Longyang Road Station is a major transport hub in Pudong, Shanghai, serving as an interchange for Shanghai Metro Lines 2, 7, 16 and 18 and the Shanghai Maglev Train.
The station opened with Line 2 in 1999 and later became the Maglev terminus in 2002, growing into Shanghai’s only five-line interchange when Line 18 opened in 2021.
Longyang Road links downtown Shanghai with Pudong International Airport via the maglev and offers one of the fastest airport transfer options in the world.
Why Longyang Road matters
- Rapid airport access: the Maglev runs between Longyang Road and Pudong Airport in about 8 minutes at commercial speeds up to 431 km/h.
- High connectivity: direct metro links take you to Lujiazui, Century Park, People’s Square and beyond without leaving the station complex.
- Transit hub for Pudong: Longyang Road is a logical transfer point for travelers connecting between suburban lines and the central business districts of Pudong and Puxi.
Getting to and from Longyang Road
By maglev
Take the Shanghai Maglev from Longyang Road to Pudong International Airport.
The journey covers roughly 30 km in under 8 minutes, with commercial top speed around 431 km/h; timetables and fares vary by class (ordinary and VIP).
By metro
- Line 2: east–west artery linking Hongqiao and Pudong Airport; Longyang Road is near the eastern section and connects to Century Park and Lujiazui.
- Line 7: local east Pudong service with Longyang Road as a major node for suburban areas.
- Line 16: serves suburban and coastal areas including Dishui Lake; express and direct services operate from Longyang Road’s elevated platforms.
- Line 18: newest connection adding north–south capacity in Pudong, completing the station’s five-line status in 2021.
Practical tip: Line 2 trains from People’s Square to Longyang Road take about 16 minutes; a metro ride remains the cheapest option to/from central Shanghai.
Station layout and transfer times
Longyang Road’s structure is a mix of underground and elevated platforms: Lines 2, 7 and 18 are underground while Line 16 and the Maglev run on elevated structures.
The station is arranged north-to-south as Line 7 → Line 2 → Maglev → Line 16 → Line 18, which influences walking routes during transfers.
- Typical transfer: Line 7 → Line 2 — about 3 minutes.
- Line 2 → Line 16 (west end) — roughly 3.5 minutes.
- Line 2 → Line 18 (south end) — about 1 minute 45 seconds.
- Transfers may include mono-directional passages and station halls, so allow 5–10 minutes for complex transfers during peak hours.
Facilities and services
Longyang Road Station offers standard metro amenities: ticket machines and counters, restrooms, escalators and elevators for accessibility, commercial kiosks and clear signage in Chinese and English.
The Maglev section has a separate fare zone and ticketing from the metro, so plan for an extra step if transferring between systems.
Maglev specifics: timetable, fares and boarding
- First/last trains and frequency: maglev services operate roughly from early morning to late evening, with intervals that vary between peak and off-peak windows; passengers are advised to arrive at least five minutes before departure and keep ticket stubs until exit.
- Ticketing: ordinary and VIP classes; round-trip discounts and single-trip prices are published at ticket offices on the maglev concourse.
- Boarding: Maglev boarding is on an elevated platform; passengers must pass through a separate ticket gate and follow the attendants’ instructions.
Nearby attractions and why to visit
- Century Park — large urban park ideal for walking, picnics and seasonal events, about 1.3 km northwest of Longyang Road.
- Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC) — major exhibition venue located along Longyang Road, convenient for trade show attendees.
- Pudong skyline (Lujiazui) — reachable quickly via Line 2 for skyscraper views at the Oriental Pearl, Jin Mao Tower and Shanghai Tower.
- Maglev Museum — exhibits about the maglev technology and history located close to Longyang Road for tech-curious visitors.
Tripadvisor lists hundreds of attractions and experiences reachable from Longyang Road, making the area a practical starting point for business travelers and visitors attending conventions nearby.
Practical travel tips
- Separate fares: the Maglev uses a different fare system — buy maglev tickets separately from metro tickets at the maglev ticket center on the second floor of the maglev concourse.
- Ticket discounts: flight passengers sometimes get same-day discounts on maglev tickets with proof of flight; check counters for promotions.
