The Shanghai International Circuit is located in the Jiading district, about 35km to the north of downtown Shanghai, and an easy daily commute on the city’s public transport for visitors to the Grand Prix.
Arrival in Shanghai for the Chinese Grand Prix
Shanghai is serviced by two major airports – Hong Qiao (SHA), which is largely for domestic flights and Shanghai Pudong (PVG), where most international visitors arrive.
Skyscanner’s powerful search tools help to uncover the cheapest routes and the best flight deals. Set price alerts to get deals when they drop, or use the monthly chart view to find the best time to book.
Getting around in Shanghai, going to the Grand Prix and transport to the Airport
Walking around in the city centre is easy, but distances are vast and you will find yourself using public transport at some stage even if it’s just for getting to and from the circuit. The metro is convenient and comfortable for longer distances while taxis are a good way to traverse parts of the city not covered by the metro lines.
Pick up a Shanghai Jiaotong Card at a metro station or convenience store, top it up, and never bother waiting in line for a ticket or fumbling around for cash. The card can be used on the metro, in buses and in taxis and when you leave you can return your card and get back whatever you didn’t spend.
Shanghai Maglev Train
Getting from the airport to your hotel in Shanghai is as easy as hopping on the metro, an airport shuttle bus or an affordable taxi. My advice though is to shun all that mundane stuff and instead opt for the high-speed Maglev train.
One of the pricier options, though still very affordable – the high-speed train is an experience in itself and generally the fastest choice for getting into Shanghai.
The Shanghai Maglev uses powerful magnets that allow the train to levitate, avoiding friction and making it the fastest passenger train in the world, hitting a top speed of 431 km/h (267 mph).
The Maglev station is located between terminals 1 and 2 at the airport, where tickets can be purchased for services departing every 15 minutes between 6:45 am and 9:30 pm. The cost of a one-way ticket is 50RMB or 80RMB for a return.
After a 25-minute journey, the train terminates at Longyang Road Station where you can continue on the metro (line 2, 7 or 16) or take a taxi.
Getting around on Shanghai’s Metro is easy. The system is modern, clean and very cheap, costing between 3 and 9 RMB depending on the length of your journey. Keep in mind if you’re using the metro a lot that the system only operates from 6.30 am to 9 pm.
to the Grand Prix
Shanghai’s Metro Line 11 stops at the Shanghai Circuit station – a short walk to the entrance of the circuit. Trains on line 11 terminate at either Huaqiao or North Jiading so check before you board the train that it is destined for Huaqiao or change to the correct train at Jiading Xincheng.
to the Airport
Slower than the Maglev, but also cheaper, you can take the metro from the airport to central Shanghai. Metro line 2 (green line) crosses central Shanghai and continues to Hong Qiao Airport.
Taxi & Rideshare
There may not be a great tradition of Chinese F1 drivers but most taxi drivers in Shanghai drive like they’re auditioning.
Taxis in Shanghai are affordable and usually run on a meter. Be advised that most drivers won’t speak much English. If you don’t speak Shanghainese or Mandarin, it’s best to have someone at your hotel write down the destination for the driver.
Sometimes its easier to just use an app and avoid any confusion. There’s no Uber or Grab in Shanghai, but there is DiDi whose Apple and Android apps are available in English.
to the Grand Prix
If you plan to use a taxi to get to the Grand Prix, make sure you use an official, licensed taxi as they are the only ones allowed near the circuit.
to the Airport
The trip will take about an hour in normal traffic and cost about 160RMB for a taxi, and a bit more between night time hours of 11 pm to 5 am.
Walking
Central parts of Shanghai are very walkable. Other parts of the city fall somewhere between tedious and daunting as you negotiate obstructed pavements, busy roads and mindless driving.
Be cautious crossing major roads where often there will be no pedestrian crossing. Even where there is, don’t assume that having the right of way will mean that cars will actually stop for you.
I’m Danny, an incurable Formula 1 fan for over 35 years and founder of The F1 Spectator. My aim is to inform and inspire, arming you with helpful tips and advice for your next F1 trip.
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