Shanghai Metro at a Glance
Shanghai Metro (上海地铁) is the world’s largest urban rail system. It handles 77% of the city’s daily public transit.
| Stat | Number |
|---|
| Lines | 21 |
| Stations | 517 |
| Total Length | 896km |
| Hours | 05:00 - 23:30 (varies by line) |
2025 Update: Foreign Card Tap-to-Pay!
Since June 28, 2025, all Shanghai Metro lines accept foreign card tap-to-pay!
Supported Cards
| Card | Supported |
|---|
| Visa | ✅ |
| Mastercard | ✅ |
| American Express | ✅ |
| JCB | ✅ |
| Diners Club | ✅ |
| UnionPay | ✅ |
| e-CNY (Digital Yuan) | ✅ |
How to Use
- Have a contactless (NFC) card ready
- Tap at the turnstile reader (entry)
- Tap again at your destination (exit)
- Fare automatically charged based on distance
⚠️ Note: TYPE-B chip cards or cards without ODA may not work. Confirm “contactless payment” is enabled with your card issuer before traveling!
The Easiest Way to Ride—No App Needed
Just tap your Visa/Mastercard at the turnstile!
- No app installation
- No identity verification
- No Chinese bank account
Operating Hours
Regular Hours
| Period | Time |
|---|
| First Train | 05:00 - 06:00 |
| Last Train (Weekdays) | 22:30 - 23:37 |
| Last Train (Fri/Sat) | 00:00 - 01:05 (extended) |
Airport Connections
| Line | Hours |
|---|
| Maglev (Pudong Airport) | 06:45 - 21:40 |
| Line 2 (Pudong/Hongqiao) | 05:28 - 22:30 |
| Line 10 (Hongqiao) | 05:25 - 22:30 |
Train Frequency
| Time | Interval |
|---|
| Rush Hour (7-9am, 5-7pm) | 2.5-3 min |
| Off-Peak | 4-9 min |
| Weekends | ~5 min |
Fares
Pricing Structure
| Distance | Fare |
|---|
| 0-6km | ¥3 |
| 6-16km | ¥3 + ¥1 per 10km |
| 16km+ | ¥3 + ¥1 per 20km |
| Maximum | ¥15 |
Discounts
| Type | Discount |
|---|
| Metro ↔ Bus transfer | ¥1 off (within 120 min) |
Payment Methods
Option 1: Foreign Card Tap (Recommended!)
Pros: No app, no verification—just tap and go
How: Tap card at turnstile
Option 2: SH MaaS App (Suishenxing)
Shanghai’s integrated transport app with English support.
| Detail | Info |
|---|
| App Name | SH MaaS (随申行 / Suishenxing) |
| Languages | English, Chinese |
| Features | Metro, bus, ferry, taxi |
| Bonus | Add QR for up to 2 companions |
How to use:
- Download app, sign up
- Link foreign card (Visa/MC/Discover/JCB/Diners)
- Generate QR code
- Scan at turnstile
Option 3: Metro Daduhui App
The official Shanghai Metro app.
| Detail | Info |
|---|
| App Name | 大都会 (Metro Daduhui) |
| Languages | English available (some features unstable) |
| Features | Metro only |
Option 4: Alipay/WeChat Pay QR
Use the transport mini-program within Alipay or WeChat.
Option 5: Shanghai Transportation Card
| Detail | Info |
|---|
| Deposit | ¥20 |
| Purchase | Station service centers, convenience stores |
| Use | Metro, bus, ferry, taxi |
| Refund | At service centers (includes deposit) |
Option 6: Single-Ride Ticket
Buy at ticket machines with cash or mobile payment.
