So on the Shanghai Maglev offical page, the timetable indicates that the train only runs at top speed at certain times during the middle of the day. Specifically, it appears that heading from the airport into Shanghai, it doesn't begin running at 430km/h until 9:02am, before that it only runs at 300km/h. Now, to my knowledge the fastest high-speed trains in Europe regularly run at 300km/h (186mph IIRC), such as the TGV and the Eurostar. Taking the Maglev at 300km/h is kind of "been there, done that" for me and maybe not even worth it.

Now, my flight arrives at 8am and I'll likely not be checking bags, so I'm guessing I can probably be out of customs around 8:30-8:45am.

So, my first question: is it worth waiting 15-30 minutes to get on one of the higher-speed trains, primarily for the thrill? Or is the difference in "experience" not really noticeable?

And I guess my second question is why does the train run slower in the early mornings and the late afternoons/evenings?

Thanks.

The duration of max. speed is pitfully short - maybe 40 secs IIRC. That said, the Shanghai maglev at 430kph feels nothing at all like an ICE at 300kph or an aircraft at 900kph. There's lots of sharp side to side movements and low frequency noise. Depending on your final destination the maglev may be a reasonable solution, but for many it's just a novelty because they need to get into a taxi to continue a journey. In which case, wait for 430kph or don't bother at all, IMO.

The one time I road it was at night. Didn't get much of a thrill, probably because there was little reference of the outside.

This Shanghai blogger has been writing about the maglev from day one and has lots of info.

http://home.wangjianshuo.com/archives/maglev.htm

The feasibility of a maglev ride depends a lot on two things:

1) Where in Shanghai or elsewhere are you going?

2) Is transfer to the subway acceptable for continuing the journey?

Traffic jams can turn up very quickly on the airport roads due to accidents etc. so there is a time factor involved as well.

Primarily going for the novelty. I like trains and I like speed. Staying at the Shangri-La Pudong so it shouldn't be that difficult to just transfer to the metro and go a few more stops.

I ride the maglev regularly at different times of day and have to say i don't notice much difference at the different speeds. The ride is so short anyway and it will only max out for a minute or so on the straight stretch.
The only reason i can think of for the slower speed at night is the burden to the residential areas it passes through. Though i can't imagine there is much of a difference whether it's 300 or 440 kph. Could also be there are less passengers taking it at night so no reason to have the trains running faster, thus more often.

If i were in your shoes and it'd be the first and only time to ride the maglev i'd just wait the extra few minutes, grab a coffee and then ride the fast version. And i'd catch a cab from the main road and not from the cab line at the Longyang station, less chance of getting screwed by the driver. Shangri-la hotel should be a 20 minute ride, maybe more since you're there in the morning rush hour. Pay no more than 30-40 RMB.

It really isn't that "thrilling" a ride. I read somewhere that "everything get blurry" but I didn't find that true at all. It's just a very fast train (for a short period of time). Once for me was probably enough.

Second this opinion.

So I killed about 15 minutes waiting around the airport and changing currency so I could get on the 9am 430km/h departure. I thought the ride was pretty cool. Not sure how much "better" it would have been vs. the 300km/h trip, though I may get to compare if i decide to take the Maglev back to the airport later this week as i think that trip will be early evening when the train might run slower.

Relatively easy to get to Shangri-La by metro.

Surprised how hot and humid and hazy it still is here...

When I rode it, I wondered if the speed indicator was honest. No reason it shouldn't be except -- it is China!

I have begun to use the Maglev regularly since long distance bus services from Pudong were cut.

Much prefer to take the Maglev & cab Longyang Rd. to station & CRH train in 1st to neighbouring cities to a Shanghai cabbie with no idea of directions in Hangzhou or Kunshan/Suzhou. (Well, GPS usage is making this better)

[QUOTE=ijgordon;10389378]primarily for the thrillQUOTE]

Where else can you ride Maglev? We usually get to the airport early for our outbound flight via hotel car, get rid our bags and ride roundtrip from PVG just for the fun. Once we get to the other end, we show our return tickets to the attendent and stayed on the same train coming back to PVG.

Try to sit on the side so you can see the opposite Maglev fly by you. Coach seat will get you the same thrill as buying first. Still hopeful one day this will connects to PEK......

Hahaha... I rode the Maglev at Expo '85 outside Tokyo in 1985, so there's no urge for me to ride the one in Shanghai.

Hmmm, that's interesting. First, you'd THINK there'd be GPS usage in Chinese cabs, but I've never seen it. Must be a new thing.

Second, there must be some truth to my theory that the Chinese are TERRIBLE with map/navigation skills. I wonder why this is. Do the Chinese not use maps? I've had crazy situations where I show Chinese drivers (both taxi and private) maps with both English and Chinese text and they seem totally clueless about what I'm showing them. Last month, I had a driver unable to find a restaurant for me even though I had the name and street address in Chinese, along with a map clearly showing where the restaurant was (on a main street near the railway station, also clearly marked). I often keep a city map out so I can help the drivers find their way.

I once was in a not so obscure town going to a not so obscure address.
The taxi driver was on the cell phone to the people who I was going to see
and still couldn't find the place. He pulled over and asked 4 people on the street and each pointed a different direction. Then a guy on a motorcycle
said he knew where it was and he would charge 20RMB to follow him there.
Negotiated down to 5RMB and got there in about 2 minutes.

As expressed in Animal House by Farber College’s motto: “Knowledge is good.”