My memories of Shanghai always involved traffic jams and general difficulties in getting around on the city’s only jam packed subway line.
How things have changed! The Shanghai metro system is now extensive and still expanding providing excellent coverage. This combined with perhaps a few newly constructed roads has resulted in Shanghai being much more manageable.
One long awaited metro development has been the linking of Hong Qiao airport with Pudong airport. Line 2 runs across the city with Pudong at one end and Hong Qiao almost at the other.
Heading in the Pudong direction is a slow journey and it involves changing trains at least once. It also finishes very early with the last train usually around 4pm. This is by far the cheapest way to get to Pudong with an average fare of 7 rmb from downtown.
The Maglev fast train provides a much speedier option and can be accessed by taking the metro to Longyang Road station (line 2 or 7). Don’t forget to show your flight ticket for a 20% discount which reduces the cost to Y40.
Hong Qiao takes far less time however not every train on line 2 proceeds as far as the airport. One in every three or four trains terminates at Songhong Road station but the wait is usually short with trains running every 2-3 minutes.
Stations at both airports are very easy to access with good signage in the arrival halls.
