Transportations

Xi'an, an ancient capital with a history of thousands of years, not only has a profound cultural heritage, but also has a well-developed transportation system, which provides tourists with diversified choices for travel. No matter what mode of transportation you choose to arrive in Xi'an, the rich travel options in the city will allow you to easily shuttle between various attractions and start a wonderful trip to Xi'an.

I. Mode of arrival

By Air

Xi'an Xianyang International Airport is one of the important aviation hubs in China, as well as the largest international air port in Shaanxi Province and the largest in Northwest China. More than 300 domestic and international routes have been opened, providing direct access to more than 100 cities at home and abroad. There are several ways to get to the city from the airport:

Airport bus: The airport bus has several routes covering many important locations in the city, such as Xi'an Railway Station, Bell Tower, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Xiyuemen, etc. The fare varies according to the routes and is usually around 25 RMB, and the ride takes about 1 - 1.5 hours.

Subway: Line 14 of the subway will take you directly to the city and interchange with other lines of the Xi'an subway, making it easy to get to various areas. The fare is calculated according to the mileage, up to RMB 8, and the ride takes about 1 hour.

Taxi/Internet taxi: Taxis start at RMB 8.5 and are charged according to mileage and time. The cost of a cab to the city is around RMB 150, and the journey takes about 1 hour, but may be affected by traffic congestion. Internet taxi prices are relatively transparent, and you can book a taxi through the mobile app .

Railroad

Xi'an has several train stations, mainly including Xi'an Station, Xi'an North Station and Xi'an South Station:

Xi'an Station: as one of the largest passenger stations in Northwest China, it has a large number of trains to all parts of the country. Conveniently located in the downtown area, it is surrounded by numerous bus lines and subway stops for easy access to all parts of the city.

Xi'an North Railway Station: one of the largest high-speed railway stations in Asia, it is the intersection of the Xicheng High Speed Railway, Daxi High Speed Railway and other important lines, from which you can quickly reach all major cities in China. The station is well equipped with transportation facilities, and there are metro lines 4 and 2 for interchange, making it convenient to travel to downtown and other attractions.

Xi'an South Railway Station: farther away from the city, with relatively fewer trains, it mainly undertakes the transportation task of some general-speed trains. If you choose to get off at this station, you can take buses or other means of transportation to the city.

Highway

Xi'an is well connected by highways, with national highways such as Jingkun Expressway (G5) and Lianhuo Expressway (G30) running through the whole city, and it is also very convenient to travel to Xi'an by long-distance buses from neighboring provinces. There are many long-distance bus stations in Xi'an, such as Textile City Bus Station, West Bus Station, South Bus Station, etc., so you can choose the appropriate station according to your departure and destination.

Transportation within the city

Subway

Xi'an has opened and operated 6 subway lines, with a total mileage of over 200 kilometers and an average daily passenger flow exceeding 2 million. The metro lines cover the city's major attractions, business districts and transportation hubs, such as Line 2, which can reach the Yongning Gate of the Xi'an City Wall, the Bell Tower, and the Shaanxi History Museum; Line 4, which can go to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and the Datang Hibiscus Garden; and Line 9, which can go directly to scenic spots such as the Huaqing Pond and the Terracotta Warriors and Horses . Taking the subway is not only fast, but also avoids ground traffic congestion, making it one of the preferred ways to travel. Fares are based on mileage, starting at 2 yuan and going up to 8 yuan.

Public Transportation

Xi'an has a wide range of bus routes, reaching almost every corner of the city. The bus fare is usually RMB 2, and supports various payment methods such as cash, credit card and cell phone payment. In addition, there are some special tourist lines, such as Tour 5 (No. 306) which can directly reach the Terracotta Warriors and Horses, Huaqing Pond and other popular attractions, which is very convenient for tourists to travel. However, during peak hours, buses may be crowded and jammed, so you need to make reasonable arrangements when traveling.

Taxi/Internet Taxi

There are plenty of cabs in Xi'an, mainly green and blue in color, with a starting price of RMB 8.5 and subsequent billing based on mileage and time. When traveling in the city, the fare may increase in case of traffic congestion. Internet taxi is also very popular in Xi'an. You can easily order a taxi through cell phone APP, the price is relatively transparent, and sometimes there are preferential activities, so you can compare and choose a more suitable way to travel before you go.

Shared Bicycle/Electric Vehicle

Shared bicycles and shared electric bicycles can be found everywhere in Xi'an. They can be unlocked by scanning the code on your cell phone, and are billed according to the time, and the price is affordable. This type of travel is suitable for short-distance travel, such as in the city to visit some of the closer attractions, both convenient and can enjoy the scenery along the way. However, when using the need to comply with traffic rules, wear a good helmet, to ensure safe riding.

Tourist buses

Xi'an also has a number of tourist through-train routes, which are convenient for tourists to visit popular scenic spots around the city, such as the Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses of Qin Shi Huang, Mount Hua, the Qinling Safari Park, and the Taiping National Forest Park. Visitors can take the bus at designated stops, book tickets online in advance, and some of the lines also provide one-stop services such as scenic spot tickets and guided tours, which is very convenient. Specific lines, departure times and fares can be found on the relevant tourism platforms or the official websites of scenic spots.