Transport · Airports · SHA
上海虹桥国际机场 · SHA / ZSSS. Shanghai's domestic-focused western airport, integrated with the Hongqiao high-speed rail hub, and closer to the city centre than Pudong.
About this airport
Shanghai Hongqiao Airport is the older of Shanghai's two commercial airports, originally opened in 1921 as a military airfield and redeveloped repeatedly through the 20th century. Its current T2 opened in 2010, conceived as part of the integrated Hongqiao Transportation Hub — one of the largest combined airport and high-speed railway interchanges in the world.
The hub brings together the airport, two metro lines, and Hongqiao Railway Station (the western terminus for trains to Nanjing, Hangzhou, and points along the Shanghai-Kunming and Shanghai-Hangzhou-Shenzhen high-speed corridors) under a single roof. For travellers connecting between a domestic flight and a high-speed train to cities like Suzhou, Nanjing, or Hangzhou, Hongqiao is significantly more convenient than Pudong.
International services from SHA are limited — primarily Japan and South Korea — so most intercontinental passengers use PVG instead. The western location means shorter transfer times to Puxi (the older western bank of the city), though the traffic on the elevated Yan'an road can extend taxi times unpredictably in peak hours.
Terminals
Two terminals: T1 (older, domestic only) and T2 (newer, some international routes to Japan and Korea, integrated with Hongqiao high-speed railway station). T1 and T2 are not connected airside and require a surface transfer.
Transit to the city
T2 is directly connected to Hongqiao Railway Station and Metro Lines 2 and 10. Metro Line 2 reaches People's Square in about 30 minutes (CNY 6). T1 has its own metro stop on Line 10. Taxis from T2 to central Shanghai cost CNY 60–100 and take 20–45 minutes depending on traffic.
Priority Pass lounges
Food
T2 has a serviceable range of Shanghainese snacks, congee, and standard fast food. The food court beneath the departures level is the best option. T1 is very limited; arrive having eaten if possible.
Sleep options
The Wanda Vista Hongqiao is the closest hotel to T2, accessible by taxi or hotel shuttle. No airside hotel connection. Given the proximity to the city centre, most travellers find it more convenient to stay in Shanghai proper.
Transit visa-free rules
SHA is included in Shanghai's 144-hour TWOV scheme on the same terms as PVG. Entry through SHA and departure from PVG (or vice versa) within the 144-hour window is permitted.