Ticket Type
Shanghai subway adopts the following three types of tickets:
1. Single Journey Ticket
A single journey ticket is a thin IC card which is endowed with a certain sum of money depending on the destination you choose. It can be bought at a ticket dispenser or from a ticket booth. The subway system has introduced electronic ticketing so you should carry some change. A single journey ticket can be used only one time on the day you buy it within the subway lines and stations you choose. It should be returned to your destination station and recycled in the subway ticket system.
2. Shanghai Public Transportation Card
A Shanghai Public Transportation Card is convenient to pay the subway fare. The card can be used not only on the subway, but also on some public buses, ferryboats and even taxies. It is common for the new users to pay CNY 100 for the card, including a CNY 20 deposit and CNY 80 for use. The card can be used repeatedly and you can deposit more money in it at designated subway stations, bus stations, banks or stores.
3. Souvenir Ticket
For tourists, a souvenir ticket is a good choice. The ticket is valid for one year and can be bought at several designated subway stations. You can only take the train once on certain lines. When getting out of the station, the ticket will be returned to you as a souvenir.
Note:
1. All of the above three types of tickets are valid for only three hours after their issue or validation;
2. Ticket issuing is stopped three minutes before the departure time of the last train;
3. Go to Shanghai Subway Guidance to know how to buy a ticket.
Ticket Fare
Shanghai subway adopts a 'one-ticket transfer' system. You can take a single subway line or transfer to other lines at some major transfer stations such as People's Square, Shanghai South Railway Station, Shanghai Indoor Stadium, Xinzhuang, Zhongshan Park, Century Avenue and South Xizang Rd. A through ticket can be bought at your starting station. The charge is proportional to mileage with a ceiling price of CNY 9. A subway trip between two stations in downtown Shanghai usually costs no more than CNY 6. The following table shows the fare of single subway lines and transfer among different lines.
| Lines Mileage | 0 ~ 6 kilometers (0 ~ 3.7 miles) | 6 ~ 16 kilometers (3.7 ~ 9.9 miles) | above 16 kilometers (9.9 miles) |
| Line 5 | CNY 2 | CNY 3 | CNY 1 for each extra six kilometers (3.7 miles) |
| All Lines Except Line 5 | CNY 3 | CNY 4 | CNY 1 for each extra ten kilometers (6.2 miles) |
| Transfer Among Lines | CNY 3 | CNY 4 | CNY 1 for each extra ten kilometers (6.2 miles) |
Subway passengers can have a discount if they pay the ticket fare by Shanghai Public Transportation Card. If you have pay the subway fare by the card over CNY 70 in a month, the fare you pay in the rest of the month will be 10% off. Additionally Shanghai Public Transportation Card allows for once an overdraft of CNY 8. However, if the card has a zero or a negative balance, it can't be used any more.
Ticket Refund
Unused tickets can be refunded in the issuing station on the issuing day. Used tickets can not be refunded whether you have used up the balance or not.
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Travelers' Voices on Shanghai Subway Ticket
1.
Oct. 5,2009 14:15 Reply
Mr.MARCOS BELLIZIA(Brazil) said:
WHAT ELSE COULD I USE THE SMART CARDS? I MEAN BESIDES PAY THE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, COULD YOU GIVE ME MORE IDEAS?
DO YOU HAVE THE SUPPLYER FOR TICKETS SERVICES MACHINES?
Oct. 6,2009 02:47
Mr.Jamie replied:
As I know, it can be used in city bus, subway, ferry, toll fee, maglev.
2.
Aug. 22,2009 21:47 Reply
Mr.Leo(Philippines) said:
Thank You for your informative responses. Do you happen to know of a Roman Catholic Church in Shanghai?
I saw in the Map that there's a Catholic Church near The Oriental Bund Hotel Hotel.
What time is their English schedule for the Mass?
Can we use the subway/s to get there?
What subway line number would that be if we'll be starting at East Nanjing Station?
Thank You very much for your big help.
Aug. 24,2009 22:42
Mr.James replied:
Yes, there is a Catholic church in Jinling South Road and Sichuan South Road area. Not very far away from the hotel you told. You can take subway Line 2 to East Nanjing Road Station or Line 8 to Dashijie Station. Need to take taxi or bus to find it.
3.
Aug. 21,2009 23:10 Reply
Mr.Leo(Philippines) said:
Good Day Mr. James. Can we use only One Shanghai Public Transportation Card for 4 persons?
Anyway, we will be in Shanghai for only 3 days.
How much does one souvenir ticket cost? Thank You.
Aug. 22,2009 03:17
Ms.Jolin(Shanghai) replied:
hello mr. Leo, I'm afraid you 4 can not use only one Shanghai Public Transportation Card. You should buy 4. It doesn't matter, you can have your balance when you return the card as you finish your trip in Shanghai.
A souvenir ticket costs the same as an ordinary ticket, but it can not be returned.
4.
Aug. 14,2009 04:28 Reply
Mr.goh(Malaysia) said:
Hei,
I plan to travel around Shanghai city for 3 day,
Is there any tourist ticket for subway or 3 days unlimited ride ticket ?
Please advise.
Thank you
Aug. 17,2009 01:21
Mr.James replied:
No，there is no such card like Octopus in Hong Kong.
5.
Feb. 24,2009 01:30 Reply
Mr.Qiang said:
I turned to Shanghai after visiting Beijing. The cost of metro's ticket fare cost is much higher than Beijing's. The ticket could be bought either at the ticket offices or at the self-service ticket machines. And, some of the machines only accept coins.The ticket is a piece of IC card which would be withdrawn when exit the station.