Roberta Aguirre
Shanghai Airport is a bustling hub, with travellers from all over the world arriving daily. The city's public transportation system is known for being fast, reliable, and affordable, with a range of apps available to help you get around and make the most of your time in the city. From ride-hailing apps like DiDi, to food delivery apps like Ele.me, there are plenty of digital tools to enhance your experience in Shanghai. With just a few downloads, you can navigate the city like a local and discover the best that Shanghai has to offer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Transportation apps | DiDi, WeChat MiniApp, SH MaaS, Gaode Maps (Amap) |
| Payment apps | Alipay, WeChat Pay, Shanghai Public Transportation Card |
| Translation apps | Pleco, Baidu Translate |
| Food delivery apps | Ele.me, Meituan |
| Restaurant review app | Dazhong Dianping |
| Travel app | Ctrip |
| Bike rental services | DiDi, Meituan |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Using DiDi at Shanghai Airport
Shanghai Airport has a reputation for scams and overpriced taxis, but you can avoid this by using the ride-hailing app DiDi.
DiDi is the Chinese equivalent of Uber and can be downloaded onto your phone. It is user-friendly and has been described as "super easy" to use when travelling from Shanghai Airport into the city.
Firstly, you will need to download the app and set up an account. If you have a US credit card, you can link this to your account, but some users have reported that this does not always work. One alternative is to set up Alipay and use the DiDi function within this app. You can link a debit card to Alipay, but be aware that Alipay charges a 3% fee for credit card use.
Once you have landed at Shanghai Airport, follow the signs to the ride-hailing pickup point. Open the DiDi app and enter your starting point and destination. You should also select the type of vehicle you would like to hail, depending on the number of passengers and amount of luggage. For example, a family of four might want to choose a larger car, like a "Premier".
After confirming, wait for the driver and double-check the license plate with what is shown in the app. The driver can message you via the app to communicate, so make sure notifications are turned on.
Using DiDi is a smooth process and much more reliable than dealing with potentially overpriced taxis.
Vape Pens: Airport Security and Travel Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
WeChat and Alipay for payment
Shanghai's public transportation system is known for being fast, reliable, and affordable. The metro is the most popular option for getting around, but taxis are also convenient and affordable, especially if you are travelling with luggage or to a place that is far from a metro station.
When it comes to paying for your metro journey, you can use a Shanghai Public Transportation Card (also known as the Jiaotong Card). You can buy and recharge this card at any metro station, convenience store, or supermarket. However, the easiest and most popular payment method is to use mobile payment apps like Alipay or WeChat Pay. Simply scan a QR code at the entry gate to pay for your fare using your smartphone.
Alipay and WeChat Pay are China's two widely accepted payment apps. They both require extensive identity verification. If you are visiting China, you can open a new Alipay account and verify your passport with Alipay. You can add a Visa, Mastercard, Diners Club, or Discover card to your account. You can also use the DiDi mini-app and the Shanghai Metro QR code in Alipay.
With Alipay Transport, you can scan your phone at the gates of the Maglev High-Speed Train (from Pudong Airport to downtown and vice versa), subway lines, and even buses. In Shanghai, you can also use the DiDi app, the Chinese equivalent of Uber, to hail a taxi. The US/International DiDi app works in Shanghai with a US credit card linked to it. However, it is more expensive than using the WeChat MiniApp, which does not support English or US credit cards.
Therefore, if you are looking for a seamless way to pay for your transportation in Shanghai, consider using WeChat and Alipay for payment.
Denver Airport Layover: Can I Stay Airside?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![VPN by Private Internet Access [Online Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41SExxr-xmL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
![Bitdefender Premium VPN | 10 Device | 1 Year [PC/Mac Online Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51PJO994uUL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
Travel apps for booking
Shanghai is China's most populous city, and with the right apps, your trip can be seamless.
One of the most popular apps in China is WeChat. WeChat is primarily a messaging app, but it also has a payment function, WeChat Pay, which is one of the two major digital payment methods in China (the other being Alipay). Both WeChat and Alipay support an English-language version, and you can use them to pay for practically everything.
If you want to book flights, trains, or hotels, Ctrip is a useful app. The more you book, the higher your status, which includes bigger discounts and rewards. If you want to order train tickets, Railway 12306 is China's official train ticket booking system.
Cleartrip is another app that offers flight bookings with great discounts and cheap airfare.
For food delivery, Ele.me and Meituan are two of the most popular apps. Ele.me offers a diverse range of products such as flowers, electronics, and makeup, while Meituan shows you the nearest eateries when you load the app.
