The Shanghai Maglev train (上海磁浮示范运营线) is the world’s fastest commercial passenger train, hitting 431 km/h (268 mph) on its 30-kilometre run between Pudong International Airport and Longyang Road station. For railway enthusiasts and tech-curious travelers, riding the Maglev is one of Shanghai’s most thrilling 7-minute experiences. This 2026 guide covers ticket prices, platform locations, schedules, exactly what the ride feels like, and how to combine it with onward metro travel into central Shanghai.
Table of Contents
- What Is the Maglev?
- Key Facts & Speed
- Tickets & Prices
- Schedule & Frequency
- Stations & Onward Connections
- What the Ride Is Like
- Is It Worth It?
- Maglev vs Metro Line 2
- Tips for Visitors
- FAQ
What Is the Maglev?
“Maglev” stands for magnetic levitation. Instead of running on rails, the train floats 1 cm above a guideway using powerful electromagnets. Electromagnetic propulsion accelerates the train to 431 km/h with no friction loss. Shanghai’s Maglev opened to the public on December 31, 2002, making it the world’s first commercial high-speed Maglev. Despite ambitious plans for expansion, the line remains the only one of its kind globally — for now.
Key Facts & Speed
- Top speed: 431 km/h / 268 mph (during peak daytime hours); 300 km/h before 9am and after 4pm
- Length: 30 km / 18 miles
- Travel time: 7 minutes 20 seconds end-to-end
- Built: 2002 (Chinese-German joint venture with Transrapid)
- Power: All electric, 25 MW peak
- Carrying capacity: 459 passengers per train
- Track: Single elevated guideway, two tracks
Tickets & Prices
Tickets are sold at counters at both Maglev stations. Cash, Alipay, and WeChat Pay all accepted. International credit cards work at the desk if you ask.
- Standard one-way: ¥50
- VIP one-way: ¥100 (front seats with legroom; speedometer in your face)
- Round-trip: ¥80 standard, ¥160 VIP
- With same-day air ticket: ¥40 standard (show boarding pass at counter)
- Children under 1.2m: Free with paying adult
- Children 1.2–1.5m: Half price
Tickets cannot be reserved in advance — buy at the counter. Queues are typically 5–10 minutes; longer at peak commute hours.
Schedule & Frequency
The Maglev operates daily from 6:45am to 9:42pm. Trains depart every 15–20 minutes:
- 6:45am – 8:50am – 300 km/h max; every 20 min
- 8:50am – 4:00pm – 431 km/h max; every 15 min
- 4:00pm – 9:42pm – 300 km/h max; every 20 min
For maximum speed, ride between 9am and 4pm. The displayed speedometer in each carriage hits the headline 431 km/h only during the peak window.
Stations & Onward Connections
The Maglev has just two stations:
Pudong International Airport (PVG)
The Maglev station is in the basement of Terminal 2, well-signed in English, an easy 5-minute walk from arrivals. From Terminal 1, take the inter-terminal shuttle (10 minutes) and continue to T2.
Longyang Road Station (龙阳路)
This is the Pudong terminus, NOT central Shanghai. From Longyang Road, take Metro Line 2, 7, 16, or 18 to reach your hotel:
- Line 2 west to Lujiazui, Nanjing East Road (Bund), People’s Square — 25–35 minutes
- Line 7 to Jing’an Temple, Longhua, Hongqiao — 30–45 minutes
- Line 16 to Lingang (theme parks, beaches) — 45 minutes
From Pudong Airport to People’s Square: Maglev (8 min) + Metro Line 2 (35 min) + 5 min wait = ~50 minutes total. Compare to a direct Metro Line 2 ride from PVG to People’s Square: ~80 minutes. Or taxi: 50–70 minutes / ¥180–250 depending on traffic.
