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Shanghai’s subway system is one of the best in the world and the world’s largest rapid transit system by route length. Using it can save you a ton of money by avoiding taxis or DiDi (China’s equivalent to Uber – a ride-sharing app). Plus the traffic can be really bad so a subway trip can save you time as well as money. Tales you may have heard about how crowded the subway can be are certainly true, though we only had one experience with crowded trains since we avoided rush hour.
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1. Find the nearest station
Use the Google maps app (which you can download and use offline) to find the nearest station to your location. You can also ask your hotel front desk but our experience was that most front desk people’s English was very basic. Our hotel was on the outskirts of town (hotels can be expensive otherwise). We took a DiDi from the hotel to the subway as a cheaper alternative to a taxi.
2. Purchase your ticket
Approach one of the ticket machines. The good news is that there is a translation button on the upper right corner so that you can read the instructions in English. You’ll press the name of the station you’re going to and the machine will indicate the purchase price. You will also have the option of selecting how many tickets you wish at that price, making a family or group purchase easier. Insert the funds into the machine (they do not generally provide change, so be prepared). A ticket will be dispensed.
3. Walk through security
Many of the stations we went through required us to put our bags through X-ray machines. We didn’t have to empty our pockets though.
4. Select the platform in the direction you are going.
Again, the good news is that the signage is often in English as well as Chinese.
Be mindful of the signs indicating how to get on and off the train. To embark, stand to the side of the doors since exiting passengers will use the middle and you don’t want to be run over!
5. Follow Google map directions
Use the Google map app. The map directions on signs are not properly translated and don’t always make it clear if you have to change trains. The app didn’t steer us wrong.
The other benefit of using the Google map app is that the directions will tell you which exit to use. For example, we rode the metro to the Shanghai Tower. Lujiazui Station has six exits. It would have taken us a while to figure out we needed to take exit 6 without the app.
6. Arrival
Once you arrive at your destination, you’ll need to turn in the ticket. If it was a single-use ticket, you’ll feed it into the turnstile. If you purchased a multi-use pass, just tap the ticket and the fare will be deducted from your balance.
That’s it!
In addition to downloading Google maps for Shanghai to use offline, you can download (or print) a metro map here.
I really encourage you to give it a try. Riding on the Shanghai subway is an experience not to be missed. Take it to go downtown to explore (we took it to the Shanghai Observation Tower upon our arrival). Or take it to go to the airport from downtown or from the airport to downtown. Or take it to the airport to ride on the Maag train – the fastest train in the world.
Don’t be afraid to give the Shanghai subway system a spin!
Happy travels,
Annick, The Common Traveler
Raised as a third culture kid living in South America and Europe, Annick caught the travel bug early. As an empty-nester, Annick enjoys sharing her tips for traveling for those with champagne taste and beer budgets.
You wrote a very good article about the Shanghai metro.
The metro (subway) network in Shanghai is very good and easy to use (also for foreigners). It’s safe, cheap and much faster than any other kind of transport.
Perhaps, our navigation system for the Shanghai metro might be useful for (first time) visitors of this huge city.
https://www.metrocazar.com/shanghai
Taking the subway or any other rapid transit system is definitely a sure way to beat the traffic. However, you’d really have to summon your patience, grit and even courage to hop on to one. I believe that is especially true when in foreign land. But It’s nice that you have laid out this Easy guide to Riding the Shanghai Metro. I’m glad I can have a reference when I travel to Shanghai and take the subway.
These are very helpful tips and very timely. I am bound to travel to Shanghai next month for a couple of business meeting. It wouldn’t hurt if I get to explore the place more during my leisure time. Thank you for sharing this.
Have so much fun!
This is a very useful post for people looking to use thee Shanghai Metro for the first time. We have not been to China and hence this would be of immense value to us when we do get there. We like to use the Metro services in major cities at least partially as this helps us understand the local flavour.
We have never been to Shanghai but it is so relieving to know that instructions and the map are both in Chinese and English! I always thought it would be impossible to navigate without speaking and reading the local language, but I like your method with Google maps. This was super helpful!
I haven’t been in Shanghai yet. I know they have a good metro system. I hope I can try it when I get back to China. I’ll bookmark this.
I wish this article had been available before our first visit to Shanghai. It’s great to be able to see the detail in the photos for the ticket machines, using your ticket etc. All the things I felt uncertain of before we went. Like you, I’d urge people to use the metro in Shanghai. We didn’t find it as busy as the one in Beijing but they are certainly busy places. We didn’t often get a seat in the mornings.
We were worried too. I hope this makes it easier for others.
I love using metro while traveling abroad. This is a very helpful post. You have guided really well. I haven’t been to Shanghai till now, but I am sure whenever I will go I will use this guide. Now I know why it is one of the best in the world and the world’s largest rapid transit system by route length.