There are two main airports servicing the city of Shanghai: Pudong International Airport, which is considered the main international gateway, situated 18 miles east of the city center. Hongqiao International Airport mainly services domestic flights and is the older airport in the city. Both airports are connected by shuttle buses and trains, the journey between the two takes around 2 hours.

If you have not booked a private transfer through us you have a few options from both airports, which feature the Metro, the Maglev train, buses, and taxis.

One of the fastest ways to get into the city from Pudong International Airport is the warp-speed Maglev train which stops at Longyang Road Metro Station (Metro lines 2 and 7) which takes 8 minutes and costs approximately ¥50 for a one-way ticket (¥40 with an airline ticket). The train station can be found in between Terminals 1 and 2 on the second floor. The train operates daily from 6:45 am until 9:30 pm and departs every 15 - 30 minutes.

From Longyang Road when you exit the train there are escalators on the right that lead you to the Metro Station where you can catch line number 2 which will take you to downtown Shanghai (Peoples Square). You can also catch a taxi outside the station when you exit the train take the escalators on the left up to the taxi line.

The Metro (or subway) line number 2 is the airport line which runs East-West through downtown Shanghai which takes around 45 minutes and costs approximately ¥9. The metro runs from 6:30 am until 9:00 pm. The metro station is located between the two terminals.

Taxis are available at the airport, taxi stands can be found outside both terminals on the first floor. A journey from the airport to the city center (People`s Square) will cost approximately ¥160 and takes around an hour. Rates increase by 35% after 11:00 pm and before 5:00 am.

Buses run from the airport to the city center there are eight shuttle bus lines at the airport but only a few are useful for tourists arriving in the city. Take line 2 which takes you to the City Air Terminal at Jing`an Temple which is just west of People`s Square, this line runs from 7:00 am until 11:00 pm and costs approximately ¥22 with a journey taking around 50 minutes.

The Night Line starts at 11:00 pm and runs every 45 minutes; it stops at Longyang Road Station, East Hospital at Pudong Avenue and Huashan Road. This is the only transport option other than a taxi from the airport at night.

Some of the high-end hotels in the city offer their guests shuttle services from the airport to their hotel, check with your hotel to reserve your ride.

The Hongqiao International Airport connects to downtown (People`s Square) on metro line 2 and 10 which takes around 30 minutes, the metro can be found inside Terminal 2. There are seven bus lines that transfer from the airport to the city center. And taxis to the city center cost around ¥60 - ¥100 with a 30 - 45 minute journey.

The main railway station located in the city is the Shanghai Railway Station, located on Moling Road in the Jing`an District which is north of the city center. The station intersects with Metro lines 1, 3 and 4. Taxis and buses can be found outside the station.

The Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station is a large station located in the Hongqiao Airport an connects to metro lines 2 and 10.

Shanghai has a very efficient and busy metro system with 14 lines and over 350 stations covering 383 miles around the city. Most stations operate from between 5:30 - 6:00 am until 10:00 - 10:30 pm and tickets cost around ¥3 to ¥15 depending on the distance traveled, tickets can be purchased from machines inside the stations. Metro stations are marked by a red `M`. The busiest station in the city is the People`s Square station, lines 1, 2 and 10 are the most important lines for tourists connecting passengers to tourist attractions and the main railway stations. Keep in mind the metro is extremely crowded during rush hour and should be avoided at these times 6:00 am - 9:00 am and 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm.

Download the Explore Shanghai app which provides maps, timetables and station information. Visit www.shmetro.com for more information.

Shanghai boasts the first commercial Maglev railway in the world, traveling at a warp speed of 311 mph the train connects the Pudong International Airport to Longyang Road subway station in just 7 minutes. Trains run every 15 - 30 minutes from Longyang Road beginning at 6:45 am until 9:30 pm and from the airport starting at 7:02 am until 9:32 pm. Tickets cost approximately ¥50 for a single trip.

There are plenty of taxis in the Shanghai that are a quick and affordable option to get around the city and one of your only options later at night (the metro stops around 10:30 pm). Taxis are metered and fares start around ¥14 for the first 1.86 miles then go up about ¥3 for every 0.62 miles thereafter and after 11:00 pm fares start at ¥18. Most drivers do not speak English so it is a good idea to have your destination written down in Chinese/Mandarin. Taxis come in a multitude of colors in the city and a run by several different companies. You can hail a taxi on the street, find one at a taxi stand or book by phone, vacancy lights on the dashboard show if a taxi is available. Taxis can be almost impossible to catch during rush hour and in the rain. For more information contact the Shanghai Taxi Dispatch Information Center at 96965.

The city offers the world`s most extensive bus system offering over 1,000 different bus lines. This is a cheap option for getting around town and traveling past 11:00 pm on the night buses (#300 - 309). However, drivers don`t speak much English if any at all and most of the information on buses and timetables is in Chinese. Buses run from 5:00 am until 11:00 pm and fares start around ¥2 (exact change required). For more information visit www.msittig.wubi.org/bus

There are several companies in the city that offer sightseeing bus tours that stop at the major tourist attractions offering a hop-on, hop-off mode of transportation. Most bus tours depart from the Shanghai Stadium and commentary onboard is provided in English.

Transportation cards are available for travel in the city. The Jiaotong Card is available at most metro stations and some convenience stores (Alldays and KeDi) for use on the metro, Maglev train, some buses, taxis, and ferries. The card can be loaded at stations and a ¥20 refundable deposit is required.

