38 km · 40-60 min · From $28-38
Shanghai Pudong International Airport sits 38 km east of Lujiazui, the towering financial district home to Shanghai Tower, Jin Mao Tower, and the Oriental Pearl TV Tower. The journey takes 40-60 minutes depending on traffic along the elevated S20 and Century Avenue corridor. Metered taxis charge ¥140-200 (around $22-30), while pre-booked transfers offer fixed rates of ¥180-250. During rush hours or when arriving with luggage, most travelers choose direct airport taxis over metro transfers.
| Option | Price (est.) | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-booked transfer | $28-38 | Fixed all-in price · meet & greet · flight tracking · ALL surcharges and tolls included · free cancellation |
| Metered taxi |
⚠ $22-30 meter ONLY + $6-12 surcharges, tolls, tip ≈ $28-42 typical total |
Meter only - airport surcharge, tolls, midnight surcharge and tip added on top. Final cost varies with traffic. |
| Ride-hailing app | N/A | Upfront pricing - pickup may require walking to a designated zone, surge during busy times |
Note: Pre-booked transfer prices are the all-in amount you actually pay. Metered taxi prices shown are the meter only - typical out-of-pocket cost is 20–40% higher once airport surcharges, tolls and tip are added. Compare like-for-like before deciding.
Official airport taxis at PVG use meters with a starting fare of ¥18 plus ¥2.7 per km, adding a ¥15 airport surcharge and possible tolls of ¥20-25 via tunnels. Expect ¥140-180 to Lujiazui hotels. Pre-booked private transfers cost ¥180-250 with English-speaking drivers and fixed pricing. DiDi (China's dominant ride app) offers standard rides for ¥120-160 and premium options for ¥180-220, though payment requires a Chinese bank card or Alipay. Maglev trains connect the airport to Longyang Road metro station in 8 minutes (¥50), followed by Line 2 to Lujiazui (3 stops, ¥4), totaling about 35 minutes without luggage delays. Airport shuttles to major Pudong hotels run ¥30-40 but operate on fixed schedules.
Airport taxis make sense for groups of 2-4 travelers, early morning or late evening arrivals when metros are closed, trips with more than one suitcase, or business travelers heading directly to Lujiazui office towers. The direct route via Century Avenue eliminates stairs and transfers, crucial after long-haul flights to PVG's distant terminal locations.
DiDi Chuxing dominates Shanghai's ride-hailing market, offering standard, premium, and taxi-hailing services. International travelers need WeChat Pay or Alipay linked to Chinese bank accounts for payments. Meituan Dache provides similar services with marginally lower rates. Uber exited China in 2016. Download and configure DiDi before your trip, as Google services are blocked without VPN access.
A pre-booked private transfer is $28-38 all-in - the price is fixed and includes airport surcharges, tolls and meet-and-greet. A metered taxi shows $22-30 on the meter, but the actual amount you pay is typically 20-40% higher once airport surcharges, tolls and a tip are added. Ride-hailing is N/A where available.
Plan for 40-60 min to cover the 38 km under normal conditions - rush-hour traffic in Shanghai can stretch that by another 20-30 minutes. With a pre-booked transfer your flight is tracked, so the driver adjusts to your actual arrival time.
Ride-hailing apps usually offer the lowest fare at N/A, but airport pickup can require walking to a designated zone. DiDi Chuxing dominates Shanghai's ride-hailing market, offering standard, premium, and taxi-hailing services. International travelers need WeChat Pay or Alipay linked to Chinese bank accounts for payments. Meituan Dache provides similar services with marginally lower rates. Uber exited China in 2016. Download and configure DiDi before your trip, as Google services are blocked without VPN access. For most travelers a pre-booked transfer at $28-38 offers the best balance of price, comfort and reliability - there are no extra fees added on arrival.
For most travelers, pre-booking wins: the fare is locked in, a named driver meets you at arrivals, and the booking is documented if anything goes wrong. The official taxi counters at Shanghai (PVG) work fine but usually cost more than the meter alone suggests. Never go with unlicensed drivers who approach you inside the terminal.
With a pre-booked transfer, drivers are generally vetted for basic English. In a metered taxi it is more of a lottery - functional at big airports, limited elsewhere. Keep your hotel name written in the local script or a Google Maps pin ready, particularly if it sits on a small lane.
Nothing you need to act on: pre-booked transfers track your flight, and the driver waits out any delay at no extra charge. If you land late and rely on the taxi queue at Shanghai (PVG) instead, be prepared for longer waits and the possibility that counters have closed overnight.
See our full Shanghai Pudong International Airport transfer guide for all destinations, local taxi tips, FAQ and booking options. For nationwide context, see our China transfer guide.