🚇 Transportation Guide for Foreigners in China (2026)

Getting Around China

China has the world’s most modern transportation infrastructure. Here’s how to use it.

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🚇 Metro (Subway)

China’s metro systems are fast, clean, affordable, and foreigner-friendly.

Cities with Metro:

City	Lines	Foreigner-Friendly
Shanghai	20+	✅ English signage, top-up machines
Beijing	27+	✅ English signage, top-up machines
Guangzhou	16+	✅ English signage, top-up machines
Chengdu	13+	✅ English signage, top-up machines
Shenzhen	16+	✅ English signage, top-up machines
Hangzhou	12+	✅ English signage, top-up machines

How to Use Metro:

1. Enter station: Tap card or scan QR code at gate
2. Navigate: Follow English signs to your line
3. Board train: Stand behind the yellow line
4. Exit station: Tap card or scan QR code at gate

Payment Options:

Method	How to Use	Best For
Transport card	Buy at station, top up with cash	Frequent riders
WeChat/Alipay QR	Scan at gate	Convenience
Single trip ticket	Buy from machine	One-time rides

Transport Card (Recommended):

• Where to buy: Metro station ticket machines
• Cost: ¥20 deposit + top-up amount
• Where to top up: Station machines (cash only)
• Refund: Return card at any station, get deposit back
• Cities: Some cards work across multiple cities (Yangtze Delta region)

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🚄 High-Speed Rail (HSR)

China’s high-speed rail network is the world’s largest and most advanced.

Key Routes:

Route	Distance	Time	Price
Beijing → Shanghai	1,318 km	4.5 hours	¥553 ($75)
Beijing → Guangzhou	2,300 km	8 hours	¥862 ($118)
Shanghai → Hangzhou	169 km	45 min	¥73 ($10)
Chengdu → Chongqing	320 km	1.5 hours	¥154 ($21)

How to Book Tickets:

Option 1: 12306 App (Recommended)

1. Download 铁路12306 app
2. Register with passport number
3. Search for your route
4. Select train and seat class
5. Pay with Alipay or WeChat Pay
6. At the station: scan your passport at the gate — no paper ticket needed

Option 2: Trip.com

1. Open Trip.com app
2. Search for train routes
3. Book with international credit card
4. No paper ticket needed — just show your passport at the station gate

Option 3: Station Ticket Window

1. Go to station ticket window
2. Show your passport
3. Pay with cash or card
4. Get paper ticket

Seat Classes:

Class	Price	Comfort	Best For
Second Class	1x	Basic seating	Budget travel
First Class	1.5x	More legroom	Comfort
Business Class	3x	Lie-flat seats	Luxury

Station Tips:

• Arrive 30 minutes early — security checks take time
• Passport required — for ticket purchase and boarding
• English signs — available at major stations
• Free WiFi — available at most stations
• Food courts — available at all major stations

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🚕 Taxis

Taxis are widely available in all major cities.

How to Get a Taxi:

Method	Pros	Cons
Street hail	Easy	May be refused by busy drivers
Hotel taxi stand	Reliable	Slightly more expensive
Didi app	Best option	Requires app setup

Didi (Recommended):

Didi is China’s Uber — easier to use than hailing a taxi.

1. Open Didi app
2. Enter destination (in Chinese or English)
3. See price estimate before booking
4. Pay with WeChat/Alipay
5. Rate your driver

Taxi Tips:

• Always use the meter — or agree on price before getting in
• Have your destination written in Chinese — show to driver
• Keep small bills — drivers may not have change for large notes
• Most taxis don’t accept cards — cash or mobile payment only
• Tipping not expected — but appreciated

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✈️ Domestic Flights

Major Airlines:

Airline	Rating	Notes
Air China	⭐⭐⭐⭐	National carrier, reliable
China Southern	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Largest airline
China Eastern	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Good service
Hainan Airlines	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Best service

Booking Tips:

• Use Trip.com — accepts international cards
• Book 2-3 weeks ahead — for best prices
• Domestic flights — no visa needed (same country)
• Airport check-in — arrive 2 hours early
• Passport required — for all domestic flights

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🚲 Bike Sharing

Bike sharing is everywhere in Chinese cities.

Major Services:

Service	How to Use	Price
Meituan Bike (美团单车)	Scan QR with Meituan app	¥1.5/30min
Hello Bike (哈啰单车)	Scan QR with Hello app	¥1.5/30min
Didi Bike	Scan QR with Didi app	¥1.5/30min

How to Use:

1. Open Meituan/Hello/Didi app
2. Scan the QR code on the bike
3. Unlock the bike
4. Ride to your destination
5. Park in a designated area
6. Lock the bike manually

💡 Pro tip: Park in designated zones or you’ll be charged extra!

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🚌 Bus

Buses are the most affordable way to get around.

How to Use:

1. Wait at bus stop — check route number
2. Board bus — tap card or scan QR at front door
3. Find a seat — or stand and hold on
4. Exit bus — tap card or scan QR at back door

Payment:

• Transport card — same as metro card
• WeChat/Alipay QR — scan at front door
• Cash — exact change only (usually ¥1-3)

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💡 Pro Tips

1. Get a transport card — saves time and works on metro + bus
2. Use Didi for taxis — more reliable than street hailing
3. Book train tickets early — popular routes sell out
4. Learn your station name in Chinese — for taxi drivers
5. Download offline maps — in case internet fails
6. Carry a portable charger — mobile payment + maps = heavy usage
7. Keep your passport with you — needed for train tickets and some metro stations

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