How to get from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) to your hotel
Compare prices and travel times for the best transfer options to Shanghai
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) is the city's more convenient airport for short-haul, domestic, and regional traffic, sitting much closer to central Shanghai than Pudong. That changes the transfer math completely. Shanghai Airport's official transport pages currently say Terminal 1 is served by Metro Line 10, Terminal 2 is served by Metro Lines 10 and 2, and the newer Airport Link Line from Hongqiao Airport Terminal 2 Station runs from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. with departures about every 15 minutes. In practice, SHA is one of the easiest major Chinese airports for getting into the city quickly, but your exact terminal still matters.
Want the easiest arrival from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport?
Pre-booking a private airport transfer works best when you arrive late, have lots of luggage, or just want a driver waiting at arrivals instead of comparing taxis and rideshare lines.
Metro (Line 10 and Line 2)
The Metro is usually the best value option from Hongqiao. Shanghai Airport says Terminal 1 is served by Metro Line 10, while Terminal 2 is served by both Metro Line 10 and Metro Line 2. Line 10 is the key SHA line because it connects the two terminals and provides a direct path into major built-up parts of Shanghai. Terminal 2 also gets the extra flexibility of Line 2, which is useful for some east-west city trips and nearby exhibition-district access.
Pros
- Cheapest and most predictable way into Shanghai.
- Line 10 links both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.
- No road-traffic risk once you are on the train.
Cons
- Terminal choice matters more than people expect.
- Can be crowded with luggage during rush hour.
- Not as comfortable as a direct taxi or private car.
Map of hotels near Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport SHA
Compare nearby hotels if you want an easier airport base after a late arrival, before an early departure, or when transfer simplicity matters more than staying in the city.
Best airport hotel picks near SHA
Three stays worth checking when the smoothest terminal-to-bed plan matters as much as the room itself.
Airport Link Line (Terminal 2)
If you are using Terminal 2, the Airport Link Line is the most interesting new SHA transfer option. Shanghai Airport says the Hongqiao Airport Terminal 2 Station entrance is near Gates 11 and 12 on the departure floor and on B1, close to Metro Lines 2 and 10. The first train currently departs at 6:00 a.m., the last at 10:00 p.m., and service runs about every 15 minutes. This is especially useful if you are planning an airport-to-airport move toward Pudong or want a newer rail alternative from the Hongqiao side.
Pros
- Best modern rail option from Terminal 2.
- Useful for Hongqiao-to-Pudong or cross-city rail planning.
- Regular service frequency of about 15 minutes.
Cons
- Only directly useful from Terminal 2.
- Does not run overnight.
- Less intuitive for first-time visitors than simply taking the Metro or a taxi.
Airport Bus
Hongqiao's bus network is worth considering if your destination fits the route better than the Metro. Shanghai Airport's official bus page currently lists Airport Line 1 from Hongqiao East Transportation Center to Pudong International Airport from 6:00 to 23:00, plus useful city-facing routes such as Line 941 to Shanghai Railway Station. For some travelers, especially those trying to connect between Shanghai's two airports without paying for a taxi, the bus can be the most practical middle ground.
Pros
- Useful for airport-to-airport moves toward Pudong.
- Cheaper than a taxi.
- Can be simpler than metro changes if the route matches your destination.
Cons
- Slower and more traffic-dependent than rail.
- Less intuitive for first-time visitors.
- Best only if your route happens to align with the bus network.
Official Taxi
Taxis are straightforward at Hongqiao and are often worth paying for because the airport is much closer to central Shanghai than Pudong is. Shanghai Airport's taxi page says both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 provide 24-hour taxi service. The city fare structure currently starts at 14 yuan for regular vehicles or 16 yuan for certain electric models for the first 3 km, with 2.7 yuan per additional kilometer, a 50 percent surcharge beyond 15 km, and nighttime surcharges between 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. This is the easiest direct option if you have heavy luggage, a hotel address ready, or a late arrival.
Pros
- Direct door-to-door service.
- Available 24/7 from both terminals.
- Much more reasonable from SHA than from Pudong because the airport is city-close.
Cons
- Traffic can still slow the trip significantly.
- More expensive than Metro or bus.
- You should still have your destination ready in Chinese or on your phone.
Have a layover at Hongqiao?
See whether you should stay in your terminal, head into Shanghai by Metro or taxi, use the Airport Link Line from Terminal 2, or book an airport hotel instead.