Shanghai Pudong International — Line 2 Metro
Shanghai Pudong (PVG) to Shanghai — Updated 2026
Shanghai Pudong International (PVG) connects to the city via Line 2 of the Shanghai metro (green line) — the same line that runs all the way to Hongqiao Airport on the west side of the city. The full metro journey costs ¥8 (about USD 1.10) and takes about 90 minutes to Nanjing East Road (People's Square area). This makes it the cheapest option by a wide margin, but there's a faster hybrid: take the Maglev (¥50, 7 min) from PVG to Longyang Road, then transfer to Line 2 for the remaining 30 min into central Shanghai — total ~50-55 min. That combination is what most locals actually use, since the metro-only route makes 20+ stops through Pudong before reaching the Huangpu River. Trains run every 5-10 min from 05:30 to 22:30 in both directions. Buy tickets at station vending machines (English available), use a Shanghai Public Transport Card, or tap in with Alipay Metro QR. For the airport itself, the PVG metro station is directly under the terminal — 5-minute walk from any arrival gate.
Line 2 Metro stops
| Station / Stop | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pudong Airport (PVG) | 0 min | Station under terminal — direct arrivals link |
| Longyang Road | 30 min | Maglev interchange + Line 7 + Line 16 |
| Century Park | ~35 min | Central Pudong |
| Lujiazui | ~55 min | Pudong financial district — Pearl Tower, Bund view |
| Nanjing East Road | ~85 min | People's Square area, Line 10 + tourist zone |
| Jing'an Temple | ~95 min | Central Shanghai + Line 7 + Line 14 |
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Line 2 Metro vs alternatives
| Option | Cost | Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Line 2 Metro (direct) | ¥8 | ~90 min | Cheapest. Slow due to Pudong stops. Best for east-city hotels. |
| Maglev + Line 2 | ¥58 | ~55 min | Fastest metro-based option. Maglev is an experience. |
| Airport Bus Line 1-9 | ¥16-30 | 60-90 min | To hotel + train station clusters. Fair midway option. |
| Taxi (metered) | ¥160-220 | 50-90 min | Traffic-dependent. Highway toll included in meter. |
| DiDi / Ride-hail | ¥140-200 | 50-90 min | App-based. Cheaper than taxi off-peak. |
| Private transfer | ¥300-600 | 45-70 min | Meet-and-greet. Book via Trip.com. |
FAQ
Is the metro from Shanghai Pudong worth it?+
Yes for backpackers + budget travellers going to west-city or People's Square hotels. Line 2 direct is only ¥8 vs ¥160+ for a taxi. But the trip is 90 minutes with 20+ stops — take the Maglev + Line 2 hybrid (¥58, 55 min) if time matters. For hotels in Pudong (east side), Line 2 direct works well and takes only 30-35 min to Longyang Road / Century Park.
Maglev vs metro from PVG airport?+
The Maglev is ¥50 (¥40 with same-day flight ticket) and hits 431 km/h — a 7-minute ride to Longyang Road. But Longyang Road isn't central Shanghai; you still need Line 2 or Line 7 for another 30 min. Metro alone is ¥8 and 90 min. Combined Maglev + Line 2 is ¥58 and ~55 min. If you're going west of the Huangpu River (Bund, People's Sq, Jing'an, Xintiandi): the hybrid wins. If you're staying in Pudong: metro direct is fine.
PVG or SHA — which airport has better transport?+
Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA) has better transport — Line 2 + Line 10 both stop at the terminal, and it's only 20-25 min to central Shanghai. Pudong (PVG) is 40 km east and takes 55-90 min by public transit. If you're booking flights and both work, choose SHA. If you're stuck with PVG: take the Maglev + Line 2 hybrid, or use a Trip.com pre-booked transfer.
How do I pay for the Shanghai metro?+
Three options: (1) Vending machine at station (English, RMB cash + WeChat + Alipay); (2) Shanghai Public Transport Card (¥20 deposit + top-up, refundable, best for multi-day stays); (3) Alipay Metro Riding QR (scan phone at gate — needs registered Alipay account with Chinese phone number, works for most travellers via international Alipay Tour Pass). WeChat also works but Alipay is more common at metro gates.
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