Getting around
Metro, taxis, trains, and bikes — how to get around Shanghai
Shanghai Metro
20+ lines, 500+ stations, covers the entire city. The metro is the fastest, cheapest, and most reliable way to get around Shanghai. Runs approximately 5:30 AM to 10:30 PM daily.
Find your nearest station
Look for the red 'M' logo above ground. Use Amap (高德地图) or Apple/Google Maps to find the nearest entrance. Most stations have multiple exits labeled A, B, C, D.
Get a ticket or set up QR code
Option A: Buy a single-journey ticket at the machines (accept coins, notes, or Alipay). Option B: Open Alipay → search 'Metro' → activate Shanghai metro QR code for scan-to-ride. Option C: Buy a reusable Transportation Card (交通卡) for ¥40 deposit at any service center.
Go through security and tap in
Put bags through the X-ray machine (mandatory at all stations). Tap your card, scan your QR code, or insert your ticket at the turnstile. Follow signs for your line and direction.
Ride and transfer
Signs are bilingual (Chinese + English). For transfers, follow the line number signs inside the station. Peak hours: 7:30-9:30 AM and 5:00-7:00 PM — expect crowds.
Exit and tap out
Tap your card/scan QR at the exit turnstile. Check exit letter (A/B/C/D) before going up — the wrong exit can put you far from your destination. Fare is distance-based: ¥3-10 for most trips.
Pro tip: The Alipay metro QR code is the easiest option — no deposit, no card to lose, works instantly. Set it up once and you're good for your entire stay.
Transport fares at a glance
DiDi & Taxis (滴滴/出租车)
DiDi is China's Uber. It works for rides across the city, airport transfers, and inter-city trips. You can also hail regular taxis on the street — just make sure they use the meter.
Download DiDi and sign up
Download 'DiDi - Pair Safe Rides' from App Store / Google Play. Register with your phone number. The app has a full English interface — switch via Settings → Language.
Link your payment method
Go to Payment → Add Card. DiDi accepts Alipay, WeChat Pay, and international credit cards (Visa/Mastercard) directly. International card users may need to prepay.
Enter your destination
Type in English or Chinese. The app translates automatically. For best results, enter the Chinese name or address — copy it from your saved addresses or Amap.
Choose your ride type
Express (快车): cheapest, regular cars. Premier (优享): nicer cars, experienced drivers. Taxi (出租车): hails a real taxi via the app. Luxury (豪华): high-end vehicles.
Confirm pickup location
Pin your exact location on the map. The app assigns a driver and shows their car plate, model, and ETA. Wait at the pin location — drivers will call or message if they can't find you.
Ride and pay
Confirm the plate number matches before getting in. Payment is automatic through the app when the trip ends. You can tip the driver in-app (optional, not expected).
Pro tip: Save your home and work addresses in Chinese in DiDi. When hailing a street taxi, show the driver your destination address in Chinese on your phone — most drivers don't speak English.
High-Speed Rail (高铁)
China's high-speed rail network is world-class. Shanghai connects to Hangzhou (45 min), Nanjing (1.5h), Suzhou (25 min), and Beijing (4.5h). Trains are fast, punctual, clean, and cheap.
Book tickets online
Use Trip.com (English-friendly, accepts international cards) or the official 12306 app (Chinese, but has English mode). Book 1-3 days ahead for popular routes, up to 15 days in advance during holidays.
Choose your seat class
Second class (二等座): standard, comfortable, cheapest. First class (一等座): wider seats, more legroom, ~60% more. Business class (商务座): lie-flat, most expensive, only on some trains.
Get to the right station
Shanghai has 3 main stations: Shanghai Hongqiao (虹桥站, most high-speed trains, connected to metro Lines 2/10/17), Shanghai Station (上海站, some northern routes, metro Lines 1/3/4), and Shanghai South (上海南站, fewer trains, metro Lines 1/3).
Enter the station with passport
Arrive 30-45 minutes before departure. Go through security screening. Use the passport lane at ID check — scan your passport at the gate or show it to staff. Find your waiting hall (displayed on your ticket).
Board the train
Boarding gates open ~15 minutes before departure and CLOSE 3 minutes before. Find your car number (车厢) and seat number (座位) on your ticket. Luggage goes in overhead racks or between seats.
Arrive and exit
Follow signs to the exit. Most stations connect directly to metro. Taxis and DiDi pickup areas are clearly signed. No need to scan out — just walk through the gates.
Pro tip: For day trips, Suzhou (25 min, ¥39) and Hangzhou (45 min, ¥73) are the best value. Book second class — it's comfortable and half the price of first class. Bring snacks; train food is overpriced.
Bike sharing (共享单车)
- Meituan Bike (yellow) — scan via Meituan or WeChat mini-program
- Hello Bike (blue) — scan via Alipay
- Didi Bike / Qingju (green) — scan via DiDi or Alipay
- Cost: ¥1.5-3 per 30 minutes, charged to your Alipay or WeChat
- Park in designated bike areas (painted rectangles on sidewalks) to avoid penalty fees
- Great for the 'last mile' from metro stations to your destination
- E-bikes (with battery) available in some areas — faster but slightly pricier
Shanghai Metro survival card
10 stations every foreigner should know — save this for quick reference
Pro tip: All metro signs show Chinese characters + Pinyin + English. Station announcements are bilingual. When asking locals for directions, showing the Chinese characters (汉字) is far more effective than saying the Pinyin — just point at the station name on your phone.
Troubleshooting
General tips
- Save your destination addresses in Chinese — show them to taxi drivers or enter them in apps
- Avoid metro during rush hours (7:30-9:30 AM, 5:00-7:00 PM) if you have luggage
- Pudong Airport ↔ City: Maglev train (8 min to Longyang Rd, ¥50) + Metro, or DiDi/taxi (45-60 min, ¥150-250)
- Hongqiao Airport ↔ City: Metro Line 2 or 10 direct (30-50 min, ¥3-7)
- Download Amap (高德地图) — it's more accurate than Google Maps in China and shows real-time metro/bus info
- Transportation Card (交通卡) gives a small discount on metro and works on buses too
Last updated: March 2026 · Sources: Shanghai Metro, DiDi, 12306