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 the 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 are linked by the metro, with day trips to Zhujiajiao, Suzhou, Hangzhou and Chongming Island. The airports are Pudong (PVG) and Hongqiao (SHA). 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 prices shortly before your trip 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

Metro Line 2

Metro from Terminals 1 and 2 through central Shanghai, continuing to Hongqiao

Published public-transport fareTransport

Must-see sights

The Bund

Nanjing Road

Yu Garden

Sights

One-day itinerary

Morning: Walk along the Bund before the busiest part of the day, then continue towards the old city.
Lunch: Have lunch near Yu Garden before visiting the garden with confirmed entry.
Afternoon: Follow Nanjing Road towards People’s Square and choose one indoor stop.
Evening: Return to the riverfront for the evening skyline without adding a tower visit.

Itineraries

Best areas to stay

The Bund / Nanjing Road
The Bund
Central and busy. Yu Garden is a short ride; 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 ride.
Best for
Plane-tree streets and a calmer evening
Lujiazui / Pudong
Lujiazui
Practical after PVG. Concession lanes need a planned journey.
Best for
Towers and a skyline stay
Xintiandi / Tianzifang edge
Xintiandi
Compact and walkable; Shanghai Tower needs a metro ride.
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

Metro Line 2PVGThe only metro line at Pudong. It also reaches Hongqiao Terminal 2, and it is slower than the Maglev but needs no change for central stations such as People's Square.
Metro from Terminals 1 and 2 through central Shanghai, continuing to Hongqiao
Published public-transport fare
Details
The only metro line at Pudong. It also reaches Hongqiao Terminal 2, and it is slower than the Maglev but needs no change for central stations such as People's Square.
Shanghai Maglev to Longyang RoadPVGIt stops at Longyang Road, in Pudong, not in the city centre. From there change to Metro Line 2, 7 or 16. Its operating hours end earlier in the evening than the metro, so check the last train.
Fast magnetic-levitation shuttle between the airport and Longyang Road station
Published rail fare
Details
It stops at Longyang Road, in Pudong, not in the city centre. From there change to Metro Line 2, 7 or 16. Its operating hours end earlier in the evening than the metro, so check the last train.
Official taxiPVGJoin the taxi queue outside arrivals and avoid drivers who approach you inside the terminal. Having your hotel address written in Chinese helps.
Door-to-door journey; time depends on traffic
Metered fare
Details
Join the taxi queue outside arrivals and avoid drivers who approach you inside the terminal. Having your hotel address written in Chinese helps.

SHA

Metro Line 2 and Line 10SHALine 2 serves Terminal 2 and runs on to Pudong. Line 10 connects Terminals 1 and 2 with the central districts. Check which terminal your flight uses before choosing a line.
Metro stations at the Hongqiao terminals, depending on which terminal you use
Published public-transport fare
Details
Line 2 serves Terminal 2 and runs on to Pudong. Line 10 connects Terminals 1 and 2 with the central districts. Check which terminal your flight uses before choosing a line.
Official taxiSHAHongqiao is close to the city, so a taxi is often a reasonable choice, especially late at night. Use the official queue.
Door-to-door journey; time depends on traffic
Metered fare
Details
Hongqiao is close to the city, so a taxi is often a reasonable choice, especially late at night. Use the official queue.

Getting around

Last reviewed: 13 September 2026

OptionTimePrice

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

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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