
Shanghai has two international airports: Pudong and Hongqiao. Pudong International Airport is located about 20 miles east of Shanghai and handles 60% of flights to Shanghai, while Hongqiao International Airport is about 8 miles west of the city and handles the remaining 40%. Pudong is the main airport for international flights, offering numerous direct connections to global destinations. Hongqiao caters primarily to domestic flights and regional international routes. The choice of airport depends on the traveller's preferences and purpose of travel.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport Names | Hongqiao International Airport, Pudong International Airport |
| Location | Hongqiao: West of Shanghai, 13km from the city centre; Pudong: East of Shanghai, 20 miles from the city centre |
| Transport | Hongqiao: 9 shuttle bus lines to the city centre, 1 bus line to Pudong Airport, 25-30 mins by taxi; Pudong: 8 shuttle bus lines to the city centre, Maglev train, metro, 50 mins by taxi |
| Flight Types | Hongqiao: Domestic and regional international flights; Pudong: International flights and 60% of all Shanghai flights |
| Nearby Attractions | Hongqiao: Yu Garden, Shanghai Library, Shaanxi Sth Rd Station, Xintiandi, Puxi; Pudong: Shanghai Disneyland |
| Hotels | Hongqiao: Business-focused hotels; Pudong: Luxury hotels |
| Cost | Hongqiao: Taxi to People's Square costs CNY80; Pudong: Taxi to People's Square costs CNY180 |
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What You'll Learn

Location and travel time
Shanghai has two international airports: Pudong and Hongqiao. Pudong International Airport is located about 20 miles east of Shanghai and is about a one-hour drive to the city centre. It is further out, taking roughly 65 minutes to get to People's Square via metro. However, the speedy Maglev train can cut this journey down to 30 minutes. A taxi from Pudong to the city centre costs around CNY 180-200 and takes 45-60 minutes. Pudong is the main airport for international flights, offering numerous direct connections to global destinations. It also offers a wider choice of international flights and is ideal for travellers heading to Shanghai Disneyland.
Hongqiao International Airport is located in the west of Shanghai, about 7-8 miles from the city centre, and is a 25-30 minute drive away. It takes about 30 minutes to get to People's Square via metro. A taxi from Hongqiao to the city centre costs approximately CNY 80 and takes about half an hour. Hongqiao caters primarily to domestic flights and regional international routes. It is generally closer to most of Shanghai's central attractions, including Yu Garden, making it a better option for tourists staying in the city or those on shorter trips.
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International vs domestic flights
Shanghai has two international airports: Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA). PVG is the main airport, handling 60% of flights, while SHA handles the remaining 40%.
Location
PVG is located on the eastern coast of Shanghai, in the middle of a large industrial area. It is further from the city centre than SHA, which is situated in the western suburbs, only 13 kilometres (8 miles) away.
Transport
Both airports are connected to the metro system, but PVG is approximately 65 minutes from People's Square, while SHA takes around 30 minutes. PVG offers the Maglev train, which shortens the journey to around 30 minutes, but at an additional cost of 40-50 RMB. By taxi, PVG is around 200 RMB, while SHA is roughly 100 RMB.
Domestic vs International Flights
PVG is the main airport for international flights, with 83 airlines flying to 231 airports worldwide. However, there are also a significant number of domestic flights from PVG, with direct services to 129 airports in China.
SHA primarily handles domestic flights, with some exceptions for international flights from Tokyo, Seoul, Hong Kong, and Taipei.
Amenities and Convenience
Some travellers find PVG inconvenient due to its location and limited surrounding amenities. In comparison, SHA is preferred for its proximity to the city and nearby attractions, such as the former French concession area. However, PVG may offer more refined facilities and a wider range of shops.
Recommendations
For tourists, SHA is generally recommended as it provides easier access to popular areas like Puxi. If your business is in Pudong, it is still suggested to stay on the Puxi side and commute, using SHA for your travel needs.
When considering a domestic flight within China, it is important to note that checking in with a foreign passport may be more complicated, requiring the use of manual check-in desks. Additionally, luggage policies can vary when transferring between international and domestic flights, so it is advisable to confirm the specifics with your airline.
