Shanghai Metro Guide for Foreigners 2026: Map, Hours, Payment Tips

By Bethy
April 27, 2026

Master Shanghai metro system! Check my guide to maps, fares, stations & schedules. Everything you need for easy subway travel in Shanghai 👇
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Kolkata
CCU
Shanghai
PVG
Fri, 17 Jul
Fri, 24 Jul
One way
19% off
From 414.00US$334.00

Mumbai
BOM
Shanghai
PVG
Tue, 28 Jul
Wed, 5 Aug
One way
15% off
From 414.00US$353.00

Kolkata
CCU
Shanghai
PVG
Fri, 17 Jul
Thu, 23 Jul
One way
10% off
From 414.00US$371.00

Hyderabad
HYD
Shanghai
PVG
Thu, 13 Aug
Thu, 20 Aug
One way
10% off
From 414.00US$374.00

Kolkata
CCU
Shanghai
PVG
Thu, 6 Aug
Wed, 12 Aug
One way
10% off
From 414.00US$374.00

Kolkata
CCU
Shanghai
PVG
Mon, 3 Aug
Fri, 7 Aug
One way
10% off
From 414.00US$374.00

Kolkata
CCU
Shanghai
PVG
Thu, 13 Aug
Thu, 20 Aug
One way
10% off
From 414.00US$374.00

Mumbai
BOM
Shanghai
PVG
Fri, 7 Aug
Fri, 14 Aug
One way
9% off
From 414.00US$375.00
Shanghai Metro Map & Network Overview 2026

Source from Wikipedia
Shanghai Metro is one of the largest rapid transit systems worldwide, the primary daily transport for locals and tourists.
- Total operating lines: 20 metro lines + 1 Shanghai maglev line
- Total stations: Over 500 operational stations, covering downtown, suburbs, airports (PVG/SHA), train stations and major tourist spots.
- Coverage: Connects key areas including the Bund, Nanjing Road, Lujiazui, Disney Resort, Hongqiao & Pudong Airports.
- Advantage: Affordable, punctual, traffic-free, and the most time-efficient way to travel across Shanghai.
Shanghai Metro Opening Hours & Train Frequency

Source from Wikipedia
Opening Hours
- Standard first train: 05:30 – 06:00 (varies by line & station)
- Standard last train: 22:30 – 23:30
- Major hubs (Hongqiao Railway Station, People’s Square): Extended late-night services on weekends and holidays.
- Note: Last trains depart early for suburban branches; always check schedules before late travel.
Train Frequency
- Peak hours (07:00–09:00 / 17:00–19:00): Every 2–4 minutes
- Off-peak hours: Every 5–8 minutes
- Remote suburban lines: Every 10–15 minutes
- High-traffic core lines (Line 1, 2, 9, 10): Highest frequency all day long.
Shanghai Metro Lines & Key Stations

Shanghai Subway Line 14 Yuyuan Station (from ArchDaily)
Core lines for tourists and short-term travelers:
- Line 1: North-south main line, People’s Square, Xintiandi
- Line 2: Airport express, Hongqiao Airport, Pudong Airport, Lujiazui, Nanjing Road
- Line 10: Major tourist areas, The Bund, Yuyuan Garden, Tianzifang
- Line 11: Shanghai Disney Resort
- Line 17: Popular water towns and western suburbs
Interchange stations: People’s Square, Jing’an Temple, Century Park, Hongqiao Hub — easy transfers between multiple lines with no extra fare.
How to Pay & Buy Shanghai Metro Tickets for Foreigners

Source from ENGLISH.GOV.CN
Top 1: Alipay QR Code (Most Recommended)
- No Chinese bank account required; foreign credit/debit cards are fully supported.
- Steps: Download Alipay → Complete passport verification → Link your overseas card → Enter the “Travel/Transit” tab → Select Shanghai Metro → Generate a transit QR code.
- Use: Scan the code at gate entry & exit; auto-deduct fare after each trip.
- Perk: Works for metro, city buses and shared bikes across China.

Source from viajeroslowcosteros
Option 2: Single Journey Ticket (Cash/Card for Non-App Users)
- Touch the ticket vending machine screen and switch to English mode.
- Select your destination station or metro line.
- Pay via cash, foreign card, WeChat or Alipay.
- Collect the small IC token card.
- Tap the token to enter, insert it into the slot when exiting.
Option 3: Reusable Public Transit Card / 24-Hour Pass
- Transit Card: Load cash credit, reusable, refundable for leftover balance at service counters.
- 24-Hour Unlimited Pass: Ideal for tourists with heavy travel plans; excludes ferry services.
In-Person Help
Every station gate and service counter has staff on duty. If you struggle with machines or app setup, staff can help buy tickets or solve payment issues for free.
How to Take Shanghai Metro? Step-by-Step

