Shanghai to Zhujiajiao: The Short Answer
For most independent travelers prioritizing price, Metro Line 17 is the practical choice. From central Shanghai, first travel to Hongqiao Railway Station, then take Line 17 to Zhujiajiao Station.
From Hongqiao Railway Station, the official Zhujiajiao tourism site currently lists the Line 17 fare as 6 RMB.
After reaching Zhujiajiao Station, the historic town is still a short local journey away. You can walk to the tourist area or use a local connection such as Bus 1510 to the visitor-center area.
If you want hotel pickup, are traveling with children or several bags, or want to combine Zhujiajiao with another stop, taxi, DiDi or a pre-booked private vehicle avoids the metro transfer and final station connection.
- Destination — Zhujiajiao Ancient Town, Qingpu District
- Metro — Line 17 to Zhujiajiao Station
- Main interchange — Hongqiao Railway Station
- Hongqiao → Zhujiajiao Line 17 fare — 6 RMB
- Station → old town — walk or local Bus 1510
- Road distance from central Shanghai — roughly 48 km
- Door-to-door options — taxi, DiDi or private driver
Where Is Zhujiajiao?
Zhujiajiao Ancient Town is in Qingpu District on the western side of Shanghai municipality.
The official Zhujiajiao website places the town about 48 kilometers from central Shanghai. Shanghai government travel guidance gives a similar road distance and notes that driving from downtown normally takes around 70 minutes under ordinary conditions.
Hongqiao is considerably closer. Recent Shanghai tourism information describes Zhujiajiao as around 40 minutes from the Hongqiao transportation hub.
This geography explains the transport choices:
central Shanghai → Hongqiao → Line 17 → Zhujiajiao
or:
Shanghai hotel → direct road transfer → Zhujiajiao
Shanghai to Zhujiajiao Transport Compared
There is no single transport option that fits every traveler. Metro is inexpensive and avoids road traffic; road transport is more direct and removes the Hongqiao and station-side connections.
| Door to door? | Main advantage | Main trade-off | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metro Line 17 | No | Low cost and predictable rail journey | Requires Hongqiao transfer + final connection | Solo travelers, couples, budget travel |
| Taxi | Yes | Direct hotel-to-town ride | Metered fare + traffic | Straightforward one-way travel |
| DiDi | Yes | Digital destination + estimated fare | Traffic + pickup coordination | App-comfortable travelers |
| Private driver | Yes | Hotel pickup + waiting + confirmed return | Higher cost than metro | Families, groups, flexible day trips |
For a simple low-cost day trip, metro is usually sufficient.
A private vehicle becomes more useful when the transport needs to adapt to your day — for example an early departure, children, senior travelers, another sightseeing stop, luggage, or a fixed hotel-return time.
How to Get to Zhujiajiao by Metro
Zhujiajiao is directly served by Shanghai Metro Line 17.
For most visitors staying in central Shanghai, the route is:
Central Shanghai → Hongqiao Railway Station → Line 17 → Zhujiajiao Station
At Hongqiao Railway Station, transfer to Line 17 and travel west to Zhujiajiao Station.
The official Zhujiajiao tourism website currently lists the Line 17 fare between Hongqiao Railway Station and Zhujiajiao as 6 RMB.
The exact total fare from your hotel area depends on where you enter the Shanghai Metro system.
From People's Square, Nanjing Road or Jing'an
If you are staying around People's Square, Nanjing Road or Jing'an, use the Shanghai Metro network to reach Hongqiao Railway Station first.
From there, change to Line 17 for Zhujiajiao Station.
A practical planning rule is to allow roughly 70–90 minutes from central Shanghai to Zhujiajiao Station, then additional time to reach the historic town itself.
Treat this as approximate planning time, not an official scheduled journey time.
From Hongqiao Railway Station
Hongqiao Railway Station is the key interchange for Zhujiajiao.
Take Metro Line 17 westbound and get off at Zhujiajiao Station.
Current official Zhujiajiao information lists:
Line 17 fare: 6 RMB
Check the current Shanghai Metro timetable before travel for first and last trains.
Starting from Hongqiao?
Hongqiao is the easiest major Shanghai transport hub for reaching Zhujiajiao by public transport because Metro Line 17 starts at Hongqiao Railway Station.
