Travel Tips

Getting around Shanghai: 2025 Public transport guide

Learn all you need to know about the best ways to get around Shanghai, from the metro and buses to ride-sharing apps and bike rentals.

Getting around in a city of well over 20 million people can be a challenge, especially if you’re just visiting it for the first time. Thankfully, Shanghai, China, has developed a public transportation system that allows you to move efficiently as long as you know what to look for.

To give you the most accurate information possible, we got in touch with Julie Huang, a Shanghai native and a content specialist here at Holafly. Follow along for the best public transportation tips from a Shanghai local and other useful information for getting around Shanghai.

In this article

Getting around by the Shanghai Metro

The Shanghai Metro is one of the best ways to get around the city, allowing you to avoid car traffic and reach your destination with ease. There are over 500 Shanghai metro stations running on over 20 color-coded metro lines. As a result, there’s a metro station within walking distance of anything you’d want to do in Shanghai.

To make things more convenient, you can get a rechargeable Shanghai public transportation card or set up an Alipay app that allows you to buy metro tickets on your phone by simply scanning a QR code at the station.

Here’s what Shanghai resident Julie Huang had to say about using the metro for getting around Shanghai:

“Shanghai’s metro systems are extensive and punctual. Metro trains generally run on schedule. Shanghai uses digital displays and apps to keep schedules tight. Delays are rare except in extreme weather or construction. Of course, rush-hour crowding can slow things down, but the services themselves are very reliable.”

Getting around Shanghai by bus or tram

Tram and bus lines offer a solid alternative to using the metro in Shanghai. Public buses run frequently throughout the city, while trams are more limited to specific districts of the city, such as Songjiang and Zhangjiang.

Since buses and trams run on the road, they’re more directly affected by traffic, so you might want to avoid using them during rush hours. Both forms of transport work with the Alipay app, allowing you to pay conveniently without having to look for ticket machines or get physical tickets.

Here’s what Julie had to say about using buses in Shanghai:

“Buses are frequent and reliable. However, avoid rush hours during the morning commute (roughly 7–9  AM) and evening rush (5–7 pm) on workdays, especially in central Shanghai.”

Getting around Shanghai by taxi

Flagging down a taxi won’t be a problem in Shanghai, no matter the time of day. However, if you don’t speak Chinese, it’s easier to use apps like DiDi to get your ride.

As is always the case with taxis, the rides will be more expensive than public transportation, but they do offer a reliable way to get to your destination. This comes in especially handy if you need to get somewhere at night, when public transportation doesn’t run as frequently as during the daytime.

Here are some taxi app recommendations by Julie Huang:

“The dominant taxi app in Shanghai is Didi Chuxing (滴滴出行), China’s version of Uber. Recently, Alipay/Meituan launched a ride-sharing app too. That said, Didi is by far the most common; the others are smaller, but they all let you hail taxis or private cars.”

Getting around Shanghai on bikes

Bike, e-bike, and e-scooter sharing services are popular in most big cities worldwide, and Shanghai is no exception. While it may not be the best option for longer trips, it’s a good way to move around Downtown Shanghai, explore the city center, or whenever you need to make a short trip during rush hour.

Here are some tips on using bike sharing services by Julie:

“In Shanghai, you can find public bikes and e-bikes everywhere using apps like HelloBike or Didi Bike. Simply scan a QR code on a locked bike to start your trip and end it at any legal spot.”

Take the maglev train to enter Shanghai from the airport

Arriving at Shanghai Pudong International Airport? Taking the maglev (magnetic levitation) train is one of the most efficient ways to get from the airport to the city. It takes only around 8 minutes to complete the 30-kilometer (18.6-mile) journey to the Longyang Road station, with the train reaching top speeds of over 400 kmh (250 mph).

From there, you can access the metro station to get to where you need to be in the city or access the Shanghai railway station if you want to take a day trip from Shanghai to another city. If you arrive at the Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, you can reach the city via the nearby metro line.

Get Holafly’s unlimited data eSIM to use public transport in Shanghai with ease

Using the public transport system in Shanghai is much easier when you have reliable mobile data to support you. Holafly’s eSIM for China offers unlimited data and 24/7 customer support in China, ensuring that you never lose connection and can access apps such as Alipay, DiDi, and HelloBike, or simply use map apps to find your way around.

Prices for travel eSIMs range from $3.90/day to $1.55/day, depending on the duration of your trip. All you need is an eSIM-compatible phone and an active plan to get online.

Need a long-term solution for staying connected? Holafly Plans offers a pay-monthly eSIM subscription with coverage in 160+ destinations worldwide. Choose your plan, get online, and cancel your subscription when you no longer need it. No long-term contracts or cancellation fees to worry about.

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Rokas Aniulis

Senior SEO copywriter

A senior SEO writer from Lithuania, combining my passion for writing and travel at Holafly. With years of experience in technical fields, I'm here to answer all of your questions about staying connected. I specialize in turning even the most complicated topics into something everyone can understand.

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