How to Use the Shanghai Metro: Easy Guide for Tourists

If it’s your first time visiting China, figuring out how to use the Shanghai Metro might sound intimidating.

But after using it ourselves, I honestly think it’s one of the easiest ways to get around Shanghai.

You don't need to buy a ticket every time.

We simply used Alipay, opened our transport QR code, scanned it at the metro gate and went in.

That’s basically it.

We Used the Metro From Our First Day in Shanghai

We started using Shanghai's public transportation almost immediately after arriving.

I actually shared more of the process in our Shanghai vlog on our first day, because before visiting China, one of my questions was:

How do tourists actually pay for the metro?

The answer turned out to be much simpler than I expected.

Once Alipay was set up on our phones, getting around Shanghai became really convenient.

Activating Alipay shown in my VLOG.

How to Use Shanghai Metro With Alipay

For tourists, one of the easiest options is Alipay.

Shanghai's official transport guidance confirms that travellers can access Shanghai Metro services through Alipay or WeChat and scan a QR code to enter and exit the metro.

Step 1: Set Up Alipay

I recommend downloading and setting up Alipay before your trip.

Add your payment method and complete any verification Alipay asks for.

Once you're in Shanghai, open Alipay and look for:

Transport / 出行

Make sure your city is set to Shanghai.

You can then activate the Shanghai Metro transport code.

Step 2: Open Your Metro QR Code

Before entering the station, open your transport QR code in Alipay.

You'll get a QR code on your screen.

Instead of buying a physical ticket, simply hold your phone over the QR scanner at the metro gate.

Scan → gate opens → enter.

Very easy.

Step 3: Scan Again When You Exit

Don't close Alipay completely because you'll need the QR code again.

When you arrive at your destination:

Open your transport code → scan at the exit gate → leave the station.

The correct fare is calculated based on your journey.

No need to figure out how much your ticket should cost beforehand.

Taking the Shanghai Metro Is Actually Really Easy

This was probably the biggest surprise for me.

Shanghai is massive, but once you understand the metro system, getting around becomes much easier.

We used it constantly because many of Shanghai's main attractions are connected by metro.

For example, you can use the metro when visiting areas around:

• The Bund

• Nanjing Road

• Lujiazui

• Oriental Pearl Tower

• Yu Garden

• People's Square

• Shanghai Disneyland

• Shanghai Railway Station

And because you're scanning with your phone, you don't have to keep buying individual tickets every time you travel.

My Tip: Stay Near a Metro Station

This is something I now pay much more attention to when choosing hotels in Shanghai.

On two of our Shanghai trips, we stayed at JI Hotel near Tiantong Road Metro Station.

The location was incredibly convenient.

After walking around Shanghai the entire day, we could take the metro back and basically arrive directly in front of our hotel.

Trust me — after doing 20,000 steps around Shanghai, you'll appreciate this. 😂

If you're choosing where to stay in Shanghai, I would definitely prioritize being close to a metro station.

→ Read: Where to Stay in Shanghai

You Can Also Buy Normal Metro Tickets

Alipay isn't your only option.

Shanghai Metro also allows tourists to purchase single-journey tickets, and current Shanghai guidance says international bank cards are accepted at station service centres.

There are also Shanghai transport cards and day passes available.

But personally?

If you've already set up Alipay for your China trip, using the QR code is much easier.

You take out your phone, scan and go.

Is Shanghai Metro Easy for Tourists?

Yes. Very.

Before visiting China, transportation and payments might look complicated because many of the apps are different from what we normally use overseas.

But once we had Alipay working, it became surprisingly straightforward.

For us it was basically:

Open Alipay → Metro QR → Scan → Ride → Scan out.

If you're visiting Shanghai for the first time, don't be afraid of using the metro.

It's probably going to become one of your main ways of getting around the city.