Short answer
For everyday movement in a Chinese city, use the metro. Every major system is signposted in English, the route maps are colour-coded and easy to read, and you can pay either by buying a single-journey ticket from a machine or by scanning a transit QR code generated inside Alipay or WeChat Pay. Fares are distance-based — a few yuan for a short hop, a few tens of yuan for a long cross-city ride.
For door-to-door trips, use DiDi, China's dominant ride-hailing app. It works for foreigners, has an English interface, and does not require a Chinese bank account — you bind a Visa or Mastercard and pay in the app. Street taxis still exist and are metered, but you will need your destination written in Chinese.
Budget for one thing everywhere: security screening. Metro stations X-ray every bag and may ask you to put a bottle of liquid through the machine separately. It adds a couple of minutes to every entry.
The metro: the default way to move
Chinese metro systems are fast, cheap, air-conditioned and built for people who do not read Chinese. Signage, ticket machines and in-carriage announcements all include English, and station exits are numbered and lettered so you can navigate from a map even if you cannot pronounce the street name.
Three things to know before your first ride:
- Fares are distance-based. A short central hop costs a few yuan; a long ride across the city costs a few tens. There is no zone system to learn and no peak surcharge on the fare itself.
- Security screening happens at the entrance. Bags go through an X-ray, and you walk through a scanner. Liquids may be inspected separately — hand over the bottle rather than arguing.
- Service stops before midnight. Last trains vary by line and city and are usually shown on the platform board. If you are out late, check the last train rather than assuming you can always ride home.
Paying for the metro
You have two practical options, and the second one is better once it is set up.
| Method | How it works | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Single-journey ticket | Buy from a machine or staffed window; tap the ticket on entry, insert it on exit | Your first ride, or a one-off trip |
| Transit QR code in Alipay | Open the metro/transport mini-program, generate the code, scan at the gate | Everything after that — no queuing, no coins |
| Transit QR code in WeChat Pay | Same idea, through WeChat's transport service | If Alipay is not cooperating |
| Physical metro card | A stored-value card bought at a station | Long stays and repeat trips |
Ticket machines generally accept cash and QR payments, and staffed windows can help if a machine will not read your note. A QR code avoids the whole problem, which is why it is worth setting up on day one.
DiDi: ride-hailing that works for foreigners
DiDi (滴滴) is the dominant ride-hailing platform in China, and it is the single most useful transport app a visitor can install. It works without a Chinese bank account, without a Chinese phone number in many cases, and without speaking Mandarin.
What you need
- The app. International users install DiDi Rider, or DiDi-Greater China depending on your region and app store.
- A card. Visa and Mastercard are accepted for binding. No Chinese bank account is required.
- A phone number that can receive an SMS for verification.
- Location services on, so the app can set your pickup point accurately.
Booking a ride, step by step
- Set your pickup point on the mapThe app uses GPS, but large buildings, stations and malls have multiple entrances. Drag the pin to a specific door, gate or exit before you order.
- Enter the destinationType it in English — the app searches in both languages. If your destination has no English name, paste the Chinese address from your hotel booking or a map app.
- Choose a car typeThe cheapest tier is an ordinary sedan and is usually fine. Larger tiers cost more and arrive no faster in traffic.
- Confirm the price before bookingDiDi quotes a fixed price up front for most rides, so you know the cost before you commit. That quote is also your reference point for judging whether a taxi is overcharging.
- Match the carThe app shows the plate number and the car model. Chinese plates use characters plus letters and digits, check the last characters and the colour before you get in.
- Pay in the appNo cash changes hands. The fare is charged to your bound card when the ride ends.
Street taxis: still useful, slightly more work
Metered taxis are everywhere and are perfectly safe, but the language barrier is real. Very few drivers read English, and a name on a map is not an address they can act on.
- Have your destination written in Chinese. Show the character version from your hotel booking confirmation or a map app. This single habit removes most taxi friction.
- Insist on the meter. A metered fare is the norm. A driver proposing a flat price before you get in, especially at an airport, is not offering you a deal.
- Use official ranks. At airports and major stations, queue at the marked taxi stand. Anyone approaching you inside the terminal asking if you need a car is not a licensed rank driver.
- Take the receipt. It carries the plate number, which is what you need if you leave something behind.
- Pay by QR code. Drivers display a payment QR code; scan it with Alipay or WeChat Pay. Cash works too, but small notes are safer than large ones.
Metro, taxi or DiDi, which to use when
| Metro | DiDi | Street taxi | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Cheapest, by far | Moderate; fixed quote in advance | Moderate; metered |
| English | Signage, machines, announcements | App interface in English | Almost none |
| Best for | Rush hour, predictable routes, short hops | Door-to-door, luggage, late nights | When your phone is dead or the app fails |
| Payment | QR code or ticket | Card bound in the app | QR code or cash |
| Main catch | Crowded at peak, closes before midnight | Pickup points at big venues are confusing | Language barrier, airport touts |
The pattern that works: metro for daytime and anything that crosses the city in rush hour, DiDi when you have bags, it is raining, or it is late. Keep the taxi as the fallback rather than the plan.
Small things that save real time
- Charge your phone. Every part of this system, QR codes, DiDi, maps, runs on a working battery. A power bank is not optional equipment in China.
- Note the exit number. Metro exits are numbered, and using the right one can save a fifteen-minute walk around a block.
- Screenshot your destination address in Chinese before you leave the hotel wifi. It works when the network does not.
- Avoid the worst of rush hour if you can. Metro carriages at peak are genuinely packed, and road traffic slows to a crawl.
- Keep small notes on you. A few tens of yuan in cash covers the moment when a QR code will not scan.
Frequently asked questions
Is the metro in China easy to use without speaking Chinese?
Yes. Major city systems have English signage, English-language ticket machines and English announcements on trains. Station exits are numbered, and route maps are colour-coded, so navigating from a map works even without reading the station names.
Can I pay for the metro with Alipay or WeChat Pay?
Yes. Both apps offer a transit QR code through a city-specific transport mini-program. You scan it at the gate on entry and again on exit, and the fare is deducted automatically. Each city has its own mini-program.
Is there security screening at metro stations?
Yes, at every station. Bags go through an X-ray machine and passengers walk through a scanner. Liquid containers may be checked separately, so allow a little extra time at the entrance.
Can foreigners use DiDi?
Yes. DiDi Rider and DiDi-Greater China both work for foreign users, with an English interface and support for foreign-issued Visa and Mastercard. A Chinese bank account is not required.
Do I need a Chinese phone number for DiDi?
You need a phone number that can receive a verification SMS. Many visitors use their home number with roaming, or a travel eSIM that supports SMS. Check that the number receives messages before you rely on it.
Are taxis in China safe and metered?
Licensed taxis are metered and safe. Use official ranks at airports and stations, ask for the meter rather than agreeing to a flat price, and take the printed receipt, which shows the plate number.
Why do DiDi airport trips cost more than expected?
Airport runs are longer, often involve tolls or waiting time, and are the route where detours and inflated charges are most likely. DiDi quotes a fixed price before you book, compare it against your route and keep the in-app receipt. Never cancel the app booking to pay cash on request.
When does the metro stop running?
Service ends before midnight on most lines. The last train time varies by city and line and is usually displayed on the platform board, check it if you are planning a late return rather than assuming a train will be there.
Related reading
App capabilities, payment methods and metro practices described here reflect what was current as of September 2026. Fares, service hours and mini-program availability are set locally and change, confirm current details in the app or at the station before relying on a specific figure.