Metered taxis are available outside the airport terminal. Do not expect drivers to speak English. Use a map to indicate your destination. Rates are RM3.2 per kilometre; a surcharge is added for journeys between 11pm and 5am.

There is a self-drive car hire service available during business hours, and Avis and Hertz have desks in Arrivals.

The airport is linked to Shanghai's metro with a new magnetic levitation train, the Maglev; the journey takes only eight minutes and costs ¥50. Taxis are available and usually the most convenient way to the city, but they are more expensive. Journeys take an hour to most downtown areas. Public buses are also available, but are only advised for hardened travellers. Many hotels meet their guests at the airport.

Tel: +86 (0)21 6834 1000.

¥90 (international flights), ¥50 (domestic).

Facilities at the airport include banks, ATMs and currency exchange, a post office, luggage storage, Business Centre and an Internet cafe. There are also several restaurants and shops, including duty free. Smoking is banned throughout the airport.

The official language is Mandarin Chinese, but there are hundreds of local dialects.

The currency used in China is the Renminbi Yuan (CNY). The Yuan is divided into 10 chiao/jiao or 100 fen. Make sure you exchange your leftover Yuan before returning home because this currency can be exchanged only within China's borders. Travellers cheques, preferably in US Dollars, and foreign cash can be exchanged in cities at the Bank of China. Banks are closed weekends. The larger hotels and the special 'Friendship Stores' designed for foreigners will accept most western currencies for purchases. Major credit cards are accepted in the main cities at various establishments, but outside the major cities acceptance is limited. ATMs are scarce outside the main cities.

Local time is GMT +8.