Shanghai, situated on the estuary of Yangtze River, is the busiest transport hub in eastern China. As an important financial and business center of China and of the world, Shanghai has highly developed infrastructure, including a convenient public transportation network.
Getting to Shanghai
The city has various links to the outside. Today you can easily travel to Shanghai from not only the adjacent cities of Suzhou, Nanjing and Hangzhou, but also the distant cities such as Beijing, Xian, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong. Many cities in other countries also enjoy convenient transportation links with Shanghai. You can travel there by air, train, long-distance bus, or ship.
By Air
Pudong International Airport → Pudong Airport Shuttle Bus
Hongqiao International Airport → Hongqiao Airport Shuttle Bus
Shanghai is the only Chinese city that has two international airports - Pudong International Airport and Hongqiao International Airport. The two modern airports are equipped with very advanced facilities. Everyday, about 1,000 flights travel through the two airports, linking Shanghai with many domestic and international cities such as Beijing, Hong Kong, New York, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Tokyo and Singapore.
By Train
The railway network of Shanghai provides you with an inexpensive and comfortable way to get to the city. Huning (Shanghai - Nanjing) Railway and Huhang (Shanghai - Hangzhou) Railway pass through Shanghai and connect its three main railway stations with cities all over the country. Here you can also take advantage of tourist trains and special 'Holiday Trains' from Shanghai to scenic areas in other provinces such as Mt. Huangshan in Anhui and Mt. Wuyishan in Fujian.
By Long-Distance Bus
Long-distance buses are also convenient when traveling to Shanghai. Four national highways and four expressways pass through Shanghai, composing the city's efficient long-distance bus transport system. Now over 1,000 routes are served by 40 long-distance bus stations in Shanghai.
By Ship
Due to its strategic location, transportation via waterways is also highly accessible in Shanghai. The city is located on the estuary of Yangtze River and midpoint of China's north-south coastline, and currently stands as China's largest port. The increasing quantity of goods and passengers moved in and out has promoted the development of economy and tourism of Shanghai and its adjacent cities. The great number of domestic and international passenger liners will easily accommodate your travel needs as you journey to Shanghai.
Getting around Shanghai
Generally, transportation inside Shanghai city is considered both convenient and satisfactory. As an international metropolis with the largest population in China, Shanghai will inevitably face the problem of overpopulation and traffic congestion. However the situation is currently somewhat better than in Beijing. To relieve the transportation pressure, the government has done a lot of work including constructing a large number of roads, subways, and opening more new bus routes. Now, the city has the world's largest public transportation system handling the largest daily volume of passengers. 
By Taxi
By City-Bus By Sightseeing Bus
A high-density road network makes overland transportation easy. Taxis, city buses, and sightseeing buses are ready to bring you to everywhere in Shanghai. If you prefer driving yourself, rental cars are available - a word of caution though - if possible, avoid the congested overhead roads in the urban area inside the Inner Ring Road during rush hour.
By Subway Subway Lines: Line 1, Line 2, Line 3, Line 4, Line 5, Line 6, Line 8, Line 9 How to Take Transfer Ticket Bilingual List of Subway Stations
Shanghai's eight subway lines have connections all over the city, with stops at or nearby the main attractions and commercial areas. If you are just sightseeing and in no hurry, the subway will provide you with fast and comfortable service (though you may want to avoid rush hour of 7:00 to 9:30 and 16:30 to 19:30). By Maglev Shanghai Maglev Train Ticket Transfer at Maglev Stations
You may want to check out the speedy maglev train which runs between Longyang Road and Pudong Airport.
By Ferry
Nanpu Bridge, Yangpu Bridge, Xupu Bridge, Lupu Bridge and various tunnels across the Huangpu River provide direct links between Pudong New District and Puxi Area. Ferries offer convenient shuttle service across the Huangpu River, allowing you to avoid the crowded bridges and tunnels while appreciating the river scenery. Additionally ferryboats are available between the mainland of Shanghai and its three islands of Chongming, Changqing and Hengsha.
