Shanghai Metro — the ride you'll use most
Shanghai operates the largest metro network in the world — over 800 km of track across 20+ lines, with transfers between lines almost always painless. For most central-city trips, the metro beats taxis on price, time, and predictability.
How to pay (two easy options)
💙 Alipay Metro QR
Open Alipay → search "Shanghai Metro" (or 上海地铁) → tap to generate a personal QR code → scan at any gate. Fare deducts from your Alipay balance / Tour Pass. Works on every metro line and Maglev. No card, no top-up hassle.
Don't have Alipay yet? See our payment guide →💴 Cash · Metro Card
Buy a Shanghai Public Transportation Card (¥20 deposit + load any amount in cash) at the ticket window in any major station. Tap on entry and exit. Works on metro, buses, ferries. Return the card at the airport before flying out to get your deposit back.
Interactive metro maps
Best when you want to plan a route or check transfers before riding. Both versions are made by ExploreShanghai and include zoom, transfer routing, and station search.
Every line at a glance
Service hours are approximate — last trains leave the termini slightly earlier. Verify on the official app for late-night travel.