If you're looking for nearby food options and how they compare, Dazhong Dianping is a good resource. It also provides information on cinemas, spas, gyms, and more.
Finally, if you prefer to cycle around Shanghai, you can use DiDi or Meituan for bike rental services.
Fiumicino Airport: COVID Testing Availability and Requirements
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![NordVPN Basic, 10 Devices, 1-Month, Premium VPN Software [Amazon Subscription]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61zFlvA5F7L._AC_UL320_.jpg)
$19.99 $59.99
Food delivery apps
There is an English alternative called Sherpa's, which is available in Shanghai, Beijing, and Suzhou. Sherpa's has a bilingual call center and allows users to sign up with an international phone number, but it has fewer choices and higher delivery fees compared to Meituan and Ele.me.
If you are unable to read Chinese, one option is to screenshot and translate the app on Alipay. You can also use a translation app to translate dish names into Chinese characters and then copy and paste them into the search bar of the delivery app.
Another option for English speakers is to use the Zikoland mini app or join the Ziko Kitchen WeChat group, which sometimes features flash sales on gourmet food items.
Finally, if you are looking for groceries, you can try the apps ding dong 叮咚买菜 or hema 盒马.
How Regular People Can Fly Out of San Fran Airport
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![Norton 360 Deluxe 2025, Antivirus software for 3 Devices with Auto-Renewal – Includes Advanced AI Scam Protection, VPN, Dark Web Monitoring & PC Cloud Backup [Download]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/719bgx+IiYL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
Translation apps
When visiting Shanghai, it is useful to have translation apps to help you navigate the city and communicate with locals. Here are some translation apps that can be useful when visiting or living in Shanghai:
Pleco
Pleco is a dictionary app that provides translations for words or phrases. It is a great tool for learning Chinese and can be used to look up translations for individual words or phrases. It also has features that allow you to study and learn Chinese characters and vocabulary.
Baidu Translate
Baidu Translate is another powerful translation app that supports over 100 languages, including less common ones like Swahili and Bengali. It offers text, voice, and photo translation, making it a versatile tool for various situations. For example, you can use it to translate menus or app interfaces by taking a screenshot and uploading it to the app.
Google Translate
While Google Translate is well known, it is worth mentioning for its camera feature. You can use the camera feature to translate text in real-time, which can be helpful when navigating street signs or menus in Shanghai.
WeChat is a super popular app in China, used for messaging, voice and video calls, and even payments via WeChat Pay. It also has a built-in translation function that can be used for basic communication when ordering food or navigating the city.
DiDi
While primarily a ride-hailing app, DiDi (China's version of Uber or Grab) has an in-app chat feature with auto-translate. This can be incredibly useful for communicating with drivers, especially if you need to call a cab to or from the airport or are navigating an unfamiliar area.
These translation apps can be a huge help when navigating Shanghai, whether you're a tourist or a new resident. They can assist in breaking down language barriers and making your overall experience smoother and more enjoyable.
Dublin Airport Overnight: Where to Sleep and What to Expect
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Download the app and set up an account before arriving at the airport. Connect the app with your Alipay account, which will be used for payment. Enter your destination address and select the type of vehicle you would like to hail. Double-check the license plate of the vehicle with what is shown in the app.
WeChat MiniApp is a popular app in China that can be used for transportation, messaging, voice or video calls, and paying bills. You can also use the Shanghai Public Transportation Card (also known as the Jiaotong Card), which can be purchased and recharged at any metro station, convenience store, or supermarket.
Pleco and Baidu Translate are both useful apps for translation. Pleco is a dictionary app that provides translations for words or phrases. Baidu Translate offers translations for more than 100 languages and allows you to translate by voice, text, or photo.
Ele.me and Meituan are two popular food delivery apps in China. Ele.me offers a diverse range of products such as flowers, electronics, and makeup, in addition to food delivery.
![Norton 360 Premium 2025, Antivirus software for 10 Devices with Auto-Renewal – Includes Advanced AI Scam Protection, VPN, Dark Web Monitoring & PC Cloud Backup [Download]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71BOIz4Tx1L._AC_UL320_.jpg)
![Norton 360 Platinum 2025, Antivirus software for 20 Devices with Auto-Renewal – 3 Months FREE - Includes Advanced AI Scam Protection, VPN, Dark Web Monitoring & PC Cloud Backup [Download]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71OFYR9xzUL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
