Transport Guide
How to get around China — subway, trains, DiDi, and airports
Essential 4 Options 5-15 min read
TL;DR: Use the subway for daily sightseeing (2-10 RMB), DiDi for door-to-door rides, and high-speed rail for intercity travel (300+ km/h). Alipay QR handles all payment. No cash needed.
🏙️ Urban Transportation
Getting around inside cities — subway, bus, bikes & ride-hailing
Public Transportation
Most Economical
🚇🚌🚲 Subway · Bus · Shared Bikes
1-10 RMB
Cost per trip
High
Coverage
- ✅ Cheapest option — 2-10 RMB per ride
- ✅ No traffic — subway is always on time
- ⚠️ Crowded at rush hour (7:30-9:00, 17:30-19:00)
- ⚠️ Difficult with heavy luggage
Best for: daily sightseeing, budget travel, avoiding traffic
Public Transport Guide → Ride-Hailing & Taxi
Most Convenient
🚗📱 DiDi · Alipay Ride · WeChat Ride · Taxi
10-100 RMB
Cost per trip
Very High
Coverage
- ✅ Door-to-door — no walking, no transfers
- ✅ English interface — no language barrier
- ⚠️ Traffic — can take longer than subway
- ⚠️ Surge pricing during peak hours & rain
Best for: airport transfers, heavy luggage, late night, convenience
Ride-Hailing Guide → 🚄 Intercity Transportation
Traveling between cities — high-speed rail & domestic flights
High-Speed Rail
Recommended
🚄 G/D/C-Train · 300+ km/h
50-1000 RMB
Cost per trip
Very High
Coverage
- ✅ City center to city center — no airport commute
- ✅ Spacious seats, power outlets, WiFi
- ⚠️ Book 1-3 days ahead for best seats
- ⚠️ Passport required for ticket & boarding
Best for: under 1000km, city-to-city, speed & comfort
High-Speed Rail Guide → Domestic Flights
Long Distance
✈️ Domestic · 600+ km/h average
200-2000 RMB
Cost per trip
High
Coverage
- ✅ Fastest — Beijing to Guangzhou in 3 hours
- ✅ Cheap if booked early (2-4 weeks ahead)
- ⚠️ Airport commute adds 1-2 hours each way
- ⚠️ Security + weather delays possible
Best for: 1000km+, time-sensitive, international connections
Domestic Flights Guide → 💳 Payment Methods for Transportation
✅ Best: Alipay / WeChat Pay QR code — scan at subway gates, bus readers, DiDi app
⚠️ Limited: Cash (bus only, no change), Transport Cards (need Chinese ID to buy), International Cards (subway ticket machines only)
❌ Not Accepted: Apple Pay / Google Pay, Foreign Currency, Traveler's Checks
Quick Usage Tips
🚇 Subway
- Scan Alipay QR at gate
- English signs in all stations
- Avoid rush hour (7:30-9, 17:30-19)
- Last train ~23:00
🚌 Bus
- Alipay transport code works
- Cheapest: 1-2 RMB per ride
- Have exact change if paying cash
- Board front, exit rear
🚲 Shared Bikes
- Scan with Alipay or WeChat
- Meituan / Hellobike most common
- ~1.5 RMB per 30 min
- Park in designated zones
💡 Pro Tip: For trips under 1000km, high-speed rail is often faster than flying when you count airport commute + security time.