Shanghai Taxi Prices: My Wallet Just Had a Heart Attack! 😱💸

[Orlando Ryan]

Wow, talking about transportation in Shanghai, I have plenty to complain about!

• Traveling in other cities, I can easily call a taxi whenever I want. But in Shanghai, I would rather walk everywhere!
  • On top of that, I arrived at Shanghai Pudong International Airport (SPV, SHANGHAI PVG) around 11 PM one night.
  • I thought my hotel would offer shuttle service, but they told me the last shuttle had already left at 11 PM.
  • What about the subway? It’s too late; it has already stopped running. So I had to call a taxi.
• Can you guess what happened next?
  • I offered to pay as much as 40 RMB extra using the taxi app, but not a single driver responded!
  • At that moment, I met a girl who just started job hunting in Shanghai. We considered sharing the ride, but she was heading in the opposite direction, so we ended up canceling the plan.
  • Later, after increasing the price more and waiting quite some time, I finally got a driver. And even the taxi app “Hua Xiaozhu,” which usually works alright, let me down this time!

️ Travel Tips & Alert - A MUST READ BEFORE NIGHT TRAVEL FROM SHANGHAI PUDONG AIRPORT

• The colossal Shanghai Pudong International Airport:
  • After getting off the plane, I realized just how massive the airport is! Walking from the departure gate to baggage claim, the distance seemed never-ending.
  • Follow the crowd; take the escalators, perhaps even an internal air train (this is actually a short transit rail in the airport), thinking you’re almost there only to discover that there’s still a "long way to go”!
• Night Traveler’s Curse:
  • Preparation is key! If your flight arrives very late:
    • Confirm beforehand what time the hotel's shuttle service is available at night.
    • Or book a hotel near the airport that is within walking distance, or book an airport hotel with non-stop intercity transportation services 24/7.
  • Do not be misled by “close to airport” claims:
    • My initial choice was a hotel that claimed to be close to the airport AND near a metro station, assuming it would be just a 15-minute drive away.
    • Major mistake! Despite being such a “short” journey, its cost exploded at night due to the rare number of drivers and/or additional costs from starting points like airports, plus the reluctance of many drivers to pick up short-haul rides.
    • Suggestion: If you have no choice but to call a taxi during the night hours, prepare mentally and financially. Or, consider booking a hotel offering clear 24-hour paid shuttles, even if it comes at a higher price, it will save both heart and hassle.

#ShanghaiPVG #difficultnighttaxiride #transportationinshanghai #traveltips #howtoavoidpitfalls

[Katrina Ziemann]

Taking a taxi in Shanghai is genuinely expensive. Whenever I take a taxi in other cities, I'm always struck by how cheap it is. I was particularly amazed by the prices in Shijiazhuang last time; it was incredibly affordable.

[Barry Kuphal]

You should try taking a taxi in Japan then.

[Bob Heller]

For such a short taxi ride from Pudong Airport, you'd probably get an eye-roll from the driver.

[Lindsey Jerde DDS]

I'm curious about how much they earn in a day. Over here, drivers will even take fares for just a few RMB.

[Sylvia Franecki]

Train stations usually have subway access, so why bother taking a taxi?

[Mr. Nathan Waelchi]

Have you considered the time? The last subway from Pudong Airport departs at 10:30 PM. Besides, her taxi ride was only 15 minutes, likely just to Chuansha. The late-night airport shuttle's first stop is already Longyang Road, so what other option is there besides a taxi in that situation?

[Shawna Keebler-Satterfield]

True. Once you're used to Shanghai taxi fares, taking a cab in Spain didn't even feel that expensive to me.

[Karen Zulauf]

I find taking a taxi much better than dealing with downtown parking fees.

[Courtney Hickle Jr.]

Why does everyone find Shanghai so expensive? Is 'consumption downgrading' really hitting the whole country that hard?

[Darren Sawayn]

Shanghai taxis are sooo expensive! (Yeah, right!) I've been here four days, taking taxis daily. A 40-minute ride for over ten kilometers costs just over 20 RMB, and a 2km trip is only 8 RMB... Who'd even bother cycling with prices like these?

[Elaine Boyle PhD]

The 24-hour airport shuttle from Pudong Airport only serves Longyang Road, Jing'an Temple, and the Hongqiao Hub.

[Kristopher Schultz PhD]

Pudong Airport is genuinely massive. The longest it ever took me to get from deplaning to the exit was an hour and a half.

[Johnathan Schmeler]

In other cities, I'm usually out and at the car park within 10 minutes of deplaning.

[Miss Alison Collier]

Actually, the subway in the city center is very convenient.