Traffic on May day to Pudong airport

Question

Hi everyone,

I have booked a return flight at Pudong Airport on 1 May which i’m afraid about the heavy traffic on May day.

My flight time is 17:20 hrs

I plan to leave from hotel at The Bund at 12:30 hrs. Do you think i will arrive at Pundong airport by 14:30 hrs?

Many thanks in advance!

Answer

Shanghai is known for heavy traffic during national holidays, and May Day (1 May) is one of the busiest periods for road travel. The route from The Bund to Pudong Airport usually takes around 45–60 minutes under normal traffic conditions, but during peak holiday traffic, it can easily take 90 minutes or more.

Leaving your hotel at 12:30 pm for a 17:20 flight might not be sufficient if your goal is to arrive at the airport by 14:30 pm. This would give you only 1 hour and 50 minutes travel time, which is risky considering traffic unpredictability and the need to clear airport security and check-in procedures.

Recommendations:

Consider leaving earlier, ideally around 11:30–12:00 pm, to account for heavy traffic and possible delays.
If possible, book a taxi or ride-hailing service in advance rather than relying on regular city taxis during the holiday.
Check real-time traffic updates on the day of travel; apps like Baidu Maps or Gaode (Amap) can help adjust departure time.
Allow extra time at the airport for check-in and security, especially during peak holiday periods when lines can be longer than usual.

In summary, leaving at 12:30 pm is risky for a 14:30 arrival and for a 17:20 flight. Leaving earlier is strongly advised to ensure a stress-free journey to Pudong Airport during the May Day holiday.