Several weeks ago, prompted by the Maglev utility debate, I proposed that we create a thread to compare real experiences getting to/from PVG. I just arrived in Shanghai this evening and am pleased to kick things off. Going forward, I see no reason to limit the scope to PVG because there are lots of clever ways to beat Shanghai traffic and/or overcome taxi droughts (e.g. Bund Tourist Tunnel).

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Here is a spreadsheet containing data current through today. Thanks for hosting it, mnredfox.

Summary of results:

Taxi: 46 minutes; average fare y156
Maglev + taxi: 55 minutes; average fare y70 (Andrew didn't actually report costs so this is an educated guess
Maglev + subway: 73 minutes; average fare y45
Subway: 90 minutes; average fare y7

Notes about the methodology:

-I used baggage claim or "cleared customs" as the start times. In a few cases, people didn't report this so I added 2 minutes to "left airplane", a bit aggressive perhaps, but I'm pretty sure those were domestic arrivals
-I used trips from the airport only because: 1) we don't have much data in the other direction; and 2) to/from aren't directly comparable
-different destinations are obviously different distances from the airport, but I'm not so concerned about this because we have a very nice balance of close and far places; furthermore, Andrew's best Jing'an time is better than Sniles' best Lujiazui time, and even "i'm lovin' it's" Gubei times are pretty competitive
-Some of the taxi data points are from low traffic times, which might lead people to question their accuracy; on the other hand, the rush hour taxis also performed admirably

I wish one of you guys would try out my favorite bus some time (I rarely fly to PVG these days) so we can see how it stacks up. My prediction is that bus + taxi will come in behind the taxi, but ahead of Maglev + taxi.



I must admit that I'm impressed by the overall performance of the taxis. I had no idea they would emerge as such a clear winner when I started this thread.
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March 4, 2015 addition: Where to find the #2 bus when going to PVG.

-the beige building on the left side of the picture is 久光.
-just walk into the structure, as shown, and you'll see the buses 25 meters ahead