Xi'an maintains one of China's most extensive metro systems outside Beijing and Shanghai, with nine operational lines covering 259 kilometers as of 2024. Line 2 runs north-south through the city center, connecting Xi'an North Railway Station through the Bell Tower area to the southern suburbs. Line 1 runs east-west, intersecting Line 2 at Beikezhan station beneath the Bell Tower. Line 4 forms an incomplete loop around the historic walled city, with stations at Daming Palace North,含元殿, and south toward Hangtian New City. Trains operate from approximately 6:00 to 23:30 daily, with intervals ranging from 2 minutes during peak hours to 8 minutes during off-peak periods. Single-journey tickets cost between 2 and 7 yuan depending on distance traveled, calculated in fare zones. Stored-value cards require a 20-yuan deposit and offer marginal discounts on repeated journeys. The metro reaches Xi'an Xianyang International Airport via the Airport Express Line and connects to Xi'an North Railway Station, the city's primary high-speed rail terminal, via Lines 2 and 4.
Xi'an North Railway Station serves as the junction for high-speed rail connecting the ancient capitals. The Zhengzhou–Xi'an High-Speed Railway operates at speeds up to 350 kilometers per hour, covering the 511 kilometers to Zhengzhou in approximately 2 hours. From Zhengzhou, the Beijing–Guangzhou High-Speed Railway continues 189 kilometers northeast to Anyang in 50 minutes, and 140 kilometers east to Kaifeng in 35 minutes. Luoyang lies 360 kilometers east of Xi'an on the Xuzhou–Lanzhou High-Speed Railway, reachable in 90 minutes. Nanjing connects via the Xuzhou–Lanzhou line to Xuzhou, then the Beijing–Shanghai High-Speed Railway southward, totaling approximately 5 hours for 1,015 kilometers. Datong requires transfer in Taiyuan; the combined journey covers roughly 700 kilometers in 4 to 5 hours depending on connection times. Second-class fares from Xi'an to Zhengzhou range from 174.5 to 239.5 yuan depending on train category, with business class typically triple that amount. Tickets release 30 days before departure at 08:00 Beijing time and require passport verification for foreign travelers at purchase and boarding.
City buses within Xi'an operate on approximately 260 routes covering the urban core and extending into surrounding districts. Flat-rate routes charge 1 or 2 yuan regardless of distance, while air-conditioned and longer suburban routes charge distance-based fares up to 10 yuan. Route 610 connects the Bell Tower area to the Terracotta Army site in Lintong District, 42 kilometers northeast, operating from 7:00 to 19:00 with journey time averaging 80 minutes depending on traffic. Route 307 links Xi'an Railway Station to Huaqing Palace via Lintong, passing within 2 kilometers of the Terracotta Museum. Route 5 runs from the Small Wild Goose Pagoda area north past the Drum Tower and Bell Tower to the North Gate of the city wall. Bus 603 serves Famen Temple in Fufeng County, 120 kilometers west, departing from the Famen Temple bus terminal near the city wall's west gate. Payment systems accept cash, stored-value transit cards, and mobile payment platforms including WeChat Pay and Alipay after prior account registration.
Official taxis in Xi'an display illuminated roof signs and meters beginning at 9 yuan for the first 2 kilometers, then 2 yuan per kilometer from 2 to 10 kilometers, and 3 yuan per kilometer beyond 10 kilometers. Nighttime rates from 23:00 to 06:00 add a 30 percent surcharge to the per-kilometer rate. A journey from the city center to Xi'an Xianyang International Airport, approximately 42 kilometers northwest, costs between 100 and 130 yuan depending on traffic routing and time of day. Ride-hailing services operate through DiDi, China's dominant platform, requiring a Chinese phone number and linked payment method for account creation. DiDi pricing fluctuates with demand, typically matching or slightly undercutting metered taxi rates during normal conditions but surging 1.5 to 2 times base rates during morning and evening peaks or poor weather. Foreign credit cards rarely function; payment requires WeChat Pay, Alipay, or UnionPay debit linked to a Chinese bank account.
Bicycle-sharing systems deploy millions of dockless bikes across Xi'an's urban core. Hellobike, Meituan Bike, and DiDi Bike dominate the market, each requiring a separate mobile app, Chinese phone number registration, and deposit ranging from 99 to 299 yuan unless the user's Alipay sesame credit score exceeds 650, which waives the deposit requirement. Rental rates start at 1.5 yuan per 30 minutes, charged in 15-minute increments after the first half-hour. Bikes use QR code unlocking scanned via each company's app. Electric-assist bikes cost 2.5 to 3 yuan per 30 minutes and appear in the app map interface with a battery indicator. Parking regulations prohibit blocking sidewalks, building entrances, and bus stops; violations trigger warnings via the app and potential account suspension after repeated infractions. The Ancient City Wall permits cycling along its 13.7-kilometer top circuit; bike rental stations at the South Gate, North Gate, East Gate, and West Gate charge 45 yuan for a single bike for 100 minutes or 90 yuan for a tandem bike for the same duration, with overtime fees of 5 yuan per 10 minutes.
