I know we talk about this topic often, but I'm starting this new thread in order to consolidate the discussion:

1. Airport arrivals
a) don't use Didi or private drivers because pickup is far more painful than spending 10 minutes in the taxi queue
b) SHA
i. if your destination is on Line 2 or Line 10, the subway is probably faster than a taxi, but Line 2 can be really crowded
c) PVG
i. I love the #2 bus a lot, and if you are staying in true Jing'an (as opposed to "North Jing'an"), it is a no brainer
ii. But, I tend to take taxis now because the bus doesn't work for me, and we're only talking about $30
iii. The Maglev is certainly worth trying for tourism value, but is unlikely to save you time or money

2. Airport departures
a) Didi works pretty well on this front to both airports, but I would still take the #2 bus from Jing'an if convenient
b). the subway is often a good option to SHA, but not so good for PVG

3. Subways
a) if you care about getting a seat, Line 2 is not your friend, but the more recent lines are
b) pick hotels with good subway access
c) download the explore shanghai app; it's honestly nothing more than a subway map, but having it installed saves time

4. Shared bikes
a) this isn't a year round solution, but if you happen to be 500 meters from a subway station, and the weather is okay, grab one
b) IMO, Mobike is a little nicer than Ofo; there isn't much point in signing up for both