Source from Wikimedia Commons
- Check your line, direction and interchange stops via navigation apps.
- Enter the metro station, follow signs for concourse and platform.
- Go through security: Bags and backpacks need X-ray scanning (mandatory).
- Entry: Scan Alipay QR, tap transit card or swipe single-trip token.
- Board the correct platform; watch line and direction screens to avoid mistakes.
- Alight at your stop, follow exit signs for malls, attractions or roads.
- Exit gate: Rescan QR / insert token / tap card to complete payment.
What Apps You Need for Shanghai Metro Travel

- Alipay
The top payment tool recommended by foreign travelers on Reddit. Simplifies cashless travel, supports overseas cards, and needs only one-time passport verification. - Metro Man
Best navigation app for Chinese metro systems. Real-time arrival times, route planning, interchange alerts, offline metro maps and delay updates. Widely praised by expats and tourists.
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[10% Off] Shanghai Hotels Recommendations
Shanghai Hotels
5 star
9.4/10Outstanding11956 Reviews
People's Square Area Shanghai|0.54km from city centre
This time, when I brought my child to Shanghai for a trip, I still chose the Crowne Plaza Shanghai Nanjing Road. After a tiring full day at Disneyland, we arrived at the hotel and were grateful for the room upgrade to a suite. After checking out, we realized we had left a bag behind. A big thank you to staff member #066 who helped us find it and even arranged for it to be couriered home. The service here is absolutely amazing! Thank you very much! ❤️❤️FromUS$94
9.5/10Outstanding6421 Reviews
People's Square Area Shanghai|0.47km from city centre
I made a special trip to leave a review after my stay, and it was a perfect experience. The hotel boasts an excellent location and a warm, tranquil interior design. The rooms are well-laid out, and the cleanliness standards are strict. The bedding and bathroom amenities are of good quality.
What truly impressed me most was the hotel's overall service quality. The staff are well-trained, proactive in anticipating guests' needs, respond efficiently, and are friendly and approachable. There's no mechanical, rote service; instead, every interaction feels genuinely warm. While good facilities are fundamental, the exceptional, personalized service is undoubtedly the hotel's biggest highlight. Consequently, I extended my stay by another night, and Lynn at the front desk thoughtfully accommodated my request. This is definitely a hotel I'll choose again.FromUS$114
9.5/10Outstanding8259 Reviews
People's Square Area Shanghai|0.7km from city centre
The hotel's location is excellent, right next to Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street, and only a few minutes' walk to Metro Line 2, making getting around super convenient. The hotel's design is luxurious, grand, and elegant, upholding Marriott's quality standards. The front desk and lobby staff are all very friendly; they even offered us drinks when we checked in. Cora, the guest service manager at the front desk, was incredibly efficient and professional during our check-in process. Because my other booking was split into three separate reservations, she expertly consolidated them for a continuous three-night stay, saving me the hassle of changing rooms daily. Even though I forgot to add a note when booking, she managed to put my sister and me on the same floor. Huge thanks to her for getting our three-day Shanghai trip off to such a great start! The hotel breakfast is abundant and delicious, with Shanghai-style scallion oil noodles available daily, plus many freshly made noodle and wonton stations. There's a wide selection of both Chinese and Western options. The cleaner responsible for my room, 2805, did an outstanding job; after a day out, we returned to a clean and tidy room, which was a pleasant surprise! The city view from the room is also beautiful. All in all, it was a very happy and satisfying stay! Definitely a 5-star recommendation!FromUS$148
9.3/10Very Good5290 Reviews
Huaihai Road Area/Xintiandi Area Shanghai|1.78km from city centre
Booked Garden Hotel for my mom's birthday, and they even sent a box of chocolates, which was a thoughtful touch. The room facilities are quite old, but it was clean, very business-oriented, and spacious. The butter cookies I specifically bought were delicious! My mom particularly praised the service, saying it truly lives up to its reputation as a classic five-star hotel in Shanghainese people's hearts. It was very pleasant to take a walk in the garden after dinner. The breakfast the next day had a Japanese focus, with onsen eggs, natto, and smoked salmon. Overall, a good experience.FromUS$96
9.4/10Outstanding10560 Reviews
Train Station Area Shanghai|2.4km from city centre
This time, my family and I stayed in an Executive Suite at the Pullman Shanghai Jing An. First off, the hotel's location is incredibly convenient. It's right near Shanghai Railway Station, so if you're coming by high-speed rail, you're there in just five minutes after exiting the station. There's also Metro Line 1 right outside, about 50 meters away, making it easy to get to many famous Shanghai attractions. The suite consists of a bedroom and a living room, which was more than enough space for our family. The living room has a sofa bed that unfolds into a small bed, which was very practical. The room itself was clean and tidy, with complete amenities, and the kids really enjoyed the screen-mirroring TV. The front desk service was excellent, both during check-in and check-out. We'll definitely stay here again.FromUS$89
Business travel
9/10Good2521 Reviews
