Shanghai Transport Guide: Maglev, Bus, Ferry, Bike-Share

Beyond the metro—maglev trains, city buses, Huangpu River ferries, and bike-sharing. Complete guide for getting around Shanghai.

Shanghai Transport Guide: Maglev, Bus, Ferry, Bike-Share

Maglev Train (磁悬浮)

The world’s first commercial high-speed maglev! Connects Pudong Airport to downtown in 7-8 minutes.

Basic Info

DetailInfo
RoutePudong Airport ↔ Longyang Road (30km)
Travel Time7-8 minutes
Top Speed430km/h (peak) / 301km/h (off-peak)
FrequencyEvery 15-20 min

Operating Hours

DirectionFirstLast
Pudong Airport07:0221:42
Longyang Road06:4521:40

Fares

TypePrice
One-way regular¥50
Round-trip regular¥80 (valid 7 days)
VIP one-way¥100
Airline ticket discount¥40 (20% off, show boarding pass)
Transport card¥40
TicketPriceIncludes
Maglev + 24hr Metro¥55Maglev one-way + unlimited metro
Maglev RT + 24hr Metro¥85Maglev round-trip + unlimited metro

💡 Keep your ticket as a souvenir!

Payment

Foreign card tap accepted since June 2025!

MethodAccepted
Visa/Mastercard/JCB tap
Alipay/WeChat Pay QR✅ (via Metro Daduhui)
Cash✅ (counter/machine)
Transport Card✅ (¥40 discounted)

How to Ride

  1. Arrive at Maglev station (Pudong Airport: follow signs / Longyang Road: transfer from Line 2)
  2. Buy ticket at 2F counter or machine
  3. Pass security
  4. Through turnstile (ticket/card tap/QR scan)
  5. Arrive at platform 5 min before departure (doors close 1 min early)
  6. Board for 7-8 min ride

Tips

  • Max speed experience: Board before 9am or after 5pm for 430km/h
  • Best seat: Right side facing airport direction for views
  • Luggage: Max 130cm total (24” suitcase OK)
  • Longyang Road transfers: Lines 2 (Nanjing Rd/People’s Square), 7 (Jing’an Temple), 16, 18

City Bus (公交车)

Shanghai buses cover 1,600+ routes—useful for areas without metro.

Basic Info

DetailInfo
Routes1,600+
Fare¥1-2 (city)
Hours05:30 - 21:30 (varies)
Night Buses301-345 (23:00 - 05:30)

Payment

MethodAccepted
Visa/Mastercard tap✅ (8,000+ buses)
Alipay/WeChat Pay QR
Cash✅ (exact change)
Transport Card✅ (10% discount)

How to Ride

  1. Check route at bus stop
  2. Board at front door
  3. Tap card or scan QR (prepaid fare)
  4. Exit at back door

⚠️ Buses have limited wheelchair access. Metro is better for accessibility.

Sightseeing Bus

PassPriceIncludes
24 hours¥30Unlimited double-decker rides
48 hours¥50Unlimited double-decker rides
  • 8-language GPS audio guide
  • Stops at Shanghai Museum, Nanjing Road, The Bund, Yu Garden, Xintiandi, etc.

When to Use Buses

Good for:

  • Destinations far from metro
  • Scenic routes (like along The Bund)
  • Night travel (301-345 night buses)

Avoid when:

  • Rush hour (7-9am, 5-7pm)
  • You have heavy luggage
  • Long distances

Huangpu River Ferry (轮渡)

Cross between Puxi (west) and Pudong (east) for just ¥2 while enjoying Bund-Lujiazui views!

Basic Info

DetailInfo
Fare¥2 (walking) / ¥2.8 (with bicycle)
Crossing Time~5 minutes
Routes17 routes, 34-40 piers
ReservationNot needed (frequent service)

Best Routes for Tourists

RouteHoursNotes
Dongjin Line (东金线)07:00-18:30Bund↔Lujiazui daytime, pedestrian only
Dongfu Line (东复线)07:00-21:00Night views recommended!
Taigong Line (泰公线)06:00-21:50”Most beautiful sunset route”

Payment

MethodAccepted
Alipay/WeChat Pay QR
Transport Card
Cash✅ (¥2 coins)

💡 ¥2 Ferry vs. Cruise: Ferry is 5 min/¥2, cruise is 30 min-4 hr/¥150-800. Similar views at 1/75 the price!

