60–90 minutes between airports is the whole point here
The Shanghai Airport Link Line is a planned rail link meant to cut the current 60–90 minute cross‑city transfer between Hongqiao (SHA) and Pudong (PVG), but it is still under construction and not open to passengers as of mid‑2026. Chinese transport reports call it the Shanghai Airport Rapid Transit Line, and the focus is strictly airport‑to‑airport plus suburban stops, not local metro coverage.
Engineers plan mainline‑style trains rather than metro stock, aiming to beat current Metro Line 2 runs that can easily hit 80–90 minutes between airports at busy times. The line is described as suburban railway, distinct from Shanghai Metro; think something closer to an intercity EMU than a subway car.
No firm public fare table exists yet, so you will not find reliable numbers in yuan for tickets the way you can for Line 2’s 3–9 RMB bands. Local rail forums repeatedly mention that pricing is still under wraps, and any specific fare you see online in 2026 is basically a guess.
As of mid‑2026, there is no published frequency, no working timetable, and no confirmed first‑train/last‑train hours for the Airport Link Line. The only hard timing fact is the intended journey window of roughly 60–90 minutes end‑to‑end, which mirrors current real‑world transfers by metro or highway between SHA and PVG.
Regular flyers still treat Metro Line 2, taxis, and DiDi as the default way to move between Hongqiao T1/T2 and Pudong’s terminals, because the Airport Link Line is not carrying any passengers yet. Forum posts from both Chinese and English rail watchers complain about repeated delays and the lack of a clear opening year.
For now, plan your SHA–PVG connection assuming the usual 60–90 minutes of travel plus at least 60 minutes for check‑in and security at the second airport, then treat the Airport Link Line as a future upgrade rather than something you can actually ride in 2026.
Simple step‑by‑step once it finally opens
- 1. Land at SHA and follow signs toward ground transport or rail once Airport Link Line signage appears alongside Metro Line 2.
- 2. Buy a ticket or tap in with the payment method that local authorities announce (likely transport card, mobile pay, or QR, as used on current Shanghai rail in 2026).
- 3. Board the Airport Link Line train marked for Pudong Airport and expect a 60–90 minute ride depending on stopping pattern.
- 4. On arrival at PVG, follow the exit signs for your terminal and head straight to check‑in or transfer security.
- 5. For the reverse PVG–SHA trip, repeat the same steps in the opposite direction and still keep a buffer of at least one extra hour beyond the rail time.
Practical tip: until there is an official opening notice and a posted timetable, treat any Airport Link Line “launch date” you see online as speculation and keep booking your inter‑airport connections around Metro Line 2 or road traffic instead.