Before you use this guide: Shanghai Metro schedules, station names and airport connections can change. Treat the route advice below as a starting point and check the linked operator information on the day of travel, especially first and last trains, interchange walking time and airport services.
Quick answer: Use this Shanghai metro map and timetable as a task-based guide: airport, city centre, rail station, then ticket and first/last-train checks. Lines, station names, fares and operating hours change, so compare this guide with the official Shanghai transport guidance on the day you travel.
Official transport guidance checked 2026-09-21. Recheck the map, fare method and first/last-train notice for your travel date.
Shanghai Metro guide: map, timetable and operating hours
Keep the current map, station spelling and service notice together. A route that looks short on the map can still need extra time for transfers, queues or a long station walk.
Airport
Compare the airport link with your accommodation’s nearest station and the time of your arrival. Check the current operating notice before relying on a last connection.
City centre
For central sightseeing, choose the interchange that reduces transfers rather than chasing the shortest line on the map. Save the exit or station name in both English and the local spelling when possible.
Rail stations
Leave a buffer for station security, platforms and the walk between the metro concourse and the train hall. Recheck the station and train information before departure.
Tickets and first/last trains
Confirm the current fare method, service hours and any special entry rules from the official Shanghai transport guidance. Do not treat an old timetable or PDF as a permanent promise.
Plan a China route around the transfers, and keep the five-day Beijing itinerary nearby when the wider route includes Beijing.
Line-name update: The official network-map notice renames the Chongming Line as Line 22. The former line-by-line tables have been removed from this revision until a date-specific audit is complete.
Current-source check: The archived map below is reference material; current timetable details must come from the official sources below. Before travel, compare the exact station, direction and date with the Airport Link Line official guide, the official network-map update and the latest first/last-train notice.
Shanghai Metro: The subway is a fast, safe, comfortable and convenient way of getting around Shanghai.
The main attractions, transportation hubs and commercial areas of the city such as the Bund, Nanjing Road, Huaihai Street, People’s Square, Main Railway Station and Xujiahui are all served by several subway lines.
Network-size note: The legacy “21 lines / 831 kilometers” figure is archived context, not a current operating snapshot. Use the official network map and current operator notices for the active line list.
The archived map below is retained for historical reference. Check the linked official map and operator notices for the active line list, current airport connections and planned extensions before travel.
Please click the image to enlarge the map or you can download the archived metro map PDF (verify date).
Download the archived Shanghai metro map PDF (2025; verify against the official map)
Shanghai Metro Route Planning
The line-by-line timetable tables from the archived version are not used for current trip planning. Station names, airport services and first/last-train times change, so use the official sources below for the exact date, direction and station.
Airport connections
- The official Airport Link guide describes a connection between Hongqiao Airport Terminal 2 and Pudong Airport Terminal 1&2 in about 40 minutes, with seven stations and a separate fare structure. Confirm the operating window and fare before travel.
- At Hongqiao Airport Terminal 2, check connections to Metro Lines 2, 10 and 17. At Jinghong Road, check Line 15. At Pudong Airport Terminal 1&2, check Line 2 and the Maglev.
- Use the official Airport Link guide and the latest first/last-train notice; the notice date matters.
City center, railway stations and attractions
Use the current official map to match the destination with the right line, transfer station and exit. The Bund, Nanjing Road, People’s Square, major railway stations and the central shopping districts are served by multiple routes, but the best interchange depends on the destination and time of day.
Station-name and line changes
Do not rely on the archived 2025 PDF for current station names. The official network-map update lists renamed stations and identifies the Chongming Line as Line 22.
First and last trains
Check the exact station, direction and travel date in the current operator notice. Allow extra time for interchange walking, airport security and the final connection after leaving the train.
How to Buy Shanghai Metro Tickets
Ticket and payment options vary by station, card, app and service type. Check the current station instructions before entering the gates.
Mobile and contactless payment
Shanghai Metro services may support QR payment through the Shanghai Metro app or the transport services in Alipay and WeChat. Eligible contactless bank cards and other payment methods can change by gate and service; see the official payment guidance and follow the station signs.
Single-journey tickets and transport cards
Single-journey tickets can be bought at station machines or service counters. A Shanghai Public Transportation Card or another supported transport code can be useful for repeat trips, but rules for transfers, refunds and out-of-station changes depend on the service.
Passes and fare checks
One-day and multi-day passes may be available, but prices, coverage and exclusions are subject to change. Shanghai is reviewing its fare policy, so check the current fare display and official notices instead of relying on an old number printed in a guide.
For airport travel, the Airport Link has a separate fare structure. Use the official Airport Link fare guidance and confirm the current amount at the station.
Ticket Refund
Ask station staff about the current refund rule before leaving the issuing station. Do not assume that a used, QR or Airport Link ticket follows the same refund policy as a standard single-journey ticket.
