Getting Around Shanghai 2026: Metro, Maglev, and Taxis

Shanghai's public transport is fast, clean, and good value. The metro reaches almost everywhere a visitor wants to go, the Maglev connects Pudong Airport to the eastern edge of the network in eight minutes, and taxis are metered and generally honest. The difficulty is knowing which option makes sense for your luggage, arrival time, and tolerance for crowds.

This guide covers the current fares and rules as of October 2026. Confirm exact schedules on the official apps, because the last train times vary by line and change with maintenance.

Arriving: the short version

• Pudong Airport (PVG): the Maglev to Longyang Road is the fastest novelty; metro line 2 is the cheapest; a taxi is easiest with luggage. Allow 50–70 minutes to the city centre by metro or taxi.
• Hongqiao Airport (SHA): metro lines 2 and 10, a taxi, or a short connection to Hongqiao Railway Station for high-speed trains. It is much closer to the centre than Pudong.
• Shanghai Railway Station and Hongqiao Railway Station: both have metro access; do not confuse the airport and railway stations at Hongqiao.
• Cruise terminals and the ferry piers: check the exact terminal, as they are not interchangeable.

The metro

The Shanghai Metro is the default way to get around. Signage, ticket machines, and announcements are in English and Chinese, and stations are staffed. Fares are distance-based: ¥3 for the first 6 km, then ¥1 for every additional 10 km, calculated on the shortest route.

Trains generally run from around 05:30 to 23:00, but the first and last trains differ by line, and some airport services start earlier or end later. If you are catching an early flight or arriving late, check the last train for your specific line rather than assuming the network is open.

How to pay

You have four practical options:

1. Tap a contactless bank card at the gate. Shanghai Metro accepts supported UnionPay, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and JCB contactless cards across the network. The card must support contactless payment and small-amount password-free payment; some older or non-ODA cards will not work.
2. Use Alipay or WeChat Pay. Both support metro QR codes for Shanghai and can be linked to many international cards.
3. Buy a single-journey ticket from a machine or staffed counter. Ticket machines accept coins, notes, and some cards; service centres are more reliable for foreign cards.
4. Use a Shanghai Public Transportation Card if you are staying longer and want a physical card.

For a short trip, tapping a contactless bank card or using Alipay is easiest. Carry a physical card as a backup in case your phone dies.

Metro etiquette and practicalities

• Let passengers off first. Stand to the side of the doors.
• No eating or drinking on trains in Shanghai; stations are also cleaner than most visitors expect.
• Bag security: on busy lines, wear your backpack in front.
• Peak hours are roughly 07:30–09:30 and 17:30–19:00 on weekdays. Avoid changing at People's Square or Century Avenue with luggage if you can.
• Station size: some interchanges are enormous. Allow extra time and follow the line-colour signs.

My dedicated Shanghai metro guide covers the lines most useful to visitors.

The Maglev

The Shanghai Maglev is a demonstration line, not a complete airport shuttle. It runs between Pudong Airport and Longyang Road, covering about 30 km in roughly 8 minutes. Current operating speed is 300 km/h on scheduled services, not the 430 km/h figure still repeated by older guides.

Fares, per the operator's current notice:

• Single: ¥50
• Round trip: ¥80
• Discounted single with a same-day air ticket or Shanghai public transport card: ¥40
• VIP single / round trip: ¥100 / ¥160

The operating windows are 06:45–21:40 from Longyang Road and 07:02–21:42 from Pudong Airport, but check the official notice before relying on the last service.

The Maglev is worth taking once for the experience, but it does not go to the city centre. At Longyang Road you transfer to metro line 2, which adds time and a walk with luggage. If your hotel is on the east side or near Longyang, it is genuinely fast; if you are staying in Jing'an or the French Concession, a direct taxi or metro may be simpler.

Taxis

Shanghai taxis are metered and generally reliable. The current published fares are:

• Base fare: ¥14 for standard taxis; ¥16 for Touran and some electric taxis.
• Distance: ¥2.70 per km after the first 3 km.
• Long trips: a 50% surcharge on the distance fare beyond 15 km.
• Night rides: 30% surcharge on base and distance fares between 23:00 and 05:00.
• Holiday surcharge: ¥10 during Spring Festival; ¥5 during National Day and Labour Day holidays.

Use the official taxi queue at airports and railway stations. Ignore drivers who approach you inside the terminal. Ask for the meter to be used, and keep your destination written in Chinese.

A taxi from Pudong Airport to People's Square is roughly ¥180 and takes about 50 minutes in normal traffic; from Hongqiao Airport, it is around ¥100–150 and 30 minutes. These are official indicative figures, not a quote — traffic and the exact destination change the total.

Ride-hailing

DiDi is China's main ride-hailing app and has an English interface. You can also hail cars through Alipay or WeChat in some cities. At airports and stations, follow the signs to the designated ride-hailing pick-up zone; drivers cannot stop at the terminal curb.

Ride-hailing is often cheaper than a taxi for short trips and avoids language issues. It can be slower at peak times, and the pick-up point can be confusing in large stations. Set your pin carefully and message the driver with your location in Chinese if needed.

Ferries, bikes, and walking

Huangpu River ferries are part of the public transport network. They are cheap, frequent on some routes, and a great way to cross between Puxi and Pudong. Check the pier and operating hours; not every ferry is convenient for tourists.

Shared bikes are everywhere in central Shanghai, but they require a Chinese app and usually a deposit or linked payment. They are excellent for the West Bund and riverside paths, less pleasant on busy roads. Wear a helmet if you are cycling on the road; road rules and enforcement vary.

Walking is the best way to see the French Concession, the Bund, and the old city, but distances are larger than the map suggests. In summer, plan indoor breaks between 12:00 and 15:00.

Airport transfers compared

Pudong Airport (PVG)

• Maglev + metro: fastest to Longyang/east Pudong; 8 minutes plus transfer.
• Metro line 2: cheapest, around ¥7 to People's Square, roughly an hour; can be crowded with luggage.
• Taxi: around ¥180 and 50 minutes to People's Square; best with bags or late arrival.
• Airport bus: useful for specific hotel areas, but slower and less flexible.

Hongqiao Airport (SHA)

• Metro lines 2 and 10: direct to central areas; line 10 is useful for the French Concession.
• Taxi: around ¥100–150 and 30 minutes; the airport is close to the city.
• Rail transfer: Hongqiao Railway Station is next to the airport for high-speed trains.

If something goes wrong

• Lost property: contact the station service centre or the metro lost-property line; keep your ticket or card record.
• Taxi dispute: note the licence plate and ask for a receipt. Report through the taxi company or the 12345 public service hotline.
• Payment failure: carry a small amount of cash and a physical bank card. Not every gate or machine accepts every foreign card.
• Language: show the Chinese name and address of your destination on your phone.

The bottom line

Use the metro for almost everything, tap a contactless card or Alipay, and take a taxi with luggage or after a long flight. The Maglev is a fun, fast airport connection to Longyang Road, not a city-centre service. Check last trains and airport transfer times before you book an early flight.

Transport schedules and fares change. Confirm the current details with the official sources below.