We passed an exciting milestone: 1 million unique users using our online metro map and iPhone app of the Shanghai Metro! To celebrate, for the next two days you can download Explore Shanghai for iPhone absolutely FREE!

You can get all our latest features, including route-planning with up-to-date times and prices, Google Maps for every station, audio clips of every station name, and “find my nearest station“. Normally the app costs $0.99, but today and tomorrow you can download the app for free. Don’t delay, download it today!

We’ve just released the 2.5 update to all our iPhone metro maps! That’s five new updates for Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Singapore and Hong Kong!

Here’s what’s new!

Google Maps – By popular demand, you can now see a street map for every station. This is really handy if you’re arriving at a metro station and want to see which exit to take, or how to reach your destination. Just tap on any station, then tap Street map (requires a 3G or Wifi internet connection).

New interface – We’ve simplified the interface for browsing stations and planning routes. Just tap any station to see this standard popup. You can switch between Metro map, Street map and Train times (for first/last train times). You can also listen to the name of the station as an audio clip by tapping the station name, or start planning a route.

Easy routeplanning – Planning routes is now even simpler. Tap on the first station, and choose “Plan route”. Then tap on your destination. The route, time and price will be immediately shown. We’ve also updated the Singapore app prices for the new distance-based fares.

Version 2.5 is a FREE update for all existing users. Download our apps today!

Michael emailed to ask “I will be visiting Shanghai … and will be using the metro system quite a bit and would like to know if they have metro transportation card that can be bought for mutiple days use or family use”

Here’s are the options:

1. Buy single journey tickets for 3-9RMB each depending on distance. Purchasing is pretty simple using the ticket machines which have instructions in English. Then swipe your card on the way in, and let it be swallowed on the way out.

2. Buy a Shanghai Public Transportation Card (ask at an information desk) for a 20RMB refundable deposit, and you can top it up with 50RMB or 100RMB increments using a recharge machine. Then just swipe your card at the ticket gates in and out. Individual trips cost the same as single tickets, though there is a 10% discount if you travel enough in a month. Also at certain “virtual interchange” stations (Shanghai Railway Station, Yishan Road, South Shaanxi Road, Hongkou Stadium) you can avoid paying for a second ticket if you have a card.

3. Buy a one-day pass for 18RMB, available at the airport and some information desks. Seems like a bit of a gimmick for the Expo, unless you’re using the metro for four or five trips every day, this will probably be more expensive than single tickets.

Each person needs their own ticket, you can’t share a SPTC or one-day pass between multiple people. Any more tips, do leave a comment!

According to the latest figures, over 6.5 million people (that’s 650万) are now using the Shanghai Metro each day. July 9th saw 6.527 million people pass through the entrance gates, the 12th time the daily record has been broken this year! The average daily figure during 2009 was 3.6 million, but the new lines which have opened this year have boosted attendance significantly.

After breaking through 6 million for the first time on May 21, the numbers have shot up in the first week of July, due to the extended opening hours on Line 10 and increased numbers of passengers on Expo Line 13. Both lines have seen daily numbers double since May.

Get the data in a Google Spreadsheet

By popular request, we’ll soon be including integrated Google Maps in our iPhone metro map apps for Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Singapore. Just tap on any station and choose “Street map” to see the area around the selected station. You can pan and zoom the map to see more.

If you’ve got any suggestions on this or other features, do get in touch!

Stay tuned for updates to all our apps to support Google maps over the next few weeks.

The Shanghai Metro Company has announced that the Line 2 extension to Pudong Airport will have its opening times extended from a measly 9am-4pm to the more reasonable 6:30am – 9pm as of July 10th. We’ve previously posted a detailed description of the trip on the line linking the two airports. It will still be necessary to change trains at Guanglan Road.

Expect updates to our online map and iPhone app shortly!

We recently submitted an update for Explore Shanghai for iPhone but encountered a snag, as we were told:

We’ve completed the review of your application, but are unable to post this version to the App Store because it includes a contest with Apple products as prizes. Apps that include such offerings incorrectly create an association with Apple, Inc.

Hmm. So now when you tell a friend about one of our apps, you can win a iPad Wii! Just tap on the Help tab in the app.

For those of you waiting anxiously for the update, Explore Shanghai 2.3 has been resubmitted (including the new Hongqiao Railway Station and extended times for Line 10) and should be available soon! Download Explore Shanghai now and you’ll receive the free update as soon as it’s approved.

Stop us if you’ve heard this before… but after several false starts Shanghai Metro Line 10 will finally extend its opening times from July 3rd. Currently limited to 9am to 4pm, the new opening times will be 5.30am to 7.30pm. The times between trains will also be reduced to 6 minutes at peak times, down from 8 minutes.

Look out for updates to our online metro map and iPhone app soon!

The Shanghai Metro company has announced that Hongqiao Railway Station on Shanghai Metro Line 2 will open from July 1st.

The station is between the existing Line 2 stops at Hongqiao Airport Terminal 2 and East Xujing. This will provide easy access for passengers on the new Shanghai-Nanjing bullet train. The new high speed trains will reach Nanjing in just 73 minutes, also calling at Shanghai West Railway Station on Line 11.

There are big future plans for Hongqiao Railway Station, part of the new Hongqiao Transportation Hub. Hongqiao Railway Station will also be the terminal station of Metro Line 10 once the Hongqiao branch opens later in the year. It will also be the terminus of the future Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Rail Line.

Expect updates to our online map and iPhone app shortly!

At last! Explore Metro can exclusively reveal that Shanghai’s Metro Line 10 will open for full operation from June 12th. Since it opened earlier this year the line has been constrained to an inconvenient 9am – 4pm schedule. From Saturday the opening times should be in line with other services. We’ll have an update shortly with the first/last train informations on our online map and iPhone app.

UPDATE – we spoke too soon. The schedule has still not been extended. Expect an announcement in the next few weeks.