As an international metropolis with the largest population in China, as well as an important communications hub in China, and one of the biggest ports in the Far East, Shanghai inevitably faces the problem of overpopulation and traffic congestion. Because of this, the leaders have Shanghai have made sure that their city's transportation system is the most advanced in China. A high density road network makes overland transportation easy. Taxis, city buses, and sightseeing buses are ready to bring you to any part of Shanghai with ease and convenience. For visitors who prefer to drive, rental cars are available.
Getting Around in Shanghai
By Taxi:
As in other large cities, Shanghai has taxis roaming the city and they are available 24 hours a day. Visitors can take a taxi from virtually anywhere, and it is the most common means of transportation to get around Shanghai. Taxi is the speediest form of transportation in the city, except during rush hour. Rush hour in Shanghai is from about 7:30 to 9:00AM, and then again in the evening from about 4:45-6:30PM. During regular hours, the first 5 kilometers (or 3 miles) are 10.8rmb and 1.6rmb per km (0.6 mile) after that. After 11:00pm, prices are 12.6rmb for the first 5kilometers. It is possible to get lower rates during rush hours. All visitors to Shanghai are recommended to take one of their hotel's business cards. They will have directions back to their hotels, and if they get lost, they just need to hand it to the taxi driver and they can get back without a problem.
By Public Bus:
The bus system in Shanghai is probably the cheapest and most convenient way to get around the city. The bus lines in the downtown area, crisscrosses Shanghai like a spider web, but don't expect to get anywhere in a hurry by buses in Shanghai. Some buses have conductors but others only have money boxes in the front of the bus with no change given. For visitors on a brief tour of the city, there is a sightseeing Bus Center located under the no. 5 staircase at Gate 12 of the Shanghai Stadium. The sightseeing bus lines run to many sites located on the outskirts of the city. Shanghai also has new air-conditioned buses, special line buses, medium buses and double deck buses which have different rates depending on the type of bus. An average bus costs 1rmb, while an air conditioned bus costs 2rmb. All visitors are reminded to take care of their belongings.
By Subway:
There are five subway lines which have connections all over the city of Shanghai, and have stops at or nearby all of the main attractions and commercial areas. Except during rush hour, the subway is the fastest and most comfortable way for visitors to get around Shanghai. The subway trains are very clean, and their stations and exits are clearly labeled in English and Chinese. The base fare is 3RMB (US$ 0.37). For visitors who plan to stay in Shanghai for a long period of time, it would be wise to buy a rechargeable Shanghai Public Transportation Card which could be used to pay for subway, bus, ferry, and taxi rides. The fare is automatically deducted from the amount remaining on the card, and more money can be added to the card. The card can be purchased in the Shanghai's subway stations. All visitors riding the subway are reminded to take care of their belongings.
By Bike or On Foot:
A bicycle is still the main form of transportation for millions of Shanghai's residents and bikes are available for rent or sale to visitors. Though it is not the best idea to ride along the main avenues in Shanghai during rush hours, it is still enjoyable to have a cycling tour around the city. If a bike is your chosen option, remember to buy a bike lock. It is recommended that visitors park their bikes in watched over by an attendant. Parking usually costs 5RMB. For the ones who want to stroll in the fascinating Shanghai streets, it would be better to take the tour on foot as it is best way to see Shanghai's sights and experience life at street-level. Shanghai's roads change all the time, so walking through the city requires visitors to get up to date route information before they plan to go. Hotels can offer visitors with directions through the city.
By Boat or Tunnel:
To shift the thousands of daily visitors between east and west Shanghai, there are now nine basic routes. The ferry terminal is at the southern end of the Bund on the west shore, and the southern end of Riverside Avenue at Dongchang Lu on the east shore. Five more routes across the river make use of tunnels, and the Waitan Bund Sightseeing Tunnel which is equipped with glass covered tram cars that glide through a subterranean 3-minute light show with music and a narrative.
Getting Around China in Shanghai
By Airplane:
Shanghai has two international airports and is a nexus for international flights. Pudong Airport, about an hour's drive from the city center, handles most international and some domestic flights. The Hongqiao Airport located 18km (11mi) from the Bund is reachable via bus, shuttle or taxi. Shanghai's airports have flights to most international and domestic destinations.
By Train or Long-distance Bus:
Shanghai is at the junction of the Beijing-Shanghai and Beijing-Hangzhou train lines, so many of China's major destinations can be reached by direct train from Shanghai. There are a number of long-distance bus stations in Shanghai, the busiest one is the Hengfeng Lu that has a 13-hour trip to Beijing.
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