Getting Around Shanghai

Taxi
Shanghai is served by a fleet of at least 45,000 taxis. Visitors are advised that meter rates are significantly higher than those in other cities.

Bus
There are more than 1,100 bus routes in operation in Shanghai, and buses are jam packed all day. Shanghai Railway Station, Renmin Square (People's Square), Xujiahui, Zhongshan Park, Wujiaochang, Shanghai Indoor Stadium and Dongchang Road serve as the main bus transfer stations in downtown Shanghai. Shenzhuang, Longyang Road and Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park stations provide many routes to Shanghai's suburbs.
Fares for the regular public bus is RMB 1, and for air-conditioned ones, RMB 2. Most bus routes accept the Shanghai Public Transportation Card (IC card). Exceptions include some of the Special and Suburban Lines.

Subway
Shanghai has a comprehensive city rail transit system known as the Metro, which combines subway, light rail and the Pudong Airport Maglev line. There are 8 Metro lines in all, with more under construction. Operation hours for Lines 1- 4 are 6:00-22:30, and 6:00-22:00 for Line 5. The Metro system has introduced electronic ticketing machines so visitors should carry plenty of change. Fares range from RMB2 to RMB9 depending on distance.
Visitors staying in Shanghai for some time should purchase a Shanghai Public Transportation Card, or IC card. The card can be used on the Metro, on some public buses, ferries, and even taxis. An IC card costs RMB 100 with RMB 30 deposit and RMB 70 credit. Visitors can top up the cards at any designated Metro station, bus station, bank and store.

Maglev Train
The Maglev Demonstration Line is the only commercial train in the world that runs by magnetic levitation. The train has no wheels: magnetic forces keep it hovering a centimeter or so above the track, allowing very high speeds. The line provides rapid transit from Pudong International Airport to Longyang Road Metro Station–the 30-kilometer-long journey takes just eight minutes. The train runs daily from 7:00 am until 9:00 pm.

To and From Shanghai

Bus
Shanghai has about 1,680 long-distance bus routes that connect it with many other cities in China. Most of the bus stations concentrated around Zhabei District near the Shanghai Railway Station. Popular destinations include cities in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces.
Shanghai Long-Distance General Bus Station (Shanghai Changtu Qiche) Zongzhan
Hutai Road Long-Distance Bus Station (Hutai Lu Qichezhan)
Shanghai Long-Distance General Bus Station (Shanghai Changtu Qiche) Zongzhan
Hutai Road Long-Distance Bus Station (Hutai Lu Qichezhan)

Train
Shanghai's busiest train stations are Shanghai Railway Station and Shanghai South Railway Station.

Shanghai Railway Station (Shanghai Zhan)
This is located in Zhabei district, on the intersection of Metro Lines 1, 3 and 4. At least 160 trains run daily between Shanghai and other cities all over the country. There are express trains to Beijing, Nanjing, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Wuxi, Changzhou and Changsha. Shanghai Railway Station also runs tourist trains to Huangshan and Yan'an, while Shanghai South Railway Station runs a tourist train to Wuyishan. Visitors are advised to reserve their tickets 4-9 days in advance.

Shanghai South Railway Station (Shanghai Nanzhan)
Shanghai South Railway station serves southern destinations like Hangzhou, Jiashan, and Hong Kong. There are also express trains to Hangzhou (approximately 1.5 hrs), Changsha (approximately 7.5 hrs) and Nanchang (approximately 5 hrs). The station is located at the intersection of Metro Lines 1 and 3.
Tickets for trains departing this station and Shanghai Railway Station are available nine days before the departure date, and can be purchased at the railway station. Tickets can also be purchased at ticket agencies and hotels four days in advance of the departure date. Expect to pay an additional RMB5 for processing.

Air
Shanghai has two international airports, Pudong International Airport (PVG) and Hongqiao International Airport (SHA). Pudong International Airport serves as an international gateway while Hongqiao handles domestic flights.
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) is approximately 30 kilometers outside the city center, while Hongqiao International Airport is about 13 kilometers from Shanghai. Pudong currently serves more than 50 airlines from home and abroad that connect to more than 70 international cities and 60 domestic destinations.
Domestic-international transfer travelers and vice versa usually have to make their way from one airport to the other to complete their journey. A shuttle service connects the two airports, and the journey time is usually about 1 and a half hours.
Pudong International Airport (PVG)
Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)

Water
The Port of Shanghai mainly functions as a cargo port these days, but it still serves some passenger routes. Daily routes include Chengsi Island (Zhejiang Province), Changxing Island, Chongming Island and Hengsha Island. Visitors traveling to Chengshi Island should go to Luchao Port. Passengers are advised to phone ahead, as weather frequently disrupts schedules. Those bound for Changxing Island, Chongming Island and Hengsha Island should head for Wusong Passenger Transport Center and Wusong Port. Ships travel to Putuoshan (Zhejiang), Sijiao (Zhejiang) and Dinghai (Zhoushan City). Travelers heading to these destinations should head for Gongpin Road Port. They should arrive at the port at least half an hour before departing. International destinations include Incheon and Pusan in Korea and Osaka and Kobe in Japan. Ships depart from Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal.