# Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)

> Shanghai, CN · 13 km (8 mi) west of central Shanghai

Web: https://airport.flights/airport/sha
JSON: https://airport.flights/api/airport/sha.json

## Facts

- **IATA**: SHA
- **ICAO**: ZSSS
- **Timezone**: Asia/Shanghai
- **Runways**: 2
- **Terminals**: 2
- **Passengers**: 50.15M/yr
- **Worldwide rank**: #42
- **Hub for**: China Eastern Airlines, Shanghai Airlines
- **Official site**: https://www.shairport.com/ensh/hqjc/index.html

## Overview

## Welcome

Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) stands out as a key domestic hub expertly integrated with a vast high-speed rail station and two metro lines. This seamless connection makes it possible for travelers to quickly transition from planes to trains, offering frequent flyers an efficient alternative to flights for reaching nearby cities. It's a rare blend where savvy rail and metro use often beats short-haul flights in both time and cost.

## At a glance

Handling over 50 million passengers annually, SHA serves as a major hub for China Eastern Airlines and Shanghai Airlines. Located just 13 km (8 miles) west of central Shanghai, the airport boasts two runways and two main terminals, T1 and T2. Terminal 1 generally caters to airlines like Spring and Juneyao, whereas Terminal 2 primarily handles operations for China Eastern, Shanghai Airlines, and Air China.

## Terminals & layout

Terminal 1 feels more like a relic, dedicated to certain domestic and regional flights, and is noted for its dated and limited amenities. Terminal 2, in contrast, is a bustling modern domestic hub bustling with dining and shopping, including multiple Starbucks, McDonald's, and branded outlets like Gucci and Hermès. T1 does feature small conveniences like Canton Paradise for a quick meal.

## Getting to and from the city

Transportation is one of SHA's strengths. Using Metro Lines 2 and 10, you can reach central Shanghai quickly; Line 2 takes about 35-45 minutes to People's Square for a cost of ¥3-6. The high-speed rail station at the airport offers connections to cities like Suzhou and Hangzhou, with prices from ¥39.5. Taxis remain an option at approximately ¥80-100 to the city center, but DiDi is often recommended for comfort and avoiding scams.

## Traveller essentials

For those opting to drive, multiple parking options are available, including P1 and P2 parking garages and T1 outdoor parking. New energy vehicle parking is also available. Whether you're going to central Shanghai or transferring to Pudong, it's wise to plan for traffic. Hongqiao is equipped with several convenience stores like FamilyMart and Lawson in T2, ideal for stocking up before travel.

## Dining & shopping highlights

T2 shines with dining options that cater to both international and local flavors. Apart from fast food staples, you can find regional specialties from local chains, appreciated for authenticity by Chinese food bloggers. If shopping is on your mind, high-end boutiques like Montblanc and Swarovski offer a touch of luxury, while duty-free options are plentiful in both terminals.

## Lounges

Lounges abound in T2, including the China Eastern No.36 Lounge and Air China Lounge. Although lounges can get crowded during peak hours, lesser-known lounges often provide quieter spaces. Dinner options may be limited in lounges, so consider the quieter eateries in T2 for an alternative.

## Insider tips

- **Insider:** For domestic departures in T1, take the shuttle to T2 for better food and services.

- **Time:** Allocate 90–120 minutes for connections involving Hongqiao Railway Station, as posted on FlyerTalk.

- **Money:** The metro to the city center is a bargain at ¥3-6 compared to the taxi cost of ¥80-100.

- **Avoid:** Expect long wait times at taxi queues in peak hours; rely on DiDi instead.

- **Local:** Don’t miss the authentic Shanghainese eateries in T2, often favored by food bloggers.

- **Quiet:** Use hidden lounges near higher-numbered gates in T2 for less congestion and quiet workspaces.

- **Time:** Check metro schedules if arriving late; service stops at night, leaving taxis as the only option.

## Terminals (2)

- **Terminal 1** — Spring Airlines, Juneyao Airlines
- **Terminal 2** — China Eastern Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, Air China

## Dining (20)

- **Ajisen Ramen** — T2
- **BreadTalk** — T2
- **Burger King** — T2
- **Canton Paradise** — T1
- **COSTA Coffee** — T2
- **Dairy Queen** — T2
- **FamilyMart** — T2
- **Haidilao** — T2
- **KFC** — T2
- **Kungfu** — T2
- **Lawson** — T2
- **McDonald's** — T2
- **Pacific Coffee** — T2
- **Pizza Hut** — T2
- **Starbucks** — T1
- **Starbucks** — T2
- **Subway** — T2
- **Xiao Nan Guo** — T2
- **Yonghe King** — T2
- **Yoshinoya** — T2