Travelers arriving at Hongqiao Airport should first follow the appropriate metro connection to Hongqiao Railway Station, then change to Line 17.
For broader airport-to-city options, see the Shanghai Airport Transfer Guide.
Zhujiajiao Station to the Ancient Town
Zhujiajiao Station is not inside the historic water town.
The official Zhujiajiao tourism website currently publishes two practical ways to complete the final section:
Walk
From Exit 1, the published walking route is approximately 1.3 kilometers to the tourist area.
The official route runs via Zhuxi Road, Xiangningbang Road and Xinfeng Road.
Local bus
Bus 1510 connects the area near Zhujiajiao Metro Station Exit 1 with the visitor-center area on Kezhiyuan Road.
Because local bus stops, schedules and service arrangements can change, verify the current route before travel.
A short taxi or DiDi can also cover the station-to-town segment if you do not want to walk.
Can You Take a Boat from the Metro Area?
The official Zhujiajiao tourism site currently lists an electric-boat service connecting the Line 17 area with Fangsheng Bridge, priced at 40 RMB per passenger.
Boat operations are weather- and service-dependent, so do not rely on this as your only transport plan. Check current operation on the day.
Taxi or DiDi from Shanghai to Zhujiajiao
Taxi and DiDi remove the Hongqiao interchange and the final connection from Zhujiajiao Metro Station.
From central Shanghai, the road distance is roughly 48 kilometers. Shanghai's official tourism guidance gives around 70 minutes as a general driving reference, but actual travel time depends on your pickup point and traffic.
Taxi fares are metered.
DiDi provides an estimated fare through the app.
For a one-way journey, taxi or DiDi may be entirely sufficient.
For a day trip, remember that you also need a return plan.
Private Driver from Shanghai to Zhujiajiao
A private driver is mainly useful when you want the transportation arranged around the day rather than arranging each ride separately.
The vehicle can pick you up from your Shanghai hotel, take you directly to Zhujiajiao, wait while you visit the town, and return according to the confirmed schedule.
This becomes more useful for families, senior travelers, groups sharing one vehicle, travelers wanting an early start, or anyone combining Zhujiajiao with another stop.
DragonTrail's private-driver service is vehicle + driver with English-language coordination. A licensed sightseeing guide is separate unless specifically included.
View Shanghai Private Driver Vehicles & Rates →
Which Shanghai to Zhujiajiao Option Fits Your Trip?
Choose the Metro if
- Low cost is the main priority
- You are comfortable using Shanghai Metro
- Your luggage is light
- You do not mind the final walk or local connection
- You have enough time for the Hongqiao transfer
Choose Taxi or DiDi if
- You want a direct one-way journey
- You do not need a vehicle waiting during the visit
- You are comfortable arranging the return separately
- Your group fits comfortably in one normal car
Choose a Private Driver if
- You want hotel pickup
- You want the vehicle waiting during the visit
- You have children, senior travelers or several bags
- You have a fixed return time
- You want an early departure
- You want to combine Zhujiajiao with another stop
Want Hotel Pickup and a Confirmed Return Vehicle?
A dedicated vehicle removes the Hongqiao transfer and the final station connection. The same vehicle can remain assigned while you visit Zhujiajiao and return you to Shanghai according to the confirmed schedule.
See Shanghai Private Driver Options
Prefer the metro? Keep reading the practical day-trip details below.
How Long Should You Allow for Zhujiajiao?
Zhujiajiao works as either a focused half-day excursion or a slower day trip from Shanghai.
For transport planning:
- Metro requires time to reach Hongqiao, ride Line 17, and complete the final connection from Zhujiajiao Station.
- Road transport normally takes around 70 minutes each way from central Shanghai under ordinary conditions, but traffic can add time.
- The historic town itself deserves several hours if you want to walk the canals, cross Fangsheng Bridge, browse North Street, and optionally visit paid attractions or take a boat.
Focused visit
Allow: approximately 5–6 hours hotel-to-hotel when using direct road transport, depending on traffic and how long you stay.
Relaxed day trip
Allow: approximately 7–9 hours if you want a slower town visit, lunch, a boat ride or another nearby stop.
