Get around Shanghai by Metro

Metro might be the fastest way to get around Shanghai especially when the taxi/bus is stuck in the traffic and takes forever to get to the place you want to go during the rush hour;

The metro can be very crowded during the rush hours (7:30am – 9:30am and 4:30pm – 6:30pm). Everybody is squeezed like a sardine in a can.

Shanghai introduced its first Metro Line (Metro Line 1) in 1995 by collaborating with German. Till now, there are 8 lines in operation (Line 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9) and 7 more by the end of 2010. Each Metro line is simply named by numbers.

Currently Line 1 and 2 are the busiest lines not only because they were the first but also it connects the main CBDs.

To take the Metro, you can either buy a public transportation card or purchase a single ticket (currently no return ticket available). The ticket price depends on the distance you are taking starting from 3 RMB.

There is ticket office available in each Metro Station where you can buy ticket from a staff. You can tell the staff where you want to go; he/she will tell you the price. Ticket vendor machine is also available even in English. First choose the destination on the touchable screen, and then the machine will tell you the ticket price. Then you enter the number of how many tickets you would like to purchase. Insert the coin/note as total showed on the screen. OK, you get your tickets!

If you use the public transportation card, you just need to scan your card when you enter and exit. The remaining value in your card will be showed on a small screen. If you use the single ticket, you scan the card to enter, but insert the card into the card slot located on the side of the exit gate.

Please note the Metro service in Shanghai is not 24 hours. Don't miss the last train!