Shanghai Travel Forum

Hi,
My mother is on a crusade...going to China on her own...I am trying to plan all steps of her trip. Followingly I will sincerely appreciate it if you can let me/us know the connection options between Shanghai Pudong airport and the Shanghai South Train Station. She is scheduled to arrive Pudong at 17:30 on 19-04. And she needs to catch a train to Yuyao (Zhejiang Province) the same night. I checked the train schedules, it seems like she needs to take the T7797 train at 19:45. How can she connect from Pudong to train station in the fastest/safest possible way? The last but not the least....she doesnt speak english or chinese:)

Take maglev train from airport to Longyang Road.
Take subway No. 2 to Zhongshan Park transfer No. 3
or subway No. 2 to People's Square transfer No. 1
Both No. 3 and No. 1 will take her to Shanghai South Train Station.
Here is a subway map of Shanghai:
http://www.urbanrail.net/as/shan/shanghai.htm

I would rather take airport shuttle no.7 for 20 RMB/pax direct from Pudong airport to Shanghai South station. That would be less hassle, changing trains at People's Square is too confusing (too many people around) and going via Zhongshan Park would be detouring.
However I don't really see a chance of her being in time to catch T7797 if she's not taking a taxi to Shanghai South train station, and if she still has to figure out where and how to buy her train ticket! I doubt she'll enjoy standing for 3 hours in case she can't get a seat. The next possible train to Yuyao is at 2350 and would arrive at 0331 so I don't think that's a good option either.
Bus is probably also not a viable option as the last bus departs from Shanghai South long-distance bus station at 1900.

Thank you so much Enzhu and Ellyse. Ellyse, I am afraid mom will have to try getting there by taxi then. There is a site that offers driver pick-up from the airport and drop off to the south station, I will reserve that for her then. Do you think she stands a chance of getting the right ticket?(communication will be her biggest handicap)At the train station counter she will be waving a piece of paper written only "Yuyao T7797 19:45" on it. As the time gets closer, I am getting more worried for her now....

I could probably help you organise an airport transfer (ie pick-up at airport and drop-off at train station) as well as the train tickets. Would that get a load off your mind?
If necessary, email me at ellyse99@yahoo.com and put "VirtualTourist" and your own username (eg sevilsungur) in the subject line, thanks.

I agree that it is unlikely your mother will make the train. My last trip into Pudong took me nearly 40 minutes to get out of the airport. The taxi will take an hour at that time of night and then to get a ticket at the station - she really will be pushing it - and all this if the plane is on time.

I would seriously look at the later train or maybe accommodation near South Station and catch an early train.

P.S. I have travelled China 3 times by myself now (a new area last month) and generally have no major problems with communication - I just make sure I get instructions and directions written down for me when I can. I have lots of fun trying to communicate and sometimes I have missed buses and trains due to poor communication but that's part of the fun.

Quick question somewhat related to this topic. When transering from Meglev Station to Longyang Rd. subway station I read that there is free transfer- does that mean I dont have to buy a separate ticket for the subway? It doesnt sound right to me. I will be extremely tired after long flight and trying to anticipate everything in advance :)

Thanks in advance.

Doesn't sound likely, but I might be wrong.

I have had to buy a separate metro ticket. The Maglev ticket is expensive (several hundred RMB, I tnink) but the metro tickets are very cheap - 3 - 5 RMG depending on destination.

Best.Brad

The Maglev is NOT any hundred RMB! It's 50 RMB for one-way, or 40 RMB if you show a flight ticket for that day.
Metro costs a minimum of 3 RMB to a maximum of 7 RMB depending on how far you're going. For most travellers, rides should usually be no more than 5 RMB.

bprits- I have to agree with Ellyse on this one. I rode the Maglev 2 years ago and I remember it being almost US$8 one way, the equivalent of about 50-55 RMB at the time.