Our answer
¥50 one-way 磁浮
Pudong Airport to Longyang Road, up to 300 km/h
The short answer
The Shanghai Maglev runs between Pudong Airport and Longyang Road in about 8 minutes, at up to 300 km/h, from about 6:45 am to 9:40 pm. A one-way ticket is ¥50, or ¥40 with a same-day flight ticket. Tap a Visa, Mastercard, Amex or JCB card at the gate, then change to Metro Line 2, 7, 16 or 18.
| Route | Pudong Airport (T1 and T2) – Longyang Road, 30 km, no stops in between |
|---|---|
| Ride | About 8 minutes, up to 300 km/h |
| Hours | About 6:45 am – 9:40 pm |
| One-way | ¥50 standard, ¥40 with a same-day flight ticket, ¥100 VIP |
| Pay | Tap Visa, Mastercard, Amex or JCB at the gate, or buy a ticket |
| Then | Metro Line 2, 7, 16 or 18 at Longyang Road (separate fare) |
Maglev fares
Prices from the operator’s published fares, as reported below. Check the counter: fares can change.[1][2][3]
| Ticket | Price | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Standard one-way | ¥50 | Valid on the day you buy it |
| Standard one-way with a same-day flight ticket | ¥40 | Show your flight ticket or boarding pass at the ticket counter; one Maglev ticket per flight ticket |
| Standard return | ¥80 | Valid for 7 days |
| VIP one-way / return | ¥100 / ¥160 | Return valid for 7 days |
| Shanghai public transport card | ¥40 | Charged for a standard one-way ride |
| Children | Free | Up to two children 130 cm or shorter per paying adult |
How to ride from Pudong Airport
- 1
Follow the signs for Maglev 磁浮
The Maglev station, Pudong Airport Terminal 1&2 (浦东1号2号航站楼), serves both terminals. Metro Line 2 and the Airport Link Line stop there too.
- 2
Pay at the gate or buy a ticket
Tap a Visa, Mastercard, American Express or JCB card at the gate; turn on contactless (small-amount, no-PIN) payments first. Or buy a ticket at the counter or machine. For the ¥40 fare, show your flight ticket at the counter.
- 3
Ride for about 8 minutes
Trains run nonstop to Longyang Road, every 15 to 20 minutes for most of the day.
- 4
Change to the metro at Longyang Road
Longyang Road (龙阳路) is a metro interchange for Lines 2, 7, 16 and 18. The Maglev ticket does not cover the metro, so tap your card again or buy a metro ticket. Plan the rest of the trip with our Shanghai metro route finder.
Maglev or Metro Line 2?
From Pudong Airport, by our route finder’s estimates (times include about 5 minutes for the change).[5]
| To | Maglev + Line 2 | Line 2 all the way |
|---|---|---|
| People’s Square (人民广场) | About 35 min: ¥50 + metro fare | 18 stops, well over an hour, about ¥7 |
| East Nanjing Road, for the Bund (南京东路) | About 35 min: ¥50 + metro fare | 17 stops, well over an hour, about ¥7 |
| Lujiazui (陆家嘴) | About 30 min: ¥50 + metro fare | 16 stops, well over an hour, about ¥7 |
| Hongqiao Airport or railway station | Not the best choice | Take the Airport Link Line instead: no change, about 45 min |
Estimates from distance; trains, walking and queues vary. By our estimate the metro fare from Longyang Road to Lujiazui, East Nanjing Road or People’s Square is about ¥4.
How fast is it?
The line was built for 430 km/h and once ran at 431 km/h at set times of day. Since May 2021 trains have run at up to 300 km/h, so the trip takes about 8 minutes for the 30 km. It is still the world’s first commercial high-speed maglev line.[2][5][4]
Questions readers ask
How much is the Shanghai Maglev?
¥50 one-way in standard class, ¥40 if you show a same-day flight ticket at the counter, ¥80 for a 7-day return, and ¥100 one-way in VIP class. Up to two children 130 cm or shorter ride free with each paying adult.
How fast does the Shanghai Maglev go today?
Up to 300 km/h. It was built for 430 km/h, but trains have been limited to 300 km/h since May 2021. The 30 km trip takes about 8 minutes.
What time does the Maglev run?
From about 6:45 am to 9:40 pm. The first train leaves Longyang Road at 6:45 and Pudong Airport at 7:02; the last trains leave at 9:40 and 9:42 pm. Check the board at the station on the day.
Can I pay for the Maglev with a foreign credit card?
Yes. Since June 2025 the gates take Visa, Mastercard, American Express and JCB cards: tap the card, with contactless small-amount payments turned on. You can also buy a ticket at the counter or machine.
Does the Maglev go to the city centre?
No. It ends at Longyang Road in Pudong. Change there to Metro Line 2 for Lujiazui, East Nanjing Road and People’s Square; the metro is a separate fare.
Maglev or taxi from Pudong Airport?
The Maglev plus Line 2 is much faster than the metro alone. A taxi or DiDi is easier with heavy luggage, in a group, or after the last Maglev.
Sources
- The Paper (government account): Shanghai Maglev fares and same-day flight discount (Apr 2024) · accessed 29 Oct 2026
- The Paper (Changning District government account): Maglev fares, children and the 30 km line (Jul 2023) · accessed 29 Oct 2026
- Shanghai Bendibao: Shanghai Maglev timetable and fares · accessed 29 Oct 2026
- Shanghai government: Shanghai Maglev now accepts bank cards (Jun 2025) · accessed 29 Oct 2026
- China for Travelers: Shanghai Maglev guide, speed cap since May 2021 and hours (Jul 2026) · accessed 29 Oct 2026
Update log. 29 October 2026 — reviewed. Next review due 27 January 2027. Suggest a correction