Among Shanghai's numerous transportation options, the metro system stands out as a convenient and efficient way to traverse the city's vast urban landscape.

Shanghai Metro lines use a distance-based fare system: 3 yuan (about 44 cents) for trips of up to 6 km, with an additional 1 yuan for every 10 km thereafter. When more than one transfer route is available between two stations, the fare is calculated based on the shortest route. Suburban railway lines opened in or after 2024 follow a separate fare mechanism. For example, the Airport Link Line uses a separate fare structure, with fares starting at 4 yuan and the full journey costing 26 yuan. It connects Hongqiao and Pudong airports in about 40 minutes.

Passengers can tap eligible contactless cards, including UnionPay, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and JCB, as well as eligible e-CNY hardware wallets, at the gates for Tap to Ride. Before using this service, ensure the card or wallet has sufficient balance or credit and has enabled password-free payment for small transactions. The Shanghai Public Transportation Card is also accepted.

Here are several ticketing and payment options for taking the metro. 

 

1. Metro Daduhui app

The Metro Daduhui app is a QR-code payment app developed by Shanghai Shentong Metro Group for use on the Shanghai Metro.

If you have Alipay or WeChat, you can download the Shanghai Metro Daduhui app, which supports both services, or access the Shanghai Metro service in either Alipay or WeChat. You can then enter, exit, and transfer by scanning the QR code at the gate.

Mastercard or Diners Club cardholders can also use the "International Cards" option in the Metro Daduhui app's WeChat Pay channel to activate a payment channel for metro rides.

2.  Single Journey Ticket

A traditional IC-card single ticket is valid only on the day of purchase, is collected at the exit gate, and cannot be used for out-of-station transfers. A paper QR-code single ticket is also valid on the day of purchase, is scanned at both entry and exit, is not collected at the exit gate, and cannot be used for out-of-station transfers.

You can purchase a Single Journey Ticket at ticket vending machines. The fare is calculated based on the distance between your departure station and destination station.

Shanghai Metro has added card payment terminals at the service centers of all metro stations across the city, allowing passengers to buy tickets with domestic or international bank cards. These terminals accept domestic UnionPay cards and overseas cards, including Visa, Mastercard, Discover Card, American Express, Diners Club, and JCB.

3. Shanghai Public Transport Card

The Shanghai Public Transportation Card is a stored-value card that can be used on Shanghai's metro network. A virtual transport card can also be added to a smartphone, smartwatch, or other supported device, allowing passengers to tap the card or device to enter and exit stations.

Overseas visitors may also consider the Shanghai Pass, a multipurpose prepaid card accepted on subways, buses, taxis, and ferries, as well as at selected cultural, tourist, and retail venues. Shanghai has also introduced a separate Shanghai Pass three-day ticket for foreign travelers eligible for China's 240-hour visa-free transit policy, offering unlimited public transport rides in the city for three days, along with access to selected attractions and shopping discounts.

4. Suishenxing app

With the Suishenxing (SH MaaS) app, users can generate a single integrated code on their smartphones for buses, ferries, and metro lines across the city. The app also allows users to purchase and activate separate 1-day, 3-day, and 7-day travel passes for unlimited rides on buses, metro lines, and ferries. The app supports mobile payment services such as Alipay, WeChat Pay, and UnionPay QuickPass. International bank cards, including Visa, Mastercard, Discover Card, Diners Club, and JCB, can also be linked to the app. 

Travelers arriving in Shanghai by train can also access the Suishenma Code (Shanghai City Transport Code) through the 12306 platform. The code can be used on the metro, buses, the Airport Link Line, the Maglev Line, and ferries, but not on the Jinshan Rail Line.

Foreign users of the single integrated transport code are eligible for the same discounts as residents.

5. One-Day Pass

One-day pass holders can take Shanghai Rail Transit lines, except the Maglev Line and suburban railway lines opened in or after 2024, an unlimited number of times during operating hours within 24 hours of first entering a station. The pass costs 18 yuan and is not collected at the exit gate.

6. Three-Day Pass

Three-day pass holders can take Shanghai Rail Transit lines, except the Maglev Line and suburban railway lines opened in or after 2024, an unlimited number of times during operating hours within 72 hours of first entering a station. The pass costs 45 yuan and can be bought at any metro station ticket booth. It is not collected at the exit gate.

7. Maglev and Metro Pass

The Maglev and Metro Pass is valid for both the metro and the maglev train. It includes a one-day metro pass and either a single-trip or round-trip maglev ticket. Passholders can take unlimited metro rides during operating hours within 24 hours of first entering a station, except on suburban railway lines opened in or after 2024, plus either a single-trip or round-trip maglev ride in economy class. The single-trip version costs 55 yuan, and the round-trip version costs 85 yuan. The pass is not collected at the exit gate.

 

Concessions

Passengers using the same Shanghai Public Transportation Card or the same eligible transport QR code can enjoy a 1-yuan discount when entering a metro station within 120 minutes of swiping, tapping, or scanning for a bus ride.

Holders of Shanghai Public Transportation Cards or eligible transport QR codes can enjoy a 10 percent discount after spending more than 70 yuan on metro rides in the same calendar month.

 

Updated June 29, 2026

Sources: Shanghai Metro website, Shanghai Municipal Commission of Transport, Shanghai Municipal Development and Reform Commission, Shanghai Maglev official website