Transportation in China

How do I get from the airport to the city in China?

Getting from the airport into the city centre is typically the first transport task on arrival.

Option	Speed	Cost	Notes
Airport express train	Fastest (15–30 min for major airports)	¥25–55 (varies by city and line — Shanghai Pudong Maglev ¥50; standard express trains ¥25–35)	Available at PEK (Beijing Capital T3→city), PKX (Beijing Daxing), PVG/SHA (Shanghai — Maglev or Metro Line 2), CAN (Guangzhou), CTU (Chengdu). Buy ticket at the station with cash, card, or mobile pay.
Metro line (regular subway)	Moderate (40–60 min)	¥4–10	Most major airports connect to the city metro network — check the airport’s official site for the line number. Same QR / transit-card payment as city metro.
Airport shuttle bus	Slower (60–90 min, traffic-dependent)	¥20–40	Multiple routes to city sub-centres; useful if not near a metro stop. Buy on the bus or at the shuttle counter.
Taxi / DiDi	Convenient but variable	¥80–200+ depending on city and distance	DiDi pickup points are designated — follow signage. Metered taxi queues are at arrivals exits. Avoid unlicensed touts inside the terminal.

How do I take high-speed trains in China?

China’s high-speed rail network covers nearly all major cities and is the preferred option for medium- and long-distance travel.

Booking channels:

• 12306 official website (English version): https://www.12306.cn
• 12306 App (English UI; foreign mobile numbers accepted)
• Station ticket counter (passport required)
• Self-service kiosks at stations (passport + booking number)

Payment: Alipay, WeChat Pay, UnionPay cards, RMB cash (counter only). Visa/Mastercard acceptance on 12306 varies by issuing bank and card type — if your card is declined, pay via Alipay or WeChat Pay instead (both accept foreign cards; see Mobile Payment).

Changes and refunds:

• Reissue: allowed before departure via App / website / counter; usually one reissue per ticket.
• Refund: a service fee scales up the closer you are to departure. The schedule below follows the 12306 official English refund policy (12306.cn/en/faq.html, as of June 2026) and applies to ticket refunds generally — confirm at 12306.cn for your specific train and any peak-season rules (e.g. Spring Festival refunds may be charged a flat 20%):

Time before departure	Refund fee
≥ 8 days	0% (no fee)
> 48 hours (and < 8 days)	5%
24 – 48 hours	10%
< 24 hours	20%

Refunds must be processed before the train departs (a post-departure refund is only possible in limited approved cases). Note: this is more expensive than many guides claim — there is no fully free refund window within the last week before travel.

How do I use the metro in China?

Major cities — Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and others — have extensive subway networks.

• Alipay / WeChat Pay QR-code entry is supported in most cities.
• Self-service ticket machines accept RMB cash; some cities accept foreign bank cards.
• Some cities (e.g., Shanghai) allow Apple Pay / contactless foreign-card tap at the gate.
• Navigation: Google Maps is blocked in mainland China. Use Amap (高德地图) or Baidu Maps instead — both have English UI and accurate real-time transit routing. Download one before arrival.

City-by-City Metro Apps

Each city has its own metro app or mini-program. Beijing’s app does not work in Shanghai or Guangzhou. Set up the local app when you arrive in each new city (~3–5 minutes).

City	App / Mini-Program	Lines	Notes
Beijing	Yitongxing (亿通行)	~29 lines, ~523 stations	Physical card (¥20 deposit) or app QR. Multi-day pass: ¥20/3 days. Alipay/WeChat work via the app QR, not by scanning at the gate directly. Easiest for visitors: as of June 2026 Beijing’s full network (all ~29 lines plus suburban Line S2) supports tap-and-go with foreign UnionPay, Mastercard, Visa, JCB, and Amex — just tap your card at the gate, no app needed.
Shanghai	Metro Daduhui (大都会)	16+ lines (world’s longest system)	Search “大都会” in WeChat/Alipay. Alipay/WeChat payment works directly.
Guangzhou	广州地铁 mini-program	15+ lines	Announcements in Cantonese, Mandarin, and English. Direct metro to Baiyun Airport. Yangchengtong card works on metro, buses, and ferries.
Shenzhen	Shenzhen Tong mini-program	12 lines	Connects to Hong Kong MTR at Luohu and Futian border crossings.
Chengdu	成都地铁 mini-program	13 lines	Line 3 → Panda Avenue station (near Giant Panda Research Base).