Jing'an District/West Nanjing Road Shanghai|0.85km from city centre
I stayed at this hotel back when it was still the Kempinski and always had a pleasant experience. This time, under the new IHG Vignette Collection branding, the stay fell far short of expectations.
Upon arrival, there was no one outside to assist with luggage. Staff members only rushed out after they saw me already pulling my bags from the car myself. The check-in process was noticeably slower, and I wasn’t offered an upgrade — which used to be a regular, appreciated gesture during my previous stays. I was given one of the smallest rooms I’ve ever had in this hotel.
The room itself had several issues. The microwave didn’t work at all, so I couldn’t heat up the takeaway I’d brought. The bedroom TV remote wasn’t responsive; I struggled with it for a long time and eventually just managed to turn the TV off, but not control it. The worst part was the noise from the room above — constant, disruptive sounds that went on until well past midnight, severely affecting my sleep. I did call reception about it, but the noise continued.
Checkout felt impersonal and rushed. No one asked how my stay was. I simply handed over my room key and that was it. When my pre-ordered car had trouble finding the hotel entrance, I handed the phone to a staff member expecting them to guide the driver. Instead, he simply found out where the car was parked, handed the phone back, and left me to drag my luggage there on my own.
The only positive is the central location, which remains excellent. But for service, room comfort, and attention to detail, this was a letdown. I hope they can bring back the standards they used to have.FromUS$162
9.6/10Excellent9305 Reviews
The Bund Area Shanghai|1.73km from city centre
Location: Superb!
It's about 500 meters to the Bund and 500 meters to Yu Garden and the City God Temple. Within 2 kilometers, you'll find nothing but commercial areas, making it convenient to go anywhere.
Service: The hotel staff use robots to deliver express packages to your room – excellent service!
Facilities: The hotel's restaurant serves excellent, delicious food.
Hygiene: The hotel is very clean, and the rooms are spacious. Our whole family was very satisfied.FromUS$104
9/10Good8601 Reviews
The North Bund Area Shanghai|2.55km from city centre
I’d love to highly recommend this hotel. My stay exceeded all expectations. The lobby features an elegant style with pleasant lighting and layout, creating a quiet and cozy atmosphere. The staff are warm and courteous throughout. Special thanks to Jerry, who is efficient, thoughtful and extremely friendly. Check-in was smooth and seamless, with great attention to detail and professional service. The place is clean and tastefully decorated, making guests feel totally at ease. It’s ideal for both leisure trips and business stays. Truly a wonderful experience. Strongly recommended!FromUS$111
9.1/10Good3796 Reviews
The Bund Area Shanghai|1.27km from city centre
Opted for the room type with a separate TV area and it was such a good decision for families. My kid could be sleeping in the room while I was working or watching TV outside. However, beds are SMALL, only a super single so even though kids under 6 could stay in the room for free, it was quite a squeeze on the bed to fit both the adult and the child. Hotel service is good though, gave a complimentary westin bear to my child and the concierge helped me with my restaurant bookings though they gave me some wrong info on the reservation dates window period. Their gym was AMAZING had a wide variety of equipment not normally found in most gyms like a pull up bar, assisted squat rack. Only missing a dips bar. However the swimming pool seemed alright only. Indoor and sufficient but lacked in looks appeal.FromUS$133
9.2/10Very Good5773 Reviews
People's Square Area Shanghai|0.9km from city centre
It was an interesting stay. Great location right off the shopping boulevard. The hotel has a bar and two restaurants. A spa, a foot spa, and gym. We had lounge access which was a nice bonus but not really worth the extra money. You get free breakfast, appetizers from 6-8, and lounge access for coffee and sodas from 1-930.
The breakfast was yummy. Offered a wide selection of food with regional dishes to western foods. One of the few places I’ve traveled outside the US that has actual bacon. We never waited but there was a sign saying there were peak hours.
Check in was great. I had an issue with a bag left in a DiDi and the front desk agent went out of his way to help me get in touch with driver to recover my bag.
The room much like the rest of the hotel feels trapped in that fake opulence that was popular awhile back. The shower was awkward because of its shape but it did have a rain shower which was nice. One of the few hotels I’ve been in lately that didn’t have the bath stuff bolted to the wall (though it probably wouldn’t fit). Huge tub and large fluffy towels. My daughter and I both left with some bug bites from our stay not bed bugs but definitely something. The biggest drawback to the room is the lack of functional outlets. One bed has no open plugs or usb ports the other bed has a wonky extension cord with some usb ports. Found one other usb in the room in the desk area.
The hotel is doing some work apparently later this month so hopefully they bring it into this century.
One thing I didn’t discover until the next day is there is an entrance from the back of the hotel right on the big shopping street. There’s also a cute little food court right there where you can grab a pretty decent variety of food.
One warning is didi and food delivery have a hard time with the addressFromUS$85
Family friendly
