Shanghai Transportation

Due to its significance as one of the world’s most active commercial and financial centers, Shanghai sees some of China’s highest travel volumes.  Getting to and from Shanghai is efficient through multiple means of transportation, and once you’re there a world-class public transit system makes it easy to find your way around.
Air:  Two international airports, Hongqiao International and Pudong International Airport, service Shanghai’s immense air traffic.  While Hongqiao mostly handles domestic travel, Pudong has the highest international traffic in China second only to Hong Kong.
Bus:  If where you need to go isn’t convenient by subway you can almost be sure one of Shanghai’s nearly 1000 bus routes can get you there.  With the world’s most extensive bus system, almost all of Shanghai is connected through public transit.  Be sure to check that you are boarding the correct bus because not all busses are numbered and some operate exclusively in Chinese.  Bus fares range from 1-2 yuan depending on the distance you are traveling.
Taxi:  Shanghai employs an abundant fleet of taxis makes hailing a cab an easy and affordable means of transit.  Government regulations have capped rates at 11 yuan for every 3 kilometers traveled, and 14 yuan for the same distance after 11 pm.
Bicycle:  Prior to 1990 bicycles rivaled motorized traffic on Shanghai’s crowded thoroughfares.  Since that time bicycles have been for the most part relocated to cycling lanes on the city’s main roads to reduce congestion and increase safety.  You can still enjoy the energetic streets of Shanghai on two wheels riding alongside traffic from a slightly safer vantage point now, and in coming years the city has plans to add over 180 kilometers of cycling lanes.
Rail:  Shanghai’s central location makes it a vital connection between China’s sprawling cities.  The city is intersected by the Jingha Railway that travels from Shanghai to Beijing, and the Huang Railway connecting Shanghai to Hangzhou.  If you are traveling by train to Shanghai you are bound to travel through either Shanghai Railway station or Shanghai South Railway station.  An express train to Beijing is an affordable option if you aren’t in a big hurry, and a high speed rail connecting the two cities is currently in the works.