Troubleshooting QR codes: Look for the Passport Lane (blue sign) at turnstiles — staff there are trained to help foreigners. If scanning fails, maximize screen brightness and regenerate the QR code.

Metro Practical Tips

• Rush hours to avoid: 7–9 AM and 5–7 PM (body-to-body crowding on major lines).
• Metro closes around 11:30 PM in most cities; use DiDi for late-night travel.
• Cost: ¥3–10 per ride — roughly 10–15x cheaper than DiDi for the same distance.
• Multi-day passes (where available) offer excellent value for tourists — Beijing’s ¥20/3-day pass covers unlimited rides.
• Combine metro + bike-sharing for last-mile connections (~¥1.5 per bike ride via Hellobike, Meituan Bike, etc.).

What are the security checks on China’s transport?

Every metro station and long-distance rail station in China has security screening. Budget extra time accordingly.

Metro Stations

All metro stations require bag screening — no exceptions.

Process:

1. Place bags and large items on the X-ray conveyor belt
2. Walk through a metal detector (body scanner at some stations)
3. Security staff may conduct a secondary hand-scan with a portable detector
4. Retrieve your bag and proceed to the fare gates

Time: 20–60 seconds normally; 2–5 minutes at busy city-centre stations during peak hours.

What you do NOT need to remove: shoes, belts, laptops, or liquids (metro security does not apply airline 100 ml rules).

No ID required: your Alipay/WeChat QR or transit card is sufficient — passport is not needed for metro entry.

Prohibited items: firearms, explosives, petrol, nail polish over 20 ml, kitchen knives and blades.

Budget an extra 10 minutes at large interchange stations (e.g., Beijing Xizhimen, Shanghai Hongqiao) during rush hour.

High-Speed Rail and Long-Distance Rail Stations

Security at rail stations is stricter than metro:

• Separate bag X-ray machines at station entrances
• Real-name ticketing: your passport must match the name on the ticket; passport may be scanned at the boarding gate
• Allow at least 30 minutes before departure for security + boarding; major hub stations (Beijing West, Shanghai Hongqiao) recommend 45–60 minutes

Airports

Standard international aviation security applies. Additional China-specific notes:

• Some domestic terminals conduct a second security check at the gate — allow for this in connection timing
• Power banks: carry-on only; power banks over 160 Wh are not permitted
• Lighters: one lighter per person (not in checked baggage)

How does ride-hailing work in China?

DiDi is the dominant platform — see DiDi:

• Foreign mobile numbers accepted; English UI available.
• Book ride-hailing and taxis from the same app — the DiDi app includes a taxi-booking mode alongside its private car options.
• Pay via Alipay, WeChat Pay, or a directly bound foreign Visa/Mastercard — all three are reliably accepted in the DiDi app as of 2026.
• DiDi also offers bike-sharing — open the DiDi app and scan the QR code on any DiDi-branded bike to unlock it.

Amap (Gaode) and Baidu Maps also offer ride-hailing aggregation alongside navigation — both recommended for tourists.

How do I book domestic flights in China?

Book domestic flights on platforms that accept foreign cards:

• Trip.com / Ctrip: international UI, strong English support
• Fliggy (Alibaba): Alipay payment

Practical notes for foreign travelers:

• Passport is required at check-in and at security — your passport is your boarding ID; a photocopy is not accepted.
• Arrive at least 90 minutes before departure for domestic flights (2 hours for international terminals, which some domestic-to-international connections use).
• Standard checked baggage allowance on most Chinese carriers: 20 kg economy class. Carry-on allowance varies by carrier and fare class — many major carriers (e.g., Air China, China Eastern, China Southern) cap economy carry-on at 5 kg; always check your booking confirmation for the exact figure before packing.
• Liquids rules at Chinese security follow the standard 100 ml / 1-litre bag rule.

Can foreigners use shared bikes in China?

Three major platforms are widely available: Meituan Bike, Hello Bike, and DiDi Bike:

• Unlock by scanning the QR code on the bike — Meituan and Hello Bike via WeChat or Alipay; DiDi Bike via the DiDi app
• A deposit may be required (some platforms waive it for verified users)

How do I use public buses in China?