- Peak times: like any major interchange, Longyang Road is busiest during morning and evening commuting peaks; allow extra time for transfers and ticketing during trade shows at SNIEC.
- Luggage and accessibility: elevators and escalators are available, but long transfer corridors mean travelers with heavy luggage should allow extra walking time; taxis are readily available outside the station if preferred.
How Longyang Road compares to other airport options
- Maglev vs. Line 2 to Pudong Airport: maglev is the fastest single transport mode (8 minutes), but costs more and requires an extra ticket; Line 2 is cheaper and provides direct metro access to many city stops though it takes longer than the maglev route to the airport terminals.
- Taxi vs. transit: taxis are a quick door-to-door alternative (typically ~12 minutes from central Shanghai areas under light traffic), but fares will be higher than metro options.
Best itineraries using Longyang Road
Business travelers to SNIEC
- Exit maglev or Line 2 at Longyang Road.
- Walk or take a short taxi ride to SNIEC on Longyang Road; arrive earlier to avoid crowds during conventions.
Tourists heading to Lujiazui / Bund
- Take Line 2 westbound from Longyang Road to Lujiazui (a short metro ride).
- Walk inland for observatories, or change lines to reach People’s Square and the Bund for riverside promenades.
Airport transfers
- Fastest: Maglev Longyang Road → Pudong Airport (8 minutes), then walk to terminals via airport links.
- Budget: Line 2 Longyang Road → Pudong Airport station (on Line 2) — one ticket, lower cost, slightly longer travel time.
Safety and etiquette
- Keep personal items in sight and be mindful during peak hours.
- Queue in marked areas for maglev and metro boarding, and follow platform safety lines.
- Have your transport card (e.g., Shanghai Public Transportation Card) or cash/cards ready for ticket machines during busy times.
Table — quick reference
| Item | Key info | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Lines served | Lines 2, 7, 16, 18; Shanghai Maglev | Central interchange connecting Pudong and airport |
| Maglev travel time | ~8 minutes to Pudong Airport | Fastest airport link in Shanghai |
| Station structure | Underground (2,7,18) + Elevated (16,Maglev) | Affects transfer routes and walking time |
| Opened | Line 2: 1999; Maglev: 2002; Line 18 added 2021 | Station evolved into major interchange |
| Nearby | Century Park, SNIEC, Lujiazui | Useful for leisure and business travelers |
Frequently asked questions
Is Longyang Road the maglev station?
Yes, Longyang Road is the maglev’s western terminus and the main boarding point for travelers heading to Pudong Airport on the maglev line.
Can I use the same ticket for maglev and metro?
No, the maglev operates a separate fare and ticketing system; purchase maglev tickets at the maglev ticket center.
How long does it take to transfer between lines?
Simple transfers (e.g., Line 7 to Line 2) can average about 3 minutes, but the entire station spans multiple halls and elevated sections so plan 5–10 minutes for more complex transfers.
Is Longyang Road convenient for SNIEC?
Yes, SNIEC sits along Longyang Road and many convention attendees alight at Longyang Road Station for short transfers to the exhibition center.
Useful links and resources
- Longyang Road Station — Wikipedia for station history and layout details: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Longyang_Road_Station.
- Shanghai Maglev Train — official guides and practical boarding info: https://www.chinahighlights.com/shanghai/transportation/maglev-train.htm.
- Shanghai Metro Line 2 — route, timetable and transfer list: https://www.travelchinaguide.com/cityguides/shanghai/transportation/subway-line2.htm.
- Local attractions near Longyang Road — Tripadvisor listings: https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionsNear-g308272-d9579158-Longyang_Road-Shanghai.html.
- Station map and overview — MetroLineMap: https://www.metrolinemap.com/station/shanghai/longyang-road/.
Final notes for planning
Longyang Road Station is a uniquely strategic hub for travelers using Pudong’s transport network.
For fast airport transfers use the maglev; for cost-effective and direct city travel use Line 2. Allow extra time for transfers inside the station, especially during conventions at SNIEC or rush hours.
Keep maglev and metro tickets separate, and use the station as a practical gateway between Pudong’s business districts and Shanghai’s central attractions.
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