Here is your guide to mastering Shanghai's Metro, and learn how to navigate maps, fares, stations, and schedules 👇 Essential information for effortless Shanghai subway travel.
The Shanghai Metro was first officially put into operation by the Metro Line 1 in 1993, becoming the third urban rail transit system to be opened on the Chinese mainland.
Among them, Line 11 can reach Kunshan City, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province. Therefore, Shanghai Metro is the first urban rail transit system in China to operate across provinces.
By November 30, 2024, Shanghai Metro has opened 20 lines, 510 stations and an operating mileage of 837 kilometers, competing with Beijing Metro for the title of the world's longest urban rail transit system in terms of total line length.
Shanghai Metro is the World’s largest network, which has 20 lines (including Maglev), and 800+ km of track.
Source from Wikipedia
Step 1 Ticketing Options
You can purchase one-way tickets at the automatic ticket vending machines with cash or by scanning a code. Please note that only some machines of the ticket vending machines have cash counters.
You can also purchase or recharge the Shanghai Public Transport Card at the automatic card vending machine. (For the regular version, a deposit of 20 yuan can be refunded, and any balance within 100 yuan can also be fully refunded.)
There are two types of card vending machines. One can only be used for recharging, while the other can sell and return cards as well as recharge. There is a sticker on the waist of the machine for instructions. Basically, there is a card available for sale and refund at every subway station. The payment methods supported include scanning codes from common payment apps and UnionPay physical cards.
Some machines also support cash. Card refunds can only be made to the balance of the green or blue payment APP or transferred to other transportation cards.
Note: If foreigners need to return their cards in cash, the transportation card company has set up manual service stations at Exit 5 of Line 1 of Shanghai Railway Station, T2 of Hongqiao Railway Station, South Exit of Hongqiao Railway Station Metro Station, Exit 2 of Line 2 of Longyang Road and other stations where they can handle the procedures.
Step 2 Security Check
The security check in Shanghai Metro is slightly more lenient than that in other cities. Just open your small bag and let the security inspector take a look. Restricted items can be referred to other cities or national railways.
Step 3 Entry
Single-trip tickets, daily tickets, physical or NFC transportation cards should be directly affixed to the sensing area above the turnstile for entry. Just align the ride code with the scanning window. For the Metro Metropolitan ride code, the Bluetooth function needs to be turned on. At some stations, the gates are piloted to remain open all the time. If you enter without having your ticket checked, the gates will close.
Step 4 Boarding Trains
There are trains running in different directions or with different destinations. Please pay attention. The announcements inside the carriages of the Shanghai Metro are relatively quiet, and some lines do not have very intuitive display screens in the carriages. It is essential not to miss your stop.
Step 5 Exiting & Transfers
Single-trip tickets for exiting the station are directly inserted into the ticket gate of the turnstile for collection. The operation method for other types of tickets and cards is the same as that for entering the station. At several virtual transfer stations (such as Terminal 2 of Hongqiao Airport, Shanghai Railway Station, Nanjing West Road, etc.), non-one-way tickets can enjoy continuous charging and are not counted as exiting the station.
The single ride on the Shanghai Metro is limited to 4 hours. If you exceed this time limit, you will need to pay the minimum fare of 3 yuan. If you need to exit at the same station within 15 minutes after entering the station, you can go to the service desk to cancel your entry record and then exit manually. There is no charge.
Note: When using a public transportation card or UnionPay card to take the Maglev train normally, the one-way fare is 40 yuan. When buying a one-way ticket at the window, they will ask if you have an air ticket. If you say no, it will cost 50 yuan; if you say yes, it will cost 40 yuan.
1. Search through map software
The simplest and most straightforward method is to make use of map software, such as Autonavi Maps and Baidu Maps. Just search for the destination you want to go on the map APP, and you can get a variety of transfer options. In addition to the transfer plan, you can also see the time required for the journey, which is convenient for reasonably planning the travel time.
2. Site Guidance
If you can't use the relevant map APP, you can check the track of the line at the subway station or inside the subway. All the stations where you can transfer have relevant signs. As long as you find the station where the line you need to transfer to is located, you can transfer easily.
3. Consult the staff or passengers
If you are still not sure, you can ask the subway station staff or other passengers. They are usually willing to offer help.
An example of transfer routes in Shanghai Metro-Transfer from Shanghai Metro Line 7 to Line 2
There are two stations where you can transfer from Shanghai Metro Line 7 to Line 2:
Physical Card
Virtual Card (NFC)
Metro Daduhui App
Alipay/WeChat
User Type | Best Payment Method |
|---|---|
Short-stay tourist | Single tickets or 1-Day Pass |
Frequent traveler | NFC Virtual Card (SPTC) |
Tech-savvy visitor | Alipay/WeChat Transit Code |
Multi-city traveler | T-Union SPTC Card (physical/NFC) |
Key Notes
◼ Children: ≥1.3m height requires full-price ticket.
◼ Transfers: QR users in "virtual transfer stations" (e.g., Nanjing West Rd) must not exit gates for continuous billing.
◼ Maglev Combo: Buy round-trip Maglev + Metro Day Pass for ¥85 at Maglev stations (saves ¥13 vs separate).
Base System: Distance-based pricing, starting at ¥3.
Example Routes & Fares:
Route | Distance | Fare |
Pudong Airport → East Nanjing Road | 30 km | ¥7 |
Hongqiao Airport → People's Square | 17 km | ¥5 |
Shanghai Railway Stn → Disney Resort | 35 km | ¥8 |
Xujiahui → Lujiazui | 8 km | ¥4 |
Line | First Train (Direction→Terminus) | Last Train (From Origin Station) | Peak Frequency (Weekdays) | Off-Peak Frequency (Nights/Weekends) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Line 2 | 5:28 AM (Xu Jing East → Pudong Airport) | 11:34 PM (Pudong Airport → Hongqiao) | 2–3 mins | 5–8 mins |
Line 1 | 5:30 AM (Fujin Road → Xinzhuang) | 11:30 PM (Shanghai South Railway → Fujin Road) | 3–4 mins | 6–10 mins |
Line 10 | 5:25 AM (Jilong Road → Xinjiangwancheng) | 11:55 PM (Xinjiangwancheng → Hongqiao) | 4–5 mins | 7–12 mins |
Line 11 | 5:36 AM (Disney → Huaqiao) | 11:51 PM (Jiading North → Disney) | 5–6 mins | 8–15 mins |
Maglev | 6:45 AM (Longyang Road → Pudong Airport) | 9:40 PM (Pudong Airport → Longyang Road) | 15–20 mins | 20–25 mins |
📅 Schedule Notes & Tips
Attractions:
How to Get There:
Exit Gate 1 for the museum; Gate 3 leads directly to Nanjing Road.
Attractions:
How to Get There:
Take Exit 3 for the Pearl Tower; follow signs to Shanghai Tower (5-min walk).
Attractions:
How to Get There:
Exit Gate 7 and walk straight toward the river.
Attractions:
Shanghai Disneyland (¥475): Mickey in China!
How to Get There:
The station drops you at the park entrance—just follow the crowds!
Attractions:
How to Get There:
Take Exit 1, the garden is a 5-min signed walk.
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