Airport to City Transport Guide

🚇 Metro - The most reliable option. Fixed price, no traffic risk, runs 6:00-23:00 typically. Airport express lines are faster than regular metro. Look for signs saying "地铁" in white on red. Best for: solo travellers, light luggage, peak hours.

🚕 Taxi - Door-to-door convenience but costs more. Use the official queue (排队出租车) - never follow touts inside the terminal. Show the driver your destination in Chinese on your phone. Best for: groups, heavy luggage, late nights.

🚌 Shuttle bus - Cheapest but slowest. Fixed routes and stops. Airport shuttles run to major hotels and transport hubs. Look for "机场大巴" signs. Best for: budget travellers, when the metro doesn't reach your destination.

Metro operating hours - Most metro lines stop between 22:30 and 23:30. Airport express lines sometimes run later - check the last train time at the station. After metro hours, your options are taxi, Didi, or the night shuttle (some airports run a late bus service).

Late-night taxi & Didi - All airports have a 24-hour taxi queue. At major airports (PEK, PVG, CAN, SZX), the queue moves fast even at 2am. Didi also works 24/7. Expect a late-night surcharge of ¥5-15 on taxi fares. Ride-hailing pick-up zones stay open.

Luggage storage - Most major airports have left-luggage counters (行李寄存 · xíng li jì cún). Rates are typically ¥10-30 per item per day. Look for signs with a suitcase icon. Useful if you have a long layover and want to explore the city without dragging bags.

Between airports - If you're transferring between two airports in the same city (e.g. PEK → PKX in Beijing, PVG → SHA in Shanghai), budget at least 2 hours for a taxi or Didi, or use the airport shuttle bus which is cheaper but slower. Beijing Capital (PEK) to Daxing (PKX) is ~70 km - about 90 min by car.

Train-airport connections - Several airports share the same complex as an HSR station: Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA), Chengdu Shuangliu (CTU), Shijiazhuang Zhengding (SJW), and Guiyang Longdongbao (KWE). You can walk from your flight to your next train without leaving the building. See our Transit Matrix for route planning.

How do I get from a Chinese airport to the city centre?

Every major Chinese airport offers metro, taxi and shuttle options. The metro is the most reliable - fixed price, no traffic risk. From Shanghai Pudong, the Maglev reaches Longyang Road in 7 minutes for 50 CNY, then transfer to Metro Line 2. For late-night arrivals, taxis and airport shuttles are the dependable options; metro lines typically stop between 22:30 and 23:30.

Which is the best way to get from a Chinese airport to the city?

Metro is the most reliable option - fixed price, no traffic, and airport express lines are faster. Taxi is convenient but costs 2-3× more. Shuttle buses are cheapest but slowest.

How much does a taxi cost from Beijing Capital Airport to the city?

¥120-180 to central Beijing, taking 30-60 minutes. There is a ¥80 surcharge for late-night rides.

What should I do if my flight arrives late at night?

Most airports have 24-hour taxi queues. Didi works around the clock. Metro typically stops between 22:30-23:30 - check the last train time at the station.

Is there luggage storage at Chinese airports?

Yes, most major airports have left-luggage counters (行李寄存) at ¥10-30 per item per day. Useful for layovers when you want to explore the city.

What is the fastest way from Shanghai Pudong to the city?

The Maglev train reaches 431 km/h and gets you to Longyang Road in 7 minutes for ¥50. Then transfer to Metro Line 2.