35 km · 45-70 min · From $40-55
The Bund sits 35 km from Shanghai Pudong International Airport along the Huangpu River waterfront. Official airport taxis charge ¥180-250 ($25-35) on the meter for the 45-70 minute journey through Pudong District and across the river. Heavy traffic on Yan'an Elevated Road extends travel time during morning (7-9 AM) and evening (5-8 PM) rush hours. Pre-booked private transfers eliminate queue waits at Terminal 1 and 2.
| Option | Price (est.) | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-booked transfer | $40-55 | Fixed all-in price · meet & greet · flight tracking · ALL surcharges and tolls included · free cancellation |
| Metered taxi |
⚠ $25-35 meter ONLY + $6-14 surcharges, tolls, tip ≈ $31-49 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 green Dazhong and blue Qiangsheng airport taxis use meters with ¥18 flagfall plus highway tolls (¥15-20). Route follows S20 Outer Ring Expressway to Yan'an Elevated Road, crossing into Puxi via tunnels. Pre-booked transfers (¥280-380) include meet-and-greet with name signs and fixed pricing. Maglev train to Longyang Road Station (¥50, 8 minutes) connects to Metro Line 2 direct to East Nanjing Road Station, then 10-minute walk to The Bund. Total metro journey costs ¥7-8 but requires 50-60 minutes with transfers. Night surcharge (11 PM-5 AM) adds 30% to taxi fares.
Choose taxis when arriving late-night after Metro closes at 11 PM, traveling with more than two passengers, or carrying luggage. Direct door-to-door service to waterfront hotels along Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu beats metro transfers. Pre-book during Chinese New Year, National Day Golden Week (Oct 1-7), or Shanghai International Film Festival when demand peaks.
DiDi dominates Shanghai's ride-hailing market with English-language app support and upfront pricing. Download before arrival since Google Play is blocked; payment requires WeChat Pay or Alipay setup. International credit cards rarely work in Chinese apps, making airport taxi counters more accessible for visitors without local payment methods.
A pre-booked private transfer is $40-55 all-in — the price is fixed and includes airport surcharges, tolls and meet-and-greet. A metered taxi shows $25-35 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 35 km drive takes 45-70 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 dominates Shanghai's ride-hailing market with English-language app support and upfront pricing. Download before arrival since Google Play is blocked; payment requires WeChat Pay or Alipay setup. International credit cards rarely work in Chinese apps, making airport taxi counters more accessible for visitors without local payment methods. For most travelers a pre-booked transfer at $40-55 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.