Shanghai Metro Guide for Foreigners (2026): Lines, Tickets & Tips
Shanghai has one of the largest and most efficient metro systems in the world — over 800 kilometers of track across 20+ lines, serving millions of riders daily. It's clean, safe, cheap, and almost entirely bilingual (Chinese and English). For most foreigners, the metro will be your primary way of getting around.
In this guide
Getting a Ticket or Pass
You have four options for paying metro fares:
Option 1: Alipay/WeChat QR Code (Recommended)
The fastest way to ride. No physical ticket or card needed.
Setup for Alipay:
1. Open Alipay → search "上海地铁" or "Shanghai Metro"
2. Activate the metro QR code feature
3. Scan the QR code at the turnstile to enter and exit
Setup for WeChat:
1. Open WeChat → Mini Programs → search "Metro大都会" (Metro Daduhui)
2. Follow setup instructions and link your payment method
3. Scan to ride
Both work with international cards linked through Alipay or WeChat Pay. See our WeChat Pay vs Alipay guide for setup instructions.
Option 2: Shanghai Public Transport Card (交通卡)
A physical rechargeable card that works on metro, buses, taxis, and ferries.
→ Where to buy: Any metro station service center
→ Deposit: ¥20 (refundable when you return the card)
→ Top up: At station machines or service centers (cash or mobile payment)
→ Why it's good: Works everywhere, no phone battery anxiety, faster than QR scanning
Option 3: Single Journey Ticket
Available from ticket machines at every station.
→ How: Select your destination on the touchscreen (English available), insert cash or scan mobile payment
→ Cost: ¥3-9 depending on distance
→ Returns: Insert the token into the exit turnstile when you leave
Option 4: Contactless Bank Card / Apple Pay
Some turnstiles accept contactless payment via UnionPay, Visa, or Mastercard. Look for the contactless symbol. Coverage is expanding but not yet universal across all stations.
How Much Does It Cost?
Shanghai metro fares are distance-based:
| Distance | Fare |
|---|---|
| 0-6 km | ¥3 |
| 6-16 km | ¥4 |
| 16-26 km | ¥5 |
| 26-36 km | ¥6 |
| 36-46 km | ¥7 |
| 46+ km | ¥8-9 |
Most trips within central Shanghai cost ¥3-5. Even a cross-city journey rarely exceeds ¥8.
Navigating the System
Reading the Map
Every line has a number and a color. Key lines for foreigners:
→ Line 1 (Red): People's Square, Former French Concession, Shanghai Railway Station
→ Line 2 (Green): Pudong Airport ↔ Hongqiao Airport, Nanjing Road, Lujiazui
→ Line 10 (Light Purple): Nanjing Road, Yuyuan Garden, Hongqiao
→ Line 4 (Purple ring): Circular line connecting many transfer stations
Station Announcements
All announcements are in Mandarin, English, and sometimes Shanghainese. Station names are displayed in Chinese and Pinyin on screens inside the train.
Transfer Tips
→ Follow the signs — transfer corridors are well-marked in English
→ Some transfers are long walks (5-10 minutes). People's Square (3 lines converging) and Century Avenue are notably large
→ At rush hour, transfer corridors can be extremely crowded. Allow extra time
Finding Your Exit
Large stations have 10+ exits. The exit number matters — exiting from the wrong one can put you on the opposite side of a busy road with no crosswalk.
→ Check your destination's nearest exit before you get off
→ The Amap or Baidu Maps app shows which metro exit is closest to your destination
→ Exit information is displayed on maps inside the train and on platform walls
Operating Hours
→ Most lines: 5:30 AM - 10:30 PM (last trains around 10:00-10:30 PM)
→ Exact times vary by line and station — check the Metro Daduhui app for precise first/last train times
→ No overnight service — if you miss the last train, use Didi
Rush Hour Survival
Peak hours: 7:30-9:30 AM and 5:00-7:30 PM on weekdays
What to expect:
→ Trains packed to capacity — personal space doesn't exist
→ Pushing to board is normal and expected
→ Let people exit first (there are floor markings showing where to stand)
→ Guard your belongings — pickpocketing is rare but crowded conditions are an opportunity
Tips: Travel one stop past your intended station, then ride back — you'll often get a seat. Avoid Line 1 and Line 2 during peak hours if possible. Traveling at 9:30 AM instead of 8:30 AM makes a huge difference.
Metro Etiquette
→ Security screening at every station entrance — bags go through the X-ray machine. Have your bag ready.
→ No eating or drinking on trains (it's the rule, though enforcement varies)
→ Priority seats near the doors are for elderly, pregnant, and disabled passengers
→ Keep right on escalators — the left side is for people walking up
→ Phones: Everyone is on their phone. Using your phone is completely normal. Just keep the volume off for calls and videos.
Useful Apps
→ Metro Daduhui (大都会) — Official Shanghai metro app with route planning and QR payment
→ Amap (高德地图) — Best for navigating to/from metro exits
→ MetroMan — Works offline, covers metro systems across all Chinese cities, available in English
For the complete app list, see our Essential Apps Guide.
Beyond the Metro
The metro doesn't cover every corner of Shanghai. For the gaps:
→ Didi for door-to-door rides — see our Didi Guide
→ Shared bikes (Meituan, Alipay) — scan to unlock, ¥1.5-3 per ride, great for last-mile
→ Buses — cheap but routes are confusing and mostly Chinese-only
→ Ferries — cross the Huangpu River for ¥2 (Puxi ↔ Pudong)
For more transport options, see our Getting Around Shanghai guide. Need Chinese addresses to show your driver or paste into maps? Check our Shanghai Address Book.
Last updated: April 2026. Metro fares, operating hours, and station facilities may change. Always check the Metro Daduhui app for the latest information. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute official advice.
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