I just came back from Shanghai. I just want to caution the travelers that exchanging money at the Shanghai Pudong airport cost $7 as their fee. Bank of China branches in downtown shanghai doesn't and the rates are better.
Trains are extremely cheap in China. The going rates start at 3 Yuan, about 50 US cents. You can catch the new Maglev fast train (300KM/hr) from the airport for 50 Yuan but it doesn't go to downtown. You have to change to a regular train at Longyang road station, some 15 minutes ride away from the airport but it is much faster than taking a taxi or a bus because the highways are jam-packed all the time and they drive really rough without regard to road safety. It took me 30 minutes to go to the airport from downtown People's Square by train and Maglev but 90 minutes by shuttle bus to my hotel at 2 AM!
In tourist spots, some taxis refuse to take customers without paying a minimum of 100 Yuan at night. Use taxis which has a huge numbers.COM on their doors, rather than private ones and they also stop in official taxi stops in hotels or in the streets. If you get an honest driver, taxis are very cheap for short journeys, usually no more than 30-60 yuan.
Reply to this $7 as their fee! Disgraceful!
Thanks for the information Max. 😊
Reply to this just wanted to add that if you take the maglev from or to Shanghai Pudong Airport , you may flash your plane ticket and get a 20% discount. If the departure and arrival dates coincide with the date you are taking the maglev, you pay only 40 Yuan. Cool.
Reply to this I remember taking a bus from the airport to the city, when I was in Shanghai. It was not expensive at all, but a bit confusing, when I didnt speak Chinese.
Reply to this Our tour guide picked us up from the airport. The bus ride was very comfortable and free Mell, but I was very uncomfortable throughout the 90 minute journey to my hotel because of rough driving. Public bus transportation in Shanghai downtown starts at 1 yuan and I had an option of going back to the airport by bus for free but subway/Maglev option didn't break my bank at 55 Yuan (about 10 USD) and it was faster and for me, a safer option. (I guess I got paranoid after nearly getting hit by cars/taxis at least 3 times).
Liliram thanks for your tip.
Reply to this We are leaving for China soon, and I am concerned about exchanging money in the US--the fees and rate. Anyone, have suggestions? We leave from San Fransicso.
Thanks
Reply to this I would just change enough at the airport to get you to a place where you can get a better exchange rate. Or even try to change some with somebody who is at the airport and about to leave China.
Reply to this Hi,
There are public buses from the airport to a lot of points in the city. They cost 22 yuan per ticket...I've done that all the time. But do the Maglev at least once, it's so much fun.
For money, Tracy, take an ATM card with you or change in town. RMB being not a convertible currency, the only places where you will have good rates are China, and Hong Kong.
They now have an HSBC ATM into the arrival terminal!
Have a nice trip,
Peter
Reply to this It is true. Airport terminal, train stations, hotels or any arrival places charge a higher fee compared to others. But I find online currency exchange rates to be much lower than any physical outlet. <snip>
[Edited: 2013 Nov 27 01:59 - Roosta:95057 - No commercial links in the forums please. See TOS]
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