A lot of people are asking me about how to go to Suzhou from Shanghai Pudong International Airport. My previous answer was “Go to Shanghai Railway Station and go by train”.
It is not a perfect solution, since the railway station is always the worst and confusing place in China. By worst, I mean it is crowded with all kinds of people – dirty passengers from various areas mixed with thiefs and bad guys. It is confusing because it is always hard to find the ticket counter and even harder to locate the gate to get aboard of train. This is almost mission impossible for a foreigner.
Today, I realized there is an alternative way. Obviously, this is a pleasant way.
Hong Qiao Airport as transition station
You can take Airport bus No. 1 to Hong Qiao Airport. See more in this blog entry.
Go to Suzhou by bus
Almost on the same stop is the stop for Suzhou. There are one bus leaving for Suzhou every hour from 10:00 to 20:00 (10:00, 11:00, 12:00, …, 20:00)
It SHOULD be a nice trip
Since the buses will take the route via the Shanghai-Nanjing Highway, it should be very fast (about 1 hour) to get to Suzhou.
Resources
- All airport bus lines
- Pudong Airport (PVGSite)
- Pictures of Airport Buses
p.s. I returned from Luoyang to Shanghai today via MU5382
Update: There is direct bus to Suzhou and Pudong Airport June 12, 2004
See this post for more information: PVG: Buses to Hangzhou, Suzhou.
Updated Latest Bus Information September 22, 2004
Here is the updated information of the bus to nearby cities.
Hangzhou 100 RMB 1030 1200 1330 1530 1730 1930
Qing Tian 青田 192 RMB 1310
Kun Shan (via Hong Qiao Airport) 76RMB 1130 1230 1330 1430 1530 1630 1730 1830 1930
Suzhou (via Hong Qiao Airport) 82RMB 1050 1150 1250 1350 1440 1520 1610 1650 1750 1850
Wuxi (via Hong Qiao Airport) 100 RMB 1120 1220 1320 1420 1520 1620 1720 1820
Zhangjiagang (via Hong Qiao Airport) 110 RMB 1140 1250 1440 1540 1740
Nanjing (via Hong Qiao Airport) 122 RMB 1120 1320 1510 1640 1840
If there is any conflict between this table to other time table, this one should be more accurate since I recorded the time table from the poster of the ticket office at Pudong Airport for my visitors.
Does Shanghai-Nanjing bus stop in ZhenJiang? Many Thanks! – Xinqun
I believe not since most buses are using the highway for the destination. Stop at Zhenjiang needs to get off the expressway to the city and may takes 1 more hour, so it may be impossible.
Hi, Friend:
How to get Hangzhou from PuDong airport? Is it convenient to take train to Hangzhou? How much it will cost if taking taxi? THank you in advance.
Tom
The answer is here:
http://home.wangjianshuo.com/archives/20030830_pvg_from_pudong_airport_to_hangzhou.htm
Hi Jian Shou,
I will be visiting Shanghai from 10-17 December this year. There are a few things I like to consult you.
1) What will the weather be like during this period?
2) What type of clothing do I need?
3) I like to take one-day trip to Suzhou, Wuxi and Hangzhou on separate day. What is the best way and time to do it? I do not mind going off early in the morning and returning at night to and fro Shanghai. I have accommodation at Shanghai but no guide. If one day is not enough, I do not mind staying over for one night and how do I get accommodation? I want to take in some breath taking view of these places.
Your kind reply will be greatly appreciated.
Thanking you in advance,
Benjamin Ho
ben@home-fix.com
Singapore
For December, it is already very cold. However, the wheather of Shanghai is not that kind of whether in north region of China. It is like Seattle – very rainy in winter. It is very cold since the air is wet. However, wearing too much does not help. Typically, a sweater with a coat should do.
I suggest you to take plan one day for Suzhou (Huqin is a must see) and one day for Wuxi. For Hangzhou, definitely need one day.
Go there with train or bus – both are good.
From Pudong Airport to Suzhou by bus.
I’d like to know where in the Airport I can find the bus stop? Thanks.
Hi Jian Shou,
I’m going to SUzhou too in the first 2 weeks of December. May I know what is the range of temperature there? Not sure how much winter wear to bring.
Thank!
Check the weather report on MSN.com or Yahoo!
I think it is really cold here.