Shanghai Public Transportation Card Scope of Use Directions for Use
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Travelers' Voices on Shanghai Transportation
1.
Jun. 24,2009 08:53 Reply
Ms.Allyssa(Malaysia) said:
My family and i will travel to Shanghai in this coming july, we will arrive in Hangzhou Xiaoshan International airport and we need to meet up relative in Shanghai railway station. What is the best easiest way to recommend? Can we take the Maglev train? Estimation for the total cost and time? Thank You!
Jun. 25,2009 02:25
Ms.Evelyn(China) replied:
Why not arrive at Shanghai Pudong Airport but at Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport? You know, it's nearer from Pudong airport to Shanghai Railway Station. If you have booked the tickets, it's still Ok. Hangzhou Xiaoshan airport provides the airport bus to Wulin Men. The airport bus passes the Hangzhou Railway Station. Just get off at the railway station and take a bullet train to Shanghai Railway Station.
The bus cost from Xiaoshan airport to Hangzhou railway station is about CNY15
The D train ticket from Hangzhou to Shanghai is 76 or 63 yuan.
2.
Jun. 10,2009 03:54 Reply
Mr.R(USA) said:
Hello. I would like to go from Suzhou to Shanghai Pudong International Airport on Sunday, arriving at Pudong Airport around 7:00 or 7:30 p.m. What is the best way? Do I need to buy tickets in advance?
Also, if I want to travel from Shanghai to Hangzhou and from Shanghai to Suzhou, what area of Shanghai is most convenient in terms of access to the appropriate train or bus station?
Thank you!
Jun. 10,2009 22:55
Mr.Qi replied:
There is direct shuttle bus from Suzhou to Shanghai, but the earliest bus depart around at 6:30am. Suggest you take trains to SHanghai Railway Station in early morning and then change to Airpot Bus line 5 to the airport.
Also suggest you take bullet train to Hangzhou and Suzhou. Shanghai Railway Station or South Railway Station all have many trains a day. You can you stay around South Railway Station for there are buses in the South Bus Station that can take you to the two cities if you want to go by bus.
Good Luck!
Jun. 10,2009 22:56
Ms.Coco replied:
Hi, highly recommend your firstly taking a bullet train to arrive at Shanghai Railway Station, and then take the airport shuttle bus Line 5 there go to the airport.
Bullet train to Shanghai just takes about 40 minutes. You may consider D3016, D5433, D5484 and D5473. It is no need to purchase ticket in advance excepet during weekend and holiday.
Well, Shanghai has very convenient transportation system, so there are so many choice for a location. If you would like some traveling before going to Hangzhou and Suzhou, you may stay around the People's Square, Hong Kou or Jingan Temple area, Zhongshan Park. Both of the Shanghai South Bus Station (at Shanghai South Railway Station) and Shang Bus Station (at Shanghai Railway Station)has frequent buses to Suzhou and Hangzhou. So, you could look for a hotel nearby any railway station, too!
3.
Jun. 9,2009 00:16 Reply
Mrs.Werner(Australia) said:
What would I approximately expect to pay to hire a car and driver that speaks English to take us from Shanghai to Zuzhou and back - perhaps 6 hours or so to allow for sightseeing.
Helen
Jun. 9,2009 01:31
Mr.Leo replied:
Hi, I think it is difficult to look for a driver who speaks English unless he is a tour guide, too. Just for hiring a car with driver, the rental will not be less then 600RMB per day~
4.
May. 29,2009 02:03 Reply
Mr.Naman(India) said:
I am coming to Shanghai on the 10th of June in afternoon..have to goto Nanjing immediately...whch is the fastest way to goto Nanjing..air/train/bus..Plz advise timings & rates for each.
Jun. 3,2009 20:20
Mr.Shan replied:
Hi, I think you could take the express bullet train from Shanghai Railway Station to Nanjing. It just cost 2.5 hours and 93yuan. You could search the train schedule at: http://www.travelchinaguide.com
/china-trains/
5.
