Directions for Use -- Shanghai Public Transportation Card

After knowing the benefits and convenience brought by Shanghai Public Transportation Card, you may want to use it. Here are detailed directions for use showing you how to buy a card, recharge value, transfer value, return and repair a card.
 

 Buy a Card
Hundreds of service sites in Shanghai selling Shanghai Public Transportation Cards, including - all the metro stations; most branches of Shanghai Pudong Development (SPD) Bank, some branches of Alldays, Kedi and Buddies Convenient Store, post offices, and all stations of Jinshan Line.

At the above card-issuing sites, you can buy a card with a deposit of CNY 20 and recharge. The value charged shall be CNY 10 or multiples of CNY 10. The balance on each card should not exceed CNY 1,000.
 

 Value Recharge
Shanghai Public Transportation Card can be used for one time by overdraft when you take buses, subway trains or ferries. The overdraft should be less than CNY8.

However, the card cannot be used if it has a zero or negative balance. At this time, you need to recharge it. In the city, value-recharging centers are scattered everywhere - all the metro stations; most branches of Shanghai Pudong Development (SPD) Bank, some the branches of Buddies, Kedi and Alldays Convenience Stores; ticket offices of some taxi and bus companies.

The value recharged shall be CNY 10 or multiples of CNY 10. You can use the card within five years after you had last recharged it.
 

 Value Transfer
You can transfer all the value of one card to another if only the value on the original card is less than CNY 1,000. The value of ordinary cards, including the balance and the deposit, can be totally transferred. Or else you can just transfer the balance and keep the card as a souvenir. However, for souvenir and transformed cards, only the balance on them can be transferred. The following are some value-transferring sites for your reference:

Service Site Address Business Hours
Shanghai Public Transportation Card Service Center No. 609, Jiujiang Road (near the intersection with Zhejiang Road) 09:30-18:30 (Monday-Friday); 09:30-16:30 (Saturday, Sunday)
Some metro stations Line 1: Shanghai Railway Station, People's Square, Xujiahui, Xinzhuang
Line 2: Century Avenue, Zhongshan Park, Loushanguan Rd., Guanglan Rd., Songhong Rd., Lujiazui, Jing'an Temple, Longyang Rd.
Line 3: Yishan Rd., Caoyang Rd.
Line 4: Dalian Rd.
Line 10: T2 of Hongqiao Airport
09:00-17:00

 Notes: Over 80 branches of Shanghai Pudong Development Bank (SPD Bank) in the city handle the value transfer of the Public Transportation Card.
 

 Card Refund
Only ordinary cards can be returned. If your ordinary Shanghai Public Transportation Card is complete and clean, it can be recalled and the deposit can be returned to you. The balance on the card can be immediately returned if it is less than CNY 100. If the balance is CNY100 - 1,000, the invoice should be taken to ask for the return of money; however, a 5% handling fee will be charged. 

Users can refund the card on the CVM self-service machine at most metro stations, and at most of the branches of Pudong Development Bank, Alldays Convenient Store and post offices.
 

 Card Maintenance
Most metro stations of line 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9 and the post offices provide card maintenance service. The repair is free. 

- Last updated on Jul. 08, 2024 by Gabby Li -
Questions & Answers on Directions for Use of Shanghai Public Transportation Card
Asked by anna from PHILIPPINES | Jul. 07, 2024 06:25Reply
Where can I check what metro station to take when touring shanghai?
Answers (1)
Answered by Emily | Jul. 08, 2024 01:48
00Reply


You may download the app Amap international version to guide yourself.
Asked by Erika from PH | Jun. 22, 2024 00:03Reply
Hello! Is there an SPTC at Pudong Airport?
Answers (3)
Answered by Lori | Jun. 24, 2024 00:28
00Reply


You can buy SPTC, metro tickets and one day or three day pass at the service center of Pudong Airport metro station.
Answered by Erika | Jun. 24, 2024 06:04
00Reply


When using SPTC in Alipay can i use it for MAGLEV or no
Answered by Emily | Jun. 24, 2024 22:44
00Reply


Yes, you can.
Asked by Sony | Apr. 13, 2024 19:58Reply
What kind of invoice is required to return the ordinary card with balance 100 -1000?
Answers (1)
Answered by Keith | Apr. 15, 2024 22:55
00Reply


No invoice is required. And you need to pay the service charge, which is 5% of the card remain.
Asked by Chira from THAILAND | Apr. 13, 2024 06:47Reply
SPTC DEPOSIT AND RECHARGE
If I buy SPTC , I must pay 20 CNY for deposit and first recharge for at least 10 CNY or multiples of 10 CNY, right? After that, I can recharge 10 CNY or multiples of 10 CNY. When return the SPTC, does money return by cash for the deposit and the amount remain in the card?
Answers (1)
Answered by Keith | Apr. 15, 2024 20:33
00Reply


Yes. The deposit and remain can all be returned by cash as long as your card is kept in good.
Asked by Ron from AUSTRALIA | Jan. 14, 2024 20:58Reply
Metro from Hotel
What is nearest Metro to SSAW Boutique Hotel in Huangpu
Answers (1)
Answered by Thomas | Jan. 15, 2024 21:39
00Reply


The nearest metro station is Yuyuan Garden Station, about 350m east of the hotel.
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