Shanghai for First-Time Visitors: Airport, Metro, Payments & Tickets (2026)

Short answer: The easiest first stop in China: the metro takes Alipay and contactless Visa, most sights don't need booking days ahead, and Suzhou and Hangzhou are under an hour away by train.

Visa-free entry and 240-hour transit

Shanghai's airports are designated ports for 240-hour visa-free transit. If you fly on to a third country or region, you can stay up to 10 days and travel across the 24 permitted provinces (Tibet, Xinjiang and a few other regions are not included).

Not sure which rule applies to you? Check your passport in 10 seconds or see rules by country.

Airport to the city

Shanghai Pudong (PVG)

Option	Time	Cost
Maglev + metro Maglev ends at Longyang Road; last trains around 21:40	35–50 min	¥50 + metro
Metro Line 2 Cheapest	70–90 min	A few yuan
Taxi / Didi Official taxi rank or the ride-hailing pickup zone	50–60 min	~¥180 to People's Square

Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA)

Option	Time	Cost
Metro Line 2 or 10 Hongqiao railway station is next door	30–40 min to the centre	A few yuan
Taxi / Didi	30–50 min	~¥70–100

Landing late, with luggage or kids? A pre-booked car meets you in arrivals with a name sign, at a fixed price: Shanghai Pudong (PVG) transfer. (affiliate links)

Times and fares change. Check Amap or the airport's official site on the day. First time landing in China? Read arriving in China step by step.

Metro and taxis

Metro: Contactless Visa works at the gates across the network, and Alipay's metro QR code works on every line. Set up Alipay with your foreign card before you fly as a backup.

Didi: Didi works well inside Alipay. Late at night or in the rain, expect a wait. See how to use Didi as a foreigner.

Hotels in Shanghai

Check in with your passport: hotels register foreign guests with the police automatically at check-in, so there's nothing else to do. Compare hotels in Shanghai on Trip.com (affiliate link): the site is in English, shows prices in your currency and takes foreign cards. Save the hotel's address in Chinese characters to show taxi drivers.

Top sights: do you need to book?

The BundBooking: Free, open all the time; no bookingPassport: Not neededHow: Go after dark for the lights across the river

Yu GardenBooking: Real-name ticket (about ¥30–40); book online on busy days or buy at the gatePassport: Yes, bring the originalHow: Bring the passport you booked with

Shanghai Museum East (Pudong)Booking: Free; individual visitors have been able to walk in with a passport, but rules changePassport: Yes, bring the originalHow: Check the museum's official channels the day before

Shanghai Tower observation deckBooking: Paid ticket; same day is usually finePassport: Yes, bring the originalHow: Ticket office or online · Book tickets

"Book tickets" links are affiliate links: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Day trips from Shanghai

Suzhou: High-speed train, about 25–35 min
Hangzhou: High-speed train, about 45–60 min
Zhujiajiao water town: Metro Line 17, about 1 h from Hongqiao

Where to go next

Beijing: 4.5–6 h by high-speed train
Hangzhou: 45–60 min

Booking trains: how to book China's high-speed trains as a foreigner. All cities: China city guides.

Next steps for your trip

1. Fill in the arrival cardOnline, free, within 72h before landing 2. Set up AlipayLink your Visa or Mastercard before you fly 3. Get a China eSIMGoogle, WhatsApp & Instagram keep working · affiliate link Stuck? Ask a real personWhatsApp / WeChat · paid help from $15

FAQ

Can I use 240-hour visa-free transit in Shanghai?

Yes. Pudong and Hongqiao airports are designated ports. If you fly on to a third country or region, you can stay up to 10 days and travel across the 24 permitted provinces, so Suzhou, Hangzhou and even Beijing are fine.

Is the Maglev worth it?

If you land before about 21:40 and are staying near Line 2 or Line 7, yes: it is the fastest way in. Late at night or with lots of luggage, a taxi or pre-booked car is easier.

Do I need my passport for Shanghai sights?

Usually yes. Most ticketed sights and museums are real-name, so carry the original passport, not a photo or copy.

Last verified 24 October 2026. Sources: [1] [2] [3] [4] . Rules, fares and booking windows change often — confirm on official channels before you travel.