Using the Maglev in Shanghai: The World’s Fastest Train

ByRui Yu Transport Guide
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The Shanghai Maglev runs at 431 km/h. It covers 30 km from Pudong Airport to Longyang Road in 8 minutes. It is worth doing once.

shanghai maglev

You sit down in the Maglev carriage. It looks like an airport shuttle. It pulls away from Pudong Airport smoothly and almost silently. The speed display reads 150, then 250, then 350. At 430 it holds steady. Outside, the elevated track and surrounding Shanghai suburbs blur past. Eight minutes later you are at Longyang Road. Done. The fastest commercial train journey in the world. Airport transfer context: Airport Transfers in China.

Key Takeaways

  • Route: Pudong Airport (PVG) to Longyang Road station. One stop. 8 minutes.
  • Speed: 431 km/h at peak. Speed display visible inside carriage.
  • Cost: ¥50 one way. ¥40 with same-day flight boarding pass.
  • Hours: 6:45 AM to 9:30 PM. Every 15 to 20 minutes.
  • After Longyang Road: Metro Line 2 to city center. 25 to 30 more minutes.
  • Shanghai travel guide: Shanghai Travel Guide.

How to Use It

  1. Exit Pudong Airport arrivals and follow signs to the Maglev station (磁悬浮, cí xuán fú).
  2. Buy a ticket at the machine: ¥50 standard, or ¥40 if you show your boarding pass at the manned window.
  3. Board the train. The speed display is inside the carriage above the doors.
  4. Alight at Longyang Road (龙阳路). Single stop. 8 minutes.
  5. Follow signs to Metro at Longyang Road. Take Line 2 westbound to your destination.

Maglev vs Metro Line 2 Direct

OptionTotal Time to City CenterCostTransfers
Maglev + Metro Line 235 to 40 min total¥50 + ¥5 metro = ¥55One (Longyang Road)
Metro Line 2 direct from airport55 to 65 min¥8Zero (stays on Line 2)
Taxi / DiDi45 to 90 min (traffic)¥180 to ¥300+Zero

The Maglev saves roughly 20 to 30 minutes compared to Line 2 direct, at a cost of ¥47 more. If time matters and you have a connection to make, the Maglev is worth it. If you have heavy luggage, Line 2 all the way avoids the Longyang Road transfer completely.

Technical Facts

The Shanghai Maglev is a Transrapid system built by a German-Chinese consortium, operated by the Shanghai Maglev Transportation Development Company. It opened in 2004 as the world’s first commercially operated high-speed maglev line. The track runs 30.5 km. The Shanghai Maglev Transportation Development Company operates daily service.

Frequently Asked Questions

431 km/h in normal operation. The fastest commercially operated train in the world. You will see 430 on the speed display inside the carriage for about 90 seconds before it decelerates. The sensation is less dramatic than you expect but the speed readout is impressive.

¥50 one way. ¥80 round trip. ¥40 with a same-day flight boarding pass. The discounted fare requires showing your outbound flight boarding pass at the ticket window. Children under 1.2m travel free.

No. It only runs between Pudong Airport and Longyang Road station. Longyang Road is on Metro Lines 2, 7, and 16. From Longyang Road to People’s Square: 25 to 30 minutes on Line 2. From Longyang Road to The Bund (Nanjing East Road): 30 minutes on Line 2.

6:45 AM to 9:30 PM, with departures every 15 to 20 minutes. First departure from Longyang Road to the airport at 6:45 AM. Last departure from the airport at 9:30 PM. If your flight arrives after 9:30 PM, take Metro Line 2 instead.

Once, yes. Regularly, no. The 8-minute transit is an experience. But the Maglev only saves you about 50 minutes compared to Metro Line 2 direct, and it costs ¥42 more. If you have heavy luggage, Line 2 all the way is actually more convenient because you avoid the Longyang Road transfer. Take the Maglev on your first trip to Shanghai. Use Line 2 on the return.

For full airport transfer options across China: Airport Transfers in China. For the Shanghai city guide: Shanghai Travel Guide.

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