Shanghai has two airports. Here's how to get to the city from each one.
International Airport
Metro Line 2: ~60 min to city center, 7–9¥
Maglev Train: 8 minutes to Longyang Rd, 50¥
Taxi: ~200¥ to Puxi (45–90 min depending on traffic)
Domestic + Some International
Metro Line 2 or 10: Direct to city, ~30–40 min, 4–6¥
Taxi: ~100¥ to Puxi
Also: Hongqiao Railway Station is next door — convenient for high-speed rail
The easiest way to ride — buy a Shanghai Public Transportation Card (交通卡).
Where to Get It
Buy at any metro station service desk or convenience store (Family Mart, 7-Eleven) inside the station.
Cost
20¥ deposit (refundable when you return the card)
Minimum top-up: 20¥
Works on metro, bus, and some ferries.
Alternatively
Use WeChat Pay or Alipay QR code directly at the metro turnstile — no card needed if you have a working digital wallet.
Fares are distance-based and very affordable.
| Distance | Fare (¥) | Approx. (₮) |
|---|---|---|
| 0 – 6 km | 3¥ | ~₮1,600 |
| 6 – 16 km | 4¥ | ~₮2,100 |
| 16 – 26 km | 5¥ | ~₮2,700 |
| 26 – 36 km | 6¥ | ~₮3,200 |
| 36 – 46 km | 7¥ | ~₮3,700 |
| 46+ km | +1¥ per 10km | — |
Shanghai has 20 metro lines. Here are the ones you'll use most as a visitor.
| Line | Color | Key Stops |
|---|---|---|
| Line 1 | Red | People's Square, Xujiahui, Shanghai Railway Station |
| Line 2 | Green | Pudong Airport ↔ Hongqiao Airport, The Bund (East Nanjing Rd), People's Square, Lujiazui |
| Line 4 | Teal | Circle line around central Shanghai — Shanghai Railway Station, Yuyuan area |
| Line 10 | Purple | Hongqiao Airport, Xintiandi, Old Town, Yu Garden |
| Line 16 | Red-Orange | Dishui Lake — useful for day trips to Zhujiajiao water town area |
Where to go and which line to take.
| Destination | Line | Station |
|---|---|---|
| The Bund (外滩) | Line 2 | East Nanjing Rd |
| Yuyuan Garden (豫园) | Line 10 / 14 | Yu Garden |
| Shanghai Tower / Lujiazui | Line 2 | Lujiazui |
| Xintiandi | Line 10 / 13 | Xintiandi |
| Shanghai Museum | Line 1 / 2 | People's Square |
| M50 Creative Park | Line 13 | Jiangning Rd |
| Nanjing Road Shopping | Line 1 / 2 | People's Square |
| IFC Mall (Lujiazui) | Line 2 | Lujiazui |
| Plaza 66 | Line 2 | West Nanjing Rd |
| Tianzifang / Taikang Rd | Line 9 | Dapuqiao |
You can pay metro fares directly with your phone — no card needed.
Open WeChat or Alipay
Make sure you have a working Chinese bank card or international card linked to your account.
Find "Metro QR Code" / "地铁码"
In WeChat: Wallet → Transport Card. In Alipay: Metro / 地铁.
Scan at Turnstile
Hold your QR code up to the scanner at the gate. Works on entry and exit.
Fare Deducted Automatically
Exact fare is charged based on distance when you exit.
For day trips to nearby cities like Suzhou, Hangzhou, or Nanjing.
Hongqiao Railway Station
Shanghai's main high-speed rail hub. Next to Hongqiao Airport (Terminal 2).
Metro Lines 2 and 10 go directly there.
Buying Tickets
Book on Trip.com, 12306.cn, or at the station. Need your passport. We can help book tickets for you.
Travel Times
Suzhou: 25 min
Hangzhou: 45 min
Nanjing: 1h 10min
Beijing: 4h 30min
These are the major interchange hubs — remember their locations.
People's Square
Lines 1, 2, 8 — the busiest hub in central Shanghai. Near the Bund, Nanjing Road.
Xujiahui
Lines 1, 9, 11 — major shopping district south of the city center.
Century Avenue
Lines 2, 4, 6, 9 — key Pudong hub near IFC and Oriental Pearl Tower.
Hongqiao
Lines 2, 10, 17 — links airport, railway station, and western Shanghai.
Metro runs until ~23:00. For late nights, here are your options.
DiDi (滴滴)
China's Uber. English app available. Download before arriving — most convenient late-night option.
Street Taxi
Flag a yellow taxi on the street. Starting fare ~14¥. Show your destination in Chinese characters.
Night Bus
Night routes (夜宵线) run on some lines after metro closes. Cheap but infrequent.
Hellobike
Dockless bike-share. Great for short trips under 3km. Scan QR with Alipay.
Need Help Navigating Shanghai?
Our Mongolian-speaking guide will handle everything — transport, translation, and more.