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.
The 38 km drive takes 40-60 min in normal conditions. Traffic in Shanghai during rush hour can add 20-30 minutes. Pre-booked transfers track your flight automatically, so a delayed arrival does not affect pickup.
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.
Pre-booking is safer because the price is fixed in advance, your driver waits at arrivals with a name sign, and there is a record of the booking. Airport taxi counters at Shanghai (PVG) are legitimate but typically charge more than the running meter. Unlicensed drivers approaching arriving passengers inside the terminal should always be avoided.
Pre-booked transfer drivers are typically vetted for basic English. Metered taxi drivers' English varies — at major airports it is usually basic but functional. Have your destination written in the local script or share a Google Maps pin to avoid misunderstandings, especially for hotels on small lanes.
Pre-booked transfers include flight tracking — the driver waits regardless of how long the delay is, at no extra cost. Metered taxis are always available at Shanghai (PVG) but queues can be long during peak arrival times, and counters may close for late-night flights.
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.