Shanghai Pass – How to Buy and Use It for Easy Payment and Travel

Written by Veronica | Updated January 13,2026

To optimize inbound payment services and enhance international visitors’ payment convenience on transportation, attractions, and shopping, Shanghai City officially launched the “Shanghai Pass” product on May 19th, 2024. The product is a multifunctional prepaid and unregistered card, allowing visitors to conveniently pay for public transport within Shanghai and over 330 cities across China. Furthermore, it supports payments at certain tourist attractions, shopping malls, convenience stores, etc. At the end of your China Tour, any unused small amounts in the card can be refunded.

In this article, we will provide a comprehensive guide about the Shanghai Pass, including its main types, where to buy and use it, how to refund it, and some frequently asked questions about this kind of pre-funded card.

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• What is the Shanghai Pass?
• Who Should Get It – Is it worth it for Tourists?
• How to Get Your Shanghai Pass
• Where to Use the Shanghai Pass
• How Do I Refund or Cancel My Shanghai Pass?
• Shanghai Pass vs. MaaS
• Frequently Asked Questions about Shanghai Pass
• Plan Your Shanghai Tour with Us

What is the Shanghai Pass?

Shanghai Pass is a multifunctional prepaid card that doesn’t require real-name registration. It aims to help international visitors to conveniently make payment on local public transportation, attractions, museums, shopping, etc. Below are some detailed information about this kind of card.

Types of Shanghai Passes Available

There are three main types of Shanghai Pass that are suitable for international visitors. Here is a table for your reference, so that you can make a choice based on personal demands and preferences.

Attractions Included for the 3-day Pass:

Don’t forget to make a reservation at least one-day in advance.

1. Oriental Pearl TV Tower (Sphere Observation Deck Ticket)
2. Aurora Museum
3. Power Station of Art
4. Shanghai Romance Park (Shanghai Qianguqing)
5. Rodin Art Center Shanghai
6. Shen Garden
7. Spring & Autumn Sightseeing Double-Decker Bus (All Lines One-Day Pass)
8. Huangpu River Cruise (Day Tour/Night Tour)
9. Strolling the Bund Origin citywalk (100-minute English guided tour)
10. Shanghai Juss Art Museum
11. Madame Tussauds Shanghai
12. Minsheng Art Museum
13. Lafayette Art Center
14. chi K11 art museum
15. Former Residence of Dr. Sun Yat-sen
16. Strolling Wukang Road citywalk (100-minute English guided tour)
17. Soong Ching Ling Memorial Residence
18. Shanghai Film Museum
19. Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum
20. Shanghai Auto Museum
21. KeZhi Garden (Zhujiajiao Ancient Town)
22. Helong Art Museum (Zhujiajiao Ancient Town)

Recommended Shanghai Tours:

• Best Shanghai Day Tour with Flexible Choices
• 3 Days Classic Private Shanghai City Tour

Who Should Get It – Is it worth it for Tourists?

If you prefer physical card payments, don’t want to link a domestic payment account, or want to avoid mobile payment hassles, the Shanghai Pass will be a great choice for you.

More than just paying for transportation and attractions in Shanghai, the card can be used in over 330 other cities across China, like Beijing, Chengdu, Sanya, etc. So, it is also ideal if you plan to visit multiple cities in China.

The unlimited use of metro, bus and ferry offered by one-day and three-day passes make them also convenient for people relying on metro and bus travel.

How to Get Your Shanghai Pass

Where to Buy – Purchase Options

Purchase online and get your physical card after arrival Shanghai

You can search Alipay Mini Program or download Suishenxing APP to buy Shanghai Pass one-day pass and three-day pass online. This is the easiest way. After purchasing the ticket online, you can get a QR code. To pick up your physical card, you just need to show your QR code at Pudong Airport Terminal 2 Service Point, or Hongqiao Airport Terminal 1 Service Point before June 30, 2026.

There is a QR code at the back of the card, you can scan the code to check detailed information about how to use it.

Purchase a physical card in Shanghai – Main Purchasing Stations

Or, you can directly buy Shanghai Pass in service centers of airports or 20+ service points at certain metro stations. Below is the list of these service points for your reference.

2025 Pricing

Shanghai Pass is an anonymous card and ready to use immediately. You will be charged 20 yuan for General Pass. You can put money not more than 1,000 yuan into the card. If the balance is less than 100 yuan while leaving China, you can get a full refund. Otherwise, 5% commission will be charged.

Besides the general Shanghai Pass card, there are also one-day pass and three-day pass for different travel requirements. Currently, the price for a one-day pass costs CNY 198, and CNY 499 for a three-day pass.

Validity after Activation

The validity period for the Shanghai Pass varies depending on the type of card you purchase. The standard physical card is valid from the date of purchase to June 30, 2026.

The 1-day pass is valid before June 30, 2026, and you can use the benefit on the card on any chosen day within this validity period. The benefit is valid for 24 hours after your use a benefit for the first time.

For the 3-day Pass card, you need to activate it before December 28, 2025. The card will be valid for 3 consecutive days starting from your chosen play start date.

Where to Use the Shanghai Pass

Shanghai Pass has covered food, accommodation, transportation, and tourism resources, including well-known scenic spots and special shopping malls. Taking Shanghai Pass, you can also get access to buses, subways, taxis and ferries across the city to enjoy a sightseeing tour in Shanghai.