Luoyang operates a four-line metro system with two lines operational and two under construction as of 2024. Line 1 runs east-west for 25.3 kilometers with 19 stations, connecting Luoyang Railway Station in the west to the eastern suburb development zones. Line 2 runs north-south for 19.2 kilometers, intersecting Line 1 at Longmen Avenue station. Fares range from 2 to 5 yuan based on distance. Luoyang Longbei Railway Station serves high-speed trains on the Xuzhou–Lanzhou corridor, while Luoyang Railway Station handles conventional rail and some high-speed services. Buses 81, 53, and 67 connect the old city center to the Longmen Grottoes, 12 kilometers south, with journey times between 40 and 50 minutes and fares of 1.5 yuan. Tourist bus Y1 operates a dedicated circuit from Luoyang Railway Station through the old city to Longmen Grottoes and White Horse Temple, charging 5 yuan for unlimited same-day boarding. White Horse Temple lies 12 kilometers east of the city center, accessible via buses 56 and 58 from Xiguan station.
Kaifeng lacks metro infrastructure. City buses operate approximately 50 routes charging flat fares of 1 yuan on standard lines and 2 yuan on air-conditioned routes. Route 1 connects Kaifeng North Railway Station to the Drum Tower area in the historic center. Route 20 runs from the railway station to the Iron Pagoda Park in the northeast. Kaifeng North Railway Station sits on the Beijing–Guangzhou High-Speed Railway, 15 kilometers north of the old city, connected by dedicated shuttle buses charging 5 yuan per journey and operating in coordination with arriving trains. Journey time to the Drum Tower area averages 35 minutes. Kaifeng Railway Station, the older conventional rail terminal, sits closer to the city center but handles fewer services. Most visitors access Kaifeng via Zhengzhou, 70 kilometers west on the high-speed line, reachable in 20 minutes with fares around 30.5 yuan for second class.
Zhengzhou operates five metro lines covering 206 kilometers with 159 stations. Line 1 traverses the city east-west through the commercial center and Erqi Square, the city's symbolic center marked by a twin-tower memorial. Line 2 runs north-south, intersecting Line 1 at Zijingshan Park station. Line 5 forms a partial ring around the city center. Fares range from 2 to 7 yuan depending on distance traveled across zones. Zhengzhou East Railway Station serves as the primary high-speed rail hub on the Beijing–Guangzhou and Xuzhou–Lanzhou corridors, accessible via Metro Lines 1 and 5. Zhengzhou Railway Station, the older terminal, sits on Line 1 and handles both conventional and some high-speed services. Buses throughout Zhengzhou charge distance-based fares between 1 and 2 yuan on standard routes, with air-conditioned routes charging 2 yuan flat rate. Route Y2 operates as a tourist line connecting Zhengzhou Railway Station to the Shaolin Temple, 80 kilometers southwest in Dengfeng, departing from the long-distance bus station adjacent to the railway terminal.
Anyang operates an extensive bus network but no metro system as of 2024. The Yin Xu archaeological site lies 2 kilometers northwest of the city center, accessible via city bus routes 1, 15, and 18, charging 1 yuan flat fare with journey times around 15 minutes from Anyang Railway Station. Anyang East Railway Station serves high-speed trains on the Beijing–Guangzhou corridor, positioned 10 kilometers east of the old city and connected by shuttle bus route 29, charging 2 yuan and requiring approximately 30 minutes. Taxis from Anyang East Railway Station to Yin Xu cost approximately 40 to 50 yuan. Long-distance buses from Anyang's central bus station serve regional destinations including Zhengzhou, Kaifeng, and Luoyang, with frequencies varying from every 30 minutes to every 2 hours depending on destination.
Datong operates a two-line metro system with Line 1 running north-south and Line 2 under construction. Buses serve the Yungang Grottoes, 16 kilometers west of the city center, via routes 3 and 603, charging 1 yuan for standard service and 2 yuan for air-conditioned buses, with journey times between 35 and 45 minutes depending on traffic. Tourist bus Y1 operates direct service from Datong Railway Station to the Yungang Grottoes, charging 5 yuan and completing the journey in approximately 40 minutes with limited intermediate stops. Datong South Railway Station serves high-speed trains on the Datong–Xi'an High-Speed Railway, positioned 10 kilometers south of the old city and connected via Metro Line 1 and several bus routes including K27 and K603. Datong Railway Station handles conventional rail services and sits in the city center, accessible via Metro Line 1.
