Public transportation in Shanghai has taken a family-friendly approach to travel by providing free or discounted rides for children. In this article, we'll explore the benefits offered to children traveling on Shanghai's buses, metros, and ferries.

Bus

You are allowed to bring two children under the height of 1.3 meters for free. For any additional children, you'll need to buy tickets. Preschool children unaccompanied by an adult are not permitted to board.

Metro

You are permitted to bring more than two children under 1.3 meters in height onto the metro for free. Preschool children are not advised to travel unaccompanied.

Train

Passengers can bring one child under the age of 6 onto the train for free, but the child must not occupy a separate seat.

If you want to reserve a seat for your child, you'll need to buy a child discount ticket. Please note that the child's age is calculated based on the travel date.

If you have more than one child under 6, you must buy them a child discount ticket, which is half the price of a full fare ticket.

You'll need to purchase a child discount ticket for children aged between 6 and 14, and a full-price ticket for a child aged 14 or older.

If you are traveling with a child eligible for a free fare, you must declare this to the railway operator at the time of booking. And you will need to present the valid identification document of the child used during the ticket purchase when boarding the train.

Airplane

Fares for children differ among airlines. Below are some examples of how airlines may price tickets for children.

China Eastern Airlines

You can purchase a child ticket with a seat at half the adult fare for the corresponding cabin class for children aged between 2 and 12.

If you have an infant between 14 days and 2 years old, you'll need to purchase an infant ticket without a seat at 10 percent of the adult fare. If a seat is required for the infant, a child ticket must be purchased.

If you are traveling with more than two infants, you should buy a child ticket for each of the additional infants and a seat will be provided.

Please note that the above rules only apply to domestic flights. For international flights, please call the service hotline of China Eastern Airlines for more information.

Air China

Children aged 2 to 12 on the day of travel are eligible for a child ticket priced at half of the accompanying adult's fare and are entitled to a separate seat.

Infants under 2 years old are charged 10 percent of the accompanying adult's fare and do not occupy a separate seat. If a seat is required for the infant, a child ticket must be purchased.

Coach

You are allowed to bring one child under the age of 6 or less than 1.2 meters tall for free, as long as the child does not occupy a separate seat.

If a separate seat is required for the child or if there is more than one child, the additional children will be charged at half the standard fare, and a seat will be provided.

Children aged 6 to 14 or with a height between 1.2 and 1.5 meters need to buy a half-price ticket and will be provided with a seat.

Ferry

You are allowed to bring up to two minors under the age of 6 or less than 1.3 meters in height for free. For groups of children where each child is under 1.3 meters in height, every three children will be charged the full fare for one adult.

Preschool children unaccompanied by an adult are not permitted to board.

 

Sources: Shanghai Municipal Commission of Transport, Ministry of Transport, 12306 China Railway, Shanghai Metro, China Eastern Airlines, Air China