Furthermore, public transport systems in over 330 cities across China at or above prefecture-level also accept the Shanghai Pass.

Metro/Bus Coverage

Shanghai Pass standard card covers all Shanghai’s public transportation network. That is to say, you can conveniently tap the card to pay for all 21 operational metro lines, over 1,500 regular bus routes, the only Shanghai Maglev Demonstration Line in Shanghai, and 17 ferry routes on the Huangpu River.

The one-day pass currently covers city-wide travel by metro, bus, taxi and ferry. And the 3-day pass supports unlimited use of metro, bus and ferry in the city.

Top Included Attractions

Here is the list of the attractions included with the Shanghai Pass:

Any Other Scenarios to Use Shanghai Pass

Shanghai Pass has been available for more than 2,000 stores and 50 resorts in Shanghai. The 1-day and 3-day passes have different discounts to offer. For example, you spend over 500 yuan and get 150 yuan off. You need to pay attention to specific conditions and terms when you buy it.

Listed below are merchants where you can use your Shanghai Pass for shopping:

• New World City: No. 2-88 West Nanjing Road, Shanghai
• First Foodhall: No. 720 East Nanjing Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai
• Nonggongshang Supermarket
• Haode Convenience
• Kedi Convenience
• Liangyou Convenience
• Laiyifen
• Huijin Department Store: No. 1000 Zhaojiabang Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai
• First Pharmacy: No. 616 East Nanjing Road, Shanghai

How Do I Refund or Cancel My Shanghai Pass?

Before refund and cancellation, you need to make sure the type of your Shanghai Pass and keep it in pristine condition.

The General Pass is available for return. The balance can be refunded if it is less than 100 yuan. But, the one-day and three-day cards of Shanghai Pass are irrevocable.

You’re advised to return Shanghai Pass on self-service machines and human customer service centers along the Metro Line No. 1 and No. 2 or in Hongqiao and Pudong airport terminals because it is time-saving and effective.

Shanghai Pass vs. MaaS

MaaS is another option. You are not limited to take subway, bus and ferry within 24 hours across the city. It is particularly suitable for tourists who have a short travel in Shanghai or need to frequently go around Shanghai. You can purchase it on WeChat Mini Program. There is a comparison between Shanghai Pass and MaaS for your reference.

Frequently Asked Questions about Shanghai Pass

Is the Shanghai Pass Worthy of 2-day Visit?

That will depend on how frequently you use the card. More than immense convenience for payment needs across transport, attractions, and shopping in Shanghai, Shanghai Pass also grants you discounts on public transport transfers within the city (1 RMB off for metro and bus travel per time).

If you plan to visit Yu Garden, take a Huangpu River Cruise, and a Double-Decker Sightseeing Bus, buying a one-day pass (198 RMB) will be well worthy. The card not only covers these three activities (total value: 260 RMB) but also includes unlimited public transport in the city.

Recommended Shanghai 2-day Tour:

2 DAYS

Shanghai Highlight Tour Excluding Hotel

Explore This Tour

Does Shanghai Pass Include Airport Transfers?

The general Shanghai Pass is available for all public transportation in Shanghai, including airport transfers.

You can take Metro Line No. 2 and then transfer to Maglev Train to Pudong airport, or directly take Metro Line No. 2 or No. 10 to get to Hongqiao airport with Shanghai Pass.

Besides, Shanghai Pass is available for airport shuttles at daytime and at night. If you hail a taxi to the airport, Shanghai Pass will be a big help. But, online car-hailing is not included.

If you hold a one-day pass or three-day pass, you’ll need to pay for the Maglev train additionally as it is not included in these card types. Read the detailed information above about the 1-day and 3-day cards.

Related reading: Shanghai Airport Transportation

Can Foreigners Buy Shanghai Pass in Advance?

Yes. Foreigners can buy the Shanghai Pass through the Alipay mini program in advance and receive a QR code. Then pick up your physical card after arriving at Pudong Airport Terminal 2 Service Point, or Hongqiao Airport Terminal 1 Service Point by showing your QR code.

You can also buy the physical card directly after arrival at the 20+ points we listed above.

Can I Use Shanghai Pass for the Maglev Train to Pudong Airport?

Yes, a standard Shanghai Pass supports payment for all transport modes in Shanghai, including the maglev train and all metro lines, buses, ferries, and taxis.

But, if you hold a one-day pass or three-day pass cards, the maglev train is not included in their benefits. You’ll then need to pay additionally for it.

Can I Share My Shanghai Pass with Others?

Shanghai Pass is available to more than one person, especially consumption. The holder is able to pay for others in scenic spots and shopping malls. But, it is partly limited. If you take subway or cruise at Huangpu River, Shanghai Pass is only used for one person at the same time.

Plan Your Shanghai Tour with China Xian Tour

You may have a basic understanding of the Shanghai Pass, but you still might be unsure how to kickstart your Shanghai tour. That’s where China Xian Tour‘s professional travel consultant team comes in. With over 15 years of experience, they are experts in their knowledge of Shanghai and other tourist cities in China. Just feel free to contact them about your travel preferences and requirements, and they will advise either a proper preset itinerary or customize your ideal trip from scratch.