Shanghai Subway

20 lines snake their way through Shanghai. While lines 1-3 have staffed ticket counters to assist in buying subway tickets and cards. Most other lines only have automated machines with staff on hand to help if there is a problem with purchasing a ticket or loading money onto your metro card.

Transfers are usually quite smooth throughout lines in the Shanghai subway system, but there are a few places where additional fares or changes will be needed. Purchase a ticket for the entire trip, including transfers, at the starting location to keep prices to a minimum. Some stations require walking out of the station and into a nearby or connecting station for transfers. Others will have the transfers available directly in the same area.

When you do transfer off the train, do not exit the turnstile unless you want to exit the station altogether. If you do so by accident, an additional ticket to get back in will have to be purchased. When mapping out your route, note that there are several stations with the same name that come in from different lines. While they might be in the same general area, their entrances and exits may not be in the same place.

In the rundown of the lines below, please note that some transfers require an additional fee, or must be used in conjunction with a Shanghai Transportation Card only. These will be marked accordingly. While we feel most of this information is accurate, please make sure to always check with the daily schedule in case any closures or changes have been made.

Subway Tickets

When traveling around Shanghai by foot or car, you are bound to see signs marking entrances to the subway stations. Follow these signs into the station and down into the landing area where tickets for the transportation can be purchased. Locate the ticket office or automated machines in the subway terminal. Three different choices of tickets are available for purchase.

Riders can buy a single journey ticket, pay for or load up on their Shanghai Public Transportation Card, or purchase a souvenir ticket. Each station at least comes equipped with automated machines that offer service in English (as well as Mandarin) and easy-to-use touch screens that you step by step through your ticket purchase. Fares typically average from CNY3 to 9, depending on the distance traveled.

When traveling around Shanghai by foot or car, you are bound to see signs marking entrances to the subway stations. Follow these signs into the station and down into the landing area where tickets for the transportation can be purchased. Locate the ticket office or automated machines in the subway terminal.

Three different choices of tickets are available for purchase. Riders can buy a single journey ticket, pay for or load up on their Shanghai Public Transportation Card, or purchase a souvenir ticket. Each station at least comes equipped with automated machines that offer service in English (as well as Mandarin) and easy-to-use touch screens that you step by step through your ticket purchase. Fares typically average from 3 to 9 yuan, depending on the distance traveled.

The Shanghai Subway (sometimes referred to as the metro) cards can be purchased at many stations through automated machines and ticket counters. Instead of using individual tickets, the transportation authorities have created a card system that allows riders to charge and recharge their metro cards for various trips.

A Subway card has a CNY 20 deposit, but if it is clean and intact, the money is fully refunded to you when you return the card. Metro cards can be purchased with CNY 50 and CNY100 notes or with various credit cards.

If your card still has a balance when returned, your money can be returned to you in one of two ways. If the remaining balance is CNY8 or less, the cash is given immediately back to you. If the balance is anywhere from CNY10 to CNY2,000, an invoice is given, and a 5% handling fee is charged. Although the cards can be purchased and loaded up at almost most major stations, the Shanghai Public Transportation Card Service Center is located at No 609, Jiujiang Road for any additional needs.

Also, special offices that assist in the returning of metro cards can be found at Line 1 - Hanzhong Rd, Hengshan Rd, Jinjiang Park; Line 2 - Jiangsu Rd, E Nanjing Rd, Century Park, Songhong Rd; Line 3 - Dongbaoxing Rd, Zhenping Rd, Caoxi Rd, North Jiangyang Rd; Line 4 - Yangshupu Rd.

Additionally, one-day cards are a popular option for tourists in the city. These set-priced cards allow you to travel as much as you want, as far as you want, in 24 hours. The price for a one-day card is CNY18. These can be purchased through the automated machines at the subway station. Note that these machines usually take smaller yuan coins instead of larger bills.

Taking Subway

After purchasing your ticket, enter the subway platform area through the turnstiles. Find a turnstile with a green light, which indicates that it is available to use. Hold your card or ticket up to the right-hand side of the turnstile so it can verify your entrance.

Once the turnstile recognizes the ticket or card, you are allowed through and can wait for your train at its corresponding track. Certain stations, like many between Line 3 and Line 4, share platforms, so be sure to pay attention when trains arrive.

