First time to China. We are landing at Pudong at 1825 (QF 129), with wife and 1 child.
A few questions
1. We are staying at the Radisson at Pluto, which is the best way to get there, train, taxi suttle, and any company recommendations would be appreciated.
There are four Radissons in Shanghai, and zero on Pluto, so you’ll need to be more specific.
Regardless I’d say take the MAGLEV because it’s super cool, then transfer to a metro or take a taxi from the ranks at the station to get where you’re going as it doesn’t go to the city centre but more like its eastern fringe at Longyang Road Station.
In my experience customs can take five minutes but up to an hour. It’s poorly signed and there are people directing you seemingly nowhere but you’ll get through easily enough. Think LAX but in Chinese.
First time to China. We are landing at Pudong at 1825 (QF 129), with wife and 1 child.
A few questions
1. We are staying at the Radisson at Pluto, which is the best way to get there, train, taxi suttle, and any company recommendations would be appreciated.
2. How long to clear customs?
Thanks in Advance
As a regular flyer into Pudong, I find the best way is to ensure you have the address printed in Chinese and have rmb in hand. Taxi drivers don't speak any English and don't accept cards.
Expect to pay about 250 rmb equivalent to around $50 AUD. After clearing customs taxis are down an escalator and to the right. You'll see a sign which gives fare estimates to major hotels.
Re Maglev, it doesn't take you all the way into Pudong, at that time of the night far better to grab a cab. Ignore all the hecklers which will try persuade you to take a private car.
@Mjkcan well said, it's quite hit and miss with Chinese customs.
Look up the timings for the Maglev as certain hours it will go at 400km/h and other times i think it was 300ish. The scenery goes past pretty quickly. Maglev is great but a bit of a pain - taxi is easy and not that expensive by the time you consider maglev + taxi. Maglev Station is 25-45 mins from the city.
I was there a month ago and it was just easier to get a taxi from out the front. Then Maglev is cool, but when you have family, it's just easier to jump in a cab.
I found I had to go up to the departures level to find an ATM that worked to get cash as the ATM's at the Arrivals area don't accept foreign credit cards. But there's a Bank of China ATM up on departures.
I live in shanghai and use this airport a lot. Customs can be a bit slow, as all bags are x-rayed on your way out, but if the queue gets out of control they will wave people through to keep things moving.
Agree taxi is your best, cheapest, easiest bet, cash only - make sure you have the address printed in Chinese characters, preferably large font as some drivers don’t have great eye sight! Also have the hotel phone number (or someone who can translate) to speak to the driver if needed.
Lastly it’s a long drive, I would say over an hour to Putuo. Taxis have improved a little since Didi came along, but don’t be surprised if it’s old, filthy and stinky. Try to get a yellow one if you can, they are usually a bit better! Good luck
I have done all of the above options, however the thing that works best for me is a limo organised by the hotel concierge - not the hotel - the concierge will do it for 1/2 the price! I stay in Downtown Shanghai and pay 400RMB. It is twice the price of a taxi, but worth it for a couple of reasons, particularly with 3 people.
1. You will struggle to get 3 people & luggage in a normal taxi. The "Expo" taxis may be able to do it.
2. The man is waiting for you at the exit and you will be in an Audi, BMW or similar.
Maglev is fantastic but getting off at Longyang Road and down the escalator to the taxi is a pain!
Immigration/Customs can be a while if a few flights land together, so varies a lot. I have an APEC card and arrived on QF129 a couple of weeks ago - I took 5 minutes, my colleagues 35!
Trying to get a taxi on arrival at the Maglev station in Shanghai is a nightmare. There is no real taxi rank, people scramble to grab them and there is a taxi mafia who rip off foreign visitors mercilessly. Especially if you have a baby, and don't speak Chinese it could be quite a traumatic experience . While the Magelv is fun I would save it for the reverse trip to Pudong. Inbound take a taxi or splash out on a hire car - its worth it.
Look up the timings for the Maglev as certain hours it will go at 400km/h and other times i think it was 300ish. The scenery goes past pretty quickly. Maglev is great but a bit of a pain - taxi is easy and not that expensive by the time you consider maglev + taxi. Maglev Station is 25-45 mins from the city.
Maglev is now 300Km all day. No more 430Km services. Chinese claim it is due to noise but in reality it is about the power consumption. Still cool at 300kph.
mik_64
mik_64
Member since 22 Dec 2017
Total posts 5
First time to China. We are landing at Pudong at 1825 (QF 129), with wife and 1 child.
Mjkcan
Mjkcan
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
Member since 14 Jun 2017
Total posts 64
There are four Radissons in Shanghai, and zero on Pluto, so you’ll need to be more specific.
mik_64
mik_64
Member since 22 Dec 2017
Total posts 5
hi
thanks for the quick reply, the address is below
Radisson Blu Hotel Shanghai Hong Quan
No. 210 Tao Pu Road, Putuo, 200333 Shanghai, China
Yes if was me alone, it would be a no brainer Maglev - big boys toys :)
mik_64
mik_64
Member since 22 Dec 2017
Total posts 5
Yes thats a great suggestion, taxi after the Maglev
Steve.Au
Steve.Au
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 18 Aug 2018
Total posts 2
fatty
fatty
Member since 24 Feb 2015
Total posts 62
Look up the timings for the Maglev as certain hours it will go at 400km/h and other times i think it was 300ish. The scenery goes past pretty quickly. Maglev is great but a bit of a pain - taxi is easy and not that expensive by the time you consider maglev + taxi. Maglev Station is 25-45 mins from the city.
moa999
moa999
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 02 Jul 2011
Total posts 834
Putuo is in the NW so other side of the city to airport. Easiest to take a taxi and go via ring road - probably about one hour travel
Ryan K
Ryan K
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 30 May 2013
Total posts 161
Take the Maglev and then taxi from there. Make sure you have your hotel name printed out in Chinese though!
mik_64
mik_64
Member since 22 Dec 2017
Total posts 5
Thanks for all that great advice
pablom
pablom
Member since 06 Oct 2016
Total posts 6
I was there a month ago and it was just easier to get a taxi from out the front. Then Maglev is cool, but when you have family, it's just easier to jump in a cab.
crakyl
crakyl
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 24 Oct 2016
Total posts 1
Taxi...I went through last week and customs was 5 mins..Can be longer
douglasrjohnson
douglasrjohnson
Member since 30 Nov 2018
Total posts 5
I live in shanghai and use this airport a lot. Customs can be a bit slow, as all bags are x-rayed on your way out, but if the queue gets out of control they will wave people through to keep things moving.
Challenge
Challenge
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 29 Jan 2016
Total posts 5
FWIW
biggles69
biggles69
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 23 Oct 2015
Total posts 8
Trying to get a taxi on arrival at the Maglev station in Shanghai is a nightmare. There is no real taxi rank, people scramble to grab them and there is a taxi mafia who rip off foreign visitors mercilessly. Especially if you have a baby, and don't speak Chinese it could be quite a traumatic experience . While the Magelv is fun I would save it for the reverse trip to Pudong. Inbound take a taxi or splash out on a hire car - its worth it.
MikeAir
MikeAir
Air New Zealand - Airpoints
Member since 14 Jul 2017
Total posts 5
Maglev is now 300Km all day. No more 430Km services. Chinese claim it is due to noise but in reality it is about the power consumption. Still cool at 300kph.