Cheapest Flights to Shanghai
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From the Most Popular Cities to Shanghai
About Shanghai
Established as a small fishing village, Shanghai is now the largest city in China and by some measures the entire world. The city made a quantum leap forward in terms of development in the early 2000s, and started to attract the attention of the world with its ultra-futuristic architecture and skyscrapers.
The busiest area of the city, the Bund, is lined with cafés and restaurants along the banks of the river. You can go up to the top of the TV Tower for a panoramic view of the city. Shanghai is by no means dull in terms of shopping and entertainment, and the prices are reasonable. You can visit the Yuyuan gardens, and the Longhua temple to experience traditional Chinese culture.
A port city, Shanghai is also a city that receives a great deal of migration. It hosts international organizations and events. The Chinese round of the Formula One Championship and the Masters Tennis Tournament are held here.
There are many international flights to Shanghai. You can take a train to the city center from the airport. The most ideal seasons to visit the city are spring and fall, especially April, May, September and October. Winters are cold and wet, and summers are hot and humid.
Transportation to Shanghai City Center from Airport
Shanghai Hongqiao Intl. Airport
Shanghai is the most populated city in China, which is the most populated country in the world. With a population of about 20 million, Shanghai is home to the world’s busiest cargo port, which attracts millions of industrialists, businessmen, and investors to the city every year. Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport is located 13 km from the city center, in the Changning district, and handled about 40 million passengers in 2014. The airport is the city’s main domestic airport, serving few international flights to nearby areas.
Rail
The Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station is located right next to Terminal 2 at the airport. The station features 2 major lines that run through it, connecting the city with the airport in a very convenient way. Passengers who want to get to the city center from the airport by train need to take Line 2 or Line 10, which take about 19 to 22 minutes to get to the city center.
Airport Bus
Due to its close proximity to the city center accessing Hongqiao Airport by road is very convenient, except during rush hour. To get to the city center from the airport you can use bus line 941 during the day. Bus line 941 provides transportation to the central train station. If you land at night you have to use night bus 316 to get to the city center.
Taxi
The airport is located 13 km from People’s Square in the city center. Therefore most passengers prefer to take a taxi from the airport to the city. The total time can vary depending on the traffic but on average it takes about 30 minutes to get to the city center. Taxis are located by exit number 4 at Terminal 2.
Rental Car
The fact that the airport is located in such close proximity to the city center and many other areas makes renting a car an attractive alternative. The rental car offices are located in Terminal 2. To get to the city from the airport go south on Hongyu Road and connect to the G50 Expressway, which goes east. This will connect you to the Yan’an Road, which goes directly to the People’s Square, passing by Shanghai Museum and Shanghai Times Square.
Shanghai Pudong Intl. Airport
Located 30 km from the city center, Pudong International Airport is the city’s main international airport. The airport is located in the Pudong district and is an important international hub for Air China.
Rail
Shanghai is an important city in terms of tourism and trade and it features an advanced rail network that continues to evolve. The rail system is an important transportation alternative, providing access to the People’s Square, which is located in the city center, the train station, and the World Trade Center.
You can get to the city center by taking the Maglev train from the airport to Longyang Station. From here transfer to metro line 2, which will take you to the city center. During certain times of the year metro line 2 will extend all the way to the airport, making direct access between the city center and the airport a possibility. Using the rail system you can get to the city center in about an hour and a half.
Bus
Buses aren’t a very popular method of transportation to the city center when you take the changing traffic conditions into consideration. However, buses are a viable transportation alternative if you’re traveling to coastal towns and the surrounding areas. Buses to the city center from the airport can take up to 2 hours. The S1 Yingbin bus is the most commonly used; the bus has a total of 4 stops before reaching the main train station.
Taxi
Taxis are not the most preferred method of transportation due to the heavy traffic conditions in the city. English is not widely spoken in the city so we recommend that you have the name of your destination written down in Chinese handy. Taxis take about 40 minutes to get to the city center; this can vary depending on the traffic.
Rental Car
Renting a car is another alternative to get to the city center from the airport. There are various rental car companies located in the arrivals terminal at the airport. To get to the city center from the airport take Huaxia expressway to the North-South expressway. This will take you over the Huangpu River to People’s Square, and over Wusong River to the main train station.
