Money is one of the easiest things to get right in 上海 — and one of the easiest to quietly overpay on. Here's how to pay smart in 上海, 中国: the currency, cards versus cash, what to budget, transport payments and tipping, with the local specifics just an in-app question away.
The currency & how to pay
人民币（CNY/RMB）—许多商家支持移动支付（支付宝/微信支付），建议携带少量现金或开通适用于外国人的支付方式。 In short, lead with a card that charges no foreign transaction fees for most spending — it gives you the best exchange rate and the most protection — and keep a little local cash for markets, tips and the small places cards don't reach. Whether you're at a shop terminal or an ATM in 上海, always choose to be charged in the local currency, never your home currency: the 'home currency' option builds in a markup that's almost always worse than your card's own rate.
- Lead with a no-foreign-transaction-fee card for most spending
- Carry some local cash for markets, tips and small vendors
- Always pay in the local currency in 上海, never your home currency
What things cost in 上海
As a rough guide, plan around $60–200 daily (budget to mid-range, excluding luxury hotels) in 上海 — adjust up for boutique hotels and fine dining, down for hostels, street food and free sights. Set a daily number before you go and track it loosely so a few splurges don't quietly blow the budget. Many of the best experiences here — wandering neighborhoods, markets and viewpoints — cost little or nothing.
- Budget guide: $60–200 daily (budget to mid-range, excluding luxury hotels)
- Set a daily spend for 上海 and track it loosely
- Mix paid highlights with free walks, markets and viewpoints
Getting around & paying for transport
上海拥有发达且经济的地铁系统（线路英文和拼音标示），另有出租车和滴滴等网约车；高峰时段会有拥堵。短距离可沿外滩步行或租用共享单车，十分便捷。 Wherever you can, use the official transport payment method — a transit card, pass or contactless tap — rather than paying a premium in cash, and agree fares or use a meter or a rideshare app for taxis to avoid being overcharged.
- Use the official transit card, pass or contactless tap
- Agree the fare or use a meter / rideshare app for taxis
- Keep small change for short rides and tickets
Tipping in 上海
Tipping customs vary a lot between countries, so it's worth knowing the local norm in 中国 before you arrive rather than assuming your home habit. As a sensible default, round up or leave a small token for good service where tipping is customary, and never feel pressured where it isn't. For the exact, up-to-date tipping etiquette in 上海 — restaurants, taxis, hotels and guides — just ask Mike in the app.
- Learn the local tipping norm for 中国 before you go
- Round up for good service where tipping is customary
- Ask Mike for the exact tipping etiquette in 上海
Money-smart in 上海
A few habits keep more money in your pocket in 上海: withdraw cash from bank ATMs (not airport or tourist-strip exchange kiosks, which have the worst rates), take out larger amounts less often, decline any machine's offer to 'convert' to your home currency, and keep a backup card stored separately in case one is lost or blocked.
- Use bank ATMs, not airport exchange kiosks
- Decline 'home currency' conversion at every ATM and till
- Carry a backup card stored separately from your main wallet