9.3/10Very Good4117 Reviews
Jing'an District/West Nanjing Road Shanghai|2.6km from city centre
After comparing many hotels for my trip to Shanghai, I ultimately chose this one, and it proved to be an excellent decision! 👍 While the room facilities aren't brand new, the overall experience was still great, and it doesn't feel dated at all.
The hotel's location is also superb, right near Exit 3 of Jing'an Temple Station, making it incredibly convenient to get to various attractions. The view from the room window was beautiful, and the kids were very comfortable and happy! I'll definitely choose this hotel again on my next visit to Shanghai! It offers fantastic value for money compared to other hotels!FromUS$109
9.4/10Outstanding7411 Reviews
Dapuqiao Area Shanghai|2.92km from city centre
What truly surprised me and made my stay memorable was the front desk service! As soon as I entered the lobby, a staff member immediately offered to help with my luggage. During check-in, the staff were not only smiling throughout, but also carefully inquired about our preferences and specifically arranged a quiet room on a high floor for us. The front desk staff member wearing silver glasses was particularly impressive.FromUS$107
9.4/10Outstanding14556 Reviews
Lujiazui Area Shanghai|2.51km from city centre
The hotel's location is excellent, right within the core Lujiazui scenic area. The Oriental Pearl TV Tower and the 'Lujiazui Three-piece Set' are all within easy reach, and subway access is also very convenient. The staff were all warm and patient. Vinnie, who checked me in at the front desk, was enthusiastic, professional, and efficient. My room was on a high floor with a great view. Although it's not a brand-new hotel, it's very well-maintained. All in all, it was a very pleasant stay. For anyone visiting Shanghai, staying here is really a great choice!FromUS$163
9.4/10Outstanding11015 Reviews
Train Station Area Shanghai|2.52km from city centre
I recently stayed at InterContinental Shanghai Jing’an and had a very pleasant experience overall.
One of the biggest advantages of this hotel is its location. It is conveniently situated near Shanghai Railway Station and provides easy access to the metro, making it simple to get around the city whether you’re visiting for business or leisure. There are also plenty of dining and shopping options within a short distance.
The staff were consistently friendly, welcoming, and helpful throughout my stay. Check-in was smooth, and whenever I had a question, the team was happy to assist with a smile. Their professionalism and hospitality definitely made the stay more enjoyable.
The room was spacious, comfortable, and well maintained. The bed was very comfortable, and I appreciated the cleanliness of both the room and bathroom. The hotel has the upscale feel you would expect from an InterContinental property, while still feeling warm and comfortable. Bidet was a huge plus. Along with the shower
While some areas of the hotel are starting to show a little age compared to newer luxury hotels in Shanghai, it is still very well kept and offers excellent value considering the location, facilities, and service.
Overall, I had a great stay and would happily choose InterContinental Shanghai Jing’an again on a future visit to Shanghai. The convenient location and friendly staff were the highlights for me.FromUS$125
9.5/10Outstanding4597 Reviews
Lujiazui Area Shanghai|2.69km from city centre
The Executive Room was spacious and airy, with soft, comfortable bedding and exquisite bathroom amenities. The soundproofing was excellent, allowing for a truly peaceful rest. The hotel's location is superb, making getting around a breeze; you can hail a taxi right downstairs.
A special shout-out to Jeremy from the Executive Lounge! From check-in to departure, he was attentive and thoughtful throughout. He proactively explained all the lounge benefits, from breakfast and afternoon tea to evening service, arranging everything with meticulous care and warmth. He was quick to respond to any request, demonstrating professionalism and genuine hospitality that made us feel like family.
Our experience was perfect, highly recommended!FromUS$354
Hot spring
9.5/10Outstanding2471 Reviews
Hongqiao District Shanghai|11.03km from city centre
The Arnaadi is truly a hotel where there's a world of difference between staying once and staying many times. This is my third visit to Arnaadi for a healing vacation, and this time I brought my sister for the Dragon Boat Festival holiday. As soon as you step from the parking lot into the hotel, you can clearly smell the pleasant and stress-relieving lemongrass scent, which perfectly highlights the hotel's various aromatherapy-based healing activities. The room is cozy, well-equipped with high-quality amenities, and I particularly loved the showerhead in the bathroom with its rain mist option – it felt like being enveloped in a warm embrace, something you don't often find even in other high-end hotels. Our butler, Fairy, was incredibly thoughtful, understanding our preferences and needs in detail, and booking all our activities for us. Our two-day, one-night stay at the hotel was packed and incredibly rewarding. The hot springs experience was also fantastic; the pools were comfortable, and the bath towels provided were wonderfully dry, soft, and warm. Penny, the therapist for the German stress relief treatment, was kind and patient, and her service was meticulous. Even in just 18 minutes, the healing treatment significantly boosted my energy levels. I absolutely love Arnaadi and will definitely be back many more times. A huge thank you to Fairy – you're beautiful, thoughtful, full of positive energy and vitality. It was wonderful meeting you!FromUS$200
