Xi'an

One of the most cost-effective and convenient ways to travel around Xi’an is by metro. Presently there are 9 metro lines in operation, but further expansions are in the works. Single ride ticket starts at 2 RMB and will increase with distance traveled. If you plan to use public transport a lot, Xi'an Metro Pass has One-day and Three-day Pass options. All the signs of Xi'an metro system are in both English and Chinese. Tourists can easily reach top attractions by metro, such as Bell Tower, Shaanxi History Museum, and Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, along with major bus stations.In addition to local public buses, Xi’an also offers several tourist bus lines which take visitors to major attractions in urban areas and further afield like Terracotta Army Museum (Tourist Bus Line 5 - No. 306). Line 5 can be very busy on the weekends as many locals and students use it too, so expect long queues. There are even more bus options available if you want to hit a few attractions in one day. Seven urban sightseeing bus lines, like the Imperial Sightseeing Bus, will stop at key scenic spots on each route, and visitors can hop on and hop off at their own convenience.Taxis are plentiful and reasonably priced in Xi’an. Most taxis are green with a yellow stripe, some are bright yellow or blue with a white stripe, and the black taxis are for airport transfers only. Although taxis operate 24 hours a day, hailing a taxi can be difficult during peak hours. The standard fare starts at 8.5 RMB in the daytime and 10 RMB at night. As drivers don’t normally carry small change, it’s advisable to round up the fare. Also, taxi drivers rarely speak or read English, so it is best to prepare your destination name in Chinese or in Pinyin.Being the provincial capital of Shaanxi province and a major transportation hub in central China, Xi'an has excellent transportation options. Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (XIY) is the main airport serving the city and the largest in the northwestern part of China. Over 62 domestic and international airlines operate out of the airport, it is also the base for China Northwest Airlines, which runs daily flights to and from key cities in China like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Chongqing. Make sure to have extra time for the security check at the airport, as it can be very crowded during peak seasons. XIY offers a wide range of facilities, such as duty-free shops, eateries, free wireless internet, ATMs, currency exchanges, medical services, and luggage storage.Situated about 40 km (25 miles) northwest of Xi'an's CBD, visitors have several transfer options including taxi service, metro, or shuttle service. The metro is one of the fastest options as it's not affected by traffic conditions. From Airport West Station (linked to T1/T2/T3), passengers can get on the Airport Metro Line or Line 14 to reach downtown in around 30 minutes. Fares range between 2-9 RMB.For more destinations across the city, opt for the Airport Shuttle Service. For 25 RMB per person, passengers can choose from 13 lines. Tickets can be purchased at the 1st Floor of T2 and the Ground Transportation Center (GTC) of T3. Most buses operate from 8:00 to 20:00, departing every 20 to 40 minutes, and routes take 50 to 90 minutes.For a hassle-free transfer, taxi service is available from T1-Arrival Hall, T2-outside Gate No.211 on 1F, and T3-Ground Transportation Center on 1F. Journeys typically take 40-60 minutes for 120-150 RMB.