Shanghai Travel Tips

Getting from Pudong Airport to Central Shanghai: Maglev, Metro, or Taxi

Three very different routes connect Pudong Airport to central Shanghai, and picking the wrong one costs time or money. The Maglev reaches Longyang Road in about eight minutes, but most visitors still need to transfer to the metro or a taxi, while Line 2 runs directly to central stops such as People’s Square and East Nanjing Road in about an hour. A taxi avoids transfers entirely but may take longer than the metro during rush-hour traffic.​

Practical tips:​

• Take the Maglev if you want the fastest rail journey and do not mind transferring at Longyang Road.

• Take Metro Line 2 directly if your hotel is near People's Square, Nanjing Road, or the Bund.

• Book a taxi or ride-hailing car if you're arriving with heavy luggage or landing late at night.

The French Concession Is an Area, Not a Single Destination

Wukang Road, Tianzifang, and Xintiandi sit far enough apart that covering all of them on foot in one outing usually isn't realistic. Each pocket has its own character, from quiet residential streets to shopping lanes built from old shikumen houses.

​

Practical tips:

• Pick one or two areas per day instead of trying to cover the whole area at once.

• Use the metro or a short taxi ride between Wukang Road, Tianzifang, and Xintiandi.

• Choose a specific street or neighborhood as your starting point, since there is no single entrance or central stop.

The Huangpu River Ferry and Sightseeing Cruises Offer Different Experiences

Shanghai's public ferries are short, practical river crossings, while sightseeing cruises follow longer routes past the Bund and Pudong skyline. A ferry costs only a few yuan and fits well into a Bund–Lujiazui itinerary, but it has no narration and spends far less time on the water. Ferries and cruises also usually leave from different docks, so the departure point is worth checking before heading to the river.

Practical tips:

• Take the public ferry if you want a quick, inexpensive crossing between the Bund area and Pudong.

• Book a sightseeing cruise if you want a longer, narrated loop past the skyline.

• Check the exact pier in advance, since ferry terminals and cruise docks are not interchangeable.

Check Which Shanghai Station Your Train Leaves From

Shanghai has several major railway stations, and trains to the same destination don't always leave from the same one. Shanghai Hongqiao, Shanghai Railway Station, and Shanghai South are spread across different parts of the city, so heading to the wrong one can easily mean missing your train.

Practical tips:

• Check the departure station shown on your ticket or booking app, not just the departure time.

• Do not assume “Shanghai” means Shanghai Railway Station, since many high-speed trains leave from Shanghai Hongqiao.​