Hi - I am traveling to Shanghai in 2 weeks and am a bit concerned about getting ripped off while taking a taxi from the Shanghai airport (PVG) to our hotel (the Ritz). How much should it cost and do I need to arrange for a taxi ahead of time?

There is a taxi line in front of the terminal -- you can't miss it. Do not accept rides from the touts inside the terminal who offer to help you. I do not remember the fare, but it was not very expensive. However, I do remember that the driver spoke absolutely no English and was not familiar with my hotel because it had recently changed names. Fortunately, I spoke a little Mandarin and we made out okay. Be sure to have the hotel's name and address written in Chinese characters for the taxi driver. You can usually get that from the hotel's website or from some guide books.

Hi Danek:

Cabs or should I say drivers are pretty honest in Shnaghai!

I found the rate about 200rmb/w tip from my Hotel (Galaxy) to Pudong airport

Anyway once you get in front of the Hotel the doorman will 'Help" with any discrpencies!!

JOHN

Thanks for the tip OJudy - i have been hearing to make sure we have the hotel's name and address written in Chinese characters for taxi drivers alot.

I be,ieve there is a Mag Lev train from the airport to downtown. This is the state of the art in train travel- only a few of these in operation in the world- check it out!

After a long trip over from New York, all we'll want to do it get into a cab and fall asleep...

The Maglev doesn't go downtown. One still need to take a taxi, or the subway from the Maglev terminal to anywhere.

Shanghai cab drivers are generally very honest so I would not be concerned about getting ripped off. Just take one from the official queue.

And yes rkkwan is right about the maglev, it doesn't terminate anywhere near civilization Not to mention it has very limited operating hours, something like 8am to 5pm. But if you want to take it back to PVG so you can say you've ridden the world's only commercially operating maglev, there's a line 2 metro station not far from the Portman which will take you directly to Longyang station (about 9-10 stops) where you can pick up the maglev (departs every 15 minutes or so) to PVG.

Too bad about the Maglev not going downtown- what were the planners thinking ?

When we arrived in Shanghai we took the maglev for the experience and then cabbed it from Long Yang station. I believe it's a trial to allow the government to evaluate longer runs - Shanghai-Beijing (1400 km) has been mentioned. The fare was Y50 with our air tickets, about US$6.

The cab fare into the city centre should be no more than Y150, US$18.

Tipping is NOT practiced by the Chinese. Cabbies certainly don't expect to be tipped.

I had a fantastic cab experience in Shanghai and in general find the cab drivers there very honest. Basically, I left my camera in the cab. All I had to do was call the cab centre (number on the receipt - receipts are compulsory there and very useful indeed), gave the operator all the necessary information (e.g. where I boarded, where I was dropped off, my receipt number, the total cab fare, cab license plate etc - all printed on receipt) and within 10 minutes, I got my camera back from the driver.

But as others have noted, the drivers don't speak English. And don't forget that receipt!

Thanks for all the helpful advice

To the centre of Shanghai from Pudong Airport, it will cost about 150 RMB (about 20 dollars). Just make sure that the taxi driver starts the meter and it'll be fine.