There are stations where several Metro lines meet. An interchange station is a station where you can change for other lines without meeting a ticket barrier, e.g. People's Square Station. A transfer station, however, is one where you have to leave the first line through a ticket barrier and then be charged for another line, e.g. Shanghai Railway Station.

Shanghai transport card holders can get a considerable discount by swiping the card when transferring from one line to another.

Safety shields have been installed in most Metro stations in the city center.