Shanghai

The Bund and a river skyline

Last reviewed: 13 September 2026

Recommended stay: 3–4 days
Best time to visit: March to May and September to November
Airports: PVG · SHA

Shanghai at a glance

Shanghai is a river city of a bund, concession lanes and a tower skyline. The Bund, Nanjing Road, Yu Garden, the French Concession, Wukang Road, Lujiazui, Shanghai Tower, Shanghai Museum, Zhujiajiao and Tianzifang sit on metro clusters, with day trips to Zhujiajiao, Suzhou, Hangzhou and Chongming Island. Pudong (PVG) and Hongqiao (SHA) are the catalogue airports. Local mobile payments, offline maps and a working data plan matter more than a paper metro map.

Quick information

Recommended stay3–4 days

Best time to visitMarch to May and September to November

AirportsPVG · SHA

Budget travelAccommodation and reserved rail days drive costs most strongly. Check current prices close to travel instead of relying on a fixed estimate.

Spring and autumn suit the Bund, concession walks and water-town days. Summer is hot and humid; keep indoor hours for Shanghai Museum and Shanghai Tower. Winter is useful if you dress for wind on the river.

Plan your visit

Airport to centre

Airport metro and train

Metro Line 2 or airport-serving rail toward the centre

Check the current metro or rail fareTransport

Must-see sights

The Bund

Nanjing Road

Yu Garden

Sights

One-day itinerary

Morning: the Bund and Yu Garden.
Afternoon: Nanjing Road toward People's Square.
Evening: a river pause without stacking Shanghai Tower.

Itineraries

Best areas to stay

The Bund / Nanjing Road
The Bund
Central and busy. Yu Garden is a short hop; Lujiazui needs a river crossing.
Best for
First river views and walking
French Concession
Former French Concession
Useful with children. The Bund needs a metro or taxi hop.
Best for
Plane-tree streets and a calmer evening
Lujiazui / Pudong
Lujiazui
Practical after PVG. Concession lanes need a planned hop.
Best for
Towers and a skyline stay
Xintiandi / Tianzifang edge
Xintiandi
Compact and walkable; Shanghai Tower needs a metro hop.
Best for
Lane shopping and dining

Approximate budget

Budget
Varies
per day, per person
Simple rooms, street snacks and metro; excludes travel to Shanghai.
Mid-range
Varies
per day, per person
Comfortable room, restaurants, metro and selected towers.
Comfort
Varies
per day, per person
Bund or Concession stays, frequent dining, private transfers and a reserved Hangzhou day.

Airports

Last reviewed: 13 September 2026

PVG
Shanghai Pudong International Airport
45 km from city centre
SHA
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport
15 km from city centre

Airport to city transport

Last reviewed: 13 September 2026

OptionTimePrice

PVG

Airport metro and trainPVGUsually the most practical public option from PVG. Confirm the current line, interchange and last services.
Metro Line 2 or airport-serving rail toward the centre
Check the current metro or rail fare
Details
Usually the most practical public option from PVG. Confirm the current line, interchange and last services.
MaglevPVGUseful when a current Maglev service suits Pudong arrivals. It does not replace a metro hop into the Bund or the French Concession. Confirm current hours on official airport information.
High-speed airport link toward Longyang Road, then metro
Check the current Maglev fare
Details
Useful when a current Maglev service suits Pudong arrivals. It does not replace a metro hop into the Bund or the French Concession. Confirm current hours on official airport information.
TaxiPVGUseful for families, late PVG arrivals and luggage. Use an official rank.
Door-to-door journey; time varies with traffic
Confirm the current official fare
Details
Useful for families, late PVG arrivals and luggage. Use an official rank.
Private transferPVGUseful for groups, child seats and Hangzhou departures. Confirm meeting point and delay terms.
Pre-booked door-to-door journey
Confirm the complete quoted price
Details
Useful for groups, child seats and Hangzhou departures. Confirm meeting point and delay terms.

SHA

Airport metro and trainSHAUsually the most practical public option from SHA. Maglev does not serve Hongqiao. Confirm the current line and last services.
Metro or Hongqiao rail toward the centre and the railway station
Check the current metro or rail fare
Details
Usually the most practical public option from SHA. Maglev does not serve Hongqiao. Confirm the current line and last services.
Airport busSHAUseful when a current stop suits luggage better than a metro change.
Airport coaches toward selected city stops
Check the current operator fare
Details
Useful when a current stop suits luggage better than a metro change.
TaxiSHAUseful for families and French Concession stays. Use an official rank.
Door-to-door journey; time varies with traffic
Confirm the current official fare
Details
Useful for families and French Concession stays. Use an official rank.
Private transferSHAUseful for groups and child seats. Confirm meeting point and delay terms.
Pre-booked door-to-door journey
Confirm the complete quoted price
Details
Useful for groups and child seats. Confirm meeting point and delay terms.

Getting around

Last reviewed: 13 September 2026

OptionTimePrice

Metro and walkingThe Bund and Nanjing Road are walkable. Lujiazui and Shanghai Tower need a river hop. Download an offline map before you rely on a familiar international app.
Best for the Bund, Nanjing Road, Yu Garden, the Concession and Lujiazui
Check current metro fare rules
Details
The Bund and Nanjing Road are walkable. Lujiazui and Shanghai Tower need a river hop. Download an offline map before you rely on a familiar international app.
TaxiA car is unnecessary between the Bund and the Concession. Recheck last metro services.
Useful for late Bund returns and luggage hops
Confirm the current official fare
Details
A car is unnecessary between the Bund and the Concession. Recheck last metro services.

Shanghai at a glance

Quick information

Plan your visit

Airport to centre

Must-see sights

One-day itinerary

Best areas to stay

The Bund / Nanjing Road

French Concession

Lujiazui / Pudong

Xintiandi / Tianzifang edge

Approximate budget