Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station: Metro & Airport Transfers
Sources and freshness
Static planning guidance on this page is reviewed by the China Train Tickets editorial team. Train times, fares, seat classes, and availability can change, so the live result for your selected travel date is authoritative.
- Primary operational reference
- China Railway 12306 (live results may change when railway operations change)
- Page reviewed
Shanghai Hongqiao station: editorial diagram of key planning topics; not a photograph or official layout.
Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station is 上海虹桥站. It is part of the Hongqiao transport hub but is not the same as Shanghai Railway Station, Shanghai South, Shanghai Songjiang or Hongqiao Airport. Confirm the exact railway station on the issued ticket before selecting a route.
Which Hongqiao location is on your ticket?
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| Your ticket or map says | What to check |
|---|---|
| Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station / 上海虹桥站 | The railway terminal. The metro stop is Hongqiao Railway Station / 虹桥火车站, served by Lines 2, 10 and 17. |
| Hongqiao Airport Terminal 2 | An airport terminal beside the railway hub. Follow the signed pedestrian connection and then the railway departure signs. |
| Hongqiao Airport Terminal 1 | A separate airport terminal. Metro Line 10 links T1, T2 and the railway station; check current service hours. |
| Pudong Airport T1 & T2 | A different airport. The Airport Link Line reaches Hongqiao Airport Terminal 2; reaching the railway departure area is an additional step. |
Hongqiao Road (虹桥路) is a different metro stop. Shanghai Railway Station (上海站) is a different railway terminal. Use the full station or terminal name from the ticket when selecting a map destination.
Getting there by metro
Shanghai Hongqiao is served by Metro Lines 2, 10 and 17. On maps, the metro stop is commonly called Hongqiao Railway Station 虹桥火车站. Follow signs toward railway departures after leaving the metro; finding the correct gate still requires walking, identity checks and security.
Check the destination of the actual metro train and the latest operating hours. Do not confuse Hongqiao Railway Station with Hongqiao Road 虹桥路 or either airport-terminal stop. If using a car, choose the railway departure area and allow for congestion at the hub.
Hongqiao Airport Terminal 2 and Terminal 1
From Terminal 2 to the railway station
After completing airport arrival formalities and collecting any checked bags, follow the pedestrian signs for Hongqiao Railway Station (虹桥火车站). Terminal 2 and the railway terminal are connected within the hub. Continue to railway departures, rather than stopping at the airport or metro entrance; identity checks, security and finding the boarding gate remain ahead.
From Terminal 1 to the railway station
Terminal 1 requires a different transfer. Follow the signs to Metro Line 10 at Hongqiao Airport Terminal 1 (虹桥1号航站楼), take a train toward Hongqiao Railway Station, and leave at the railway-station stop. Check the train destination before boarding. Line 2 does not serve Terminal 1. For the reverse journey, take Line 10 to Hongqiao Airport Terminal 1 and follow the terminal signs after leaving the metro.
Temporary T1 walking route: a Shanghai Government notice dated 5 October 2026 announces a change from 8 October: use the temporary covered walkway beside Konggang No. 1 Road (空港一路) and metro Exit 1 when walking between T1 and Line 10. The former surface walkway from Exit 3 is closed during the works. Exit 1 has an escalator and an accessible lift. This is a temporary arrangement, not a permanent exit recommendation; check current airport notices and on-site signs before travel.
The airport's metro guide confirms the terminal connections. Check operating hours for the direction and date you need; a late flight arrival may require another transport option.
Connecting from Pudong Airport
Pudong is a separate airport across the city. To reach Hongqiao by the Airport Link Line (机场联络线):
- After arrival formalities and baggage collection, follow Airport Link Line signs to Pudong Airport T1 & T2 station. This is a different service from Metro Line 2 and the Maglev.
- Take the Airport Link Line toward Hongqiao Airport Terminal 2. Check the platform display and the current service before entering.
- At Hongqiao, leave the Airport Link station and follow signs toward Hongqiao Railway Station, then railway departures. The airport-link stop and the high-speed-train boarding area are separate.
For the reverse trip to Pudong, follow Airport Link Line signs from the railway hub to its Hongqiao Airport Terminal 2 station. The municipal opening guide locates the entrance on B1 of the connection between T2 and the railway station. Take the service toward Pudong Airport T1 & T2 and follow signs for the terminal on your flight itinerary.
Use the official Airport Link Line guide and airport service information to check the relevant direction. An airport-to-airport train running time does not include flight formalities, waiting, walking or railway boarding. Plan these steps separately and review your airline or ticket seller's deadlines before choosing a tight connection.
Flight to train: work backward from the railway departure
Build your connection from separate steps: flight arrival and disembarkation, immigration if applicable, baggage collection, airport-to-station travel, walking to departures, railway identity and security checks, and reaching the boarding gate before it closes. Add room for delays; airport rail running time alone does not cover this sequence.
- Identify the arrival airport and terminal from your flight itinerary.
- Choose the matching transfer described above and check its operating hours for your arrival date.
- Check the train’s exact departure station, date and boarding cutoff.
- Review the original seller’s change terms and consider a later departure if a delay would make the plan impractical.
An airport transfer and a separately booked railway ticket do not by themselves establish a protected connection. If you are planning the full intercity trip, see the Beijing–Shanghai journey guide.
Boarding at Hongqiao
- Check that your ticket is issued for 上海虹桥, with the correct date and train.
- For a first visit, plan around 60 minutes at the railway entrance before departure; add time at holidays or if you need assistance.
- Keep the original booking document available and complete entry and security checks.
- Locate your train number and current gate on the departure display. Platforms and gates can change.
- Reach the gate before the posted closing time, then follow the platform and carriage signs.
See the full boarding process for passport and e-ticket details.
Arriving and choosing onward transport
After exit checks, follow signs for metro, official taxi queues or your designated ride-hailing pickup. Confirm the pickup location in the app before walking to it. Check late-night transport before travel rather than relying on occasional holiday extensions.
For onward rail journeys, compare station choices in the Hangzhou, Suzhou and Nanjing guides. These city pairs can involve different station combinations.
Sources and current travel checks
Core facts checked on 11 October 2026. Timetables, fares, transport hours and service arrangements should be checked again for your travel date.
- Shanghai Government: guide to railway stations
- Shanghai Airport: Hongqiao rail transport
- Shanghai Government: Airport Link Line guide
Editorial comparison and planning checklists added on 28 October 2026. Linked official transport references were rechecked for these additions. Live fares, operating hours and connection availability must be checked for the travel date.
