Transportation

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Shanghai has two main civil airports:

• 上海浦东国际机场 (Shanghai Pudong International Airport, PVG): About 30 km from downtown, often considered "far from the city center," with a driving time of approximately 40–90 minutes and about 1 hour by metro.
• 上海虹桥国际机场 (Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, SHA): About 13 km from downtown, with a driving time of around 25–40 minutes, about 30–32 minutes by metro, and closely connected to the Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station high-speed rail hub.

Getting into the City from the Airports

1. 浦东国际机场 (PVG)

• 市域机场联络线 (City Airport Link): Follow the "市域铁" signs inside the terminal to the platform. It goes directly to Hongqiao Terminal 2 Station, where you can transfer to reach hubs like Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station. The whole trip from Pudong Airport to Hongqiao Airport/train station takes about 40 minutes. The last train departs around 22:00, so late arrivals should pay attention to the schedule.
• 上海磁浮示范线 (Shanghai Maglev):
  • Route: Pudong International Airport Station → Longyang Road Station (龙阳路站).
  • Duration: About 8 minutes.
  • Price: Single trip ¥50 (~$7 USD), with an 20% discount available when showing the same-day flight ticket or using a Shanghai public transport card.
  • Transfers: At Longyang Road Station, transfer to Metro Line 2 to enter the city, reaching popular spots like Lujiazui Station, East Nanjing Road Station (南京东路站), West Nanjing Road Station (南京西路站), and Jing’an Temple Station (静安寺站).
• 地铁2号线 (Metro Line 2):
  • You can take the metro directly from the airport into the city. This is the most economical option but takes longer, about 1 hour to downtown areas such as People’s Square Station (人民广场站) and East Nanjing Road Station (南京东路站).
• Taxi / Ride-hailing:
  • Both Pudong Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 have clearly marked taxi and ride-hailing pick-up points.
  • Suitable for families or travelers with lots of luggage. You can book a 6-seater via Didi Chuxing (滴滴出行); folding down the third row fits 4–5 large suitcases.
  • Cost: Depends on distance; typically around ¥150 (~$21 USD) from Pudong Airport to downtown, including tolls and time fees, but the meter fare applies.

2. 虹桥国际机场 (SHA)

• Integrated with the Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station high-speed rail hub, allowing easy walking transfers:
  • Metro Line 2: Direct to core areas like People’s Square Station (人民广场站), East Nanjing Road Station (南京东路站), and Lujiazui Station (陆家嘴站), about 30 minutes to downtown.
  • Metro Line 10: Access to Jing’an Temple Station (静安寺站), Jiaotong University Station (交通大学站) (transfer here to reach Wukang Building and Wukang Road).
• Driving time: About 25–40 minutes to downtown, depending on traffic conditions.

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Shanghai Major Train and High-Speed Rail Stations:

• Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station (上海虹桥站): The main high-speed rail hub, connected to Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (上海虹桥国际机场), and the most important high-speed rail gateway in and out of Shanghai.
  • Metro: Directly connected to Metro Line 2, Line 10, and Line 17, about 30 minutes to People's Square Station (人民广场站) area.
• Shanghai Railway Station (上海站): Close to the city center, about 2.5 km from the core area.
  • Metro: Served by Metro Line 1, Line 3, and Line 4, about 5 minutes to People's Square Station (人民广场站), and about 20 minutes to The Bund (外滩) area (get off at East Nanjing Road Station (南京东路站) and walk).
• Shanghai South Railway Station (上海南站):
  • Metro: Intersection of Metro Line 1 and Line 3, about 23 minutes to downtown.
• Songjiang Railway Station (上海松江站): About 31 km from downtown, approximately 50 minutes by car, about 1 hour by metro.
• Shanghai West Railway Station (上海西站): About 5 km from downtown, around 15 minutes by car or metro.

High-Speed Rail and Popular Routes

• High-speed rail (高铁/动车) mainly operates from Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station (上海虹桥站), with routes to major cities nationwide such as Beijing (北京), Hangzhou (杭州), Nanjing (南京), etc. Specific trains and schedules should be checked on ticketing platforms.

