Transportation

Transportation in Shanghai is varied and busy, and traffic can get heavy. You have the ever-expanding Metro lines 1 through 5, and possibly one or two more by the end of 2007, as well as 2 major Railway stations, a mess of busses, taxis, and of course, the bicycle rickshaws & the rather risky motorcycles waiting outside most metro stops.

A few things every traveler or expat in Shanghai should know:

1. At the airports, especially Hongqiao Airport, a long line may await you before you can get your taxi. But drivers will always come up to the last few people, especially out of towners & foreigners, and offer their taxi or car, saying "No wait!" If you decide to take these rides instead of waiting in the queue, at best, you're paying twice the fare. At worst, you may find you're missing a few items by the time you get to your destination.

2. Taxis in the late evening generally will give you a discount, from 90% (tell them, "jiu zhi") to 80% (tell them, "ba zhi"). Try to bargain if you want, but make sure you know your way. During the day, taxis start at 11 RMB, and at night, 13 RMB, though this will soon rise due to fuel prices.

3. If you choose to take a public bus, watch your bags & such. However, buses are generally pretty safe. But be prepared to get a little intimately close to those riding with you. The Bus lines tend to start between 5 & 6am and end between 8 & 11pm, depending on the line. The bus stop signs will tell you.

Micah Sittig, of Shanghaiist fame has his own personal blog, detailing the many aspects of Shanghai's transportation system. See his feed on the right.

Location(s)