9.3/10Very Good3354 Reviews
Shanghai Disney Resort Shanghai|21.83km from city centre
This hotel is located within the Disney Resort, and the service was excellent. The breakfast spread was generous, and the room was spotless. We stayed for two nights, and every evening when we returned from the park, the room had been meticulously cleaned by housekeeping, and our clothes were even neatly folded on the bed. We really appreciate it! We'll definitely choose to stay here again next time we visit Disney.FromUS$124
9.6/10Excellent2168 Reviews
Changfeng Park Area Shanghai|8.63km from city centre
This was my first time staying at Onyado Nono, and I was incredibly impressed by all the thoughtful details and the beautiful environment. The serene Japanese garden offers picturesque views at every turn, with lush greenery, flowing water, and a koi pond. It was so relaxing to feed the fish and play with the little bunnies. The hotel also includes a complimentary handmade wind chimes workshop, which was a lovely way to create a personalized souvenir that chimed beautifully in the breeze. The entire staff was incredibly kind and attentive, offering considerate service without being overbearing. It's the perfect escape from the city hustle for a short, relaxing getaway. Highly recommend!FromUS$99
8.8/10156 Reviews
Fengxian Development Zone Shanghai|32.57km from city centre
The hotel room facilities are good, with everything that should be there. The smoking area outside is also very beautiful. The breakfast in the morning is very good, it is self-service, and there are freshly made noodles to eat. If you are thirsty, you can go downstairs at any time to have some drinks and fruits, which are all included in the hotel package. Why the deduction? Like many reviews wrote, the water in the pool here is really too hot. It is the hottest of all the hot springs in Shanghai that I have been to. It feels too hot. I saw that several children could hardly soak in the water for a while. I don’t know why so many people complained. I saw that the management was still saying in the comments that it met the hot spring temperature requirements. What they said is that your water is too hot, and they are giving you suggestions. Everyone in the hot spring said that the water was hot, not that you violated any regulations... It takes talent to reply like thisFromUS$57
9.6/10Excellent308 Reviews
Shanghai Disney Resort Shanghai|18.67km from city centre
I visited Qianyun after looking at dozens of places in the area. I wanted to be away from typical city area, have a bathtub and nice outdoor area, and with easy access to Shanghai Disneyland. Qianyun met all those requirements and more! The location was immediately very serene and surrounded by forest, but still easy to access lots of waimai food delivery options. They were also very kind and proactive about sharing information about local restaurants and activities, and provide a breakfast and evening fruit every day. They offer free car transport to Disneyland, and I was excited to use this service but I ended up enjoying my time at the hotel so much that I opted to stay and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere instead! The hotel pets are so friendly - within five minutes the little cat Banban was on my lap and purring.
The room itself is decorated very nicely with all the amenities you need. The bathtub inside is very comfortable and I loved the outdoor hot spring tub as well. The attention to hygiene is very highly emphasized and I was impressed with how clean and luxurious everything felt.
I will definitely visit again and recommend to anyone hoping to have a convenient getaway from the city, or who would like to be near to Disneyland Resort while also experiencing a more peaceful area and for a good economical value and high quality service!
Thankyou for the wonderful stay, I felt very welcome at all times.FromUS$117
Gym
9.5/10Outstanding4504 Reviews
Huaihai Road Area/Xintiandi Area Shanghai|0.97km from city centre
Location: The hotel is located in the core business district of Xintiandi and the Site of the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China. It's super convenient, about 300 meters from the subway, with great options for dining and shopping nearby.
Facilities: The hotel breakfast is excellent, and you can order a main course (the asparagus and salmon is fantastic, both in presentation and taste). The coffee is also great. My favorite part was the waterfall-like shower—so relaxing! Although the hotel is older, the facilities are well-maintained. The room lighting control is user-friendly, and the charging outlets are very convenient (multi-purpose, I'm definitely getting one!).
Cleanliness: The hotel uses Diptyque toiletries. Staff proactively close the blackout curtains for you in the evening, and there's an endless supply of mineral water.
I'll definitely choose this hotel again for my next business trip to Shanghai.FromUS$167
9.3/10Very Good3207 Reviews
Jing'an District/West Nanjing Road Shanghai|2.12km from city centre
Excellent service . Ritz Carlton Portman Shanghai. I been staying here for the past 20 years traveling to Shanghai from San Francisco. Jing an district on nanjing west road in the middle of everything. .. biggest Starbucks in the world just a few blocks away the new Louis Vuitton boat ship store right across the street from Starbucks.. pretty good walk to the bund and nanjing road .. .. Sunny ,,the bartender mixes excellent drinks .FromUS$173
9.4/10Outstanding4619 Reviews
Jing'an District/West Nanjing Road Shanghai|4.54km from city centre
