Shanghai Transportation Guide: How to Get Around & Travel Easily

Shanghai is a world-class city that's easy to navigate. You'll find signage in Chinese and English, highly advanced infrastructure, and a straightforward transportation system. It's also close to other cultural attractions and natural sights, like Hangzhou and Huangshan. Read on to discover how to get to what many people refer to as China's Magic City and how to make sure you see everything while you're in Shanghai.

Huangpu River ferry at the Bund in Shanghai

How to Get to Shanghai

The Bund in Shanghai

Shanghai is exceptionally accessible by land, air, and sea. We can help with any logistics and put together a personalized itinerary that suits your needs.

By Air

Shanghai is serviced by two international airports: Pudong Airport and Hongqiao Airport. If you're flying internationally, chances are you'll land at Pudong, whereas Hongqiao hosts domestic and regional flights. Both airports have English signage, multiple lounges and places to eat, complimentary Wi-Fi, and currency exchanges.

Airport	Public Transportation to Shanghai City Center	Car to Shanghai City Center
Pudong Airport	Metro 2 line or airport shuttle bus to the city center: 1 hour	1 hour
Hongqiao Airport	Metro 10 line: 30 minutes	30 minutes

By Train

Shanghai has a robust train system with three major stations: Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station, Shanghai Railway Station, and Shanghai South Railway Station. These stations offer both regular and high-speed trains that connect with cities like Nanjing, Suzhou, and Hangzhou, making overland travel a convenient and stress-free option for people who want to see more of China.

Tips for buying tickets:

• Use the 12306 app or China Railway's website to book your ticket online
• Book in advance if you're traveling during the holidays or peak season
• Have your passport information ready when booking

By Ship

Shanghai is a seaside city, so many international cruises board there. Cruise lines that run in and out of Shanghai include MSC, Norwegian, and Royal Caribbean. It's also the final stopping point for the Yangtze River cruise from Chongqing to Shanghai, a multi-day tour that combines the metropolitan sights of Shanghai with impressive nature.

Public Transportation in Shanghai

Yu Garden in Shanghai

Shanghai's public transportation system is both massive and easy to navigate, and you'll find many options that get you to major attractions without missing a beat.

Shanghai Metro

Shanghai's metro spreads all throughout the city, and it's one of the most convenient ways to get around. It connects the airports, train stations, and most popular tourist attractions, and no matter where you are, you're likely to find a station within about 2 kilometers.

The metro can get extremely crowded during the weekday rush hours (7 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.) and public holidays, so give yourself a little extra time. Fares start at 3 RMB, and you can buy single fares, day passes, or multi-day passes. Below is a quick rundown of the places you can get to from the Shanghai metro.

• Shanghai Museum: Lines 2, 1, 8
• The Bund: Lines 10, 2
• Yu Garden: Line 10
• Oriental Pearl Tower: Line 2
• Shanghai Disney: Line 11
• Jing'an Temple: Lines 7, 2

Bus

Riding by bus is an effective way to see Shanghai, as there are almost 2,000 stations spread across the city center and outskirts. Plus, you can pay in a multitude of ways, including Alipay, WeChat, or cash. Please remember that bus drivers don't change larger bills, so if you're paying in cash, make sure that you have the correct amount. Fares start at 1 RMB but can be higher depending on where you want to go.

Shanghai Maglev

This special train links the Pudong Airport and the city center, cutting down on your travel time from 1 hour to 20 minutes. Tickets cost 50 RMB per person. Purchase them right at the station when you arrive. No pre-booking is required.

Self-Driving Taxi

Self-driving taxi in Shanghai

Shanghai offers autonomous, self-driving taxis near the Bund. This high-tech ride is bound to be one of the coolest things you'll do in Shanghai, but these taxis have a very limited operating range and only run between designated locations. We can arrange this experience for you.

Huangpu River Ferry

Cruise from one side of the river to the other on the Huangpu River Ferry, which costs 2 RMB per one-way trip. You can pick up ferries at the Bund, and it takes roughly 10 minutes to cross the river.

Travel From Shanghai to Other Cities

Street view in Shanghai

Shanghai is a fantastic hub for visiting additional cities because there are plenty of domestic options by air and land. We can give you suggestions based on how many days you're planning on being in the country and help make all the arrangements for visiting other exciting cities near Shanghai.

• Shanghai to Beijing: Flights take 2 hours and 15 minutes, and high-speed trains take between 4.5 and 6.5 hours.
• Shanghai to Huangshan: There are no flights, and high-speed trains take 3 hours.
• Shanghai to Chengdu: flights take 3 hours, and high-speed trains take 11-12 hours.
• Shanghai to Xi'an: flights take 2.5 hours, and high-speed trains take 7-8 hours.

You can also travel between these destinations by regular train or bus, but it's far more convenient to fly or use the high-speed option. We're here to answer any specific questions you might have about going from place to place.

Explore One of China's Most Fascinating Cities

Shanghai is easily one of the top places to visit in China. Plus, it's easy to fly into from anywhere in the world, and once you arrive, you'll have no trouble getting around. It's the ideal home base for seeing more cities and attractions, thanks to a network of high-speed trains and domestic flights. Learn why Shanghai is on everyone's bucket list. Email us at trip@odynovotours.com or visit our contact page to get started today.