Now that you've decided to move to Shanghai, you may find the preparations to be daunting. Here is some essential information to help make the transition a bit smoother.

Airports and transportation

Shanghai has two international airports: Pudong International Airport (PVG) and Hongqiao International Airport (SHA).

	PVG	SHA
Distance from city center	30 km	13 km
Service hotline	(+86) 021-96990
Complaint hotline	(+86) 021-96990	(+86) 021-32531090
Website	https://www.shanghaiairport.com/index_enhqjc.html

 

Pudong airport ⇆ Downtown Shanghai ⇆ Hongqiao airport

Metro Line 2 

Pudong airport ⇆ East Nanjing Road (7 yuan ($0.99),1 hour)

Pudong airport ⇆ Hongqiao airport (8 yuan ($1.13), 1.5 hours)

Click here and visit the official website for more information.

Maglev + Metro

1) Maglev

Pudong airport ⇆ Longyang Road（50 yuan ($6.9)）

Note: The normal fare is 50 yuan, and you may pay 40 yuan by virtue of the airline ticket of the day or using Shanghai Public Transportation Card.

2) Metro

Guanglan Road ⇆ East Nanjing Road （5 yuan ($0.71)，25 minutes）

Guanglan Road ⇆ Hongqiao airport（6 yuan ($0.84)，55 minutes）

Taxi

Pudong airport ⇆ East Nanjing Road (about 200 yuan ($28.24)，about 1 hour)

Pudong airport ⇆ Hongqiao airport (about 200 yuan ($28.24)，about 1 hour)

Airport Shuttle Bus: 8 lines to the city center

Cost: 2-36 yuan

Getting a local SIM card

Once you arrive in Shanghai, you will need a local SIM card.

Major telecom carriers: China Mobile; China Unicom; China Telecom. 

Choose a carrier → Go to the nearest store → Show your passport → Sign up for a phone plan

How to get a SIM card

Useful apps

With the right apps on your phone, your stay in Shanghai can go from zero to hero!

WeChat

- Communication

- Digital payment

Taobao 

- Online shopping

Meituan

- Dood delivery

- Buy groceries

Ctrip

- Book trains, flights and hotels

Didi 

- Ride hailing

Baidu Translate

- Translation

Essential apps for living in Shanghai.