How to Ride

  1. Find pier (渡口) — tourists: Jinling East Road (金陵东路) pier recommended
  2. Scan QR / tap card / insert coins at turnstile
  3. Board ferry — upper deck (上层) has best views
  4. Disembark on opposite side after 5 min

Tips

  • Best time: Sunset 17:00-19:00 (when city lights turn on)
  • Photos: Have camera ready (5 min goes fast!)
  • Nearby: Puxi → Bund, Nanjing Road / Pudong → Oriental Pearl, Shanghai Tower

Bike-Share (共享单车)

Three main operators: Hellobike (哈啰), Meituan (美团), Qingju (青桔, DiDi’s brand).

Basic Info

DetailInfo
Hours24/7
Base Rate¥1.5 / 15 min
ColorsHellobike (blue), Meituan (yellow), Qingju (green)

Pricing

OperatorRate1 Hour Cost
Hellobike¥1.5/15 min + ¥1/15 min~¥4.5
Meituan¥1.5/15 min + ¥0.5/15 min~¥3
Qingju (DiDi)¥1.5 + ¥1/10 min~¥5.5

Easiest Method for Foreigners

Use Hellobike through Alipay:

  1. Download Alipay, sign up
  2. Link foreign card (Visa/MC/JCB)
  3. Search “Hellobike” or “哈啰单车” in app
  4. No additional registration needed!
  5. Scan bike QR → unlock → ride → park in designated area → lock

Deposit

SituationDeposit
Via Alipay HellobikeWaived
Standalone app (credit score 550+)Waived
Foreigner (0 credit score)¥99-199 (temporary hold)

Watch Out

⚠️ QR Scam Alert!

  • Watch for fake QR stickers on bikes
  • Check if QR is original or stuck over
  • Only use official apps (never scan flyers near bikes)

Parking Rules

  • Park in designated zones (white/yellow lines)
  • Don’t block sidewalks or building entrances
  • Improper parking → ¥5-20 fine or deposit charge

App Summary

AppUseEnglish
SH MaaS (随申行)Metro, bus, ferry, taxi integrated
Metro DaduhuiMaglev, metro✅ (partial)
DiDiTaxi/Qingju bikes
AlipayPayment + Hellobike

SH MaaS Features

  • Real-time bus arrivals
  • Metro/bus/ferry routing
  • Generate QR for up to 2 companions
  • Buy 1/3/7-day passes

Payment Summary

AppSupport
Foreign wallet apps⚠️ Some via Alipay+ (limited)

💡 For public transport, foreign card tap or Alipay link is most reliable.

Useful Chinese

EnglishChinesePinyin
Where’s the Maglev?磁悬浮站在哪里?Cí xuánfú zhàn zài nǎlǐ?
One ticket please我要一张票Wǒ yào yī zhāng piào
Round-trip往返票Wǎngfǎn piào
Where’s the bus stop?公交车站在哪里?Gōngjiāo chēzhàn zài nǎlǐ?
Where’s the ferry pier?渡口在哪里?Dùkǒu zài nǎlǐ?
Bike-share共享单车Gòngxiǎng dānchē
Scan QR扫码Sǎo mǎ

Emergency Contacts

ServiceNumber
Maglev Customer Service+86-21-2890-7777
Hellobike Hotline400-091-0857
Police110
Ambulance120
Government Services12345

Comparison Summary

TransportProsConsBest For
MaglevFast, unique experienceExpensivePudong Airport ↔ downtown
BusCheap, wide coverageSlow, language barrierAreas without metro
FerryDirt cheap, great viewsLimited routesBund ↔ Lujiazui
Bike-shareConvenient, last-mileParking rulesShort distances

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