Ticket Purchase Options for Foreign Tourists

• Official 12306 Platform:
  • The official 12306 website or app (China Railway 12306) supports real-name ticket purchases, requiring passport registration. The interface is primarily in Chinese, suitable for tourists with some Chinese proficiency.
• Third-Party Platforms:
  • English-friendly platforms like Trip.com can purchase China high-speed rail tickets on your behalf, ideal for tourists unfamiliar with Chinese.
• Station Ticket Counters:
  • Ticket windows are available at Shanghai Hongqiao Station (上海虹桥站), Shanghai Station (上海站), Shanghai South Station (上海南站), etc. You can buy or pick up tickets directly with your passport. It’s recommended to allow extra time for queues.

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Metro / Subway (地铁)

Shanghai Metro (上海地铁) has extensive coverage and is the most recommended mode of transportation for tourists, connecting airports, high-speed rail stations, and major attractions.

Key Lines and Attractions

• Metro Line 2 (地铁2号线):
  • Connects Pudong International Airport Station (浦东国际机场站), Longyang Road Station (龙阳路站), Lujiazui Station (陆家嘴站), East Nanjing Road Station (南京东路站), West Nanjing Road Station (南京西路站), Jing’an Temple Station (静安寺站), and People’s Square Station (人民广场站), linking core attractions such as Lujiazui Financial District (陆家嘴金融区), The Bund (外滩), and Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street (南京路步行街).
• Metro Line 10 (地铁10号线):
  • Passes through Hongqiao Railway Station / Hongqiao Airport (虹桥火车站/虹桥机场), Jiaotong University Station (交通大学站) (about a 500-meter walk to Wukang Building (武康大楼) and Wukang Road (武康路)), and Yuyuan Garden Station (豫园站) (Exit 7 leads to Yuyuan Garden (豫园) and City God Temple (城隍庙)).
• Metro Line 11 (地铁11号线):
  • Transfers with Line 10 at Jiaotong University Station (交通大学站), providing access to the Wukang Building area.
• Metro Line 14 (地铁14号线):
  • At Lujiazui Station (陆家嘴站) (Exit 8), you can reach the core of Lujiazui directly; transfers with Line 10 at Yuyuan Garden Station (豫园站) make it convenient to travel between Yuyuan Garden and Lujiazui.
• Other commonly used stations:
  • People’s Square Station (人民广场站): A hub for accessing Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street, ideal for starting your shopping trip.
  • East Nanjing Road Station (南京东路站): Within walking distance to The Bund (外滩) and the middle section of Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street.
  • International Cruise Terminal Station (国际客运中心站, Metro Line 12): Exit 3 leads to North Bund (北外滩), less crowded with great views.
  • Shanghai Natural History Museum Station (自然博物馆站, Metro Line 13): Exit 1 leads to the Shanghai Natural History Museum (上海自然博物馆).
  • Expo Avenue Station (世博大道站, Metro Line 13): About a 5-minute walk from Exit 1 to the Shanghai Eternal Love (上海千古情) scenic area.

Ticket Purchase and Payment Methods

• Single Journey Ticket (单程票):
  • Purchase at metro station ticket machines by selecting your line and destination; after payment, collect your ticket. Swipe the card to enter, and insert the ticket into the gate on exit for collection.
  • Valid only on the day and station of purchase; minimum fare is about ¥3 (~$0.45 USD), even for a single stop.
• 1-Day Pass (一日票):
  • Price: ¥18 (~$2.70 USD), unlimited rides on all Shanghai metro lines within 24 hours (excluding Maglev).
  • Tickets are not collected upon exit and can be kept as souvenirs.
• 3-Day Pass (三日票):
  • Price: ¥45 (~$6.75 USD), unlimited rides on all Shanghai metro lines within 72 hours (excluding Maglev).
  • Tickets are not collected upon exit and can be kept as souvenirs.
• Purchase channels:
  • Offline: Some stations have “Cloud Ticket Machines (云购票机)” selling single tickets, 1-day, and 3-day passes; if unavailable, visit the metro service center for manual purchase.
  • Online: Apps like Metro Daduhui (Metro大都会) and Suishenxing (随申行) allow purchase of day passes and generate QR codes for entry.
• QR Code Ride:
  • Alipay (支付宝) and WeChat Pay (微信支付) support ride codes; scan to enter and exit. Note that one QR code is valid for one person only; multiple riders need separate codes.
• Transportation Card:
  • Physical or NFC versions of the Shanghai Public Transportation Card (上海公共交通卡) can be used on metro, buses, some ferries, and Maglev, with transfer discounts. Recommended for visitors staying several days or more.

