Getting around · Reviewed 2026-10-28
Shanghai Metro: choose how to pay.
Contactless cards, QR codes and single tickets are different options.
Tap an eligible card
Shanghai’s current government guide lists eligible contactless UnionPay, Visa, Mastercard, American Express and JCB cards for Tap to Ride. The card needs sufficient credit or balance and the appropriate small-payment setting. Check eligibility for your actual card.
Prefer a ticket or an app?
The guide also describes single-journey tickets, international-card payment terminals at station service centres, and the Metro Daduhui QR-code service. Use the same chosen method as required for entry and exit; ask station staff if a gate rejects it.
Keep the journey specific
Not every rail service uses the same fare structure. Check your actual route, airport and station rather than applying a metro fare to every suburban or airport connection. Plan a fallback ticket purchase if your preferred method fails.
Go to the source.
Reviewed 2026-10-28. Check the linked service again for your travel date.
Shanghai government · metro travel guide