Getting around Shanghai is very affordable, whichever method you choose. Even a Didi is a fraction of the price of an Uber ride in London. In Shanghai, “taxi” usually means booking a ride through Didi, the country’s main ride-hailing app.
But once you’re actually in the city, the real question isn’t cost alone. It’s speed, convenience, and what makes sense for your journey.
So what are the pros and cons of each? Let’s break it down.
Quick Answer:
For most short trips, Didi is the easiest option. For longer distances, the subway is much cheaper and often faster in traffic. For short journeys under 3 km, shared bikes are usually the fastest overall.
Didi (Taxi / Ride Hailing)
Let’s start with Didi (ride hailing). There are several apps in China, but Didi is by far the most widely used and the easiest option for most visitors. There’s a plethora of vehicle class options from very basic to premier and extra large people carrier options with pricing going up accordingly.
Cost
For short trips, the price difference is often small enough not to matter. For example, a 4 km ride from Jing’an Temple to People’s Square usually costs around 14 RMB, or about 30 RMB for a premium car.
A longer ride to Pudong Airport (around 60 km) typically comes in at 113–227 RMB depending on the car type. It’s noticeably more expensive than the subway, but still far cheaper than equivalent journeys in many Western cities.
Insider Tip: If you use the Chinese version of Didi, there are more options including ride sharing, where you may be sharing the car with other passengers, but at a lower cost.
Journey Time
A trip to the airport usually takes around 60 minutes, though this varies a lot depending on traffic and time of day. Rush hour can be significantly slower.
For shorter trips, Didi is often the fastest option, especially if you’re going point to point and want to avoid transfers. That said, availability isn’t always instant. You may need to wait a few minutes for a car, and in bad weather or peak times, wait times can increase.
Subway
Cost
The subway is hard to beat on price. A journey from Jing’an to Pudong Airport costs just a few RMB, making it by far the cheapest option.
It’s also extremely efficient. Shanghai’s metro is one of the largest in the world, and once you’re in the system, it’s fast and reliable. The main drawback is transfers and walking time, especially if you’re carrying luggage.
Explore Shanghai has a great app in English for journey planning.
Journey Time
The trip would take around 70 minutes (20 stops). I’ve ignored the Maglev train here as that’s a different cost and timing altogether but perhaps less relevant for a general comparison of subway vs car.
We have a detailed guide for getting to and from Shanghai’s two airports from the city center.
Subway vs Taxi Shanghai: Which Should You Use?
The best choice depends on your situation:
- Short, simple trips: Didi is usually the easiest
- Long distances or airport runs: Subway is much cheaper and often more predictable
- Rush hour: Subway avoids traffic, but expect crowds
- With luggage or in a group: Didi is more convenient, especially if you can split the cost
Didi is going to cost more, but you avoid transfers and crowded stations. The subway is often the faster option overall during peak times, especially when traffic is heavy.
When a Shared Bike Is Actually the Best Option
In many situations, there’s a better option than both subway and taxi: shared bikes.
They’re everywhere in Shanghai and ideal for short distances. If your journey is under 2–3 km, a bike is often faster door to door than either a taxi or the subway.
What Does It Cost
A ride from Jing’an Temple to People’s Square takes around 15 minutes and costs roughly 1–2 RMB. If you use bikes regularly, a monthly pass (around 16 RMB) can make it even cheaper.
How To Use Shared Bikes
You will need the Meituan app to use the yellow bikes. The blue bikes can be accessed via Alipay.
We have a more detailed rundown of all the essential apps you need to make life in Shanghai a lot easier.
When To Use Shared Bikes
Share bikes are often faster than both Didi and subway when traffic is bad and you don’t spend time getting to a subway platform.
When Not To Use Shared Bikes
It’s probably not as pleasant during heavy rain although in the hot summer it is a better option than walking because you at least get a slight breeze from the motion. And of course, it’s tricky if you have luggage, but they do all have front baskets for smaller items.
Final Thoughts
Shanghai is an easy city to get around, with options to suit every budget and situation. The best choice depends on distance, time of day, and how much convenience matters to you.
For a full breakdown of all transport options, see our our travel essentials guide.
Explore more:
Travel Essentials | Essential Apps | Best eSIM for China | Things To Do in Shanghai | Airport Transfer Guide