Transportation

Shanghai is a key hub with daily connections by air and rail to thousands of destinations in China and beyond. Transportation options within the city itself are plentiful. Though most international flights are now through Pudong International Airport, some are still operated from Hongqiao Airport, so be sure of which airport you need to go to.

AIRPORT

Hongqiao Airport
Hongqiao Airport is located in the eastern edge of central Shanghai and is easily reached by private hotel shuttles and taxis. This airport handles all domestic flights throughout mainland China and Hainan Island and some international flights. The departure tax is RMB 50, and international.

Taxi to/from Hongqiao Airport:
Taxis from this relatively central location to most places in Shanghai should be around RMB 30 to 50. A RMB 15 toll is added to whatever is on the meter.

Shanghai Pudong International Airport
Located roughly 35km from the heart of the city, this newly opened airport is Shanghais door to the world. Departures are on the upper floor and arrivals on the bottom floor. Departing passengers on international flights must fill a departure card and pay the airport fee before heading to the security check.Because these procedures, in addition to check-in time, can be time consuming, airlines advise international passengers to show up at the airport 2.5 hours before departure.

Getting to/from Pudong airport:
Taxis are available outside the airport. A taxi to Pudong will cost around RMB 120 to 180, to Puxi it’ll cost from RMB 150 to 180. If there’s no traffic, the trip should be about 1 hour, if there is traffic, be prepared to wait. Many upscale hotels can arrange for private cars or limousines to pick up and drop off guests. This service should cost RMB 120 to 300. Hotels also commonly operate airport shuttle buses. Be sure to reserve your private car or seat on a shuttle bus prior to your arrival or departure. Also available are airport shuttle buses, but unless you know where to get off, its probably better to take a cab. For those who have somewhere to go quickly, the newly opened Maglev, which goes about 300kmper hour runs from the airport to Pudong for RMB 50.

BICYCLE
You’d have to be a little bit lunatic to brave the psychedelic traffic of Puxi, but Pudong with its wide boulevards and parks are good for cycling enthusiasts. Though the roads in Shanghai aren’t exactly great for biking, interesting daytrips can be made into the outlying areas. Shenhuan Rickshaw Company Handles basic rentals from street to mountain bikes and offers repairs and equipment.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

Shanghai has a highly efficient and clean subway system with two underground lines and an elevated light rail. The station announcements are in Chinese and English and signs are posted in ,making the subway a convenient mode of transportation for foreigners, avoid rush hour unless you want to know how sardines feel, expect a lot of jostling and be prepared to push and be pushed. Several more subway lines are under construction and are slated to open in 2006.
Subway lines 1 and 2 connect at Peoples Square, while the above ground line 3 connects at various stations. The subway maps are easy to understand and the exits are clearly marked and include English. The cost of tickets depends on distance traveled, with most costing between RMB 2 and 4.

While buses are mostly clean and comfortable, it’ll be hard for you comprehend unless you understand Chinese. Most buses have screens or announcements that broadcast in English. Buses charge either a fixed fare, usually RMB 1 for regular buses and RMB 2 for air-conditioned buses, while some bus fares depend on distant traveled.

TAXI
Shanghai has some of the best taxis in China, the ubiquitous Volkswagen Santana and newer sports utility vehicles and vans are also starting to appear. All certified taxis have a white placard with the drivers picture, license number and stars, which designate rank. Flag-fall is RMB 10,most rides in Puxi will cost RMB 15 to 30, going to or from Pudongwill cost more. Its best to have your destination written in Chinese, most taxi drivers know very little or no English. Make sure to get the receipt which has the companys phone number and taxi number – you can complain about the service or call in if you’ve left something in the taxi. Taxis are everywhere and available at all hours. Companies are color-coded; the better companies tend to have taxis in better condition.

TRAIN
Nearly all trains coming into and leaving Shanghai go through the Shanghai Train Station located in the northern part of the city. Some trains however operate from the South Train Station. Shanghai is well-connected to the rest of China. Comfortable trains go to Suzhou and Hangzhou. Tickets can be bought at the station, but its far more convenient to go through your hotel or travel agent.