How can I go to Suzhou when I arrive in PVG after 21:00?
Thanks
I am afraid you cannot go there so late. It takes about 1 hour or more to go to Suzhou and buses may close. You can take taxi or train. For taxi, it is expensive.
Hi,
Do you have any up-to-date information about the bus service to Suzhou from Pudong Airport?
Regards
Evan Roche
Hi,
If my flight reaches Pudong Airport at 6am, in your opinion, what are the alternative ways to get to Suzhou without having to wait too long and spend too much? If I’m not wrong, the earliest airport bus leaves for Shanghai train station at 8am. Thanks.
Well. It seems to me the only choice you have is to take the bus. To take taxi, it is about 1000 RMB, which is 10+ times more expensive than bus. Since your flight arrives at 6 am, you may schedule 30-60 minutes to pass the custom and claim your luggage and you may not wait too long.
Hi,
I plan to visit Shanghai sometime in late August and would like to go to Suzhou and Hangzhou. When I land in Shanghai I will straightaway take a bus to Suzhou to stay for 2 days. But from Suzhou is there a bus service that goes directly to Hangzhou? Appreciate if you could give me the schedule. I plan to stay in Hangzhou for 2 days before returning to Shanghai.
What bus service can i take from Suzhou to shanghai Pudong Airport?
Hi,
I plan to go to Shanghai end of November and I am bringing a 4-year-old kid and a 60-year-old mother. It’s going to be our first trip to China. However, I do not know what kind of clothes to bring? Can you help?
I want to know how to go to Pudong Airport from Suzhou. I would prefer train or bus. Could you also please respond with the schedule of the buses and trains , if possible. I will be travelling on Sunday.
Thanks in advance.
Regards
I want to go to Shanghai in transit to Suzhou.
Which hotel in my list (Novotel Atlantis, Sofitel Jin Jiang Tower Pudong, Sofitel Hyland, Novotel Yuan Lin) is nearest to go to Suzhou at next day?
How to go this hotel?
How to go to Suzhou from this hotel?
T732 shanghai-suzhou 7:00-7:47
T706 9:00-9:48
T708 10:00-10:47
many train from shanghai railway station to suzhou.
shirley
Hi, I will be arriving Shanghai Pudong Airport on next Tues night around 7pm. Could you please advise how much approximately is the cost to travel from the airport to Suzhou by taxi, and how long will it take approximately around that time in the evening?
Is there a train that goes from the airport to Suzhou, and approx how much does it cost and how long will this take.
Thanks.
Peter.
I am reaching Pudong Airport on 7SEP around 3PM. I have to go to Zhenjiang.
Please guide me easy bus route which is available in between 5 and 7 pm. How much time does it take by bus and the charges??
Thank you very much for your kind help.
Regards,
Sajid
Dubai
sajid, check the schedule at http://home.wangjianshuo.com/archives/20040409_pvg_buses_to_hangzhou_suzhou.htm
Could you advice me what is the wheather from Nov onward , also seasons period .
It is still OK – not hot and not cold yet. After Dec, it will become very cold, so be careful!
dear wang,
i will be travelling with my daughther to shanghai onthe 17 nov. from Brunei. arriving around 3pm. will stay a night in suzhou before going to hangzhou. Will it be cold ? May i know where is the place to have good chinese dinner in suzhou? Thanks.
It is not very cold, but it is no longer summer. Prepare jacket for you and your daughter. I don’t have recommendation for Suzhou. Check with local people, like the hotel receiption.
i’m in shanghai at the moment. need to get to suzhou tomorrow and see a few customers, and then return back to PVG for my late flight (midnight). i will be renting a taxi for the day. i was thinking of 1500 as a good price for 8 hours of taxi service… shanghai-suzhou customer 1-suzhou customer 2-pudong airport.
is this an acceptable price?
Hi Mr Wang,
Can you tell me how to travel from ZhangJia Gang to Shanghai the fastest way by public transport and return from Shanghai. Let me know the earliest transport and last transport available for the day, I am new here and will shift from Suzhou to ZhangJiaGang next month.
Thank you and regards
bg
Hi
Some of my friends also was asking for train schedules and others, so I
just added the links at http://www.martin-kolinsky.com under Lifestyle and Travel.
regards
Martin
Hi Jian Shuo,
I will be travelling to Shanghai next month on free and easy. Will be arriving in PVG at 3pm, I am planning to go straight to Suzhou, is it advisable to take a bus to Hong Qiao and then another bus to Suzhou? Will it be too late? Any suggestion…Cheers!
