Shanghai is expected to receive 85.54 million visitors during the seven-day National Day holiday, thanks to the Special Olympics and a local tourism festival.

The average number of visitors spending time in town between October 1 and 7 is expected to hit 12.22 million a day, growing by six percent compared to last year's National Day holiday, Xinhua news agency reported on Thursday, citing figures provided by the city's holiday administrative office.

The local railway system is expected to handle 7.55 million passengers between September 28 and October 7, a four percent increase from last year.

About 928,000 people will arrive in or leave the city by plane. A combined 8,188 planes will take off or arrive at the city's Hongqiao and Pudong international airports during the period, about 10 percent more than the number during last year's holiday.

Still 890,000 visitors may choose to travel by long distance buses, a six percent increase from last year, said the office.

A total of 11,000 athletes, relatives, judges and officials will come to the city for the Special Olympics, which is scheduled to kick off on October 2.