Four Hours in Shanghai before we fly home, any suggestions

We are arriving on Celebrity Millennium to Shanghai before we depart for home. Our flight is at 2:30. At best we can squeeze in a quick tour of Shanghai on our way to the airport, if we disembark the ship early enough. Does anyone have a suggestion as to how we might see a few things (even if they are just a drive-by) before we head to the airport?

You didn't mention which of the 2 Shanghai International airports you are flying out of.

The older one requires a bit of travel through Shanghai.

The new one is in the other direction - nothing but countryside.

Chances are quite good that you will have very little time to do anything but go to the airport.

You will disembark the ship quite a way out of the city.

Cruise ship disembarks in that area are rarely smooth or timely.

The trip to either of the airports is a long one.

Check-in and Security at both airports are not very efficient.

It would be wise to check in as soon as possible to avoid any delays.

If you go to the newer airport, a ride on the maglev train to the airport is fun and inexpensive.

I would think you'll be using PVG... very sad to have no time to enjoy one of my favorite cities ... been there several times and will be again in October.

Agree with BruceMuzz. Not a lot of time, you also haven't said how you're getting around.

You could go past the Bund which isn't too much of a detour, and has the most visible 'sights'. Aside from that there isn't a lot that stands out just in passing. ...And that's also hoping you're not there on a polluted day when a) you can't see as much and b) it's not so good for your health to be out in it either...

In addition to check-in and security, you'll have to go through Immigration.

Although both airports in Shanghai are referred to as international airports ... Hongqiao (SHA) served mostly domestic and regional flights only (limited # of international flights). Pudong (PVG) is the airport for global travelers on non-stop arrivals & departures to destinations worldwide (HKG, SIN, JFK, SFO, LHR, FRA, etc.) - OP most likely will be flying "home" from PVG.

Both airports are connected/served by variety of transport options, including railway trains but currently, only PVG has meglev or true high speed bullet train services, and is south & further away from city center of Shanghai. Cruise port is northeast of the city and SHA is 8 miles west of city center/downtown.

Given the traffic congestion within the Greater Shanghai area, allow 1 hour to travel by taxi from/to the airport & cruise terminal. When we're on an escorted land-based tour several years ago, our local guide assured us being at the airport 2 hours before scheduled departure will be sufficient.

After checking in at the airline counter, luggage dropped, proceed to exit inspection for immigration, customs, then security screening ... before proceeding to the gate. For jumbo jets on long haul routes to the US. boarding start 1 hour or more prior to gate departure, and there is a secondary inspection & random screening, cabin luggage check between the gate agne and the sky bridge/ramp to the aircraft, usually 2 or more doorways opened & used for quicker boarding.

I agreed that there really isn't any time to sightsee, at best - enjoy the ride en route - some of it being on elevated super highway - if time allow, find a way to communicate to the driver to take a slight detour to pass the Bund area and see part of the historic & beautiful old town part with its rich imperial history of foreign influence, a key attraction for the city, on the way to the airport.

Does anyone have a suggestion as to how we might see a few things (even if they are just a drive-by) before we head to the airport?

Read a book or something - of course your transportation to the airport does pass though the countryside.