So just an update on my return trip to the airport. Ended up taking taxi from Shangri-La Pudong to Maglev station. Doorman said it would take 30 minutes (this was just before 5pm on a Tuesday). I tried to back out and just take the subway but he said he had already called the cab over. Lo and behold it took exactly 30 minutes (based on the receipt). The problem was a handful of verrrryyyy long traffic signals, particularly turning left onto Longyang road.

And apparently the Maglev faster speeds end around 5pm which is kind of silly because that's when one would be more likely to want to take it, after work, to beat rush-hour traffic. I will say the 300km/h speed was quite anticlimactic after the inbound trip. I'm glad I waited for the faster train a few days earlier.

I foolishly took first class (round trip). While it was nice to have the entire cabin practically to myself, the first class car is not conveniently located for travel in either direction. At least Super Class on the Macau ferries lets you off first (and the premium is less and the ride is much longer).