Most people take taxis to leave the airport. Since Hong Qiao airport is much nearer to the downtown area of the city, the taxi fee is typically less than 100 RMB (12 USD). If you are at Pudong Airport, it is another story. I would like to recommend you to catch airport buses instead.
The terminal building of the Hong Qiao airport has a "L" shape.
See the picture on the left (Image Credit:
GlobalSecurity.org) There are two
buildings with a rectangle with each other. The Arrival Exit A and B are located
on each of the two building. The taxi station is at the corner of the "L",
outside the Arrival Exit A.
Find the Taxi Queue
If you arrive at Exit A, go directly ahead and go through gate 1 or 2. The taxi queuing facility is right there. If you arrive at Exit B, turn left (follow the taxi sign there) to the queue.
The dispatcher at the taxi station will ask you about your destination. It is to judge which taxi he/she should dispatch to you. After you get on to the taxi, it follows the rule of any taxi in Shanghai. Read my articles on Shanghai taxi for price structure and tips.
Tip 1: There is an additional 15 RMB pass fee when you leave the
airport in addition to the fee on the meter. The taxi driver should give you the
receipt and ask you to pay the 15 RMB. Go ahead to pay them and don't need to
argue since by rule, the passenger should pay for it. But don't pay any other
fees the taxi drivers ask you to pay (without a receipt).
Tip 2: Please be aware that any taxi driver picking up you must has
been waiting in queue for hours (two hours at least). So they may feel bad if
you goes to a very near place (let's say, Hong Qiao area, which is about 20 RMB
for them). Most taxi drivers are professional and they don't complain, but do
understand the story behind if they appears unpleasant. The airport has shown
some effort by setting a "too-near-route" taxi queue. If you goes to nearby area
of Hong Qiao Airport, you should take the special taxi. They don't needs to wait
in the horribly long queue but they can only make less than 13 RMB for each
trip. The dispatcher there just checks whether you are too near for the taxi in
the long queue.
Special taxi queue to serve short distance passengers.
© Copyright 2002 Jian Shuo Wang. All right reserved.