China Transportation Guide 2026: Flights, High-Speed Trains, Metro, and Taxis for Foreigners

Getting around China: what to use and when

China’s transportation network is enormous and efficient, but for foreigners it comes with two layers of friction: booking and payment. This guide covers all four main ways to get around — flights, high-speed trains, metro, and ride-hailing — with real advice on what works with a foreign passport and an international credit card, not just theory.

The short version: for most routes under 1,000 km, take the high-speed train. For longer routes or cross-country trips, fly. Inside cities, metro plus official taxis or pre-booked transfers covers most needs. And always have your hotel address in Chinese characters before you leave the airport.

High-speed trains: the default choice for most routes

China’s high-speed rail network connects almost every major city. Trains run at 250–350 km/h, are clean, punctual, and depart from stations that are usually closer to city centers than airports. Beijing to Shanghai takes about 4.5 hours by train versus a 2-hour flight — but when you add airport transfers and security, the train is often faster door to door.

Booking: foreigners can book through Klook (English interface, international cards accepted, small service fee) or through the official 12306 app (Chinese only, passport verification takes 3–5 working days). Trip.com also works but Klook is often simpler. If your trip is less than two weeks away, skip 12306 — the verification will not finish in time. Read the full high-speed rail booking guide.

At the station: arrive 45–60 minutes before departure. Use your passport at the manual gate (foreign passports do not work at the automatic e-gates). Security is quick — bags go through an X-ray, you walk through a metal detector. There are English signs at all major stations.

Domestic flights: when flying makes sense

Fly when the distance is long, the train ride would take most of the day, or your route crosses regions where rail is not practical. Beijing to Kunming (3 hours by air vs 10+ hours by train) is a clear case for flying. Shanghai to Chengdu (3 hours by air vs 12+ hours by train) is another.

Booking: use Kiwi.com for comparison and booking with international cards. Trip.com is the other major English-friendly platform. Always check the airport — Shanghai has Pudong (PVG) and Hongqiao (SHA), Beijing has Capital (PEK) and Daxing (PKX). Booking the wrong airport can add two hours to your transfer. Read the full flights booking guide.

Passport name matching: use exactly the name as printed on your passport. If the platform splits given name and surname, follow the labels carefully. A small mismatch can cause problems at check-in and corrections depend on the airline and ticket type.

Baggage warning: not every domestic China ticket includes checked baggage. Some discount tickets are carry-on only. Check baggage allowance before paying, not at the airport counter.

Metro and public transit inside cities

Chinese city metro systems are modern, cheap, and extensive. A single ride costs ¥2–10 (about $0.30–1.50). Stations have English signs and announcements in major cities. You can pay with Alipay’s transport QR code, a physical metro card (buy at any station), or cash at ticket machines.

Navigation: use Amap (Gaode Maps) for metro routes and walking directions. Google Maps works with an eSIM but Amap is more accurate for transit inside China — it shows real-time bus arrivals, metro exit recommendations, and route alternatives that Google misses.

Buses: possible but harder for non-Chinese speakers. Routes are usually labeled in Chinese only. Pay with Alipay transport code or exact change. For most tourists, metro plus official taxis or pre-booked transfers is easier than figuring out bus routes.

Taxis and airport transfers for foreigners

For city travel, use metro when possible and official taxi queues or pre-booked airport transfers when public transport is inconvenient. Keep your hotel address in Chinese characters, confirm the license plate before getting in, and keep a cash backup for short rides.

Quick decision table: which transport for which route

Route type	Best option	Why
Under 500 km, city to city	High-speed train	Faster door to door, no baggage claim, city-center stations
500–1,000 km	High-speed train or flight	Compare total door-to-door time including airport transfers
Over 1,000 km or cross-country	Flight	Train takes too long, flying saves a full travel day
Inside one city	Metro + official taxi or pre-booked transfer	Cheap, reliable, English interfaces available
Late night arrival	official taxi or pre-booked transfer	Metro may be closed, taxi queues can be long
Budget overnight travel	Ordinary sleeper train	Saves a hotel night, cheaper than high-speed rail

Payment for transportation: what works with a foreign card

International credit cards work on Kiwi.com, Klook, and Trip.com for booking flights and trains. For local transport: Alipay works for metro QR codes and local transport payments once you link a foreign card. Set up Alipay before your trip. WeChat Pay works similarly — set up WeChat Pay as a backup.

Cash is accepted everywhere: metro ticket machines, taxi drivers, and station counters all take RMB. Carry ¥300–500 in cash as backup even if you plan to use Alipay for everything.

Internet for navigation: you need data from the moment you land

All of this — Amap, translation apps, checking train times, paying with Alipay — requires internet. Buy a China travel eSIM before departure and activate it when you land. Without data at the airport, you cannot book a check your hotel address, or navigate to the metro. Airalo is the easiest to set up, Saily is cheapest for the same network.

Book China Transport