Shanghai is China's largest city and a global financial hub, where gleaming skyscrapers tower over historic colonial-era buildings along the iconic Bund waterfront. A dynamic metropolis blending East and West, Shanghai offers world-class dining, vibrant arts and culture, and remarkable contrasts between ancient gardens and futuristic architecture.
- Public
- Shanghai Metro is one of the world's best — clean, fast, cheap, extensive, and fully bilingual. A transport card (Jiaotong Card) can be loaded at any metro station.
- Taxi
- Metered taxis are regulated and reliable; DiDi app is even easier as it avoids language barriers and shows the price upfront
- Rental
- Not practical for tourists — foreign licenses are not accepted and city driving is highly congested
- Walking
- The French Concession and Bund areas are highly walkable with pleasant streets
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- $25-30 from Hongqiao; $25-32 from Pudong (Maglev section + taxi)
- Taxi Info
- Use DiDi app at arrival to get a fair metered fare; airport taxi queues can be long during peak hours
- Shuttle
- $4-6 from both airports via airport bus routes
- Shuttle Info
- Airport buses run every 15-30 minutes with routes to major hotels and districts; signs in English
- Bus
- $1.10 from Hongqiao via city bus; metro is more practical
- Bus Info
- Hongqiao Metro Lines 2 and 10 directly accessible from terminal; Pudong Metro Line 2 goes to city center
- Private
- $50-80 for pre-booked private car with English-speaking driver
- Private Info
- Book via hotel concierge or apps like Klook for reliable airport-to-hotel transfers; ideal for late arrivals
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
1,000+ bus routes cover entire city; ¥2 flat fare; Bus 20 and 66 are tourist-friendly Bund area routes
Alternatives
Metro (best), DiDi app ride-hailing, shared bikes (Meituan/Hello), Huangpu River ferry (scenic)
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- ¥14 base fare + ¥2.5/km daytime; ¥18 base + ¥3.1/km after 11PM
- Apps
- DiDi, AutoNavi (Gaode Maps)
- App Names
- DiDi (滴滴), AutoNavi (高德地图)
- Typical Fare
- ¥25-40 for average 5-10km city ride ($3.50-5.50)
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
Long-distance buses from Shanghai South Bus Terminal ¥30-80 to nearby cities
Shared
Shared DiDi Express available for intercity routes (not recommended for long distances)
Flights
Domestic flights from Hongqiao Airport from ¥200-600 ($28-83); book on Ctrip
Private
Car hire with driver from ¥800-1500/day ($110-207) including fuel and driver fees
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Shanghai has world-class public transportation anchored by one of the world's largest metro networks with 20+ lines and 500+ stations. The city is also served by two international airports, an extensive bus network, DiDi ride-hailing, and the iconic Maglev train from Pudong Airport.
Airports
Shanghai Pudong International Airport
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
DiDi (滴滴出行)
Ride-hailing app — equivalent to Uber; supports English; best for taxis without language barriers
MetroPoli
English metro map and navigation app for the Shanghai Metro; works offline
Meituan / Hello Bike
Dockless shared bike apps — scan QR code to unlock and ride anywhere in the city
12306 (铁路12306)
Official Chinese rail booking app for high-speed trains to Hangzhou, Suzhou, Beijing, etc.
Ctrip (携程)
Comprehensive travel app for booking domestic flights, trains, hotels, and tours — English language supported
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Get a Jiaotong Card (public transport card) at any metro station — reloadable and saves queuing for tickets
Download MetroPoli or Explore Shanghai apps for offline metro maps with English station names
DiDi is easier than taxis — download before arriving, link international credit card or Alipay
The Maglev train from Pudong Airport is a must-experience; it reaches 430 km/h in the first minute
Avoid taxis between 7-9AM and 5-7PM — traffic jams are severe; metro is always faster during peak hours
Metro Line 2 is the key tourist line: it connects Pudong Airport → Lujiazui → People's Square → Jing'an → Hongqiao Airport
The Bund to Pudong ferry (¥2) is more scenic and often faster than the metro during off-peak hours
Shared bikes (Meituan blue bikes) are scattered everywhere — just scan to unlock and leave anywhere