After purchasing your ticket, enter the subway platform area through the turnstiles. Find a turnstile with a green light, which indicates that it is available to use. Hold your card or ticket up to the right-hand side of the turnstile so it can verify your entrance. Once it recognizes the ticket or card, you are allowed through the turnstile and can wait for your train at its corresponding track. Certain stations, like many between Line 3 and Line 4, share platforms, so be sure to pay attention when trains arrive at the station.

Make sure you hold onto your ticket or card for the entire journey. You will need them to exit the subway station. Just like entering the station, hold your card up to your right hand to verify your journey at the end of the trip, pass through the turnstile, and exit the building. The turnstile ticket reader will keep your single-journey ticket and only return souvenir tickets or one-day passes.

As in any large city, crowds can get big and pushy. People often get pushy for seats, which is the norm. The locals don’t seem to mind being packed into the subway cars like sardines. Even though Shanghai is a safe city, please be aware that the subway, just like any other crowded area, can be dotted with pick-pocketers. Keep your purse and your wallet close to you at all times.

A Basic Rundown of the 11 Lines in Shanghai

Operating since 1993, Line 1 was the first underground mass transportation line in Shanghai. You can easily identify the route by the red-colored tracks on subway maps. The line runs from Jinjiang Park to Xujiahui and is by far the busiest and most important subway system in the city. Running from north to south, it links the Bashan District in the north to the Minhang District in the south. It stretches almost 40 kilometers and has 28 stations at many of Shanghai’s best-known tourist attractions.

Line 1

Line 1 stops at sites such as Jinjiang Park, Shanghai Indoor Stadium, People’s Square, the Shanghai Railway Station, and Circus World. Because it intersects many of the larger railway stations, it enables riders to travel further outside of Shanghai's city limits. The line is divided into four sections: two in the south and two in the north.

Transfers to various other lines are available all up and down Line 1.

Transfer to Line 2 at People's Square.

Transfer to Line 3 at Shanghai South Railway Station and Shanghai Railway Station.

Transfer to Line 4 at Shanghai Indoor Stadium and Shanghai Railway Station.

Transfer to Line 5 at Xizhuang.

Transfer to Line 7 at Changshu Rd.

Transfer to Line 8 at People’s Square.

Transfer to Line 9 at Xujiahui.

Transfer to Line 10 at South Shaanxi Rd.

Line 2

While Line 1 is the largest north-to-south line in Shanghai, Line 2 is by far the biggest and busiest east-to-west subway connection in the city. Line 2 can be easily identified by its light green identification color on most subway maps. It connects the western-lying Qingpu District with the Pudong International Airport in the east.

The subway winds its way over 60 kilometers underground and stops at many of Shanghai’s important cultural and commercial centers. Stations can be found at Zhongshan Park, Jing’an Temple, People’s Square, the Lujiazui Financial and Trade Zone, Century Park, and many, many other locations.

If you are flying into Pudong Airport and would like to take the metro into the city, you will find the beginnings of Line 2 between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Note that the train coming in from the Pudong airport is slightly separated from the other main part of Line 2. Those passengers coming in from the airport will have to change trains at Guanglan Road to continue down Line 2. The line can also be taken to the Hongqiao Airport as well.

Transfer to Line 1 at People's Square.

Transfer to Line 3 at Zhongshan Park.

Transfer to Line 4 at Zhongshan Park or Century Avenue.

Transfer to Line 6 at Century Avenue.

Transfer to Line 7 at Jing'an Temple or Longyang Rd.

Transfer to Line 8 at People's Square.

Transfer to Line 9 at Century Avenue.

Transfer to Line 10 at East Nanjing Rd., Hongqiao Airport Terminal 2, Hongqiao Railway Station.

Transfer to Line 11 at Jiangsu Rd.

Line 3

Identified by the yellow lines on most subway maps, Line 3 is another north-to-south running system of tracks. Formerly known as the Pear Line, the system stretches from North Jiangyang Road to Shanghai South Railway Station.

Among the close to 30 stops on Line 3 are popular Shanghai destinations such as the Hongkou Football (Soccer) Stadium, the main Shanghai Railway Station, and Zhongshan Park. A small section of Line 3 shares the route with the brand-new section of Line 4. The overlap occurs between Baoshan Road and Hongqiao Road.

