Welcome to Shanghai, China
By Air: The primary point of entry for international travelers is the Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG), which serves numerous international and domestic flights. For those closer to the region, you might also consider flying into Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA), which handles mostly domestic flights and some flights from nearby Asian countries.
Once at PudongAirport, you can reach downtown Shanghai by:
- Taxi: Available around-the-clock and provides the most direct route to your destination.
- Subway: Metro Line 2 directly connects Pudong Airport with the city center.
- Meglev Train: The Shanghai Maglev Train is a magnetic levitation train that connects Pudong Airport to Longyang Road Metro Station in just 8 minutes, after which you can transfer to the regular metro system.
- Bus: Various airport buses and shuttle services run from the airport to various places across the city.
By Train: Shanghai is also accessible via long-distance trains arriving at Shanghai Railway Station, Shanghai South Railway Station, and Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station.
By Bus: Shanghai has several long-distance bus stations, with buses arriving from and departing to numerous destinations around China.
By Car: Shanghai is well-connected by highways to nearby provinces, though driving in China requires a Chinese driving license.
Important Tips:
- Visa Regulations: Check the current visa requirements for your nationality to enter China. Some nationals can benefit from a 144-hour visa-free transit policy in Shanghai.
- Address in Chinese: Always have your destination address written in Chinese to show taxi drivers, just in case they don’t speak English.
- Local Currency: The local currency is the Chinese Yuan (RMB). Currency exchange services are available at the airport, banks, and hotels.
- Transportation Apps: Consider downloading transportation apps such as Didi for taxis or the Shanghai Metro app for navigating the subway.