## Lounges (10)

- **Air China Lounge** — T2 · Terminal 2, Air China business/first
- **China Eastern Lounge** — T1 · Terminal 1, China Eastern regional
- **China Eastern No.36 Lounge** — T2 · Terminal 2, China Eastern frequent flyer
- **China Eastern V5 Lounge** — T2 · Terminal 2, China Eastern business/first
- **China Southern Lounge** — T2 · Terminal 2, China Southern business/first
- **First Class Lounge** — T2 · Terminal 2, Priority Pass
- **Hainan Airlines Lounge** — T2 · Terminal 2, Hainan business/first
- **No.77 Lounge** — T2 · Terminal 2, Priority Pass
- **Spring Airlines Lounge** — T1 · Terminal 1, Spring business/frequent flyer
- **VIP Lounge** — T1 · Terminal 1, contract lounge

## Shops (19)

- **Apple Authorized Reseller** — T2
- **CDFS Duty Free** — T2
- **China Duty Free Tobacco and Liquor** — T2
- **Estée Lauder** — T2
- **Gucci** — T2
- **Hermès** — T2
- **Huawei** — T2
- **InTime Souvenir** — T2
- **L'Oreal Paris** — T2
- **Lancôme** — T2
- **Mi Store** — T2
- **Montblanc** — T2
- **Relay** — T1
- **Relay** — T2
- **Shanghai Gifts** — T1
- **Sunrise Duty Free** — T1
- **Sunrise Duty Free** — T2
- **Swarovski** — T2
- **Watsons** — T2

## Parking (8)

- **Hongqiao Railway Station Parking** — Intermodal
- **New Energy Vehicle Parking** — EV
- **P1 Parking Garage** — Short stay
- **P2 Parking Garage** — Long stay
- **P3 Surface Lot** — Economy
- **T1 Outdoor Parking** — Short stay
- **T2 Outdoor Parking** — Long stay
- **VIP Parking Area** — Valet

## Ground transport (10)

- **Airport Shuttle Bus Line 1** — Bus · Frequently described as 60–90 min Hongqiao–Pudong depending on traffic · Often quoted around ¥30 for Hongqiao–Pudong shuttle in user reports, but no consistent official fare table in these sources · User reports suggest roughly every 15–30 min in daytime
- **Airport Shuttle Bus Line 3** — Bus
- **DiDi** — Rideshare · Comparable to taxi: ~30–40 min to central areas in light traffic; longer in peak hours · User‑reported typical range: ~¥60-80 Hongqiao–central districts, similar to metered taxi · On‑demand; wait times vary by time of day and weather
- **Intercity Coach Services** — Coach
- **Metro Line 10** — Metro · 25-35 min Hongqiao – Xintiandi (metro riding time) · ¥3-6 · Every ~3-8 min · roughly 05:45–23:00
- **Metro Line 2** — Metro · 35-45 min Hongqiao T2 – People’s Square (platform to platform) · ¥3-6 · Every ~3-6 min · roughly 05:30–22:45 from Hongqiao
- **Private Car Transfer** — Car service · Similar to taxi: ~30–40 min to central areas in light traffic; 60+ min in peak hours or cross‑city · Frequently reported ballpark: ¥300-600 for city transfers, higher for inter‑airport or late‑night services · On‑demand pre‑booked; typically 24/7 when reserved in advance
- **Shanghai Airport Link Line** — Rail · 60–90 min · /no firm public fare table is published yet/ · /not yet open to passengers as of mid‑2026/
- **Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station** — High speed rail · ~25 min Hongqiao–Suzhou, ~45 min Hongqiao–Hangzhou on G‑trains · Examples: ~¥39.5 one‑way Hongqiao–Suzhou, ~¥73 Hongqiao–Hangzhou (2nd class) as commonly quoted in Seat61 · Key corridors (e.g., Nanjing, Hangzhou, Suzhou) often every 10–20 min in daytime
- **Taxi** — Metered taxi · 30–40 min to central areas off‑peak; up to 60+ min in heavy traffic or for Hongqiao–Pudong · Typical user‑reported range: ~¥80-100 Hongqiao–central city; ~¥180-220 Hongqiao–Pudong · On‑demand from taxi rank while flights are operating

## Insider tips

- _Insider_: For domestic departures in T1, take the shuttle to T2 for better food and services.
- _Time_: Allocate 90–120 minutes for connections involving Hongqiao Railway Station, as posted on FlyerTalk.
- _Money_: The metro to the city center is a bargain at ¥3-6 compared to the taxi cost of ¥80-100.
- _Avoid_: Expect long wait times at taxi queues in peak hours; rely on DiDi instead.
- _Local_: Don’t miss the authentic Shanghainese eateries in T2, often favored by food bloggers.
- _Quiet_: Use hidden lounges near higher-numbered gates in T2 for less congestion and quiet workspaces.
- _Time_: Check metro schedules if arriving late; service stops at night, leaving taxis as the only option.