Short answer
Nanjing has one airport and two railway stations that matter to visitors. Lukou International Airport (NKG) sits about 35 km south of the centre. Nanjing South Railway Station takes most high-speed trains. Nanjing Railway Station is north of the centre, beside Xuanwu Lake.
The default route to a central hotel is two metro legs: Line S1 to Nanjing South, then Line 1 to Xinjiekou or Line 3 to Fuzimiao. The full S1 ride is ¥7 and takes about an hour with the transfer; a metered taxi to Xinjiekou runs roughly ¥80–130.
The trap is timing. Line S1 stops running at about 22:40, so a late arrival means a taxi, a ride-hailing car or a hotel near the airport.
The three hubs you will actually use
The two rail stations are far enough apart that mixing them up costs an hour.
| Hub | What it is | Metro from there | To Xinjiekou |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lukou International Airport (NKG) | 35 km south of the centre | Line S1 (Airport Express) | ~50 min, one transfer |
| Nanjing South Railway Station | Main high-speed hub | Lines 1, 3, S1 and S3 | 20–30 minutes on Line 1 |
| Nanjing Railway Station | North of the centre, beside Xuanwu Lake | Lines 1 and 3 | 10–15 minutes on Line 1 |
Metro Line S1 from the airport
Line S1 is the airport express and, for most visitors, the answer. The station is called Lukou International Airport and sits on level B1 of the Ground Transport Centre, about 150 m from Terminal 2 and 450 m from Terminal 1.
The line is about 37 km with nine stations, runs end to end in 35–45 minutes, sends a train about every ten minutes, and costs ¥7 the full length. The first train leaves at about 06:00 and the last at about 22:40 — times move with the season, so check the official channel for the day you fly.
Buy at the touchscreen machines with cash, or skip them: the Alipay and WeChat Pay transport QR codes both work at the gates. Set the QR up before you land, because a station corridor with luggage is the worst possible moment. Our Nanjing travel guide covers the setup order.
From Nanjing South into the centre
Nanjing South is a large interchange. Follow the metro signs rather than the exit signs, then pick your line by destination.
| Where you are going | Line | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Xinjiekou (city centre) | Line 1 | Shopping core, interchange with Line 2 |
| Fuzimiao / Confucius Temple | Line 3 | Qinhuai riverside, best after dark |
| Nanjing Railway Station | Line 1 or Line 3 | Northbound, by Xuanwu Lake |
| Xuanwu Lake park | Line 1 | Get off at Xuanwumen |
The transfer is a few minutes of walking with stairs and queues at peak: roughly 07:30–09:00 and 17:30–19:00.
Airport buses
Two routes cover most useful drop-offs. Line 1 runs to Nanjing Railway Station on the east side; Line 2 runs west to Hexi Wanda Square, calling at Nanjing South, Zhonghuamen, Shuiximen and Hanzhongmen. Buses leave from Gates 2–4 on level 1 outside both terminals, and fares run roughly ¥15–30.
Slower than the metro in daytime traffic, but more useful after the metro stops, and it can drop you closer to a hotel than a station. Stops are not always announced in English — show the driver the Chinese name. Departure times follow flight arrivals, so check the official channel.
Taxi and ride-hailing
Metered taxis make sense with luggage or in a group of three or four. Expect roughly ¥80–130 to Xinjiekou, ¥80–120 to the Fuzimiao area and about ¥100 to Nanjing South. After 23:00 the meter adds roughly 20 percent, and rush-hour traffic pushes both time and fare up because the meter runs on the clock as well as the distance.
- Use the official rank outside arrivals. Anyone who approaches you inside the terminal is quoting a flat rate, and it will not be a low one.
- Screenshot your hotel name and address in Chinese before you fly. Pinyin often does not land.
- Ride-hailing is inside Alipay. The Transport tab handles DiDi without a separate app, and payment comes off the same balance.
The late-night gap
Between the last S1 train at about 22:40 and the first at about 06:00, your options are an airport bus if one is still running, a taxi from the rank, or a ride-hailing car. A late taxi to central Nanjing runs about ¥100–180 with the night surcharge. Landing at 02:00 sometimes makes a hotel near the airport and a morning train the cheaper plan.
The mistakes visitors make
- Booking a hotel far from a metro line. The saving disappears into taxi fares on day one.
- Leaving the airport with no yuan at all. Carry a small amount as backup, then see the two-day Nanjing itinerary for how the days line up.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Nanjing Lukou Airport from the city centre?
About 35 km south of Xinjiekou. Metro Line S1 covers the airport to Nanjing South Railway Station in roughly 35 to 45 minutes, and a taxi takes 40 to 60 minutes depending on traffic.
How much does the metro cost from Nanjing airport to the city?
The full Line S1 ride from the airport to Nanjing South Railway Station is ¥7. Add the onward ride on Line 1 or Line 3, which is a few yuan more. Short central metro rides are cheaper still.
What time does the last metro leave Nanjing airport?
The last Line S1 train from the airport runs at about 22:40, with the first around 06:00. Timetables shift with the season, so check the official channel on the day you fly.
Is there an airport bus from Nanjing Lukou Airport?
Yes. Line 1 runs to Nanjing Railway Station on the east side of the city, and Line 2 runs to Hexi Wanda Square on the west side, calling at Nanjing South, Zhonghuamen, Shuiximen and Hanzhongmen. Fares run roughly ¥15 to ¥30 depending on the route.
How much is a taxi from Nanjing airport to the city centre?
Expect roughly ¥80 to ¥130 to Xinjiekou and around ¥80 to ¥120 to the Fuzimiao area, with the meter adding about 20 percent after 23:00. Rush-hour traffic can push both the time and the fare up.
Which Nanjing railway station should I use?
Most high-speed services use Nanjing South Railway Station, which is also where Line S1 from the airport terminates. Nanjing Railway Station is north of the centre by Xuanwu Lake and handles other services. Check the station on your own ticket before booking a hotel.
Can I get from the airport to central Nanjing without cash?
Yes, if a QR payment app is set up and working. Metro gates read the Alipay or WeChat Pay transport QR code, and ride-hailing is paid inside the app. Carry a small amount of cash as backup for taxis and ticket machines.
How long does the whole trip from the airport to Xinjiekou take?
About an hour door to door: Line S1 from the airport to Nanjing South, a transfer to Line 1, then the ride into Xinjiekou. Add time for walking inside the airport and inside the station.
Related reading
For the rest of the practical setup — payment apps, sim cards, ticketed sights — see the Nanjing guide and the China Travel hub.
Compiled from Nanjing Metro and Nanjing Lukou International Airport transport information, Jiangsu and Nanjing municipal transport pages and traveller reports, cross-checked 30 September 2026. Fares, first and last train times, bus routes and taxi surcharges change between seasons — the official channel at the time you travel is the authoritative version. Nothing on this page is financial or legal advice.