Transfer to Line 1 at Shanghai South Railway Station and Shanghai Railway Station (note that passengers must leave the station to make the transfer between the two lines and can only be completed if they are holding a Shanghai Transportation Card)

Transfer to Line 2.

Transfer to Line 4 at Zhongshan Park, West Yan'an Rd., Jinshajiang Rd., Zhongshan Rd. or Baoshan Rd., Zhenping Rd, Caoyang Rd., Yishan Rd., Hongqiao Rd. and at Shanghai Railway Station (transfer to the Shanghai Railway station is only for those holding a Shanghai Transportation Card).

Transfer to Line 7 at Zhenping Rd.

Line 4

Looping around the city, Line 4 is the only circular system of tracks that rings Shanghai. There is the Inner Ring, which starts at Yishan Road and circles around to Shanghai Railway Station, then to Century Avenue, and once again makes its way back to Yishan. The Outer Ringer also starts at Yishan but travels the other way around towards Century Avenue first, then Shanghai Railway Station, and back again to Yishan. Look for the two loops marked in a deep purple color on metro maps. The 33 kilometers of tracks include stops at 26 stations like the Shanghai Indoor Stadium, Nanpu Bridge, and Zhongshan Park.

Transfer to Line 1 at Shanghai Indoor Stadium or Shanghai Railway Station

Transfer to Line 2 at Century Avenue or Zhongshan Park

Transfer to Line 3 at Zhongshan Park, West Yan'an Rd., Jinshajiang Rd., Zhongshan Rd., Baoshan Rd., Zhenping Rd., Yishan Rd., Hongqiao Rd., Caoyang Rd. or at Shanghai Railway Station (transfer to the Shanghai Railway station is only for those holding a Shanghai Transportation Card)

Transfer to Line 6 at Lancun Rd. or Century Avenue

Transfer to Line 7 at Dong'an Rd or Zhenping Rd

Transfer to Line 8 at South Xizang Rd.

Transfer to Line 9 at Yishan Rd or Century Avenue

Transfer to Line 10 at Hailun Rd. or Hongqiao Rd

Transfer to Line 11 at Caoyang Rd.

Line 5

Line 5, which can be identified by the purple indication color on various subway maps, was the first light rail line in China and has been transporting locals and tourists since 2003. Sometimes referred to as the Xinmin Line, it runs from the Minhang Developmental Zone to Xinhuang, which is the end of Subway Line 1.

The only transfer on this line is at the Xinhuang station. Reaching into the far southern areas of the city, it is more often used by locals commuting to and from work in the city.

Transfers to Line 1 at Xinxhuang

Line 6

When planning out any trip along Line 6, look for the pinkish red, or fascia, colored lines on official subway maps. This stretch of underground metro services the Pudong New Area from north to south. Along its many stops, it passes known commercial and tourist areas like the Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone, Yuanshen Stadium, Century Avenue, and South Lingyan Rd.

Since opening in 2007, Line 6 has allowed Pudong residents to easily and quickly commute into the center of the city. The line is about 33 kilometers long and the full journey from Pudong to the end of the line takes just under an hour.

Transfer to Line 2 at Century Avenue.

Transfer to Line 4 at Lancun Rd. or Century Avenue.

Transfer to Line 7 at West Gaoke Rd.

Transfer to Line 9 at Century Avenue.

Line 7

Line 7 was just recently opened in 2009 and begins up at the Meilan Lake. It services the Baodshan District in the northwest and crosses over the heart of the city to the Pudong New Area in the southeast area of Shanghai.

Passing through 5 districts, the line, which can be identified by the orange color on subway maps, is almost 45 kilometers in length. The majority of stops are stationed at suburban or business centers like Changshou Road, Shanghai University, Jian’an Temple, and Zhaojiabang.

Transfer to Line 1 at Changshu Rd.

Transfer to Line 2 at Jing'an Temple or Longyang Rd.

Transfer to Line 3 or Line 4 at Zhenping Rd.

Transfer to Line 4 at Dong'an Rd.

Transfer to Line 6 at West Gaoke Rd.

