How to pay for the Shanghai Metro in 2026 — Shanghai Transit Card, Alipay Metro Code, WeChat Pay, and contactless options for visitors.
How to Get the Shanghai Transit Card & Alipay Metro
Shanghai Transit Card: buy at metro station service centres or ticket machines, ¥20 deposit (refundable) + load credit. Alipay Metro Code: open Alipay → Metro Ride → Shanghai — no card needed if you have Alipay.
Shanghai Transit Card & Alipay Metro Benefits
- Alipay Metro Code is the fastest option — no physical card, instant top-up.
- Shanghai Transit Card works on metro, buses, taxis, ferries, and bike-share.
- ¥20 deposit fully refundable at station service centres.
- Distance-based fares — short hops are just ¥3.
- UnionPay contactless bank cards accepted at most turnstiles.
Fare Reference (CNY)
Payment methods: Shanghai Transit Card (SPTC) · Alipay Metro Code · WeChat Pay Metro Code · UnionPay contactless · Paper ticket.
💡 Use Alipay (Metro Code in the Shanghai Metro mini-program) — scan the QR at the turnstile, no card needed. The Shanghai Transit Card (¥20 deposit) is the physical card option, also accepted on buses and taxis.
| Journey | Off-Peak (CNY) | Peak (CNY) |
|---|---|---|
| Base fare (0–6 km) | ¥3 | ¥3 |
| 6–16 km | ¥4 | ¥4 |
| 16–26 km | ¥5 | ¥5 |
| 26–36 km | ¥6 | ¥6 |
| Maglev (one way) | ¥50 | ¥50 |
| Maglev (same-day trip) | ¥80 | ¥80 |
Peak hours: No peak surcharge — distance-based flat fares at all times.
Shanghai Transit Card & Alipay Metro vs Single-Journey Ticket
| Shanghai Transit Card & Alipay Metro | Single-Journey Token / Ticket | |
|---|---|---|
| Fare benefit | Alipay Metro Code is the fastest option — no physical card, instant top-up. | Standard full fare |
| Queue time | Tap and go — no queue | Buy at machine each time |
| Initial cost | ¥20 | Journey cost only |
| Works on all lines | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Best for | Anyone staying 2+ days | Single one-off journey |
Tips for Using the Shanghai Transit Card & Alipay Metro
- Always tap in AND tap out at every fare gate — tapping out is required to correctly calculate the fare.
- Keep the card topped up before travel to avoid holding up queues at entry gates.
- The Shanghai Transit Card & Alipay Metro works for the airport connection — see the airport guide.
- If you lose the card, contact Shanghai Shentong Metro Group — some systems allow balance transfer to a new card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set up Alipay without a Chinese bank account?
Yes — International Alipay allows foreign Visa/Mastercard as the payment source. Download Alipay, select "Mainland China" and link your foreign card. The Metro Ride mini-program works with international accounts. Note: ¥2,000/month spending cap applies to foreign accounts.
How do I refund my Shanghai Transit Card?
Return to any metro station service centre with your card and ID. ¥20 deposit + any remaining balance is refunded. Minimum balance for refund is ¥10 (if balance is less, staff will advise). The process takes about 5 minutes.
Does the Shanghai Transit Card work in other cities?
Under national IC interoperability agreements, the Shanghai Transit Card works on metro systems in some Chinese cities including Beijing, Guangzhou, and others. Check the SPTC website for the current list of participating cities.
Is there a tourist day pass for Shanghai Metro?
No official unlimited day pass exists for the Shanghai Metro (as of 2026). The distance-based fares are low enough (¥3–¥9 per trip) that a pay-as-you-go approach via Alipay or Transit Card is economical even for heavy users.
See also: Shanghai Metro ticket prices · Airport connection · Full Shanghai Metro guide
Source: Shanghai Shentong Metro Group. Fares and card terms subject to change — verify before travel.