best & most convenient way from hangzhou to Shanghai Airport

Question

Hi All, what is the best & most convenient way from hangzhou to Shanghai Airport? How much and how long? Please advise the reliability as well. How many hours should I plan for leaving the hangzhou hotel to Shanghai international airport? Thanks.

Answer

Traveling from Hangzhou to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) can be done conveniently by several options, depending on your preference for speed, comfort, and cost. The distance between Hangzhou and Shanghai Airport is approximately 170–200 km, and travel times vary accordingly.

Here are the main options:

High-Speed Train + Metro/Taxi: Take the high-speed train from Hangzhou East Railway Station to Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station. The journey takes around 45–60 minutes. From Hongqiao, you can either take a taxi or the Shanghai Metro Line 2 to Pudong Airport. Metro transfer from Hongqiao to Pudong Airport takes around 90 minutes. Total travel time is roughly 2.5–3 hours including transfers. Cost: train ticket around CNY 55–100 (second class), metro ticket CNY 7–10.
Direct Shuttle Bus / Airport Bus: Some long-distance buses operate between Hangzhou and Shanghai Pudong Airport. Travel time is about 3.5–4.5 hours depending on traffic. Cost: roughly CNY 120–150. This option is straightforward but less reliable if traffic is heavy.
Private Car / Taxi / Ride-Hailing Services: Hiring a private car or using Didi/Taobao car service offers the most convenience, door-to-door. Travel time is about 2.5–3 hours under normal traffic. Cost ranges from CNY 600–900 for a regular car. This is highly reliable if booked in advance.
High-Speed Train to Shanghai Hongqiao + Maglev to Pudong: Take the train to Hongqiao (45–60 mins), then take the metro to Longyang Road station and transfer to the Maglev train to Pudong Airport (7–8 mins). Total travel time around 2.5–3 hours. Cost: train ticket CNY 55–100, Maglev CNY 50–60.

For reliability, the high-speed train option is the most consistent and punctual. Taxis and ride-hailing are flexible but subject to traffic, while buses are affordable but can face delays in heavy traffic.

Regarding planning time: if your flight departs from Shanghai Pudong International Airport, it is recommended to arrive at least 2–3 hours before an international flight. Considering travel time from Hangzhou (2.5–3 hours), you should plan to leave your Hangzhou hotel at least 5–6 hours before your flight departure to allow a comfortable buffer for transfers, check-in, and potential delays.

Summary advice:

Most convenient and reliable: Private car / taxi (2.5–3 hours travel).
Cost-effective and fairly reliable: High-speed train to Hongqiao + Metro/Maglev to Pudong (2.5–3 hours total).
Budget option: Long-distance bus (3.5–4.5 hours, less predictable).

Always check train schedules and book tickets in advance during peak travel seasons. Also, consider potential traffic when taking road-based options.