Getting Around China: Airports, Metro, Taxis and Trains

Scope: Everyday travel within mainland Chinese cities and domestic travel between cities. Sources checked on October 1, 2026.

You do not need to download every transport app before visiting China. My advice is to prepare three things: a working way to book a ride, such as DiDi; a channel for booking train tickets or flights, for which I recommend Trip.com; and a local navigation app, such as Baidu Maps or Amap (Gaode Maps).

If this is your first visit to China and you have just landed with large suitcases, I recommend booking a ride to your hotel first. Set up your DiDi account and payment method before you arrive. Ideally, have an eSIM with coverage in China so your phone can get online after landing. Check the estimated fare in the app before deciding whether to book.

1. Start by Choosing the Right Transport for Your Journey

Your situation	What I suggest comparing first	What to check
Arriving at the airport during the day with little luggage	Airport rail services or airport buses	Operating hours, transfers and the final stretch to your hotel
Arriving late at night, travelling in a group or carrying large luggage	Licensed taxis, app-booked rides or a pre-booked transfer	Pickup point, vehicle size, waiting time and luggage rules
Moving between sights in the city centre	Metro and walking	Line, direction, exit and last train
Avoiding transfers, or going somewhere far from a station	An app-booked ride or taxi	The exact destination, fare calculation and payment method
Travelling between cities conveniently connected by high-speed rail	High-speed train	Full station names, train number, seat and travel to and from the stations
Travelling a long distance, or facing a lengthy train journey	Domestic flight	Airport location, baggage allowance, check-in and change or cancellation rules

In China's major cities with metro systems, I find rail transport more convenient and cheaper. However, airport rail services do not necessarily run late at night. If you are unsure, use Baidu Maps or Amap to plan the journey for your expected arrival time and see whether a rail service is still running.

When the metro is not an option, a ride booked through DiDi or another platform is usually my preferred choice, and often the cheaper one. Ask at the airport information desk where the ride-hailing pickup area is, then book your car.

With taxis, you may occasionally run into problems such as an unnecessary detour. If your destination is very close to the airport, a driver who has waited in a long queue may also be unhappy about the short fare, which can affect the service. With an app-booked ride, you can contact the platform's customer service if you encounter a detour or another problem. In the cases I have personally dealt with, I was refunded the fare difference.

For travel between cities, my first choice is high-speed rail, followed by flying. I do not recommend long-distance coaches as my first option. You can use the official 12306 app or an airline's own app, but I prefer Trip.com for its easier booking process and more responsive customer service when something goes wrong.

In some remote areas, a coach or other passenger bus may be the only option. In those cases, I recommend contacting a licensed travel agency rather than buying the ticket yourself. Bus services in many such places cannot be booked online, and I have encountered late departures many times.

2. Getting from the Airport to Your Hotel

Before you leave, save your hotel's Chinese name, Chinese address and phone number. A hotel brand may have several branches, so entering only the brand name is not enough. Some hotels offer airport transfers; contact the hotel to ask.

If you choose public transport, check that services will still be running after your arrival, allowing time for immigration, baggage collection and walking to the station or stop. An evening landing does not necessarily mean you can catch the last service. As mentioned above, use Baidu Maps or Amap to check the journey at the relevant time.

If you choose a taxi, follow the airport signs to the official taxi queue. Show the driver the address before setting off, confirm how the fare will be calculated and how you can pay, and keep your receipt or other journey record.

If you book a ride through an app, follow its instructions for the pickup area. The arrivals exit, taxi queue and ride-hailing car park may be in different places. Once you reach the pickup point, check the number plate and vehicle details.

If you are particularly worried about communication on your first night, a pre-booked airport transfer is worth comparing. Before booking, check whether the price includes waiting after a flight delay, meeting you at arrivals, parking and road tolls. Make sure the vehicle can hold all your luggage. China's official guide explains how to book an airport transfer through Trip.com and pay with an international bank card. [1]

For a first visit to China, I suggest avoiding a tight sequence of transfers on your arrival night. Getting to the hotel smoothly matters more than saving a little on transport.

