How do I transfer between Pudong and Hongqiao airports?

At a glance

• The Airport Link Line’s airport endpoints are Hongqiao Airport Terminal 2 and Pudong Airport T1/T2, with a full-route fare of RMB 26 and a journey of about 40 minutes. [1]
• The published service interval is 15 minutes; the guide lists the first Hongqiao-to-Pudong train at 05:45 and the last Pudong-to-Hongqiao train at 22:15. [1]
• Hongqiao T1 is served by Metro Line 10; T2 is served by Lines 10 and 2. [2] From 8 October 2026, T1–Line 10 uses the temporary corridor via Exit 1 on Konggang First Road; the old Exit 3 corridor is closed. Follow current signs; the notice gives no end date. [3]
• The link’s published baggage limits are 23 kg per item, no more than 0.2 cubic metres per item and combined length/width/height no more than 1.8 metres. [1]

What to do next

1. Before buying a cross-airport connection, check both airport codes and terminals on the tickets: PVG for Pudong and SHA for Hongqiao. Confirm whether the next flight uses Hongqiao T1 or T2 and whether you must collect and recheck bags.
2. Build the transfer around the time you can leave arrivals, not the aircraft’s scheduled landing minute. Add immigration, baggage, the walk to the railway and the published service wait before the 40-minute ride.
3. Follow Airport Link Line signs to the appropriate station. Keep it separate from Metro Line 2 and the Maglev when reading the signs, because those are different routes and do not share the same end-to-end journey time.
4. Buy or validate the appropriate ticket and board at the marked doors for the train length. Keep luggage within the stated limits and place it in the racks without blocking the aisle or exits.
5. At Hongqiao T2, follow signs for the correct airport terminal or onward transport. If your flight leaves T1, continue using the supported terminal connection rather than assuming the railway platform is already at your check-in area.
6. Reach the next airline’s check-in or bag-drop point before its own deadline. If the timetable or delay makes that impossible, contact the airline before spending the remaining time on a transfer that will not reach the flight.

If your situation is different

The arrival is late at night: compare the actual exit time with the last train in the needed direction. Keep a taxi or booked-car alternative and the correct terminal address if the railway service no longer fits.

Your luggage exceeds the line’s published limits: arrange a suitable car or another transport route in advance. Include all passengers and bags when choosing the vehicle.

You need Hongqiao Railway Station rather than the airport: save that exact destination. The Hongqiao hub has multiple transport functions, and your final walk or pickup point must match the train booking.

The flights are on separate tickets: treat immigration, baggage and check-in as a fresh departure process. Choose a connection with enough slack for those stages and a fallback if the first flight is delayed.

Common mistakes

• Reading 40 minutes as the total flight-to-flight transfer: add the time before and after the railway ride.
• Confusing Hongqiao T1 with T2: check the second ticket and include the extra terminal connection.
• Following the first rail sign without checking the service: identify Airport Link Line rather than assuming Metro Line 2 or Maglev has the same route.
• Using one published last-train time for both directions: read the timetable for your actual starting endpoint.

Quick questions