Experience and Transfer Tips

• Some major stations in Shanghai (e.g., West Nanjing Road Station (南京西路站)) have long transfer distances; allow several minutes for walking.
• Some metro exits are far from platforms; it’s advisable to check walking times from exits to destinations on map apps in advance.

Bus (公交车)

• Fare: Most urban buses have a flat fare of about ¥2 (~$0.30 USD), suitable for short trips or areas not covered by the metro.
• Payment methods:
  • Use the Shanghai Public Transportation Card or mobile bus ride codes (e.g., in Alipay or WeChat).
  • Some suburban routes still accept cash coins; bring small change.
• Note: Metro day passes are not valid on buses; buses are better for those familiar with routes or on a tight budget.

Ferry (轮渡 / 渡船)

• Dongchang Road Ferry Terminal – Jinling East Road Ferry Terminal Route:
  • Route: Walk from Lujiazui (陆家嘴) to Dongchang Road Ferry Terminal (东昌路渡口), take the ferry to Jinling East Road Ferry Terminal (金陵东路渡口), enjoying water views of The Bund (外滩) and Lujiazui skyline.
  • Fare: About ¥2 (~$0.30 USD), pay by scanning the Shanghai public transportation code.
  • Tip: The upper deck offers better views and is a highly cost-effective way to see The Bund from the water.
• Others: There are additional Huangpu River ferry lines like the “Dongjin Line (东金线)” with similarly low fares, ideal as scenic transport.

Other City Transportation

• Bike Sharing (共享单车):
  • Common brands: Meituan Bike (美团单车), Hello Bike (哈啰单车), Qingju Bike (青桔单车).
  • Usage: Download the respective app or use the WeChat Mini Program (微信小程序), verify identity with passport, link a bank card, Alipay, or WeChat Pay, scan the bike’s QR code to unlock, and return the bike within designated parking areas.
  • Price: Starting at about ¥1.5–2 ($0.22–$0.30 USD) for the first 30 minutes, then about ¥0.5–1 ($0.07–$0.15 USD) per 15 minutes; also available are ride cards (e.g., ¥10 for 7 days unlimited rides).
  • Suitable for: Medium to short distances, such as riding from Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street (南京路步行街) to the Mercedes-Benz Arena (梅赛德斯-奔驰文化中心), offering a cheaper and more flexible alternative to taxis.

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Taxi (出租车)

• Starting fare: About ¥14 for the first 3 kilometers (some sources mention ¥16 for the first 3 km for regular cars, depending on vehicle type and updated policies), then approximately ¥2.7 per kilometer thereafter. Nighttime or holiday surcharges may apply.
• How to use:
  • Official taxi queues are available at airports, train stations, and popular attractions such as 外滩 (The Bund), 南京路步行街 (Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street), and 陆家嘴 (Lujiazui).
  • It is recommended to choose taxis with rooftop signs and meters, and avoid unlicensed "black cars."
• Tips:
  • In the Puxi urban area, if you avoid elevated roads, there are many traffic lights, so short taxi rides may not be faster than the metro.
  • Confirm that the driver turns on the meter when you get in; if the driver proposes a "fixed price," politely decline and insist on metered fare.

Ride-Hailing (网约车)

• Common Apps:
  • 滴滴出行 (Didi Chuxing): The most popular ride-hailing platform, offering various vehicle types including Express, Premier, and 6-seaters.
• How to use:
  • Foreign tourists can download the international or China version of 滴滴出行 (Didi Chuxing) from the App Store or Google Play, register with a phone number (some versions support overseas numbers), and link Alipay or an international credit card.
  • The app provides some English interface support, but most drivers communicate in Chinese. You can write your destination in simple English or Chinese in the order notes in advance.
• Fare reference:
  • Short trips within the city (e.g., 人民广场 (People’s Square) to 外滩 (The Bund)) cost about ¥20–40.
  • Airport to city center:
    • 浦东国际机场 (Pudong International Airport) → 外滩 (The Bund)/人民广场 (People’s Square): around ¥150, fluctuating.
    • 虹桥国际机场 (Hongqiao International Airport) → city center: about ¥60–100, depending on traffic.
  • When traveling with multiple people or lots of luggage, the per-person cost is often more economical than the metro.