May. 26,2009 01:09 Reply
Mr.Carl(Australia) said:
I want to stay in a hotel near the bund. What is transport to the International cruise terminal from Bund hotels?
May. 26,2009 03:17
Mr.Shan replied:
Hi sir, are you looking for a hotel called Bund Hotel or just any hotel close to the Bund? Well, there are many hotels located at this area (including Bund and its nearby Nanjing East Road and the Peopel's Square), you could search a list at: http://www.travelchinaguide.com/hotel/shanghai-hotels.htm
From the People's Square, you could take the Subway Line 1 and then transfer to Line 4. Get off at Yangshupu Road where the cruise terminal is located.
6.
May. 12,2009 15:56 Reply
Mr.del49spurs(United Kingdom) said:
I want to know how easy it is to get to Kunshan from Shanghai by train. I will arive in Shanghai on the Maglev train from Pudong.
Thanks
May. 14,2009 04:43
Mr.Shan replied:
There are about 40 train departing from Shanghai Railway Station to Kunshan everyday. The time schedule could be searched at: http://www.travelchinaguide.com/china-trains/
The Maglev will reach Longyang Lu in downtown Shanghai. At this station, you should transfer to subway Line 2 and get off at the People's Square Station. Then, take the subway Line 1 which could lead you to Shanghai Railway Station directly.
Actually, the airport shuttle bus Line 5 could take you to Shanghai Railway Station directly. By this way, the transporation may be easier~
7.
Apr. 25,2009 02:16 Reply
Ms.Janet(Brunei) said:
how far is shanghai to beijing by using the railway
Apr. 25,2009 03:33
Mr.LL(cn) replied:
By railway, the distance is about 1463 kilometers and it will cost you 10 hours if you take a D-prefaced trainset. if you take the normal train, it will cost 15 hours.
8.
Apr. 18,2009 06:07 Reply
Mr.Adzman(Malay) said:
I'm planning to Yiwu with my wife and 2 kids.I'll be arriving at Pudong Intl Airport around 7am Shanghai time.Could you suggest me sir,the best way to Yiwu since the last train from Shanghai South is at 8:20am.Do we have to stay in Shanghai first before taking the train to Yiwu?
For your info our travel duration is about 5D4N only,and we have to cover both cities.
Thanks.
Apr. 19,2009 20:07
Mr.James replied:
Pudong has two shuttle buses a day to Yiwu: at 1:10 pm and 4:50 pm. If you want to go by train, there are many trains a day departing from Shanghai South to Yiwu. The last at 08:20 is a direct train. In fact there are only two direst trains between them. For most of trains are passing Yiwu. It is also available to take. The lastest is at 11pm at night.
9.
Feb. 15,2009 12:23 Reply
Mr.Zulfiqar(Pakistan) said:
I intend to travel from shanghai to Ningb. I want to know the mode of travel which is safe and convenient. How should I get to the railway/bus station from shanghai airport.
Apr. 16,2009 04:12
Ms.Emma replied:
Trains and buses are all ok. You can just take about four hours. Shanghai South Railway Station and Shanghai Railway station all have trains to Ningbo. T trains are much faster, for about 3.5 hours.
Buses to Ningbo are easy to get, for there is one every 20 minutes. Xujiahui bus station, South Bus Station and Shanghai Bus Terminal all have buses to Ningbo.
10.
Feb. 15,2009 22:44 Reply
Mr.meraj(usa) said:
how can get to jiaxing city in the provice of zhejiang from shanhai airport
Apr. 16,2009 04:05
Mr.Qi replied:
From which airport of Shanghai. Hongqiao do not have direct buses to Jiaxing. You should get to Shanghai South Railway Station or the south bus station near the railway station to look for trains or buses to Jiaxing. If you are leaving from Pudong Airport, it is lukier, for there are shuttle buses available. Four buses a day to west bus station of Jiaxing.