Shanghai Transit Guide

Transit Essentials

Shanghai is a massive metropolis with two main airports. Most international long-haul flights land at Pudong (PVG), while Hongqiao (SHA) handles mostly domestic and regional flights.

Airports

• Pudong International Airport (PVG): The main international gateway. Located 30km east of the city center.
• Hongqiao International Airport (SHA): Closer to downtown (13km west), mainly for domestic/regional flights.

Luggage Storage

Both airports have secure luggage storage. In the city, many major metro stations and train stations also offer lockers.

Curated Itineraries

📅 1 Day: The Bund & Skyline

Short on time? Head straight for the iconic views.

• 09:00: Maglev from PVG to Longyang Road, then Metro Line 2 to Lujiazui.
• 10:30: Go up the Shanghai Tower (world's second tallest building) for a bird's eye view.
• 13:00: Ferry across the river to The Bund.
• 14:00: Walk along the Bund promenade, admiring the colonial architecture.
• 16:00: Head back to the airport.

📅 3 Days: Water Towns & History

Escape the city to ancient Venice-like towns.

• Day 1 & 2: Follow the 2-Day itinerary (or swap Disney for city exploration).
• Day 3: Take a day trip to Zhujiajiao Water Town. It's accessible by Metro Line 17. Ride a traditional boat through the canals, cross ancient stone bridges, and eat sticky rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves.

Getting Around Shanghai

Shanghai boasts one of the world's most extensive metro systems and ultra-modern transportation. Navigation is surprisingly easy even for first-time visitors.

🚇 Shanghai Metro

With 20 lines covering 800+ km, Shanghai's metro is fast, clean, and incredibly extensive. Signs and announcements are in both Chinese and English. Operating hours: 5:30 AM - 11:00 PM (varies by line).

Key Metro Lines:

• Line 2 (Green): East-West line connecting both airports! Runs from Pudong Airport through People's Square (city center), Nanjing Road, to Hongqiao Airport and beyond. Your most essential line.
• Line 1 (Red): North-South spine hitting Shanghai Railway Station, People's Square, Xintiandi (nightlife), and Shanghai South Railway Station.
• Line 10 (Purple): Connects to Hongqiao Airport and goes through trendy areas like Jing'an Temple and Nanjing East Road.
• Line 17 (Brown): Direct service to Zhujiajiao Water Town from downtown. Perfect for day trips!

Fares: Distance-based, ranging from ¥3-10 ($0.40-$1.40) for most journeys. Use a Shanghai Public Transportation Card (20 RMB deposit) or scan-to-pay with Alipay/WeChat Pay at gates.

🚄 Maglev Train

Shanghai's magnetic levitation (Maglev) train is a must-experience. It reaches 430 km/h and connects PVG Airport to Longyang Road metro station in just 8 minutes.

• Cost: ¥50 one-way, ¥40 if you show a same-day flight ticket, ¥80 roundtrip
• Operating Hours: 6:45 AM - 9:40 PM
• Journey Time: 8 minutes

At Longyang Road, transfer to Metro Line 2 to reach downtown (15-20 minutes more).

🚕 Taxis & Ride-Hailing

Shanghai taxis are plentiful and use meters. Most drivers don't speak English, so have your destination written in Chinese characters or use a translation app.

• Starting Fare: ¥14 for first 3 km, then ¥2.5 per km
• PVG Airport to City Center: ¥150-200 (~$21-28), takes 45-60 minutes depending on traffic
• SHA Airport to City Center: ¥50-80 (~$7-11), takes 20-30 minutes
• Didi (ride-hailing): Works like Uber with English app. Requires Alipay/WeChat Pay payment.

🚌 Buses & Ferries

Buses: Extensive but challenging due to Chinese-only announcements. Fares: ¥2 per ride. Best avoided unless you're familiar with routes.

Huangpu River Ferry: A fun, cheap way to cross the river! The ferry between The Bund and Lujiazui costs just ¥2 and offers amazing skyline views. Runs every 10-15 minutes.

🚄 High-Speed Trains for Day Trips

• Shanghai to Suzhou: 25-30 min, ¥40-100 depending on train class. Ancient gardens await!
• Shanghai to Hangzhou: 45-60 min, ¥70-150. See the famous West Lake.
• Shanghai to Beijing: 4.5-6 hours, ¥553-933.

Budget Breakdown

💰 Budget Traveler (¥250-400 / $35-55 per day)

• Accommodation: Hostel dorm ¥80-150/night, budget hotel ¥180-280/night
• Food: Street breakfast ¥15, noodle lunch ¥30, dumpling dinner ¥40. Daily: ¥100
• Transport: Metro rides ¥20-30/day, Maglev ¥50 one-way
• Attractions: Yu Garden ¥40, Shanghai Tower ¥180, free Bund walk

💵 Mid-Range (¥600-1000 / $85-140 per day)

• Accommodation: 3-4 star hotel ¥400-700/night
• Food: Nice breakfast ¥60, lunch ¥100, dinner ¥150 (includes soup dumplings at Din Tai Fung). Daily: ¥350
• Transport: Mix of metro and occasional taxis ¥60-100/day
• Attractions: Add Shanghai Disneyland (¥599 ticket) or cruise

💎 Luxury (¥1,800+ / $250+ per day)

• Accommodation: 5-star Bund hotels ¥1,500-4,000/night
• Food: Fine dining, rooftop bars, international cuisine ¥600-1,000/day
• Transport: Private car service ¥300-500/day

Culinary Delights

Must-Try Dishes

• Xiao Long Bao (Soup Dumplings): Delicate skin, savory pork filling, and hot soup inside. Bite the top, sip the soup, then eat!
• Shengjian Bao: Pan-fried pork buns. Crispy bottom, fluffy top, and juicy inside.
• Hairy Crab (Seasonal): A fall delicacy (Oct-Nov). Prized for its rich, creamy roe.

Where to Eat

Visit Nanjing Road for classic restaurants, or the Old City God Temple area for traditional snacks.

Where to Stay

• The Bund / East Nanjing Rd: Best for views and being in the center of action.
• French Concession: Best for charming tree-lined streets, cafes, and boutiques.
• Lujiazui: Best for luxury hotels in skyscrapers.

Shanghai Transit FAQ