Nanjing operates ten metro lines covering 427 kilometers, making it the fourth-longest metro system in China as of 2024. Line 1 runs north-south through the city center, passing Xinjiekou station, the system's busiest interchange. Line 2 runs east-west, intersecting Line 1 at Xinjiekou. Line 3 serves Nanjing South Railway Station, the city's primary high-speed rail terminal on the Beijing–Shanghai High-Speed Railway. Nanjing Railway Station, the older terminal, sits on Lines 1 and 3. Fares range from 2 to 10 yuan based on distance traveled across the metro network's extensive coverage area. The Ming City Wall encircles portions of the old city, with several sections accessible via metro. Zhonghua Gate station on Line 1 provides direct access to the Zhonghua Gate section of the wall. Bus route Y1 operates as a tourist circuit linking the Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall, the Presidential Palace, and the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, charging 2 yuan per boarding or 10 yuan for a day pass with unlimited rides.
Intercity buses connect Xi'an to smaller cities and towns throughout the Guanzhong Plain and surrounding regions. Xi'an City East Bus Station serves destinations east including Weinan, Huayin near Mount Hua, and Tongguan, with buses departing every 20 to 40 minutes throughout the day. Weinan lies 60 kilometers east with journey times around 90 minutes and fares approximately 25 yuan. Huayin, the access point for Mount Hua, sits 120 kilometers east; buses charge around 38 yuan and require 2 hours. Xi'an City West Bus Station serves destinations west including Baoji, Famen Temple, and Tianshui in neighboring Gansu Province. Baoji lies 170 kilometers west with journey times between 2.5 and 3 hours and fares around 50 yuan. Buses to Famen Temple in Fufeng County depart from the city's western bus terminals, charging approximately 30 yuan for the 120-kilometer journey requiring roughly 2 hours. Xi'an City South Bus Station serves destinations south into the Qinling Mountains, including routes to mountain trailheads and nature reserves. Xianyang lies 25 kilometers northwest of Xi'an; frequent buses connect the two cities in 40 minutes for approximately 10 yuan, though the expanding metro system now offers Line 1 extension service to Xianyang with journey time around 50 minutes and fare of 5 yuan.
Rental cars remain impractical for most foreign visitors. Chinese driving licenses require residency permits and written and practical examinations administered in Chinese. International Driving Permits receive no legal recognition. Rental companies including Shenzhou, eHi, and China Auto Rental operate throughout Xi'an and other major cities but require Chinese driver's licenses for vehicle release. Traffic flows on the right side. Highways connecting the ancient capitals include the G30 Lianyungang–Khorgas Expressway running east-west through Xi'an, Xianyang, and Luoyang, and the G5 Beijing–Kunming Expressway running north-south through Xi'an and Zhengzhou. Expressway tolls charge per kilometer, typically 0.4 to 0.6 yuan per kilometer for passenger vehicles, with payment via cash, expressway prepaid cards, or mobile payment at manned toll booths. Electronic Toll Collection lanes require vehicles equipped with ETC transponders linked to Chinese payment accounts.
Organized tour buses operate from Xi'an to the Terracotta Army and other major sites. Day tours departing from the city center typically include transportation, entrance fees, and guide services, priced between 200 and 400 yuan per person depending on group size and included meals. Shared shuttle buses from Xi'an Railway Station and the Bell Tower area to the Terracotta Museum charge approximately 30 yuan round-trip, departing when full with frequencies averaging every 30 minutes during peak season. Journey time averages 60 to 80 minutes depending on traffic. Some services combine the Terracotta Army with Huaqing Palace, adding minimal travel time since both sites lie in Lintong District along the same corridor. Private car services with drivers quote approximately 400 to 600 yuan for full-day hire covering multiple sites, negotiated based on distance, duration, and number of stops.
Mount Hua access begins from Huashan North Railway Station on the Xi'an–Zhengzhou High-Speed Railway, 7 kilometers north of the mountain's visitor center. Free shuttle buses connect arriving passengers to the visitor center in approximately 15 minutes. From the visitor center, visitors choose between the eastern route cable car to North Peak, charging 80 yuan one-way or 150 yuan round-trip, or the western route cable car to West Peak, charging 140 yuan one-way or 280 yuan round-trip during peak season. Shuttle buses from the visitor center to the cable car bases charge 20 yuan for the eastern route and 40 yuan for the western route. Buses from Xi'an City East Bus Station to Huayin town charge approximately 38 yuan, requiring 2 hours; from Huayin town, local buses and taxis reach the mountain visitor center in 20 minutes for approximately 10 to 30 yuan depending on service type.
Shaolin Temple in Dengfeng, 80 kilometers southwest of Zhengzhou, receives direct tourist buses from Zhengzhou Railway Station charging approximately 30 yuan one-way with journey time around 2 hours. Return buses operate on fixed schedules, typically with the last departure from Shaolin Temple around 17:00. Luoyang also offers direct buses to Shaolin Temple, departing from the long-distance bus station near Luoyang Railway Station, charging approximately 25 yuan and requiring 2 hours. Private car services from either Zhengzhou or Luoyang quote approximately 300 to 500 yuan for a round-trip day hire including waiting time at the temple complex.