Shanghai Flights

Well, pretty much the only way from the states is to fly. They did have some cruise ships in the harbor, but I don't know if they travel internationally. The flight from New York is 21 hours out and 19 hours back, not fun.
Taxis are plentiful and cheap.

By Air -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------
The new Shanghai International Airport opens in Pudong in late 1999; until then all air traffic comes through the Hongqiao International Airport in western Shanghai, about 15 km (9 mi) from the city center. Porters and trolleys are available for a nominal fee. You can call for 24-hour airport information (tel. 021/6268-8918).
Carriers

Many offices of international carriers are located in the Shanghai Centre and the Shanghai Hilton. Major foreign airlines that serve Shanghai are: Asiana (tel. 800/227-4262 in the United States) to Shanghai via Seoul on a local carrier; China Airlines (tel. 800/227-5118 in the United States) to Shanghai via Hong Kong on a local carrier; Dragon Airlines (Shanghai Centre, 1376 Nanjing Xi Lu, tel. 021/6279-8099); Japan Airlines (Ruijin Dasha, 205 Maoming Nan Lu, tel. 021/6472-3000; 800/525-3663 in the United States; 020/7408-1000 in the United Kindom); Lufthansa (Shanghai Hilton, 250 Huashan Lu, tel. 021/6248-1100; 800/645-3880 in the United States; 020/8750-3300 or 0345/737-747 in the United Kingdom); Northwest Airlines (Shanghai Centre, tel. 021/6279-8088; 800/225-2525 in the United States); Qantas (Shanghai Centre, tel. 021/6279-8660; 800/227-4500 in the United States; 0345/747-767 or 0800/747-767 in the United Kingdom; 13-1313 in Australia); SAS (Jin Jiang Hotel, 59 Maoming Nan Lu, tel. 021/6472-3131; 800/221-2350 in the United States); Singapore Airlines (Shanghai Centre, tel. 021/6279-8000; 800/742-3333 in the United States; 800/387-0038 or 800/663-3046 in Canada; 020/7439-8111 in the United Kingdom); Swiss Air (Shanghai Centre, tel. 021/6279-7381; 800/221-4750 in the United States; 020/7434-7300 in the United Kingdom); United Airlines (Shanghai Centre, tel. 021/6279-8009; 800/241-6522 in the United States).

Domestic carriers that connect international destinations to Shanghai include Air China (600 Huashan Lu, tel. 021/6327-7888) and China Eastern (200 Yanan Xi Lu, tel. 021/6247-5953 domestic; tel. 021/6247-2255 international).

A number of regional carriers serve Shanghai, but China Eastern Airlines (200 Yanan Xi Lu, tel. 021/6247-5953 domestic; 021/6247-2255 international) is the main airline connecting it with other cities in China.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------

Between the Airport and Town

By Taxi

Depending on the traffic, the trip can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. Plenty of taxis are available at the queues right outside both the international and domestic terminals. Don't ride with drivers who tout their services at the terminal entrances; their cars don't have meters, and they'll try to charge you exorbitant rates. To get into the city, most drivers use the expressway that connects to the Ring Road. Expect to reimburse the driver for the toll.

BY AIR
HONGQIAN AIRPORT:The existing Hongqiao Airport, though slightly down at heel, actually works quite well and is easily accessed from the central business district where many airlines have offices. It handled an average of 2,567 flights a week last year, of which 28 per cent were international.

PUDONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT: It is the new airport and most international flights are handled there. However, it is pretty far to get there.
TO HONGQIAN: It is not so expensive to take a cab there. It is 15RMB cheaper to go there than getting out of there to the city.
TO PUDONG INTERNATIONAL: Usually it costs quite much to take a cab. Some 200RMB is the usual cost. So, be aware if they want to charge you more than that. But nowadays there are some buses go between the airports and the city. They go in each 10 or 15 mins. The ticket is around 20 RMB or so. It is much cheaper and also very convinient to go by bus. You can find out in the airport or hotel how to choose the bus.

Air Canada from Vancouver
Flight route is over Alaska then over Russia. If it is clear, this is a spectacular journey.
Taxi and Subway within the city. Subway is well laid out but count the stops unless you can read Chinese.
Make sure you have a card with written directions for the taxi driver or a good map. Make sure that the driver understand and agrees to the destination BEFORE closing the door. The meter on the front dash should be in the DOWN position after you start moving.

4 more images

a subsidiary of Cathay Pacific Serving regional destinations in East and South East Asia

4 more images

one of China's International Airlines

4 more images

the new airport of Shanghai

1 more image

the old airport of Shanghai