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• No relevant information available

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Essential and Recommended Apps

• Maps and Navigation:
  • 高德地图 (Amap), 百度地图 (Baidu Maps): Primarily Chinese interfaces, but support English place name searches. Very detailed for walking, metro, and bus route planning.
• Transportation and Travel:
  • Metro大都会 (Metro Daduhui): Official Shanghai Metro ride code and ticketing app; you can purchase day passes and view route maps.
  • 随申行 (Suishenxing): Comprehensive Shanghai travel service app for checking buses, metro, and real-time traffic conditions.
  • 滴滴出行 (Didi Chuxing): Essential for booking ride-hailing cars.
  • Bike Sharing: 美团 (Meituan), 哈啰出行 (Hello Travel), 青桔单车 (Qingju Bike).
• Travel Planning:
  • Use apps like Gooh旅记 (Gooh Travel Journal) to check crowd levels at attractions and plan routes.

Payment Methods

• Mobile Payment:
  • 支付宝 (Alipay) and 微信支付 (WeChat Pay) are accepted almost everywhere: metro, buses, ride-hailing, bike sharing, and most merchants.
  • Foreign tourists can use these by linking international credit cards or activating the overseas wallet versions.
• Transportation Card:
  • The 上海公共交通卡 (Shanghai Public Transportation Card) can be purchased and recharged at metro station service centers or some convenience stores. It works for metro, buses, some ferries, and the maglev train, with transfer discounts.
• Cash:
  • Some metro ticket machines accept cash for single rides; some bus routes still accept coins. However, cash usage is decreasing overall, so it’s recommended to prepare mobile payment options.

Useful Chinese Transportation Phrases

• “请带我去外滩 (The Bund)。” – Qǐng dài wǒ qù Wàitān.
• “到**浦东国际机场 (Pudong International Airport)**要多少钱？” – Dào Pǔdōng Guójì Jīchǎng yào duōshǎo qián?
• “我在南京东路站 (East Nanjing Road Station)，怎么去豫园站 (Yuyuan Station)？” – Wǒ zài Nánjīng Dōnglù zhàn, zěnme qù Yùyuán zhàn?
• “请打表。” – Qǐng dǎ biǎo. (Please use the meter.)
• “这个出口去**南京路步行街 (Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street)**吗？” – Zhège chūkǒu qù Nánjīng Lù Bùxíng Jiē ma?

Common Pitfalls and Tips

• Metro Transfer Distances:
  • Some major stations (like 南京西路站 (West Nanjing Road Station)) require long walks to transfer. Allow plenty of time if catching trains or flights.
• Rush Hour Crowding:
  • The metro is very crowded during morning and evening rush hours. Avoid traveling with large luggage between 7:30–9:30 AM and 5:00–7:30 PM if possible.
• Unofficial Vehicles:
  • At airports and train stations, if someone approaches to offer rides, they are often unlicensed vehicles. It’s safer to queue for official taxis or use 滴滴出行 (Didi Chuxing).
• Ride Code Usage:
  • One QR code is valid for only one person at a time. Groups must prepare separate ride codes to avoid gate access issues.

Accessibility and Luggage

• Airports and Major Stations:
  • 浦东国际机场 (Pudong International Airport), 虹桥国际机场 (Hongqiao International Airport), 上海虹桥站 (Shanghai Hongqiao Station), 上海站 (Shanghai Railway Station) all have elevators, accessible paths, and luggage carts, friendly for travelers with large luggage or wheelchairs.
• Metro:
  • Most newly built or renovated metro stations have elevators and accessible routes, but some older station exits may only have stairs. Check for “accessible exits” in map apps in advance.
• Ferries and Bike Sharing:
  • Ferries have ramps for boarding, but be cautious during peak times due to crowds. Bike sharing is not suitable for carrying large luggage or for travelers with mobility issues.

By combining 地铁 (Metro), 公交 (Bus), 轮渡 (Ferry), 网约车 (Ride-hailing), and 共享单车 (Bike Sharing) efficiently, visitors from other cities and countries can reach almost all popular attractions in 上海 (Shanghai) quickly and economically.