Taxis can be hailed on the street, found at taxi stands throughout the city or ordered over the phone. If a taxi has their sign lit up in the windshield they are available for service. Taxis can be hard to come by during rush hour in the city and when it is raining, be prepared for a long wait during these times or plan ahead and use another form of transportation. Taxis cannot cross the tunnel from Pudong to Lujiazui from 8:00 - 9:30 am and from 5:00 - 6:30 pm and rates increase from 11:00 pm until 5:00 am.

Renting a car and driving in Shanghai is not recommended, you will be required to have a temporary or long-term Chinese driver`s license to drive in the city, the roads are complicated and traffic is atrocious with very rare parking offered in the city. Take advantage of the excellent public transportation offered in the city.

Shanghai is a large city with labyrinth-like streets which can be confusing to visitors, the streets can be extremely crowded so don`t be offended if you get bumped into a few times. Also be aware when walking in large crowds as pickpockets and thieves thrive in these environments, stay alert and keep your valuables secured. Walking around can be a great way to see the sights of the city especially along the famous `Bund` where you will receive spectacular views of Shanghai`s skyline. Walking around People`s Square and People`s Park is a great experience in the heart of the city with plenty of attractions.

Shanghai is the largest and most famous port city on the Chinese mainland with plenty of options to get around on the water. Ferries cross the Huangpu River from the west bank of Puxi to Pudong in the east, the Shanghai Ferry is very useful for tourists who wish to get out on the water, see the sights and cross the river. The ferry operates from 7:00 am until 10:00 pm, running every 15 minutes from Dongchang Road in Pudong to the Nanjing Road at the southern end of the Bund.

The city offers a public bike hire option called Forever Public Bike Hire Scheme where you can rent bikes from stations across the city for as little as ¥4 per hour. There are also several other rental places around the city including Le Tour Traveler`s Rest and BOHDI where you can rent a bike by the hour or for the day. The city center is not the best place for riding a bicycle, some of the major roads do not allow cyclists and bikes are not permitted to cross bridges or go through tunnels. The roads and sidewalks are busy with heavily congested traffic making it difficult to get around on a bike. The best areas to ride are along the Bund and in the parks around the city.

Shanghai is one of the safest cities in the world to visit. Crimes are not unheard of, but crimes against foreigners are very rare. Pickpockets are common on crowded streets, sidewalks, on the metro, and around tourist attractions, keep your wits about you and keep your belongings secure at all times. Stick to well lit/populated areas after dark and don`t wander into dark alleys or the suburbs late at night, stick to the main streets.

The tap water in Shanghai is not safe to drink. Stick to bottled water only.

Shanghai is referred to as `Oriental Paris` and offers a wide variety of places to shop until you drop. Nanjing Road is the premier shopping street in the city and the number one commercial street in the country. It runs for several miles west from Zhongshan Lu to the east of the Bund, a pedestrian-only boulevard overflowing with shopping malls, fancy boutiques, department stores and street vendors selling anything and everything. The area is also filled with restaurants, bars, cafes, and entertainment. Huaihai Road is another popular shopping boulevard that offers up-scale stores and boutiques. The French Concession Streets are also filled with designer boutiques on its tree-lined streets. Some popular items to shop for in Shanghai include tea sets, ceramics, fans, jade, art, silk, pearls, tea and rice writing.

The units of currency in China are the Renminbi ( ¥, RMB or CNY). US dollars are not accepted. Please be sure to have the correct currency on hand or be prepared to exchange your dollars for ¥ upon arrival. Currency exchanged desks can be found at the airport and many locations throughout the city.

For more detailed information, consult our guide to tipping in China by clicking here China

The climate in Shanghai is subtropical and offers four seasons with hot, humid summer and cold winters. June to September are the rainiest months and from August through September it is typhoon season. The hottest month is July with highs in the 90`s F, January is the coldest with lows in the 30`s F. Spring (Mar - May) and Autumn (Sept - Nov) are the most pleasant times of year to visit the city, with comfortable weather and fewer crowds.

Shanghai`s mouth-watering cuisines are offered in some of the finest restaurants in the country with its own Michelin dining guide 2017. The Chinese love their food and it is a big part of their social life so the variety of food and restaurants in the city is plentiful. Local cuisine is known as `Shanghainese` cuisine which normally features fish and seafood with the use of bright colored ingredients and original flavors. Some of the popular local dishes include `xiaolongbao` steamed dumplings stuffed with pork and broth, dipped in a spicy, vinegar and red pepper sauce, `mifan` rice with meat and delicious dipping sauces, `suanla sunjian fen` sweet and spicy bamboo shoot soup with noodles and `sheng jian bao` freshly grilled buns, pan-fried filled with broth and dipped in vinegar a popular breakfast staple.

The city offers some spectacular eateries with some of the most stylish dining options found on the shaded streets of the historic French Concession where diners can wander the streets and find a wide selection of fine restaurants with quaint outdoor seating.

Shanghai offers a stunning nightlife scene, the fast-paced city is filled with vibrant lights and loud music throughout its bars and nightclubs and night cruises along the Huangpu River. See the sparkling skyline of the skyscrapers on the east bank of the river or walk along the popular bund where you will find world-class restaurants, pubs, bars, clubs, shopping and entertainment to keep you going all night long.

The official language spoken in China is Mandarin. The English language is taught in schools in China and many Chinese people can speak some English, especially the younger generation and those working in the service industry. We suggest you get a good English-Chinese guidebook and familiarize yourself with common phrases such as hello, goodbye, excuse me and numbers 1 - 10.

In case of emergencies, please call 110 for police, 119 for fire emergency and 120 for an ambulance.

Hospitals:

Shanghai International tel. 52989538

AEA International Clinic tel. 62493246

Huashan Worldwide Medical Center tel. 62483986