πŸ™οΈ SHA5 Travel GuideFor Booking employees
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πŸš‡ Getting Around Shanghai

Method 1: Tap Your International Bank Card (Easiest)

  1. 1

    Ensure your Visa, Mastercard, Amex, JCB, or UnionPay card has contactless enabled

  2. 2

    Tap your physical card (or Apple Pay / Google Pay) directly at the turnstile gate to enter

  3. 3

    Tap again at your destination gate to exit β€” fare is charged automatically

  4. 4

    Works on all lines including suburban rail and the Maglev

πŸ’‘Pro tip: Avoid rush hour 7:30–9:30am and 5–7pm β€” the metro is extremely crowded

Method 2: Alipay QR Code

  1. 1

    Download Alipay and link your international credit card

  2. 2

    In Alipay, go to "Transport" β†’ select "Metro" for Shanghai

  3. 3

    Activate to get your personal Metro QR code

  4. 4

    At the gate: open the QR code and hold it over the scanner to enter

  5. 5

    At destination: scan the same QR code to exit β€” fare is auto-charged to Alipay

Method 3: Ticket Machine

  1. 1

    Find a ticket machine in the station and select "English" on screen

  2. 2

    Select your destination line and station on the map

  3. 3

    Pay with small cash (Β₯5, Β₯10, Β₯20) or coins and collect your plastic ticket card

  4. 4

    At the entry gate: tap your ticket card on the card reader

  5. 5

    At the exit gate: insert the card into the slot β€” the gate keeps your card

πŸ’‘Pro tip: All station names and signs are in both English (Pinyin) and Chinese β€” easy to navigate