How to Use the Shanghai Metro as a Tourist

首次游客最大的障碍不是理解系统，而是站在闸机前不知道哪种方式真正能用。以下是最简单的尝试顺序。

• 方案 1：直接用国际非接触银行卡（Visa、Mastercard）刷闸机读卡器。部分闸机现在已支持。
• 方案 2：去服务中心或售票机用现金或银行卡买单程票。
• 方案 3：用支付宝交通码，但前提是你已经在其他地方测试过支付宝支付。

不要让地铁闸机成为你第一次实验任何支付方式的地方。先在便利店测试。

The biggest barrier for a first-time visitor is not understanding the system. It is the moment of standing at the gate and not knowing which method will actually work. Here is the simplest order to try.

• Option 1: Tap an international contactless bank card (Visa, Mastercard) directly on the gate reader. Some gates now support this.
• Option 2: Go to the service counter or ticket machine and buy a single-journey ticket with cash or card.
• Option 3: Use an Alipay transit code, but only if you have already tested Alipay payments elsewhere in the city.

Do not make the metro gate your first experiment with any payment method. Test things at a convenience store first.

上海有 20 多条地铁线路，但首次游客真正只需要知道三四条。

• 2 号线 — 最重要的游客线路。连接浦东机场、虹桥机场、人民广场、南京路和外滩区域。
• 1 号线 — 南北向贯穿人民广场和主要购物走廊。
• 10 号线 — 去法租界区域和虹桥交通枢纽很有用。
• 16 号线 — 从龙阳路连接迪士尼。

对大多数观光来说，2 号线加另外一条线就能覆盖 80% 你想去的地方。

Shanghai has over 20 metro lines, but a first-time visitor really only needs to know three or four.

• Line 2 — the most important tourist line. Connects Pudong Airport, Hongqiao Airport, People's Square, Nanjing Road, and the Bund area.
• Line 1 — runs north-south through People's Square and the main shopping corridor.
• Line 10 — useful for the French Concession area and Hongqiao transport hub.
• Line 16 — connects to Dishini (Disneyland) from Longyang Road.

For most sightseeing, Line 2 plus one other line will cover 80% of where you want to go.

是的。上海地铁是中国大陆对外国人最友好的地铁系统之一。

• 所有站名在标识、地图和广播中都同时显示中文和英文。
• 换乘方向用线路号和颜色清晰标注。
• 每节车厢内的路线图是双语的。
• 主要站点的工作人员通常懂基本英语。

主要挑战不是语言，而是知道用哪种购票方式，以及到了站该走哪个出口。

Yes. The Shanghai Metro is one of the most foreigner-friendly metro systems in mainland China.

• All station names are displayed in both Chinese and English on signs, maps, and announcements.
• Transfer directions are clearly marked with line numbers and colors.
• The route map inside each train car is bilingual.
• Station staff at major stops usually understand basic English.

The main challenge is not language. It is knowing which ticket method to use and which exit to take when you arrive.

• 高峰期：尽量避开工作日早 7:30–9:00 和晚 5:00–7:00。列车非常拥挤。
• 出口策略：到站前先查好需要哪个出口编号。部分车站有 10 个以上出口，距离可能很远。
• 行李：带拉杆箱坐地铁还行，但大件行李请避开高峰期。
• 安检：每个站入口都有行李扫描。很快，但要算进时间。
• 末班车：大多数线路在晚上 10:30–11:00 左右停运。如果在外面待得晚，先查末班车时间。

• Rush hours: Avoid 7:30–9:00 AM and 5:00–7:00 PM on weekdays if possible. Trains are extremely crowded.
• Exit strategy: Check which exit number you need before arriving. Some stations have 10+ exits and they can be far apart.
• Luggage: The metro is manageable with a rolling suitcase, but avoid rush hour with large bags.
• Security check: Every station has a bag scan at the entrance. It is quick, but factor it into your timing.
• Last train: Most lines stop running around 10:30–11:00 PM. Check the last train time if you are out late.

把地铁知识和这些第一天必备内容结合起来看。

Combine metro knowledge with these other first-day essentials.