20.
Staying near Shanghai Tower? Lujiazui is your stop, with no transfer. Line 7 also serves Longyang Road if you're headed to Jing'an Temple, and Line 10 (transfer at East Nanjing Road) reaches Xintiandi.
Luggage is the weak spot. Hauling a big suitcase through the transfer and onto a crowded train is a pain, so a taxi may be the better call with heavy bags.
Shanghai Maglev vs. taxi, Metro and bus: Pudong Airport to city center
Shanghai Maglev speed | Image credit: Another Believer, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Is the Maglev actually faster than a taxi? Often, but it depends on traffic and where your hotel is. For a Pudong Airport to city center trip, the Maglev plus Line 2 gets you near the center in about 35 to 55 minutes for around USD 8. As a Shanghai airport transfer, a taxi can take 50 to 90 minutes in traffic and costs USD 25 to USD 40, but it drops you at your lobby.
Option | Time to the center | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
Maglev + Metro Line 2 | 35 to 55 min | About USD 8 | Hotels in Lujiazui, Nanjing Road, People's Square |
Metro Line 2 only | About 60 min to People's Square | About USD 1 | Light bags and tight budgets |
Taxi | 50 to 90 min | USD 25 to USD 40 | Heavy luggage, groups, French Concession hotels |
Airport bus | 60 to 90 min | USD 2.50 to USD 5 | Hotels near a bus stop |
Shanghai Airport Link Line | About 40 min to Hongqiao Airport only | About USD 3.60 | Connecting to Hongqiao, not downtown |
Metro Line 2 all the way is the budget pick: about 60 minutes to People's Square, with no transfer. A Bus & Metro Card (about USD 4.59) saves you fiddling with ticket machines.
The Shanghai Airport Link Line is the one that trips people up. It links Pudong to Hongqiao Terminal 2 for CNY 26 (about USD 3.60), so it won't get you downtown. It's handy if you're catching a Hongqiao flight or train next.
Landing after 9:30 p.m.? The last Maglev leaves at 9:42, so a taxi or bus is your backup.
Tips for the best Shanghai Maglev ride
Half the fun is watching the number climb. Sit near a car door, where the speed display sits above the doorway, and have your phone ready as the train pulls away. It reaches 300 km/h in a little over two minutes, so the show is short.
Want the ride without a flight? Take Line 2 to Longyang Road, buy the USD 11 round-trip and you'll be back in under an hour. It's an easy way to fill a free afternoon on the Shanghai Maglev. Round-trip tickets are valid for 7 days, so you can also save the return leg for departure day (confirm at the counter).
Where to head after landing
Oriental Pearl TV Tower
Dropped in Pudong with a few hours before check-in? The Oriental Pearl TV Tower is the easiest first stop, a short walk from Lujiazui station.
Ride Line 2 on to East Nanjing Road and walk to The Bund, the waterfront strip with the best skyline views in town. Go around dusk, when the lights come on across the water.
The Huangpu River night cruise starts from USD 18.75 and suits anyone who wants the skyline without much walking. Free cancellation helps if jet lag wins. It's an evening ride, so night two is the safer bet.
The Pudong Art Museum costs about USD 19 on weekdays and suits art fans who also want views. It's a short walk from Lujiazui station (Exit 2), open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and the top floor looks across to the Bund and the Oriental Pearl TV Tower. The trade-off: tickets can't be canceled once booked.
Address: Pudong Art Museum, 2777 Binjiang Avenue, Pudong, Shanghai
FAQs about Shanghai Maglev
How fast does the Shanghai Maglev go?
It tops out at 300 km/h (186 mph) today. The train once ran at 431 km/h (268 mph) on select trips, but that was scaled back, and it reaches full speed in a little over two minutes.
How much is a Shanghai Maglev ticket?
A one-way economy ticket is CNY 50 (about USD 7), and a round-trip is CNY 80 (about USD 11). Show a same-day flight ticket and the one-way fare drops to CNY 40, while the Klook ticket is USD 7.49.
How long does the Maglev take from Pudong Airport?
The ride takes about 8 minutes to Longyang Road station. Trains leave every 15 to 20 minutes, so build in a short wait plus the walk from your terminal.
Where does the Shanghai Maglev stop in the city?
Only at Longyang Road station in Pudong, roughly 5 to 6 miles from the Bund. From there you switch to Metro Line 2, 7, 16 or 18, with Line 2 the usual pick for the center.
Is the Shanghai Maglev faster than taking a taxi?
Usually, yes, if your hotel sits along Metro Line 2. The Maglev plus Metro takes about 35 to 55 minutes, while a taxi runs 50 to 90 minutes but takes you door to door.
Can I pay for the Shanghai Maglev with a credit card?
Not reliably. Counters take cash, Alipay and WeChat Pay, and reports on foreign Visa and Mastercard vary, so booking in USD on Klook sidesteps the question.
Your first hour in Shanghai, handled
Land at Pudong, follow the signs to the Shanghai Maglev, and you'll be watching countryside turn into city at 186 mph. Book your Maglev ticket on Klook before you fly, and screenshot the QR code so it's ready at the counter. Planning more stops across Mainland China? Our China visa-free travel guide is worth a look before you book flights.
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