The cheapest way from Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA) into central Shanghai is Metro Line 2, which starts on level B1 inside Terminal 2 and reaches People's Square in the city centre for a flat ¥4 in about 35 minutes (roughly 45 door-to-centre); Line 10 costs the same if you'd rather head straight to the Bund. Board Line 2 eastbound towards Pudong Airport, not towards Hongqiao Railway Station. Ignore the touts in arrivals offering ¥300–400 unlicensed 'black taxi' rides — even a legitimate metered taxi is about ¥60–70.
How to find it
- AIRPORTShanghai Hongqiao International Airport
- 01From Terminal 2 arrivals, follow the 'Metro / Subway' signs down to level B1 (about a 5-minute walk). Both Line 2 and Line 10 start here inside the terminal — no need to leave the building.
- 02Buy a ¥4 single-journey token at a vending machine (English screen, tap People's Square) or scan an Alipay/WeChat metro QR at the gate.
- 03Take Line 2 in the eastbound direction — towards Guanglan Road / Pudong International Airport, NOT towards Xujingdong or Hongqiao Railway Station. Trains run roughly every 4–8 minutes from about 05:35 to 22:00 (later on Fri/Sat).
- 04Ride about 35 minutes to People's Square (interchange with Lines 1 and 8), the heart of the centre — one more stop to East Nanjing Road for Nanjing Road and the Bund.
- CITY CENTREShanghai
Ticket
Single-journey metro token (Hongqiao Airport T2 to People's Square)
Where to buy: Ticket vending machines in the metro concourse on level B1, directly under Terminal 2 arrivals; or pay by phone with an Alipay/WeChat metro QR code.
How to pay: Machines take cash and Alipay/WeChat QR — pick the English screen and tap People's Square on the map for the ¥4 fare. No Chinese bank account? Link a Visa/Mastercard to the Shanghai Metro Metropolis (Daduhui) app and scan in and out. Keep the token to exit at the destination gate.
All ways to downtown, compared
| Option | Price | Time | Ticket |
|---|---|---|---|
| MetroCheapest route | CN¥4.00 | 45 min | Single-journey metro token (Hongqiao Airport T2 to People's Square) |
| Metro | CN¥4.00 | 55 min | Single-journey metro token (Hongqiao Airport to East Nanjing Road) |
Frequently asked
- What is the cheapest way from Hongqiao Airport to central Shanghai?
- Metro Line 2 from level B1 inside Terminal 2 to People's Square, a flat ¥4 in about 35 minutes. Line 10 is the same ¥4 and handy for the Bund but slower to People's Square.
- How much is the metro from Hongqiao Airport to People's Square?
- ¥4 for a single-journey token, the distance-based fare on Line 2. You buy it at a vending machine (English screen) or by scanning an Alipay/WeChat metro QR.
- Where do I catch the metro at Hongqiao Airport?
- On level B1 directly under Terminal 2 arrivals, about a 5-minute walk down. Both Line 2 and Line 10 start inside the terminal, so you never go outside.
- Can I pay for the Shanghai metro without Alipay or WeChat?
- Yes. Vending machines take cash and give a token, and foreigners can link a Visa or Mastercard to the Shanghai Metro Metropolis (Daduhui) app to scan in and out.
- Should I take a taxi from Hongqiao Airport instead?
- Only from the official metered taxi rank, which is about ¥60–70 to the centre. Never accept a fixed ¥300–400 ride from someone who approaches you in arrivals — those are unlicensed and overpriced.
- What is the best way from SHA to downtown Shanghai?
- For budget travellers the best way is the cheapest one: Metro Line 2 from level B1 inside Terminal 2 to People's Square, a flat ¥4 in about 35 minutes (roughly 45 door-to-centre).
- How much is a taxi from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport to the city?
- A legitimate metered taxi from the official rank to People's Square is about ¥60–70 — versus just ¥4 on Metro Line 2. Never take the ¥300–400 fixed rides offered by touts in arrivals; they are unlicensed 'black taxis'.
Last verified: . Prices and timetables change — confirm at the official transport source.