Directions for Use -- Shanghai Public Transportation Card

After knowing the benefits and convenience brought by Shanghai Public Transportation Card, you may want to use it. Here are detailed directions for use showing you how to buy a card, recharge value, transfer value, return and repair a card.
 

 Buy a Card
Hundreds of service sites in Shanghai selling Shanghai Public Transportation Cards, including - all the metro stations; most branches of Shanghai Pudong Development (SPD) Bank, some branches of Alldays, Kedi and Buddies Convenient Store, post offices, and all stations of Jinshan Line.

At the above card-issuing sites, you can buy a card with a deposit of CNY 20 and recharge. The value charged shall be CNY 10 or multiples of CNY 10. The balance on each card should not exceed CNY 1,000.
 

 Value Recharge
Shanghai Public Transportation Card can be used for one time by overdraft when you take buses, subway trains or ferries. The overdraft should be less than CNY8.

However, the card cannot be used if it has a zero or negative balance. At this time, you need to recharge it. In the city, value-recharging centers are scattered everywhere - all the metro stations; most branches of Shanghai Pudong Development (SPD) Bank, some the branches of Buddies, Kedi and Alldays Convenience Stores; ticket offices of some taxi and bus companies.

The value recharged shall be CNY 10 or multiples of CNY 10. You can use the card within five years after you had last recharged it.
 

 Value Transfer
You can transfer all the value of one card to another if only the value on the original card is less than CNY 1,000. The value of ordinary cards, including the balance and the deposit, can be totally transferred. Or else you can just transfer the balance and keep the card as a souvenir. However, for souvenir and transformed cards, only the balance on them can be transferred. The following are some value-transferring sites for your reference:

Service Site Address Business Hours
Shanghai Public Transportation Card Service Center No. 609, Jiujiang Road (near the intersection with Zhejiang Road) 09:30-18:30 (Monday-Friday); 09:30-16:30 (Saturday, Sunday)
Some metro stations Line 1: Shanghai Railway Station, People's Square, Xujiahui, Xinzhuang
Line 2: Century Avenue, Zhongshan Park, Loushanguan Rd., Guanglan Rd., Songhong Rd., Lujiazui, Jing'an Temple, Longyang Rd.
Line 3: Yishan Rd., Caoyang Rd.
Line 4: Dalian Rd.
Line 10: T2 of Hongqiao Airport
09:00-17:00

 Notes: Over 80 branches of Shanghai Pudong Development Bank (SPD Bank) in the city handle the value transfer of the Public Transportation Card.
 

 Card Refund
Only ordinary cards can be returned. If your ordinary Shanghai Public Transportation Card is complete and clean, it can be recalled and the deposit can be returned to you. The balance on the card can be immediately returned if it is less than CNY 100. If the balance is CNY100 - 1,000, the invoice should be taken to ask for the return of money; however, a 5% handling fee will be charged. 

Users can refund the card on the CVM self-service machine at most metro stations, and at most of the branches of Pudong Development Bank, Alldays Convenient Store and post offices.
 

 Card Maintenance
Most metro stations of line 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9 and the post offices provide card maintenance service. The repair is free. 

- Last updated on Dec. 24, 2023 by Gabby Li -
Questions & Answers on Directions for Use of Shanghai Public Transportation Card
Asked by Ron from AUSTRALIA | Jan. 14, 2024 20:58Reply
Metro from Hotel
What is nearest Metro to SSAW Boutique Hotel in Huangpu
Answers (1)
Answered by Thomas | Jan. 15, 2024 21:39
00Reply


The nearest metro station is Yuyuan Garden Station, about 350m east of the hotel.
Asked by Marta Ferret from SPAIN | Jan. 04, 2024 01:38Reply
I'm traveling to Shanghai with my boyfriend, do we need to buy 2 metro cards or we can use the same?
Do we need to buy one metro card for each person or can we buy 1 and pay two tickets with it each time we need to catch the metro?

Thanks in advance!
Answers (2)
Answered by Daisy | Jan. 04, 2024 01:46
00Reply


Hi, you need to buy one card for one person.
Answered by Ron | Jan. 17, 2024 22:00
00Reply


Many Thanks
Asked by Elena from RUSSIA | Sep. 23, 2023 03:23Reply
Can I pay metro card (SPTC) with a unionpay or another credit card?
Answers (1)
Answered by Rita | Sep. 24, 2023 23:35
00Reply


I'm not very clear. Here in China, WeChat pay and Alipay is quite popular and people seldom use bank cards.
Asked by Kashu from SRI LANKA | Sep. 19, 2023 11:58Reply
Is there any common metro card for shanghai and beijing where we can top-up it?
I am a foreigner who is a visiting china next month, so i want get a common metro card for shanghai and beijing instead of using alipay or any apps
Answers (2)
Answered by Mia | Sep. 20, 2023 20:32
00Reply


No, each city has its own metro card.
Answered by W | Dec. 24, 2023 11:55
00Reply


"Mia" is wrong. There is a common card. When I arrive and buy your IC card, ask for T-Union version of the card, it's usable across nearly the entire China. Some stations in Shanghai still has the old one but almost all stations have the T-Union cards now.
Asked by Michelle from NEW ZEALAND | Apr. 01, 2020 04:31Reply
Where do I buy a transport card from in Jiading?
Answers (1)
Answered by Cassandra from GERMANY | Apr. 02, 2020 20:40
00Reply


As I know, you can purchase the Shanghai Transportation Card at some convenience stores. Would you mind providing your living place? Then I can find the place nearby.
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