Getting Around Shanghai

🚇 Getting Around Shanghai

Shanghai has one of the best urban transport systems in Asia. The metro is extensive, the buses are efficient, Didi works flawlessly, and the high-speed rail network connects you to the rest of China. Here's what you need to know.

The Shanghai Metro

The Shanghai Metro is the fastest and cheapest way to get around the city. It's clean, air-conditioned, has English signage in central stations, and runs from ~5 AM to 11 PM.

Key lines for tourists:

• Line 2 — connects both airports (Pudong & Hongqiao), Shanghai Railway Station, and The Bund
• Line 1 — Nanjing Road, People's Square, Xujiahui
• Line 10 — Nanjing Road, Yuyuan Garden, Hongqiao Railway Station

Metro tips:

• Get a Shanghai Public Transportation Card (交通卡) at any metro station. ¥20 deposit, then top up. Works on metro, buses, and even some taxis.
• Or use Alipay's transit function — open Alipay → City Card → add Shanghai. You can scan your phone to enter the metro.
• Avoid metro during rush hour (8–9 AM, 6–7 PM) if you have luggage
• Metro cards are also usable in Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and 200+ other Chinese cities

Metro costs: ¥3–9 per trip depending on distance

Didi (DiDi) — Ride Hailing

Didi is China's dominant ride-hailing app — essentially the Uber of China. It works better than Uber ever did.

How to use Didi:

1. Download the Didi app (available in English)
2. Set your payment method (Alipay or WeChat Pay — foreign cards are accepted)
3. Enter your destination in English (works in major cities)
4. The app will show you the driver's location, car model, and license plate

Costs:

• Within central Shanghai: ¥20–60 depending on distance
• From Pudong Airport to city center: ~¥180–220
• From Hongqiao Airport to city center: ~¥60–100

Tips:

• Set your pickup point precisely — Chinese addresses can be ambiguous
• "Schedule a ride" (预约) is useful for airport trips
• Sometimes it's faster to walk to a main road than wait for the driver to navigate a complex area

Taxi

Shanghai taxis are plentiful, cheap, and honest. The starting fare is ¥16 (including 3 km).

Tips:

• Always ask for a receipt (发票, fāpiào) after every ride — essential if you leave something in the car
• Taxis can be harder to hail during rush hour; use Didi instead
• Most taxi drivers don't speak English; show them your destination in Chinese characters

Ferries

The Huangpu River ferry (渡轮, dùlún) is one of Shanghai's cheapest and most scenic transports — ¥2 for a crossing from the Bund to Pudong.

Routes:

• F分类渡 — near the Bund to Lujiazui (near Oriental Pearl Tower)
• 东金线 — East Nanjing Road to Dongchang Road (near Pudong's financial district)

Take the ferry at sunset for one of the best views in Shanghai at the lowest possible price.

High-Speed Rail

Shanghai is connected to the rest of China via high-speed rail from two main stations:

• Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station — trains to Beijing, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Xi'an, and most destinations west/south
• Shanghai Railway Station (Shanghai Station) — more routes, including to Beijing via the faster G-trains

Book tickets via:

• 12306.cn (official, in English) or the 12306 app
• Trip.com (easiest for foreigners with foreign cards)
• At the station ticket counters (bring passport)

Getting to/from Airports

Pudong International Airport (PVG)

• Metro Line 2 → ¥8, 1.5 hours to city center (Nanjing East Road)
• Didi → ¥180–220, 45–60 min
• Maglev train → ¥50 to Longyang Road Metro Station (transfer to Line 2), 8 min

Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)

• Metro Line 2 → ¥5, 40 min to city center
• Didi → ¥60–100, 30–50 min
• High-speed rail from Hongqiao Railway Station adjacent terminal

Cost Summary

Last updated: 2026-06-05 · Written by Bobby, living in Chengdu since 2023

Bobby

Living in Chengdu since 2023. Writes about practical China travel from firsthand experience. About me →