3. Taking the Metro

For your first journey, a single-journey ticket is enough. There is no need to activate every transport feature immediately. Ask about buying a ticket at a machine or service counter. Accepted payment methods depend on the city and station, so follow the local instructions.

In major cities, you can often find volunteers who speak foreign languages near the ticket machines. Alternatively, go directly to the service counter, usually in a small enclosed booth near the ticket gates.

If you expect to take the metro several times, try the "Transport" section in Alipay, select your current city and follow the instructions to activate its metro QR code. Some cities or operators also have their own apps, such as Shanghai's Metro Daduhui. Activation and identity verification requirements depend on the local service. [1][6] When using Alipay's transport code, enter and exit using the QR code from the same app and account.

Remember: a shop payment code and a metro travel code are separate functions. Being able to pay in a restaurant does not mean you have activated a metro code.

With a single-journey ticket, follow the instructions on the gates when entering and leaving. With a travel code, keep the same account and entry method throughout the journey. If a gate will not open, ask station staff for help rather than repeatedly switching apps and scanning different codes.

Before taking the metro, I check three things: the direction, where I need to change lines and which exit is closest to my destination. With large luggage or someone who finds walking difficult, I also check for lifts and a suitable walking route.

Some cities allow international bank cards to be used directly at the gates, but do not assume that one city's system works nationwide. If you cannot activate a travel code or use your bank card, ask about a single-journey ticket.

4. Booking a Ride: Prepare the Destination and Payment

You can book rides through Alipay, WeChat or DiDi-Greater China. China's official guide explains that the DiDi app supports foreign phone numbers and international bank cards. Beijing's government website also provides instructions for registering with a foreign number, setting up the app and checking your bill. [1][7]

Choose whichever option you find easiest to use, and try registering and adding your payment method in advance. Waiting until you need the ride or have to pay usually makes communication more difficult.

I still recommend considering a Chinese SIM card if you expect to book rides often or use local services such as food delivery. A foreign number can be used to register for some apps, but you also need a working way to receive calls when a driver contacts you. Before buying a SIM or eSIM, check whether it includes calls and texts. Having mobile data is not the same as having a usable local phone number.

When booking a ride, check the pickup point on the map. Large shopping centres, railway stations and airports can have several exits. A pin in the middle of the building does not mean a car can stop there.

Check the number plate before getting in, then review the bill in the app after the journey. If you have a question about the price, keep the order details and contact customer service through the app. Check the service's fare rules to see how tolls, parking and waiting charges are handled.

For a taxi hailed on the street, confirm payment arrangements in advance. Linking an international bank card to WeChat or Alipay does not mean you can make personal money transfers. Alipay's international card service explicitly restricts non-purchase uses, including transfers. [5] If the driver's payment method does not support your card, you may need another way to pay.

For that reason, I suggest keeping some renminbi cash, including small notes. For a suggested cash reserve and payment setup, see the guide to paying in China.

5. High-Speed Train or Domestic Flight?

Compare the total journey from one hotel to the next, rather than only the travel time printed on the ticket. For a train, include the trip to the station, entry procedures and waiting time. For a flight, include airport transport, check-in, security and any baggage collection at the other end.

As a starting point, if the high-speed train journey is roughly four to six hours or less, I look closely at the train first. This is a planning suggestion, not a conclusion for every route. A distant station, a better flight schedule or difficulty getting a train ticket that day may change the choice.

For longer distances, flights are worth comparing first. Do not look only at the lowest advertised fare. Check the baggage allowance, airport and terminal, change and cancellation rules, and transport after arrival.

If your itinerary involves a connection or transfer, check that there is enough time between the two legs and whether they are part of the same through booking. I do not recommend planning a first trip to China around a string of last-minute connections. A little buffer makes delays easier to handle.

