Navigating Asia's Megacities: Transportation Hacks for Seoul and Shanghai

The absolute first thing I do when landing in Seoul or Shanghai? Sort out my transportation card and download essential apps. Trust me, this prep work saves hours of confusion later.

In Seoul, the T-money card is your golden ticket. Available at any convenience store or subway station, this reloadable card works on subways, buses, and even taxis. For Shanghai, grab a Public Transportation Card (often called a Shanghai Transportation Card). Both cost around $5 USD with a refundable deposit.

As for apps, Seoul's Subway Korea and Shanghai's Explore Shanghai Metro are lifesavers. But my secret weapon? Citymapper. It integrates multiple transport options and provides real-time updates that have saved me countless times when subway lines unexpectedly closed.

For those late nights when the subway stops running (around midnight in both cities), I rely on my portable charger to keep my phone alive for ride-hailing apps. After a karaoke session that went way too late in Seoul's Hongdae district, this slim powerbank was the only reason I made it back to my hostel!

Seoul's subway system is nothing short of magnificent – clean, punctual, and comprehensive with 23 lines covering virtually every corner of the city. The color-coded lines make navigation straightforward once you understand the basics.

My favorite hack? The subway cars at either end are typically less crowded, especially during rush hour (7-9am and 5:30-7:30pm). I always carry my foldable water bottle since stations have free water refill points, saving both money and plastic waste.

Don't miss Seoul's subway etiquette: priority seating for elderly and pregnant women is taken seriously, and loud conversations are frowned upon. I learned this the hard way when an elderly lady gave me a stern lecture in Korean after I took a priority seat when the car was otherwise empty!

The subway announcements come in Korean, English, Chinese and Japanese, so you'll never miss your stop. And here's a local secret: stations like Jamsil (Line 2) and Gangnam (Line 2) have massive underground shopping malls where you can explore for hours without ever emerging to street level – perfect for rainy days!

Shanghai boasts the world's largest metro system by route length – a mind-boggling 800+ kilometers of track! Unlike Seoul's system which closes around midnight, Shanghai's last trains typically depart around 10:30pm, so plan accordingly.

The Shanghai Metro app offers English navigation, but I prefer Baidu Maps for its accuracy (though you'll need basic Chinese reading skills or a translation app). Google Maps doesn't work well in China without a VPN, so download offline maps before arrival.

During my first Shanghai visit, I was completely overwhelmed by the crowds at People's Square station (lines 1, 2, and 8) during rush hour. Now I wear my compression socks on subway days – they're a game-changer for preventing tired legs when you're standing for long periods.

A word of warning about Shanghai's Line 1 (the red line): it gets unbelievably crowded between 7:30-9am. If your schedule is flexible, travel after 9:30am for a more comfortable experience. And unlike Seoul, Shanghai's metro security checks are mandatory – budget an extra 5 minutes at major stations for bag screening.

My favorite Shanghai metro station? Jing'an Temple on Line 2 – exit the station and you're immediately facing one of Shanghai's most beautiful temples juxtaposed against gleaming skyscrapers!

While metros are the backbone of transportation in both cities, sometimes you need alternatives. In Seoul, the bus system is color-coded: blue buses for major routes, green for local neighborhoods, red for express routes, and yellow for circular routes. Download the Kakao Bus app for real-time arrivals.

In Shanghai, buses are trickier for non-Chinese speakers but incredibly cheap (most rides cost under 2 RMB). I recommend sticking to metro and taxis unless you're feeling adventurous.

For taxis, always have your destination written in the local language. In Seoul, the Kakao T app lets you hail taxis without language barriers. In Shanghai, DiDi works similarly. After a late-night underground rock show in Seoul's Hongdae district, I was grateful for my phone translator to communicate with a taxi driver when the subway had stopped running.

Both cities offer bike-sharing programs: Seoul Bike (or Ttareungyi) in Seoul and Meituan Bike (yellow) or Hellobike (blue) in Shanghai. These are perfect for short distances, especially along Seoul's Han River paths or Shanghai's Former French Concession.

My personal favorite alternative transport? The Seoul City Tour Bus – for 15,000 won (~$12 USD), you get a hop-on-hop-off experience hitting major attractions with commentary in multiple languages. It's technically for tourists, but even after multiple visits, I still use it for the excellent city overview and to rest my feet!

Let's talk money-saving strategies! In Seoul, the Discover Seoul Pass combines transportation with free entry to attractions – worth it if you're hitting multiple tourist spots. For budget travelers, Seoul's extensive night bus network (marked with an 'N') can substitute for pricier taxis after the subway closes.

In Shanghai, the Tourist Pass (one/three-day options) offers unlimited metro and bus rides. If you're staying longer, the Public Transportation Card gives discounts on transfers between metro and buses.

My secret money-saving hack? In both cities, convenience stores near tourist areas often charge more for topping up transportation cards. Go one or two blocks away for better rates!

For rainy days, I always pack my compact umbrella which has survived typhoon-season downpours in both cities. The compact design fits perfectly in my daypack without taking up valuable space.

My favorite hidden transport gem in Seoul? The Namsan cable car to Seoul Tower offers spectacular views for just 9,500 won round-trip. In Shanghai, take the tourist tunnel under the Huangpu River between the Bund and Pudong. Yes, it's touristy with its psychedelic light show, but it's a uniquely bizarre experience that I love showing first-time visitors!

During my last Seoul trip, I discovered the Seoul Walking Tours program – free guided walks led by local volunteers. Not technically transportation, but it saved me subway fare while providing insights I'd never have discovered alone!