The hotel's location is convenient, the environment is comfortable and tidy, and the facilities are complete. It's not just equipped with a large fridge, washing machine, and microwave, but also various daily necessities, which is incredibly convenient. The staff's service attitude is excellent; they are attentive and patient, and always provide timely assistance with guests' needs. The overall stay experience exceeded my expectations, absolutely deserving of a five-star rating! 🌟FromUS$71
9.7/10Excellent5929 Reviews
The Bund Area Shanghai|1.78km from city centre
Facilities: Steeped in history with a vintage charm. The rooms are meticulously restored to their original grandeur, featuring high-end toiletries as standard, an indoor pool, and the iconic jazz bar.
Cleanliness: Despite being nearly a century old, guests consistently report no musty or moldy odors. Rooms are described as ”very comfortable and clean,” with daily housekeeping and turn-down service being meticulous.
Ambiance: Impeccable. Located at the prime intersection of the Bund and Nanjing East Road, it's just a 2-3 minute walk to the Bund viewing platform. The entire building is a historical landmark itself, and the common areas exude old Shanghai charm, perfect for photos.
Service: The staff are warm and professional. Even with daily visitors coming in just to take pictures, they are always treated with politeness. They also offer free historical tours, providing insight into the hotel's rich past.FromUS$366
9.4/10Outstanding18415 Reviews
Lujiazui Area Shanghai|3.12km from city centre
My stay was incredibly pleasant, and the hotel facilities were excellent. The front desk team provided truly warm service. The staff were energetic and welcoming, handling all matters efficiently and in an orderly fashion. They proactively offered helpful travel advice, showing thoughtful attention to every detail. My entire stay was comfortable, and the high-quality service made my trip even more perfect.
I've stayed at this hotel multiple times, and each visit I've experienced the exceptional service from the front desk. The staff consistently deliver high standards of service, treating guests with politeness and respect, and making check-in quick and efficient. They are particularly attentive to the needs of returning guests, and any issues can be communicated and resolved promptly. The consistently high-quality service over time makes this my preferred hotel choice for travel.FromUS$176
Swimming pool
9.5/10Outstanding3802 Reviews
Jing'an District/West Nanjing Road Shanghai|0.94km from city centre
My birthday stay at The Sukhothai Shanghai was an absolute delight from start to finish, and I simply have to gush about it!
The location is incredibly convenient. The hotel is directly connected to the Taikoo Li shopping mall, so you can shop to your heart's content without worrying about the weather. The subway station is just a three-minute walk away, and it's easy to hail a taxi right outside. Plus, there's an abundance of restaurants nearby, making dining out effortless.
The service was exceptionally thoughtful and warm. The hotel proactively called me the day before to confirm my arrival time. A special shout-out to Joy from Guest Relations – knowing it was for my birthday, she went above and beyond by decorating the room beautifully and even upgraded us to a suite. During check-in, she patiently explained all the room amenities and was incredibly responsive to any requests we had. The attention to detail was impeccable.
The upgraded suite was spacious, and the decor perfectly matched my taste. The hotel's signature scent is subtle and pleasant, immediately creating a sense of relaxation and comfort as soon as I stepped in. The bathroom was uncommonly large for a hotel in this price range, and the toiletries felt gentle and soothing.
I had seen some negative reviews about the breakfast, but my experience showed that it has clearly been improved and optimized. The almond croissant was deliciously flaky, and the Tom Yum Goong noodle soup was warming and authentic. The hotel's Thai restaurant serves authentic cuisine, and guests even get an 8.8% discount.
Unfortunately, my stay was too short, and I was genuinely sad to check out. I had such a memorable and wonderful birthday here. I will definitely choose The Sukhothai again the next time I visit Shanghai.FromUS$240
9.3/10Very Good4257 Reviews
The Bund Area Shanghai|2.48km from city centre
I booked a twin room facing the Bund, and at check-in, the front desk told me that the highest floors for this room type were 17th or 18th. However, I later saw on the Ctrip booking page that it showed up to around the 30th floor. I'm not sure which information to trust, but the room the staff member gave me had a pretty good view, despite being on a slightly lower floor. The room's furnishings were quite basic; they even had outdoor-style tables and chairs, which felt a bit cheap. The air conditioning vent was quite noisy, which might bother light sleepers. The housekeeping service needs improvement; I pressed the button for cleaning, but they didn't come on time. They only showed up right before their shift ended and did a rather perfunctory job. I'd say that considering the location and price, it still offers good value for money. However, the hotel was very busy, and we had to queue for breakfast.FromUS$154
9.4/10Outstanding5695 Reviews
Jing'an District/West Nanjing Road Shanghai|2.33km from city centre
