Shanghai Transportation

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, it has highly developed infrastructure, including a convenient public transportation network.

Getting there

The city has various links to the outside. Today you can easily get there from not only the adjacent cities of Suzhou, Nanjing and Hangzhou, but also the distant cities such as Beijing, Xi'an, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong. Many cities in other countries also enjoy convenient transportation links with Shanghai. You can get there by air, train, long-distance bus, or ship.

Shanghai Pudong International Airport
Pudong International Airport
Check-in Counters
Check-in Counters at Pudong Airport

It 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, linked with many domestic and international cities such as Beijing, Hong Kong, New York, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Tokyo and Singapore.


Pudong International Airport

Pudong Airport Shuttle Bus to Downtown

 Pudong Airport Bus to Nearby Cities

Hongqiao International Airport

Hongqiao Airport Shuttle Bus
 

The railway network provides you with an inexpensive and comfortable way to get to the city. Jinghu (Beijing-Shanghai), Huning (Shangha- Nanjing) and Huhang (Shanghai-Hangzhou) High Speed Railways pass through Shanghai and connect its three main railway stations with cities all over the country.
 

Shanghai Railway Station
Shanghai Railway Station

Here you can also take advantage of tourist trains and special 'Holiday Trains' to scenic areas in other provinces such as Mt. Huangshan in Anhui and Mt. Wuyishan in Fujian.

 

Long-distance buses are also convenient. Four national highways and four expressways pass through the city, composing the city's efficient long-distance bus transport system. Now over 1,000 routes are served by 40 long-distance bus stations.
 Tour Bus Center

 

Due to its strategic location, transportation via waterways is also highly accessible. International cruises can be taken at Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal and Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal, and the main destinations include South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore. Domestic ships leave from Wusong Passenger Transport Center to Mt. Putuo and islands in Chongming District. In addition, cruises between the city and Chongqing can be a good choice to tour the Yangtze River.

 

 Shanghai to Beijing 

 Beijing to Shanghai

 Shanghai-Beijing Train vs. Flight

 

How to Travel from Shanghai to Other Cities in Yangtze River Delta Area

  Shanghai Airport Shuttle Bus to Nearby Cities

 

How to Travel from Shanghai to Other Cities

 
 

Getting around

Generally, transportation inside the city is considered both convenient and satisfactory. As an international metropolis with the largest population in China, this city 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.
 

19 shanghai subway lines have connections all over Shanghai, with stops at or nearby the main attractions and commercial areas. If you are just sightseeing and in no hurry, the metro will provide you with fast and comfortable service (though you may want to avoid rush hour of 07:00 to 09:30 and 16:30 to 19:30).
 Metro Lines: Line 1, Line 2, Line 3, Line 4, Line 5, Line 6, Line7, Line 8, Line 9, Line 10, Line 11, Line 12, Line 13, Line 15Line 16, Line 17, Line 18Pujiang Line

How to Take Metro

 Metro Transfer

 Metro Ticket

Bilingual List of Metro Stations

 Metro Maps
 

You may want to check out the speedy maglev train which runs between Longyang Road and Pudong Airport.



A high-density road network makes overland transportation easy. Taxis, city buses, and sightseeing buses are ready to bring you to everywhere. 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. Riding a dockless sharing bike can be another convenient way for you to explore the city.
Shanghai Subway
Metro
Shanghai Ferry
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 and its three islands of Chongming, Changqing and Hengsha.

- Last updated on Jun. 15, 2021 -
Questions & Answers on Shanghai Transportation
Asked by lily | Mar. 10, 2021 18:20Reply
Hello, how can i travel from Yancheng to Xuancheng
Answers (1)
Answered by Keira | Mar. 15, 2021 01:41
00Reply


I am afraid that there is no direct coach between these two places. You need to transfer at Yangzhou.
Asked by Dani from UNITED STATES | Jan. 28, 2020 21:58Reply
PVG domestic to international with checked baggage
Hello,

I am flying China Eastern Airlines from Nanjing to PVG with checked bags, and will then need to transfer to United Airlines for travel to the US. Will I need to pick up my checked bags at PVG and recheck at the international terminal? Or will my bags go through to my final destination?

Thanks!
Answers (1)
Answered by Maxine from POLAND | Jan. 31, 2020 19:03
00Reply


The transfer procedures are the following:

1. Through Checked-in Passenger After Arrival
2. Check-in & Customs (Health Quarantine) - Immirgration - Security Check
3. International & HK-Macau- Taiwan Waiting Hall
4. Boarding
Asked by Hilary from SWITZERLAND | Jan. 08, 2020 17:54Reply
Maglev Train.
How is best to get from 4 points sheridan pudong to the maglev train at Longyang?
Answers (1)
Answered by Henry from AUSTRALIA | Jan. 08, 2020 19:59
00Reply


Is your hotel locatde at No.2111, South Pudong Road? Then you can take metro line 4 from Tangqiao station to Century Avenue station, then transfer to metro line 2 to Longyang Road station.
Asked by A from AUSTRALIA | Dec. 31, 2019 20:45Reply
How do I get to Shanghai Hanting Express (Huazhou Road)?
I have looked on a lot of websites and not received any information. Which bus should I take to get there?
Answers (1)
Answered by Ada from USA | Jan. 01, 2020 19:56
00Reply


Could you tell me where do you start off? The nearest bus stop is Line of Chuansha 3.
Asked by Tom from CANADA | Dec. 22, 2019 12:21Reply
What is fastest and cheapest way to get to Modena by Fraser Putuo Hotel from Pudong airport?
Answers (1)
Answered by Mia from THAILAND | Dec. 24, 2019 19:59
00Reply


Take metro line 2 to Jing'an Temple station, and interchange to metro line 7 to Lan'gao Road station (Exit 5), and walk north around 400m to the hotel. It takes 1.5 hours with CNY7.
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