A private car makes a water town day trip gentle. You get a driver at the hotel door, a single town visited slowly, and a car waiting at the end. It is a good choice for families with grandparents or small children.
It is natural to worry about changing between metro, train and bus with tired people and bags. A car removes most of that.
Which town and how long?
Choose one town and stay for the day. The water towns are small, and they reward a slow walk, a meal and a rest by the canal. If you want a second stop, choose a town close to the first and ask the driver for the return time.
Our East China circuit guide for first-timers shows where a water town fits in a longer trip. If you also plan Suzhou or Hangzhou, read the Shanghai, Hangzhou and Suzhou train guide.
Where should the car meet you?
The car can meet you at your hotel, at the airport or at Hongqiao railway station. Hongqiao is about 18 km west of central Shanghai[1], which makes it useful if you arrive by train or want a meeting point away from the centre.
If you stay in the middle of the city, a hotel pickup saves a metro ride. Our Pudong versus Hongqiao guide explains how the two airports and stations differ.
How do you pace the day?
Build the day around one meal and one rest.
- Leave after the morning rush, so the road out is calm.
- Walk the main canal lanes for a morning.
- Eat lunch away from the busiest street, and ask the driver for a quiet place.
- Rest by the water, and let grandparents sit while others wander.
- Leave in the late afternoon, with time before dinner.
Prices move with the season and the vehicle, so ask for a quote in ringgit that lists waiting time, parking and tolls. Put the total into the budget planner.
What should you tell the driver?
Give the driver a short brief, in the order they need it.
- Where and when to pick you up.
- Which town you want, and how long you plan to stay.
- Who is travelling, including anyone who walks slowly.
- Any food needs, including halal or no pork.
- The time you want to be back.
Ask whether the driver can speak English or Mandarin. Our guide to finding an English-speaking or Mandarin driver shows what to ask, and the guide for families in East China helps you plan around young children.
What about weather?
Check the forecast before you go. Shanghai, Hangzhou and coastal Jiangsu are rated medium typhoon risk, mainly from flooding[2]. Keep one flexible day in your Shanghai plan, and confirm the policy for a weather change with the agency.
What next?
List who is travelling, then pick one water town. For the wider choice between road and rail, read our guide to private transfers versus rail. Then ask for one itemised quote and compare it with your budget.