6. Buying High-Speed Train Tickets as a Foreign Visitor

You can use China Railway's official 12306 English website or app, enter your foreign passport details and complete the required identity verification. You can also use an English-language booking channel such as Trip.com, or take your passport to a railway station ticket counter. [2][3][4]

Booking channel	Why you might choose it	What to check
12306	Official railway booking and order services	Register early, complete passport verification and check that payment works
Trip.com or another booking platform	A familiar English interface and customer service	Service fees, add-ons, ticket issuance status and change or cancellation conditions
Station ticket counter	Help from staff, or an alternative if online booking is difficult	Bring your passport and exact station and train details, and allow time to queue

The general advance booking window for train tickets is currently 15 days, including the current day. For your journey, check the available dates, release time and announcements on 12306. [2] A third-party platform accepting an advance booking request does not mean the railway has released the tickets early, or that you already have a confirmed seat.

Likewise, "waitlisted", "reserved" or "pending issuance" should not be treated as "ticket issued". After booking, confirm the train number, date, departure station, arrival station and seat, especially around busy holidays such as Chinese New Year and National Day.

When using Trip.com or another platform, check for booking fees beyond the train fare and any extra services you have selected. The total payment may differ from the face value of the railway ticket. [3]

7. Before You Go to the Railway Station

Bring the original, valid passport you used to book. An electronic order or screenshot can help you find information, but it does not replace the valid document required for travel. Your document, name and passenger details must match. [4]

If your passport causes a problem at a gate, ask staff for help. The 12306 rules describe identity verification and ticket checks through staffed lanes. Do not assume every automatic gate can read your passport. [4]

Check the full station name. For example, Shanghai Railway Station and Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station are different places. If taking a car, confirm that the driver is going to the station on your booking.

Allow time to enter the station. For a first visit to a large station, I suggest planning to arrive at least 45 to 60 minutes before departure. Allow more during holidays, if you need to resolve identity verification, or if you have other special arrangements. This is my suggested buffer, not a nationwide railway cutoff. Check the station and your booking for the actual time ticket checks close.

Do not treat a large suitcase as a small bag. Before booking, check the railway or airline's baggage rules, including size, weight and restricted items. Railway stations also have security checks; not everything can be brought on board.

For changes and refunds, check both the original booking channel's terms and the carrier's rules. Do not assume changes or cancellations will still be free close to departure. If you buy another ticket, remember to deal with the original booking as well.

8. Should You Rent a Car on Your First Visit to China?

Personally, I strongly advise against it! City traffic in China can be complicated, with many electric two-wheelers and some drivers who do not respect right-of-way rules. Streets in older neighbourhoods can also be narrow.

If you are thinking of driving in Tibet, western Sichuan or Xinjiang, I would urge caution unless you already have experience driving in remote areas. You would need to think about hazards such as mudslides, the vehicle's condition and other practical issues. It may not make the trip more enjoyable.

If you are mainly visiting large cities and places served by high-speed rail, I suggest starting with public transport, taxis, app-booked rides and licensed transfer services. That leaves more of your attention for the trip itself.

If you do plan to drive, first check the applicable Chinese driving permit and rental requirements. China's official guide requires a valid Chinese driving licence for car rental and explains how foreign drivers can apply for a provisional driving permit. [1] Do not assume that a foreign licence or an "international driving licence" alone allows you to rent a car and drive in China.

Remote routes, driving across provinces, vehicle insurance and accident liability all deserve separate preparation. A route on a navigation app is not enough.

Before Departure, Have a Journey You Can Actually Follow

Start with the trip from your arrival airport to your first night's hotel: know where to board, how to pay and the exact destination. For journeys between cities, confirm that your train or flight tickets have been issued, and save your documents and booking details.

You do not need to master China's entire transport system. You just need to understand the next part of your own journey.

If you are unsure whether to take a train or flight, or worried about a particular transfer, you can contact me. I will do my best to help you compare the options. General travel advice is free.