Jingan Shangri-la is amazing and a must stay in Shanghai. We've experienced excellent service from every hotel staff member we came across with. There was a night when we were majorly disturbed by another room and hotel Manager Parry called us the next day to offer us a complimentary change and upgrade of room for our last night. This was truly good follow-up from the night before and its highly commendable. Rooms itself had gorgeous views and were very clean. High tea and happy hour at the Horizon Lounge far exceeded our expectations with huge options and extremely delicious canapes, small dishes and drinks. The breakfast spread was also really loved by our kids as there was an ice cream bar with lots of ice cream options. We will be back, thank you!FromUS$223
9.3/10Very Good9009 Reviews
Lujiazui Area Shanghai|3.19km from city centre
Excellently located near the shanghai bund and a 10 min walk from lujiazui station the hotel offered spectacular views. A wide variety of eateries are available nearby as well. Lounge dinner was excellent, with a wide variety of dishes like roast duck, cha siu and honey chicken. Breakfast had variety and the staff were happy to accommodate when they knew i had allergies to certain types of food. Would certainly recommend and will consider staying here again in the future.FromUS$124
9.3/10Very Good4703 Reviews
The Bund Area Shanghai|1.58km from city centre
This hotel's location is absolutely top-tier among Shanghai's luxury hotels! Housed in the historic No. 2 Bund building, it boasts a century of history, directly overlooking the Huangpu River, and is right in the city center. It completely outshines newer hotels in Lujiazui and Jing'an in terms of both historical charm and convenience. What truly impressed me was the service – Aaron, Coco, and Emily from the concierge team were incredibly attentive throughout my stay. That's definitely a huge plus!FromUS$327
Breakfast
9.5/10Outstanding10449 Reviews
Sheshan, Songjiang University Town Shanghai|35.83km from city centre
The Deep Pit Hotel offers stunning views and a tranquil, pleasant environment, providing a truly immersive experience. Our butler, Bruce, was professional and incredibly warm, offering thoughtful and meticulous service that truly enhanced our trip. He clearly put a lot of care into everything.FromUS$211
9.3/10Very Good2549 Reviews
Wujiaochang Commercial Area Shanghai|9.08km from city centre
My stay at the Shanghai Pagoda Junting Design Hotel in Wujiaochang was fantastic! The location is absolutely perfect, right in Wujiaochang Chuangzhi Tiandi. It's super close to the subway, University Road, and major shopping areas, making it incredibly convenient for dining, entertainment, and exploring. The room design is very stylish, with a panoramic floor-to-ceiling window offering great views, and the tatami area was very comfortable. The bedding was incredibly soft, ensuring a great night's sleep. The bathroom featured double sinks and a smart toilet, and the toiletries were exquisite. The service was thoughtful; check-in at the front desk was quick, and the staff were very friendly. Breakfast was extensive, with local Shanghainese snacks and freshly made noodles. They even offered free late-night snacks! The hotel was clean, and overall, it offered excellent value for money. I highly recommend it for both business and leisure travelers!FromUS$81
9.5/10Outstanding556 Reviews
Hongqiao Airport/National Exhibition and Convention Center Shanghai|15.59km from city centre
I stayed at the Hyatt House Shanghai Hongqiao CBD and found it to be a very solid choice, especially for business travel. The location is excellent, situated directly opposite the railway station and the airport, which makes onward travel extremely convenient.
The rooms are spacious, clean, and comfortable, providing everything needed for a short business stay. The staff are friendly, helpful, and efficient, which adds to the overall positive experience. Breakfast is perfectly adequate and does the job well.
For business trips in particular, or if you need to continue your journey by train the next day as I did, this hotel is a very convenient and comfortable option. Overall, I had a good stay and can definitely recommend it.FromUS$94
9.3/10Very Good1640 Reviews
Everbright Convention and Exhibition Center Shanghai|12.35km from city centre
My overall experience with the business I conducted at this location was incredibly pleasant, and I absolutely have to commend Audrey, the front desk staff member. Her thorough and thoughtful service throughout left a deep impression on me, and I'm writing this review to express my gratitude.
As soon as I walked through the door, the front desk staff immediately stood up and greeted me warmly. Her tone was gentle and friendly, and she maintained a sincere smile, instantly easing any awkwardness I felt as a first-time visitor. I hadn't brought all the necessary documents with me and had many questions about the process, required materials, and fee standards. I was worried it would take a long time and that the staff might become impatient, but she was incredibly patient throughout, without a hint of perfunctoriness or laxity.
She clearly explained each step of the process item by item. For technical terms I didn't understand, she rephrased them in easy-to-understand language and explained them repeatedly. Thoughtfully, she took out a pen and paper, wrote down a detailed list of materials I needed to provide, and noted important considerations for each item, saving me from making multiple trips. While I was waiting for the procedures to be processed, she saw me standing and proactively guided me to the seating area, even offering me drinking water. Her attentiveness was evident in every detail.