Transfer to Line 8 at Yaohua Rd.

Transfer to Line 9 at Zhaojiabang Rd.

Line 8

Also known as the Yangpu Line, Line 8 is identified by a bright steel or aqua-blue color on subway maps. The 23 kilometers of tracks are an important north-to-south line in Shanghai. The line starts in the north in the Yangpu District, at the Yaohua Road station, and runs down to the Pudong New Area in the southeast region of the city.

Recent additions to the line have continued further south to the Aerospace Museum, which can now be easily reached by the subway system. Besides greatly servicing residents in the northern Yangpu districts, the line also passes by many of Shanghai’s famous tourist attractions. Huangxing Park, Hongkou Football Stadium, People's Square, and Laoximen are all accessible by Line 8.

Transfer to Line 1 at People’s Square.

Transfer to Line 2 at People's Square.

Transfer to Line 3 at Hongkou Football Stadium.

Transfer to Line 4 at South Xizang Rd.

Transfer to Line 7 at Yaohua Rd.

Transfer to Line 9 at Lujiabang Rd.

Transfer to Line 10 at Siping Rd. or Laoximen.

Line 9

The newly extended Line 9 stretches from the Middle Yaggao Road in the southeastern Pudong New Area to the Songjiang District in southwest Shanghai. The light blue line seen on subway maps bisects the southern part of the main downtown area and services 23 stations along its 40-kilometer track.

The line mainly services residents of the southeastern and southwestern areas of the city but also allows tourists to travel to the suburbs for a quick escape from the city center.

Transfer to Line 1 at Xujiahui.

Transfer to Line 2 at Century Avenue.

Transfer to Line 3 at Yishan Rd.

Transfer to Line 4 at Yishan Rd or Century Avenue.

Transfer to Line 6 at Century Avenue.

Transfer to Line 7 at Zhaojiabang Rd.

Transfer to Line 8 at Lujiabang Rd.

Transfer to Line 13 at Madang Rd.

Line 10

Line 10 is a highly used and very important line for Shanghai citizens and tourists of the city. Newly opened in 2010, Line 10 starts at New Jiangwan City and travels to Hangzhong Road. The line, indicated by its light purple/grayish color on metro maps, helps to connect areas in the northeast with the downtown section.

The line continues further southwest into the lower districts of the city. The line forks at Longxi Road, with one line heading towards the Hangqiao Airport and Railway station, and the other ending at Hangzhong Road. In the 30 some odd stops the line makes, tourist attractions, and transportation services such as the Shanghai Zoo, Hongqiao Airport, and Hongqiao Railway are found along the line’s path.

It also runs through many of the busiest commercial centers in Shanghai, such as Yuyuan Garden, Shanghai City God Temple, Nanjing Road, Xin Tian Di, Shanghai Library, and many others.

Transfer to Line 1 at South Shaanxi Rd.

Transfer to Line 2 at East Nanjing Rd., Hongqiao Railway Station, and Hongqiao Airport Terminal 2.

Transfer to Line 3 at Hongqiao Rd.

Transfer to Line 4 at Hailun Rd. or Hongqiao Rd.

Transfer to Line 8 at Laoximen and Siping Rd.

Transfer to Line 12 at South Shaanxi Rd. or Tiantong Rd.

Transfer to Line 13 with Xintiandi.

Line 11

Located in the northwest corner of Shanghai, Line 11 reaches from Jiangsu Road to North Jiading/Anting. Just as with Line 10, this line also splits towards the end of the tracks. At the Jiading Xincheng stop, one section of 11 travels north towards North Jiading, while another branch heads further west towards Anting.

If you find yourself on the wrong side of the fork, it is best to get off at one of the stops on the main part of the line (those stops between Jiangsu Rd and Jiading Xincheng) and then continue in the right direction from there. Look for the northern line by finding the dark red line on Shanghai Subway maps. The line is slated to expand to Shanghai Disneyland sometime before 2020.

Transfer to Line 2 at Jiangsu Rd.

Transfer to Line 3 at Caoyang Rd.

Transfer to Line 4 at Caoyang Rd.

Note: passengers must leave the station to make the transfer between the two lines and can only be completed if they are holding a Shanghai Transportation Card