You can take bus directly from Pudong Airport to Suzhou. Please refer to information on this blog.
Hey Liv!
I will be going to Suzhou too next month! I will be arriving at Shanghai Pudong airport on October 10th, at 4.55pm, and then going straight to Suzhou. When will you be arriving in Shanghai?
Anyway, I’ve checked the information online, and it seems that that’s the only best way to get to Suzhou (Bus to Hongqiao, and then transfer to another bus to Suzhou). It’s my first time to Suzhou, and I’m not sure if I’ll be able to make it on the buses, as by the time I arrive at PVG, it’ll most definitely be 5pm. I’m still giving it a shot though. Even if I do miss the buses, i’ll be able to take a taxi then.My company in Suzhou said it’s only RMB300 if they arranged it on my behalf. Although I really want to see the city lights at night :)
Cheers,
Tracy.
pls advise where from to board bus in suzhou for pudong airport direct
I will be travelling to shanghai pudong airport on the 4th JAN 2008 at Time flight landed 15.55 and then going to Suzhou.
This is my first trip to china and like few help from you.
1.Any map showing Bus route from shanghai to hongqiao then to suzhou.
2.Any map showing Suzhou Bus route to jiangsu Province.
Maybe,you given best advice from the time that my flight landed at 15:55.
You kind help is appreciated
I will be travelling to shanghai pudong airport on the 4th JAN 2008 at Time flight landed 15.55 and then going to Suzhou.
This is my first trip to china and like few help from you.
1.Any map showing Bus route from shanghai to hongqiao then to suzhou.
2.Any map showing Suzhou Bus route to jiangsu Province.
Maybe,you given best advice from the time that my flight landed at 15:55.
You kind help is appreciated
Hi,
I am travelling from Pudong airport to hangzhou . But I shall be landing at the airport at 23.00 hrs . can you suggest the best and cheapest possible way to go to Shanghai Railway Station at midnight for four people.
@nilisha, use the Airport shuttle. There is a line going there and it is available until the last flight arrives.
hi! do you know if there is a luggage depository in suzhou train station? thanks for your help!
hi sanjeev,
did u ever figured out where in suzhou one can board bus directly to shanghai pudong airport? thanks!
I would like to take cab from Suzhou to HangZhou airport, I would like to know the distant and fees. Kindly advice me???
Thanx!!
WHERE IS THE FAMOUS LARGE SHOPPING CENTER NEAR SHANGHAI?
Hello!
I am planning to travel to Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Suzhou this July. I will be leaving from Beijing. I will like to know in which order should i visit Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Suzhou that would be most convenient. At the end of my trip, i hope to leave from Shanghai to Beijing.
Your response is greatly appreciated.
Hello Jian Shuo Wang,
I will be arriving with my family (4 of us including 3 year old and a 3 month old baby) at Pudong at approx. 8:30pm. We then need to get to Suzhou that evening. This seems to be after the last bus as listed by you above. Is there another way? We don’t want to have to go to the train station with the kids and are running out of ideas. Would you recommend a taxi?
Thank you so much, this is a great site,
Melissa.
Em… A taxi seems a reasonable solution for you, and Suzhou is just one hour’s trip. So you can take a taxi there.
Talk to the guy at the international arrival hall, and ask him to arrange one for you. They are reliable – be sure to find the guy with uniform and badge.
My mum and sister are travelling to MT Puto / Ningbo, Shaoxing + 1000 Island Lake next week. As my mum’s health is rather weak, can someone advise me what clothing should I prepare for her? tks
Hi,
What is the best way to get to Shaoxing from Suzhou? I found a train schedule from Suzhou to Shaoxing which departs at 23:29 and arriving Shaoxing at 03:25. Very inconvenient time. I cannot find bus info. Thanks.
Wilhelmina
hi
i am arriving at pudong airport at 8:30 pm ….and i have to go to suzhou at that same day…. so please help me and give me a cheap solution to go there…..
thanks in advance
Thank you, your information is very helpful especially for two non mandarin speaking tourists :)
When I land at PVG where do I catch the bus to Suzhou?
How much does it cost?