Shanghai City Guide - Getting Around

The public buses are rarely used by foreign visitors without a good understanding of Mandarin Chinese. Travel by metro or taxi is by far the easier option. Shanghai Municipal Public Transportation Administration operates a cheap and comprehensive system.

City buses (tel: (21) 1608 8160) run 0500-2300 and can get very crowded during rush hours (0630-0830 and 1700-1900). Fares are paid to the conductor. Major city-centre routes are numbered – suburban and long-distance buses only have their destination in characters.

Shanghai metro (operating 0500-2300) is clean, efficient, and easy to navigate. Stations have a red sign resembling an ‘M’. Tickets are available from machines and ticket offices near the entrance. Prices vary depending on the number of stops. Integrated metro, bus, ferry and taxi travel cards are also available if you think your Mandarin is up to asking for one. Signs and station announcements in trains are in Mandarin Chinese and English. Four lines are running to date, with at least seven more being built. The Number 1 Line operates north–southwest from Gongfu Xincun (passing through Shanghai Railway Station and People’s Square) to the southwestern suburb of Xinzhuang. The Number 2 Line runs east-west from Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park in Pudong to Songhong Lu. The Pearl Line (3) runs a curious-shaped route from north–south from Jiangwan Zhen in the north to Shanghai South Station. A new circular line (4) passes through Pudong, eastern and western suburbs and the city’s northern districts.

Please note: Four Line 2 metro stations were renamed in 2006: Shimen No 1 Road is now West Nanjing Road; Henan Middle Road is Nanjing East Road; Dongfang Lu is Shiji Avenue; and Century Park is now Shiji Park.

Despite the alarming metal cages around the drivers, Shanghai taxis are actually reliable, plentiful, cheap and safe. A variety of fleet companies operate Shanghai taxis, which are almost uniformly locally manufactured Volkswagens. All taxis are metered. Maps and addresses written in Chinese characters are essential tools for foreigners, as taxi drivers rarely speak any English.

Taxis can be pre-booked from some of the major fleets, including Friendship Taxi (tel: (21) 6258 4584) or Dazhong Taxi (tel: (21) 6320 7207). The Shanghai Municipal Taxi Association (tel: (21) 6368 1055) can provide further information.

The efficiency of Shanghai’s public transport combined with the prevalence of taxis and the difficulties of obtaining a local licence means there is little sense in hiring a vehicle without very good reason. Bicycles are very common and many accidents involve them – drivers are advised to remember this

If a car of your own is essential, hiring a driver is recommended, given the dense traffic, the Chinese road signs and the general chaos involved. If you still want to hire and drive your own vehicle, an International Driving Permit, air ticket, passport and a credit card to cover the large deposit are required. Avis has a joint venture with Anji Car Rental & Leasing, (tel: (21) 6229 1119; website: www.avischina.com). Shanghai Angel Car Rental (tel: (21) 6229 1118) is one of the biggest local agencies, with offices at both airports. Dazhong (tel: (21) 6318 5666; website: http://dzzc.96822.com/en/index) is another reputable company.

Although bikes are available for rent in some backpacker hostels in Shanghai, it is a very dangerous city in which to cycle.