These are PLANNING ESTIMATES.
What to Know Before You Go
Fangsheng Bridge
The best-known bridge in the historic area and a useful orientation point.
North Street
One of the main historic streets along the waterways.
Optional paid attractions
The official Zhujiajiao tourism website currently sells a 60 RMB joint ticket covering:
- Kezhi Garden
- Garden of Harmonious Hearts
- Shanghai Helong Art Gallery
Ticket inclusions can change.
Check the current official site before travel.
Boats
Boat rides are optional and separately priced.
Check the official Zhujiajiao tourism website for current boat options rather than relying on a copied price table.
Returning to Shanghai
If you arrived by metro, return to Zhujiajiao Station and take Line 17 toward Hongqiao Railway Station, then continue through the Shanghai Metro network to your hotel.
Check the current last-train time before starting a late-afternoon or evening visit.
If you use taxi or DiDi, arrange the return through the official taxi or ride-hailing system.
If your return time is fixed — for example a dinner reservation, show, train or flight — allow extra road buffer or pre-arrange the round trip.
Payment tip
International travelers can use Alipay and WeChat Pay for many metro and local transport payments in Shanghai.
First time in Shanghai? Continue with the Shanghai City Guide.
Prefer Door-to-Door Transport to Zhujiajiao?
DragonTrail can arrange a private vehicle and driver from your Shanghai hotel to Zhujiajiao, with the vehicle remaining assigned during the confirmed service period.
This works well when you want an early departure, flexible return time, family or group transportation, or another stop during the day.
Private driver means vehicle + driver. A licensed sightseeing guide is separate unless specifically included in your quote.
Shanghai to Zhujiajiao FAQ
- For most independent travelers, take the Shanghai Metro to Hongqiao Railway Station and transfer to Line 17 for Zhujiajiao Station. From the station, walk or take a short local connection to the historic town. Taxi, DiDi and private driver are the main door-to-door alternatives.
- Shanghai Metro Line 17 serves Zhujiajiao Station. From central Shanghai, most travelers first reach Hongqiao Railway Station and transfer there to Line 17.
- The official Zhujiajiao tourism website currently lists the Metro Line 17 fare from Hongqiao Railway Station to Zhujiajiao as 6 RMB. Your total fare from central Shanghai depends on where you enter the metro system.
- No. Zhujiajiao Station is outside the historic visitor area. The official tourism website publishes a walking route of approximately 1.3 kilometers from Exit 1, and local Bus 1510 also connects the station area with the visitor-center area.
- From central Shanghai, allow roughly 70–90 minutes to reach Zhujiajiao Station by metro, depending on your starting point and connection at Hongqiao. By road, official Shanghai tourism guidance gives around 70 minutes from downtown under ordinary conditions, although traffic can change the journey time.
- Yes. Taxi and DiDi provide direct road transport from Shanghai to Zhujiajiao. Taxi fares are metered and DiDi provides an estimated fare in the app. Actual journey time and cost depend on your pickup point and traffic.
- No. Metro Line 17 makes Zhujiajiao accessible independently. A private driver becomes more useful when you want hotel pickup, a vehicle waiting during the visit, a fixed return time, or additional stops during the day.
- Yes. With a private-driver booking, the vehicle can remain assigned according to the confirmed service period and return you to Shanghai afterward.
- Yes. A focused half-day visit is practical, particularly with direct road transport. Metro also works, but you should allow additional time for the Hongqiao transfer and the connection between Zhujiajiao Station and the historic town.
- Ticket requirements depend on what you want to visit. The official Zhujiajiao tourism website currently sells a 60 RMB joint ticket covering three paid scenic spots. Boat rides and some other experiences are separately priced. Check current official information before travel.
Official Transport References
Transport routes, schedules, attraction tickets and boat services can change. Key practical information in this guide was checked against current Shanghai government and official Zhujiajiao tourism sources.
- Shanghai Municipal Government / International Services Shanghai — Qingpu / Zhujiajiao transport guidance
- Zhujiajiao Ancient Town official website — Traffic information
- Zhujiajiao Ancient Town official website — Ticket information
- Zhujiajiao Ancient Town official website — Boat information
- Shanghai Metro where available
Last checked: September 2026