Shanghai has an extensive public transport network of metro, buses and ferries. We recommend combining the metro with ride-hailing. Fares, operating times and driving restrictions below are reference information rather than live checks; confirm them through the relevant official channel before travelling.
Airports and railway stations to the city
- Pudong International Airport: Maglev
- The Maglev takes about eight minutes to Longyang Road, with listed fares of CNY 50–100 and connections to Lines 2, 7 and 16. A CNY 55 Maglev-plus-metro ticket has been offered before 21:00; check current availability and prices.
- Pudong International Airport: metro and bus
- Line 2 reaches People's Square and East Nanjing Road; for reference, CNY 8 and about 1.5 hours. Airport buses serve Hongqiao, Jing'an Temple and Lujiazui, useful with more luggage or when avoiding a transfer.
- Hongqiao Airport and Hongqiao Railway Station
- Lines 2 and 10 connect directly with the Hongqiao transport hub. Allow about 40 minutes to People's Square on Line 2 and 25 minutes towards Yuyuan or the Bund on Line 10. Listed taxi starting fares are CNY 14 by day and CNY 18 at night, with a 40–60-minute trip to the centre depending on traffic.
- Shanghai and Shanghai South railway stations
- Both stations connect directly to Lines 1 and 3. Follow the station signs to the metro.
Core ways to get around the city
- Metro
- The metro serves most major attractions, with listed fares of CNY 3–8. Use Metro Daduhui or Alipay/WeChat transport codes. A CNY 18 one-day metro ticket valid for 24 hours and a CNY 19.8 combined ticket via Suishenxing covering metro, bus and Huangpu ferries have been offered. Check current eligibility, validity and sales channels.
External photo: 4300streetcar · CC BY 4.0 - Bus
- The usual fare is CNY 2 with QR payment, and a CNY 1 transfer discount within 120 minutes has been offered on the same transport card. We recommend Route 20 and the dedicated-lane Route 71 for the Bund; confirm current fares and discounts.
- Ferry
- A Huangpu River crossing is listed at CNY 2. Consider the Dongjin line from Jinling East Road to Lujiazui, or Gongping Road on the North Bund to a pier listed as Taitongzhan, followed by a walk through the North Bund. Confirm the exact pier name and operating service before setting out.
- Ride-hailing and taxis
- Cars are convenient in the centre but can be slow in peak traffic. We recommend comparing the cost with the metro when four or more people travel with substantial luggage.
- Shared bicycles
- Use a shared bicycle for short connections or part of a city walk. We recommend Hello bikes through Alipay; return them in a designated parking area.
Driving and road restrictions
- Restrictions on non-local plates
- Vehicles with non-local plates have been restricted from elevated roads, including the Yan'an, North–South and Inner Ring roads, from 07:00 to 20:00 on working days. Check the current rules for your vehicle and route.
- Parking
- Central parking is listed at CNY 20–30 per hour, and finding a space can take time.
- When a car is less useful
- Unless travelling to outer areas such as Jinshan, Songjiang or Chongming, we recommend leaving the car at the hotel and using the metro or taxis in the centre.
Practical navigation and timing
- Navigation apps
- We recommend Amap or Baidu Maps for metro transfers and directions, and note they can show traffic-light countdowns while cycling.
- The Line 10 branch
- Line 10 branches beyond Longxi Road: trains may terminate at Hongqiao Railway Station or Hangzhong Road. Check the platform display and announcement. If you board the wrong branch, change at Longxi Road.
- Security and last trains
- Allow time for security at metro and railway stations. For reference, typical last trains around 22:30–23:00, with some Friday and Saturday extensions. Check the exact line and station after Disney or an evening at the Bund.
- Peak-hour crowds
- We recommend 08:00–09:30 and 17:30–19:00 as especially busy periods, including on Lines 1 and 2. Travel outside them where practical.