What the Ride Is Like
The cabin feels like a slightly rounder, smoother version of a Japanese Shinkansen. Boarding is from an airport-style departure platform — no security check beyond a basic bag X-ray. Once seated, you can feel the gentle lift of the train rising 1 cm onto the magnetic field; there’s almost no clack-clack of wheels because there are no wheels. The acceleration is immediate but smooth — passengers’ phones often slide on tray tables.
The digital speedometer at the front of each car climbs:
- 1 minute: 200 km/h
- 2 minutes: 300 km/h
- 3 minutes: 400 km/h
- 3.5 minutes: peak 431 km/h
- 4 minutes: held at 431
- 5 minutes onward: deceleration begins
The view out the window is mostly Pudong’s flat suburban industrial sprawl — but at 430 km/h, it streams past in a blur that’s mesmerising in itself. Two trains crossing at full speed is a heart-stopping moment — combined closing speed of 862 km/h, gone in a blink.
Is It Worth It?
Yes, if:
- You’re a railway/tech enthusiast — this is a unique-on-Earth experience.
- You’re flying out of Pudong with luggage and want a fast, smooth airport transfer.
- You have an extra hour and want a memorable Shanghai add-on.
- You’re a family with kids who’ll love the speed.
Probably not, if:
- You’re on a tight budget — Metro Line 2 covers the same airport route for ¥7.
- You’re staying near Hongqiao — the Maglev only runs to/from Pudong Airport.
- You get motion sickness easily — the gentle accel/decel is fine for most, but very motion-sensitive passengers may notice it.
Maglev vs Metro Line 2
For Pudong Airport-to-city travel, you have three real options:
- Maglev + Metro Line 2: 50 min total, ¥7 (metro) + ¥50 (maglev) = ¥57
- Metro Line 2 direct: 80 min total, ¥7
- Taxi: 50–70 min, ¥180–250
Maglev wins if you want speed and novelty. Metro Line 2 direct wins on cost. Taxi wins if you have heavy bags and several travelers splitting the fare.
For the full PVG-to-city comparison, see our Pudong Airport to city centre guide.
Tips for Visitors
- Sit on the right side facing direction of travel for best Pudong skyline glimpses
- Pre-9am and post-4pm rides hit only 300 km/h — middle of the day is the headline-speed experience
- Luggage racks are at the front and rear of each carriage; one suitcase per seat is fine
- Restrooms onboard, but use them at the station — the trip is too short to need them
- Bring a valid ID — passport accepted at all turnstiles
- The “Maglev Museum” at Longyang Road station is free and has the original prototype models — worth 15 minutes if you have time
- Photography is allowed; tripods are not
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the top speed of the Shanghai Maglev?
431 km/h (268 mph) during peak daytime hours, making it the world’s fastest commercial passenger train.
How long does the Shanghai Maglev take?
7 minutes 20 seconds end-to-end between Pudong Airport and Longyang Road, regardless of speed mode.
How much is a Shanghai Maglev ticket?
¥50 standard one-way, ¥100 VIP, ¥40 with same-day air ticket. Round trips ¥80/¥160. Children under 1.2m free.
Where does the Shanghai Maglev go?
Only between Pudong International Airport (PVG) and Longyang Road Station in Pudong. It does not enter central Shanghai or reach Hongqiao.
Is the Shanghai Maglev faster than Metro Line 2?
Vastly — Metro Line 2 covers the same route in ~70 min vs Maglev’s 7 min, plus a metro transfer at Longyang Road of ~30 min for the city centre.
Does the Maglev get to Hongqiao Airport?
No — only Pudong Airport. For Hongqiao, use Metro Line 2 or Line 10.
Is the Shanghai Maglev safe?
Yes — 20+ years of operation with zero passenger casualties. The magnetic-levitation technology has multiple redundant systems.
Can I bring luggage on the Maglev?
Yes — there are luggage racks at each end of every carriage, suitable for one large suitcase per passenger.
Plan Your Airport Transfer
Combine the Maglev with our getting around Shanghai pillar, our PVG to city guide, and our Shanghai metro guide.
Further reading: Shanghai Maglev on Wikipedia.