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Amenities and attractions
Shanghai has two international airports: Hongqiao International Airport and Pudong International Airport. Both airports offer convenient transportation links to the city centre, with Hongqiao being the older of the two.
Hongqiao International Airport is located in the west of Shanghai, only 13 kilometres (8 miles) from the city centre. It mainly handles domestic flights, with two terminals and runways. Hongqiao Airport has convenient transportation to downtown Shanghai. There are nine bus lines that provide transfers to the city centre and one bus line to Pudong Airport. The taxi fare from Hongqiao Airport to the city centre is approximately CNY 80 and it takes about half an hour. Hongqiao also has a variety of hotels, which are generally more business-focused. Hotels like the Swissotel Grand Shanghai and Hongqiao State Guest Hotel are perfect for business travellers or those on short stays.
Pudong International Airport is about 20 miles east of Shanghai and about an hour's drive to the city centre. It offers a wider choice of international flights and is the main airport for international travellers. Major airlines like Emirates, Air France, Lufthansa, and Delta Airlines all operate from this airport. Pudong offers a selection of luxury hotels, including the Grand Hyatt Shanghai, Jin Jiang Hotel, and Shanghai Pudong Airport Hotel. These options are ideal for travellers with layovers or those looking for easy access to Shanghai Disneyland.
If you're in Shanghai for tourism, Hongqiao Airport is generally closer to most of the city's central attractions, making it the better option for those staying in the city or taking shorter trips. However, if you're heading to Shanghai Disneyland or flying internationally, Pudong Airport is the more convenient choice.
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Hotels and accommodation
Shanghai has two international airports: Pudong International Airport and Hongqiao International Airport. Both airports offer convenient transportation links to the city centre, with Hongqiao being the closer of the two.
If you're looking for a hotel near Pudong International Airport, there are several options within walking distance. The Dazhong Airport Hotel Shanghai is located between Terminals 1 and 2, just a 5-minute walk away. The Ramada Pudong Airport Shanghai offers a free airport shuttle bus service, and the Royal International Hotel Shanghai is just a 15-minute drive from the airport. The Jinjiang Inn Select Shanghai Pudong Airport and the Holiday Inn Express Shanghai PVG Airport Zhuqiao are also located near Pudong Airport and offer a free shuttle bus service to the airport and Disneyland.
For those seeking accommodation near Hongqiao International Airport, the Pullman Shanghai Central is a good option. This hotel is located in the Huangpu District, just a 35-minute drive from Hongqiao Airport and a 45-minute drive from Pudong International Airport. It offers a gym, an indoor heated pool, and accommodation with free internet access.
If you're looking for a hotel in the city centre, the Novotel Shanghai Pudong Chuansha is a great choice, offering convenient transportation options. The Heyitang Hotel Shanghai International Tourism Resort is another excellent option for families, located just 16km from Pudong International Airport.
For those on a layover at Pudong International Airport, there is an hourly hotel located in Terminal 2 where you can rest in a private room. Additionally, several nearby hotels offer free airport shuttle services.
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Transport links
Shanghai has two international airports: Pudong and Hongqiao. Both airports are connected to the metro system of Shanghai, with Pudong being further out, and Hongqiao located in the west of Shanghai.
Pudong International Airport enjoys very convenient transportation to the urban area. Visitors can transfer to the city centre by various vehicles. The Maglev train is a popular option, taking just 7 minutes to get from Pudong Airport to Longyang Road Station, from where it is just a few stops to the Bund. From there, visitors can transfer to metro line 2 to get to the city centre. The metro journey from the airport takes around 65 minutes in total. A taxi from Pudong Airport to the city centre costs around CNY 180-200 and takes about 45-60 minutes. There are also shuttle buses available, with eight lines handling transfers from Pudong Airport to the city centre.
Hongqiao International Airport is only 13 kilometres (8 miles) from the city centre and has convenient transportation to the downtown area. The taxi fare from Hongqiao Airport to the city centre is approximately CNY 80 and it takes about half an hour. There are also nine bus lines providing transfers to the city centre and one bus line to Pudong Airport. Taking the subway from Hongqiao can take a long time, but there are no transfers.
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