When handling the business, she was skilled and efficient, verifying information carefully and meticulously. She double-checked every detail with me to prevent any errors. Midway through, I added several additional questions related to various different services, and she answered each one in detail, proactively informing me about related benefits and precautions, showing incredible thoughtfulness.
Throughout our entire interaction, her demeanor was appropriate, polite, and humble, and her speaking pace was just right. She showed empathy for the customer's difficulties and displayed no impatience or perfunctoriness. Her professionalism and service awareness were impeccable. It's precisely because of such a diligent, responsible, and thoughtful front desk employee that the overall image of the establishment has been greatly enhanced, making my entire process smooth and worry-free.
Such excellent service deserves high praise. If any friends or family have similar needs in the future, I will definitely recommend this establishment, and I hope the store will generously reward this dedicated staff member!FromUS$33
9.7/10Excellent1938 Reviews
Hongqiao District Shanghai|8.21km from city centre
I've found a real gem in this modern tower. The hotel occupies floors 15 to 18, and the reception is a 10/10 – the staff are super friendly, they offer coffee, tea, and little pastries, and there's also a very comfortable coworking area.
The rooms are like a small studio with a kitchenette: microwave, washing machine, dryer, a full-size fridge, and plenty of closet space. The bed and pillows are extremely comfortable, and the shower… wow! The water pressure is amazing, absolutely wonderful. The door is floor-to-ceiling, so steam from long showers doesn't escape into the rest of the room. The sink area is a bit small, but it's fine for one or two people. Special mention: the magnifying mirror and the Japanese toilet – a real luxury that I really appreciated.
We were so comfortable that we ended up extending our stay by 3 more days.
The only downside: the metro is about 1 km away, maybe a bit more. But the value for money is so good that what you save on the hotel easily covers a taxi ride. From now on, this will be my go-to place in Shanghai.
Highly recommended. I'll definitely be back.FromUS$57
FAQs about Shanghai Metro
-
How to use Shanghai Metro as a foreigner?
As a foreigner, using the Shanghai Metro is straightforward: navigate using clear English station signs and bilingual maps in stations (and apps like MetroMan or Baidu Maps), purchase single-journey tickets from vending machines (with cash) or use a rechargeable Shanghai Public Transportation Card (available at service counters), or pay via QR code using Alipay/WeChat Pay (requires linked Chinese bank card or Tour Pass). Follow station signage to platforms, trains display route info in English, listen for English announcements, and tap your ticket/card/QR code on the gate sensors to enter and exit. -
Is Shanghai Metro 24 hours?
No, the Shanghai Metro does not operate 24 hours a day; standard operating hours are approximately 5:30 AM to 11:00 PM for most lines and stations, although the exact start and end times vary slightly by line and station (check specific station schedules via official apps or websites, especially for the final train departure times from your location). -
How do I go to Shanghai Museum by metro?
To reach the Shanghai Museum, take Metro Line 1 or Line 8 to People's Square Station (人民广场站), then use Exit 1 or Exit 2; upon exiting the station, the iconic building of the Shanghai Museum is clearly visible directly across the large square (People's Square itself), and it's just a 1-2 minute walk north from the exits (follow the signage leading to the museum within the station complex). -
How many Shanghai Metro stations are there?
With continuous network expansion, the Shanghai Metro currently has over 400 active stations (as of late 2023 / early 2024, exceeding 500 lines when including all station entrances/exits across the vast network spanning 19+ lines), making it the world's largest metro system by route length and one of the largest by number of stations. -
How to pay for public transport in Shanghai for foreigners?
Foreigners can pay for Shanghai public transport (metro, buses, ferries, maglev) using: 1) Shanghai Public Transportation Card (physical card purchased/recharged at metro stations, convenience stores); 2) Single-Journey Tickets (cash only, bought at metro vending machines); 3) QR Codes via Alipay (set up the "Transport QR Code" in the app, requires passport verification and potentially linking a Chinese bank card or using the "Tour Pass" mini-program for limited top-ups); 4) WeChat Pay (similar QR code setup within the app); 5) Contactless bank cards (still limited acceptance). -
How to buy a ticket for Shanghai Metro?
To buy a physical single-journey ticket for the Shanghai Metro, find the automatic ticket vending machines (TVMs) in any station lobby; select the English language option on the screen, tap your destination station on the map display (or enter the station name), choose the number of tickets (default is 1), insert coins or bills (machines accept ¥0.50, ¥1 coins and ¥5, ¥10, ¥20, ¥50, ¥100 bills), collect your ticket and any change; use this ticket to tap in at the gate and insert it into the slot when exiting.
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Shanghai Metro Guide
- 1. Shanghai Metro Map & Network Overview 2026
- 2. Shanghai Metro Opening Hours & Train Frequency
- 3. Shanghai Metro Lines & Key Stations
- 4. How to Pay & Buy Shanghai Metro Tickets for Foreigners
- 5. How to Take Shanghai Metro? Step-by-Step
- 6. What Apps You Need for Shanghai Metro Travel
- 7. [10% Off] Shanghai Hotels Recommendations
- 8. FAQs about Shanghai Metro
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