Tourist Passes
| Pass | Price | Coverage |
|---|
| 1-Day | ¥18 | 24 hours unlimited |
| 3-Day | ¥45 | 72 hours unlimited |
| 7-Day | SH MaaS app | Metro + bus + ferry |
| Maglev Combo (one-way) | ¥55 | Maglev + 24hr metro |
| Maglev Combo (round-trip) | ¥85 | Maglev RT + 24hr metro |
How to Ride
Step by Step
- Find entrance: Look for blue M signs
- Security check: Bag X-ray, body metal detector
- Pay: Card tap / QR scan / ticket insert
- Navigate: Follow signs for line and direction
- Board
- Exit: Tap/scan at exit turnstile
Security Screening
| Item | Details |
|---|
| Who | All passengers, all stations |
| Method | Bag X-ray, metal detector walk-through |
| Prohibited | Flammables, explosives, sharp objects, pressurized containers |
| Tip | Liquids in clear containers, laptops separate inspection |
Luggage Storage
Self-service lockers available at 144 stations, 214 locations.
| Detail | Info |
|---|
| Total Lockers | 3,900 |
| Backpack | ¥10-15/day |
| Suitcase | ¥20-30/day |
| Payment | WeChat/Alipay QR scan |
| Languages | English, Japanese, Korean! |
Key stations: Nanjing East Road, Xujiahui, Lujiazui, Shanghai Railway Station, Hongqiao, Disney, Yuyuan
Key Lines
Line 2 (Green) - Most Important!
Pudong Airport ↔ Hongqiao Airport
| Station | Connection |
|---|
| Pudong International Airport | Airport |
| Lujiazui | Oriental Pearl, IFC |
| Nanjing East Road | The Bund, shopping |
| People’s Square | Transfer hub |
| Nanjing West Road | Jing’an Temple |
| Hongqiao Airport T2 | Airport, high-speed rail |
Line 1 (Red)
| Station | Connection |
|---|
| People’s Square | Transfer hub |
| Huangpi South Road | Xintiandi |
| Xujiahui | Shopping |
| Shanghai Railway Station | Train station |
Line 10 (Light Purple)
| Station | Connection |
|---|
| Yuyuan Garden | Yu Garden, City God Temple |
| Nanjing East Road | The Bund |
| Hongqiao Airport T1 | Airport |
| Hongqiao Railway Station | High-speed rail |
Line 11 (Burgundy)
| Station | Connection |
|---|
| Disney Resort | Shanghai Disneyland |
| Jiading North | Jiading |
Airport Connections
Pudong Airport → Downtown
| Method | Time | Fare | Best For |
|---|
| Line 2 | ~90 min | ¥7-9 | Budget |
| Maglev + Line 2 | ~45 min | ¥50-55 | Speed, experience |
| Taxi/DiDi | ~60 min | ¥150-200 | Convenience |
Hongqiao Airport → Downtown
| Method | Time | Fare |
|---|
| Line 2 | ~30 min | ¥4-6 |
| Line 10 | ~30 min | ¥4-6 |
Tips for Travelers
Payment Apps
| App | Support |
|---|
| Foreign wallet apps | ✅ Some support via Alipay+ |
💡 But direct card tap is easier—use apps as backup!
Language Support
| Item | English? |
|---|
| Station Signs | ✅ |
| Locker Interface | ✅ + Korean + Japanese |
| SH MaaS App | ✅ |
Useful Chinese
| English | Chinese | Pinyin |
|---|
| Where’s the metro? | 地铁站在哪里？ | Dìtiě zhàn zài nǎlǐ? |
| How much? | 多少钱？ | Duōshao qián? |
| Which line? | 几号线？ | Jǐ hào xiàn? |
| Transfer | 换乘 | Huànchéng |
| Exit | 出口 | Chūkǒu |
| Entrance | 入口 | Rùkǒu |
Watch Out For
Rush Hour
| Time | Situation |
|---|
| 07:00-09:00 | Very crowded ⚠️ |
| 17:00-19:00 | Very crowded ⚠️ |
💡 Avoid rush hour if you have luggage!
Scams to Avoid
| Type | Description |
|---|
| Tea house scam | Friendly stranger invites you for “tea” → huge bill |
| Taxi tout | ”Taxi?” at airports → inflated prices |
| QR scam | Fake bike-share QR → fraud site |
| Pickpockets | Watch belongings in crowded cars |
| Service | Number |
|---|
| Metro Hotline | +86-21-6437-0000 |
| Police | 110 (8 languages including English) |
| Fire | 119 |
| Ambulance | 120 |
| Government Services | 12345 |
Lost & Found
- Visit nearest station Service Center
- Or call +86-21-6437-0000
- Describe item, get receipt
- Items kept for 180 days
Quick Start Checklist
Easiest method:
Using apps:
Using cash:
