Getting Around China as a Foreigner: Complete Transport Guide (2026)

China’s public transportation network is the world’s largest integrated transit system — with 55 cities operating metro systems, 42,000 km of high-speed rail connecting every major city, and ride-hailing apps covering 400+ cities — all accessible to foreigners through Alipay or WeChat Pay without needing cash. Whether you’re navigating Shanghai’s sprawling subway, booking a bullet train to Beijing, or hailing a Didi to your hotel, this guide covers every transport option available to you, including exactly how to pay, which apps to download, and what to do when you don’t speak Chinese.

Metro Systems

The metro is your best friend in any Chinese city. It’s fast, cheap, air-conditioned, and — crucially for foreigners — all station names and directional signs are in both Chinese and English. According to Shanghai Metro’s official data, Shanghai’s metro system spans over 800 km across 20+ lines, making it the world’s largest by track length. Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, and dozens of other cities have equally modern systems.

How the metro works

Every metro system in China follows the same basic flow: enter through security screening (bags go through an X-ray machine), scan your QR code or tap your transit card at the turnstile, ride the train, and scan or tap again when exiting. Fares are distance-based, typically ranging from 3 to 10 RMB per trip. In Shanghai, a cross-city ride from Pudong Airport to the western suburbs costs around 8–9 RMB — less than $1.25 USD.

Paying with your phone

You don’t need to buy physical tickets. Open Alipay, search for “Transit Code” (乘车码), select your city, and a QR code appears on screen. Hold it against the turnstile scanner when entering and exiting. WeChat Pay offers the same feature through its “Mini Programs” — search for the local metro’s official mini program. Both deduct the fare automatically based on distance traveled.

Tips for foreigners

Use Amap (高德地图) or Baidu Maps for real-time metro route planning — Google Maps does not work in China. Both apps show transfer stations, estimated travel time, and which exit to use. Avoid rush hours (7:30–9:30 AM and 5:00–7:30 PM on weekdays) if possible — trains in Shanghai and Beijing during peak hours are crushingly full. For a deep dive on navigating the Shanghai system specifically, see our Shanghai Metro Guide.

Major metro cities

The 55 cities with metro systems include every destination a tourist or expat is likely to visit: Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Hangzhou, Wuhan, Nanjing, Chongqing, Xi’an, Suzhou, and more. Smaller cities like Kunming, Xiamen, and Guiyang also have metro lines. If a city has more than 3 million people, it almost certainly has a metro.

High-Speed Rail

China’s high-speed rail (HSR) network is the crown jewel of its transport system. According to China’s Ministry of Transport, the network spans over 42,000 km — making it the world’s longest — and carried over 3.8 billion passengers in 2024. Trains run at speeds of 250–350 km/h, connecting Beijing to Shanghai (1,300 km) in just 4.5 hours. For any trip between 200 and 1,500 km, high-speed rail is almost always faster and cheaper than flying once you factor in airport wait times.

Booking as a foreigner

There are two main ways to book. The official 12306 app (China Railway’s booking platform) now supports passport registration — create an account using your passport number, verify your identity, and browse routes. The interface has improved significantly but is still mostly in Chinese. For an English-friendly experience, use Trip.com (formerly Ctrip), which has a polished English app, accepts international credit cards, and lets you book with your passport number. Tickets can be booked up to 15 days in advance. For step-by-step booking instructions, see our Train Ticket Booking Guide.

Seat classes

ID requirements at the station

You’ll need your passport to enter the station and board the train. Most major stations now have automated gates with passport scanners — hold the photo page flat against the reader and look at the camera. If the machine doesn’t recognize your passport (this happens occasionally with older passport designs), go to the manual check window staffed by railway police. Arrive at least 30 minutes before departure; security screening and the walk to your platform take time, especially at large stations like Shanghai Hongqiao or Beijing South.

Popular routes for travelers

City Buses

City buses are the cheapest transport option in China, with most routes costing a flat 2 RMB per ride regardless of distance. Every Chinese city has an extensive bus network, and in major cities like Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangzhou, buses run from approximately 5:00 AM to 11:00 PM, with some night bus routes operating later.

How to pay

Board through the front door and scan your Alipay or WeChat Pay transit QR code on the reader next to the driver. You can also tap a physical transit card (available at metro stations and convenience stores). Cash is technically accepted on most buses, but you’ll need exact change — drivers do not give change. Buses are almost entirely cashless at this point, so set up your transit code before trying to ride.

The challenge for non-Chinese speakers

Buses are the most difficult transport option for foreigners. Route signs and stop announcements are usually in Chinese only (some cities have added English announcements on select routes, but this is inconsistent). There are no English-language bus apps. The practical workaround is to use Amap or Baidu Maps to plan your bus route — the app will tell you which bus number to take, where to board, and when to get off, even sending a notification when your stop is approaching. Without a map app, you’re essentially guessing.

Ride-Hailing: Didi

Didi Chuxing (滴滴出行) is China’s dominant ride-hailing platform, covering 400+ cities with over 600 million registered users. It is functionally identical to Uber — you set your pickup and destination, the app matches you with a nearby driver, you ride, and payment is automatic. The key difference for foreigners is that Didi has a full English interface, accepts international credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex), and includes in-app chat translation so you can communicate with your driver without speaking Chinese.

Setting up Didi

Download “DiDi Chuxing” (not “DiDi Rider,” which is the international version and does not work in China) from the App Store or Google Play before you arrive, since Google Play is blocked in China. Register with your international phone number, switch the language to English in settings, and add a payment method. For a complete setup walkthrough, see our Didi Guide for Foreigners.

Pricing and safety

Didi’s Express (快车) service is generally 10–20% cheaper than street taxis. A typical 5 km city ride costs 15–30 RMB. The app shows estimated fares before you confirm, uses GPS tracking throughout the ride, and Didi shares your trip details with emergency contacts if you enable the safety feature. All rides are recorded and logged, and drivers are rated by passengers. Didi uses dynamic pricing during rush hours and bad weather, so fares can spike — the app always shows you the multiplier before you book.

Shared Bikes and Scooters

Shared bikes are everywhere in Chinese cities — parked on sidewalks, outside metro stations, along rivers, at intersections. The two dominant platforms are Meituan Bikes (yellow bikes, operated by Meituan) and Hellobike (哈喽单车, blue bikes). Both cost 1.5–3 RMB per ride (approximately $0.20–0.40 USD), making them the cheapest motorized transport option. They’re ideal for “last mile” trips — covering the distance between a metro station and your final destination.

How to unlock a bike

Open Alipay or WeChat, scan the QR code on the bike’s handlebars, and the lock pops open automatically. No separate app download is needed — both Meituan Bikes and Hellobike operate as mini programs within Alipay and WeChat. When you’re done, park the bike in a designated area (look for painted white zones on the sidewalk) and lock it manually. The app detects the lock and ends your ride.

Deposits and fees

Most platforms require a small deposit (around 99–199 RMB) or a credit score check through Alipay’s Zhima Credit. If you have a high enough Zhima score (which you won’t as a new foreigner), the deposit is waived. Otherwise, pay the deposit through Alipay — it’s fully refundable. Rides are charged per 15 or 30 minutes. Electric scooters (also available through Meituan in some cities) cost slightly more, around 3–5 RMB per ride, and have a range of 30–50 km.

Taxis

Traditional taxis still operate in every Chinese city, and they’re a reliable fallback when Didi isn’t available or is surging. In Shanghai, taxis are easy to spot — they’re the fleet of brightly colored sedans with rooftop lights. Flagging one down works the same as anywhere: stand on the side of the road, extend your arm, and wait. A green light on the roof means available; red means occupied.

Pricing: metered vs. app

All official taxis use meters. In Shanghai, the base fare is 14 RMB for the first 3 km, then 2.5 RMB per km after that, with surcharges at night (23:00–05:00) and during rush hour. Taxis hailed through Didi use the same meter — there’s no app markup. The difference is that street-hailed taxis often expect cash (many drivers still don’t accept card payment), while app-hailed taxis deduct payment through the app automatically.

Communication tips

Most taxi drivers speak little to no English. The most reliable approach is to have your destination written in Chinese characters and show it to the driver. Use Amap or Baidu Maps to get the Chinese address, take a screenshot, and show your phone. Hotels and restaurants often have their Chinese name and address on a business card — grab one when you visit. If you’re staying at a hotel, ask the concierge to write your destination in Chinese before you head out.

Long-Distance Buses

Long-distance buses connect cities, towns, and rural areas that high-speed rail doesn’t reach. They’re slower and less comfortable than trains, but they serve routes that railways skip — particularly in mountainous areas like Yunnan, Guizhou, and Tibet, and between smaller towns. If you’re traveling to places like Zhangjiajie, Lijiang’s surrounding villages, or remote parts of Sichuan, long-distance buses may be your only public transport option.

Booking and boarding

Tickets can be purchased at the bus station (bring your passport), through Trip.com, or through Chinese apps like Changyutu (畅途网) and 12308. Bus stations are usually located near train stations. Arrive at least 20 minutes early, as buses depart on time and will not wait. Seats are assigned, and long-distance buses often have sleeper berths for overnight routes. Expect limited or no English signage at bus stations — have your destination written in Chinese.

When to use long-distance buses

Choose buses when high-speed rail isn’t available for your route, when the bus is significantly cheaper (some routes are half the train price), or when you’re visiting rural or mountainous destinations. For trips between major cities, high-speed rail is almost always the better choice — faster, more comfortable, and often similarly priced.

Payment Methods for Transport

Cash is effectively dead for public transport in China. Almost every system now runs on mobile payments. Here’s what works where:

Alipay Transit Code

Alipay’s Transit Code (乘车码) is the most universal payment method for public transport. It works on metro systems and buses in most cities with a single app. Open Alipay, search “Transit Code,” select your city, and a QR code appears. Scan it at turnstiles and bus readers. The fare is deducted from your Alipay balance or linked card automatically. For setup, see our Essential Apps Guide.

WeChat Pay transit

WeChat Pay works similarly through city-specific mini programs. Search for your city’s metro mini program (e.g., “Shanghai Metro” or “Beijing Subway”) within WeChat, authorize transit payments, and scan the QR code at turnstiles. WeChat’s coverage is slightly less universal than Alipay’s for transit, but it works in all major cities.

Physical transport cards

Every city sells rechargeable transport cards (Shanghai’s is called the “Shanghai Public Transport Card” or 交通卡). Buy one at any metro station service center for a 20–30 RMB deposit, load it with credit, and tap it at metro turnstiles, buses, and even some convenience stores. These cards are useful if you don’t want to rely on your phone battery, but they’re increasingly redundant now that QR codes work everywhere.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to get around China as a foreigner?

The metro is the best option for getting around within cities — it’s cheap, fast, English-signposted, and accepts Alipay or WeChat Pay QR codes. For intercity travel, high-speed rail is the top choice, covering 42,000 km of track and connecting every major city at speeds up to 350 km/h. For door-to-door trips within a city, Didi has full English support and accepts international credit cards. Most foreigners use a combination of all three depending on the situation.

Can I use Alipay to pay for public transportation in China?

Yes. Alipay’s Transit Code feature works on metro systems and buses in most major Chinese cities. Open the Alipay app, search for “Transit Code” or “乘车码,” select your city, and scan the QR code at turnstiles or bus readers. Foreigners can set up Alipay with a passport and international bank card. Alipay also works for Didi payments, shared bikes, and train ticket purchases through linked platforms.

How do I buy train tickets in China without a Chinese ID?

Use the Trip.com app or China Railway’s official 12306 app (which now supports passport registration). Select your route, enter your passport number during booking, and pay with Alipay, WeChat Pay, or an international credit card. At the station, use the foreigner-designated ticket windows or automated machines with passport scanners to collect your ticket or enter directly with your passport. For a full walkthrough, see our Train Ticket Booking Guide.

Is Uber available in China?

No. Uber does not operate in mainland China. Uber sold its China operations to Didi Chuxing in 2016, and the Uber app does not function within the country. Didi is the direct replacement and serves the same purpose — it covers 400+ cities with full English-language support, international credit card acceptance, and in-app chat translation between English and Chinese.

Do I need a Chinese driver’s license to drive in China?

Yes. China does not recognize International Driving Permits (IDPs) or foreign driver’s licenses. To drive legally, you must obtain a temporary Chinese driving license, which requires passing a simplified written test at a local traffic management bureau. The test is available in English and covers Chinese traffic laws. However, most short-term visitors and even many long-term expats find that metro, high-speed rail, and Didi cover all their transportation needs without the expense and hassle of driving. Parking in Chinese cities is also notoriously difficult and expensive.

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