Shanghai transport in 2025: metro, maglev and the all-in-one app

Shanghai is not just a big city. It is vast, loud, and unmistakably alive. Every day, millions head to work, go home, fly to the airport, or simply wander—thanks to a transport system that keeps the whole machine running. Subways, trains, buses, ferries, bikes, taxis: everything clicks into place with little drama. Even if you never plan to go, it is worth seeing how it all fits together—because this is what a city of the near future can look like.

Underground: a subway spanning hundreds of kilometers

Shanghai’s metro is a city beneath the city. As of 2025, it has 21 lines, 517 stations, and nearly 900 kilometers of track—making it the largest subway network in the world.

The system keeps evolving. In the summer of 2025, construction began on a new line that for the first time will run beneath the Yangtze River. And in 2024, the metro map was updated: nine stations were renamed and routes were refined.

Technology is keeping pace. Since April 2025, 5G covers the entire network, which means strong signal for streaming, quick searches, and smooth use of dedicated tools. One app ties together the metro, buses, ferries, and even trains—showing a QR code on your screen is enough. It feels less like a collection of services and more like a single, responsive system.

A train from the future: eight minutes from the airport

Shanghai was the first city in the world to launch a magnetic-levitation train—the maglev. It does not ride rails in the usual way; magnets lift it above the guideway. Its top speed is 431 km/h, though it typically runs around 300. The line links Pudong Airport with the city—30 kilometers in eight minutes.

In service since 2003, the train is costly and runs only one route, yet it shows what modern transport can do. Over time it has become a kind of city emblem—speed as an idea made visible.

All in one: the trip-planning app

In early 2025, Shanghai refreshed its transport app. It now lets you buy tickets for the metro, buses, the maglev, and ferries, rent a bike, or find parking. It is straightforward for locals and visitors alike, and the interface is in English—useful if it is your first time in the city.

With 5G live in the subway, the app became faster and more precise. It plans routes, shows real-time arrivals, and even factors in traffic—small touches that make everyday movement feel effortless.

What’s being built next

Shanghai’s transport never stands still. Existing metro lines are being expanded, and new ones are taking shape. Line 22, for instance, will go under the Yangtze—a demanding project, but the city is confident it will deliver.

Lines are also stretching into new districts. That matters: places far from the center become easier for daily life, work, and leisure. Transport stitches the city together and opens up more choice for everyone.

Instead of a conclusion

In Shanghai, transport is more than a way to get from A to B. It is an ecosystem that helps millions live, work, and unwind every day. Even from a distance, it hints at how our world is changing.

Shanghai is a window onto tomorrow. And even if you are reading this from home, taking a look through that window is already compelling.