City bus systems support:

• Alipay / WeChat Pay QR codes
• Local transit cards
• RMB coins / small bills (exact change typically required; no change given)

Acquiring a local transit card: available at metro station service centers with your passport; a refundable deposit (typically ¥20–50, varies by city) is required. Cards can be topped up at metro service desks, convenience stores, or via Alipay / WeChat Pay mini-programs. Most transit cards are city-specific; however, cities participating in the national Jiaotong Lianhe (交通联合) interoperability scheme (e.g., Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou, and others) accept each other’s cards — check whether your card’s issuing city is in the scheme before relying on it elsewhere.

Can foreigners rent a car in China?

Car rental is available at most international airports and major downtown outlets, and via car-leasing apps or Alipay / WeChat mini-programs.

First-time renters need:

• Passport (or Foreign Permanent Resident ID)
• Valid Chinese driver’s license (see below)
• International or domestic credit card

Identity verification must be completed at least 1 working day before pickup — complete the in-app ID check ahead of arrival.

Getting a Chinese Driver’s License

Foreign visitors cannot drive in China on an overseas license alone. Two paths:

Path	Duration	Process
Provisional Driving Permit	3 months (extendable to 1 year)	Apply at local traffic administration bureau with: passport, overseas license + certified Chinese translation, passport photo
Converted Chinese license	Permanent (until expiry)	Requires passing a theory test (available in English); generally used by long-term residents

License mutual recognition: China recognises driving licenses from France, Serbia, Belgium, and UAE — holders may apply for a Chinese license without the standard theory test (verify current process at your local traffic bureau, as procedures update).

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How do taxis work in China?

Metered taxis (yellow / green cabs) can be hailed on the street and are still common in smaller cities and at airports:

• Flag-down available; no app required.
• Meters are mandatory — insist the driver uses it; if refused, take a different cab.
• Payment: RMB cash (always accepted), Alipay / WeChat Pay (most cabs), card swipe (rare).
• Older street-hail cabs may not have a working QR placard — keep ¥50–100 in cash as backup.

DiDi or metro: which should I use in China?

Situation	Best option	Why
Daytime city sightseeing	Metro	Cheap (¥3–6), no traffic, fast
Airport transfer	DiDi or airport express	Direct, handles luggage
After 11:30 PM	DiDi	Metro is closed
Group of 3+ people	DiDi	Split cost makes it competitive with metro
Rush hour (7–9 AM, 5–7 PM)	Metro	DiDi stuck in traffic; metro runs underground
Rainy day / heavy luggage	DiDi	Door-to-door, no stairs

Budget example (Beijing, 6 days): ¥20 metro 3-day pass + 5 DiDi rides ≈ ¥110 total. All-DiDi would cost ¥300+.

Airport-to-City: Additional Tips

• Shanghai Pudong: Maglev train connects airport to the Longyang Road metro hub in about 8 minutes (¥50 standard one-way; ¥40 if you show a same-day flight boarding pass at the ticket window).
• Airport ATMs generally offer better exchange rates than pre-exchanging cash at home banks. Withdraw ¥300–500 on arrival as backup cash.
• DiDi at airports: follow in-app guidance to the designated pickup zone — do not wait at the general arrivals exit.
• First-hour checklist on arrival: connect to airport WiFi → activate VPN → test Alipay with a small purchase → set up DiDi → test metro QR → screenshot hotel address in Chinese.

How do foreigners book train tickets in China?

• 12306 passport format issues: the official site sometimes rejects foreign passport numbers. If your passport is declined repeatedly, use Trip.com instead (~¥50 service fee but full English interface and foreign card support).
• Morning trains are often cheaper than afternoon departures on the same route.
• Seat selection: only available in the Chinese version of the 12306 app. The English version assigns seats randomly.
• On-board amenities: free hot water dispensers on all trains (bring your own cup); snacks and meals are allowed; dining car available on most G/D trains.
• Power banks on trains: no CCC certification required (unlike domestic flights). Capacity limit: 100 Wh (27,000 mAh) with clear labeling.
• Choosing the right station: major cities have multiple stations (e.g., Beijing West, Beijing South). Check which station your train departs from — they can be 30+ minutes apart.

Practical Tips

• High-speed rail stations and airports have clear English signage.
• Major stations offer baggage storage (staffed counters or self-service lockers).
• Amap has taxi booking built in — useful as a backup when DiDi is busy or surge-priced.
• Bike-sharing fills metro gaps: when two stations are 1–2 km apart, grab a shared bike (Hellobike, Meituan Bike) — scan with Alipay, ride, lock at destination. ~¥1.5 per trip.