General Information » Getting Around » Bus

There are over 1,000 bus routes in Shanghai, operated by a variety of private companies. Direct journeys are relatively cheap at around RMB 2 for a single ticket on an air-conditioned bus, but because of the different parent companies, journeys requiring a transfer could cost more. It is advisable to buy a Shanghai Transportation Card (jiaotong ka); these can be bought at Metro stations for RMB 100, including a RMB 30 refundable deposit. They can be used on all of Shanghai’s buses, Metro lines, ferries and taxis. In some areas unreachable by the current Metro system, such as Hongqiao airport and the villa complexes in Minhang district, buses are the only available mode of public transport. But a severe lack of English language bus maps, timetables or bus-stop signs tends to put off both tourists and expats; for non-Chinese readers it is a good idea to ask the driver or conductor to signal you when your stop is approaching. For further information you can contact the Shanghai Urban Transportation Bureau on 6317 6355, although don't expect more than basic English.