Getting Around China: Metro, Trains, DiDi and the Apps You Need Daily

One of the best things about living in China is how easy (and cheap) it is to get around. The metro systems are modern, the bus networks are extensive, high-speed trains connect cities in hours, and ride-hailing is often cheaper than what you would pay at home for a short taxi ride.

The challenge is that everything runs through Chinese apps and Chinese payment systems. Once you have those set up (see our essential apps guide), transportation is simple.

Metro (Subway)

If your university is in a city with a metro system, this will become your primary mode of transportation. As of 2026, more than 50 Chinese cities have operational metro systems.

How it works

1. Download the city’s metro app or use Alipay’s transportation mini-program. Each city has its own transit app. In Beijing it is 亿通行 (Yitong Xing). In Shanghai it is Metro大都会. In Guangzhou it is 广州地铁. Your classmates can tell you which app their city uses.

2. Alternative: use Alipay. Open Alipay, search “Transit” or “乘车码” (ride code), and it generates a QR code you scan at the metro turnstiles. This works across most cities, so you do not need a separate app for each one.

3. Scan to enter, scan to exit. When you enter a metro station, scan your QR code or tap your phone at the turnstile. When you exit at your destination, scan again. The fare is calculated based on distance.

4. Physical metro cards are also available. Buy one at any metro station service counter. Load money onto it and tap it at the turnstile. This avoids the need for apps or a phone. Some students prefer the simplicity.

Metro costs

Fares vary by city and distance:

Most daily commutes (dorm to classroom, campus to city center) cost 2 to 5 CNY per trip. If you ride the metro regularly, monthly spending is around 100 to 200 CNY.

Metro hours

Most Chinese metro systems run from approximately 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM. Last trains on popular lines depart around 10:30 to 11:00 PM. Check the specific city schedule. If you miss the last train, DiDi is your backup.

Buses

Buses are even cheaper than the metro (1 to 2 CNY per ride in most cities) and reach areas the metro does not cover. The trade-off: routes are harder to figure out, stops are announced in Chinese, and traffic affects timing.

How to pay: Same options as the metro: Alipay QR code, WeChat Pay, or a physical transportation card. Some older buses still take coins (exact change, no bills).

When to use: Buses are useful for short trips between campus and nearby shopping areas, or for reaching destinations that are a long walk from the nearest metro station. For longer cross-city trips, the metro is faster.

Navigation: Use Baidu Maps or Amap to plan bus routes. Enter your start and end points, select “Bus” as the transport mode, and the app shows you which bus to take, where to get on, and where to get off.

High-Speed Rail (HSR)

China has the world’s largest high-speed rail network, covering over 45,000 km. This is how you travel between cities.

Second-class seats are comfortable, spacious, and have power outlets. First-class is roughly 1.6x the price with wider seats. There is also business class on some routes, but the price jump is steep.

Booking train tickets

Use the 12306 app (official China Railway booking) or Trip.com (English interface). You need your passport number to book.

Booking tips:

• Book at least 3 to 5 days in advance for popular routes. During Chinese holidays (National Day in October, Spring Festival in January/February), book as early as allowed (usually 15 days before departure).
• Student discounts exist for registered full-time students. Your university can issue a student travel card (学生证) with a chip that gives 50% off on hard-seat tickets for travel between your university city and your registered address. This mainly benefits Chinese students traveling home, but CSC scholars can sometimes register a domestic address.

For more on planning trips, see our budget travel guide.

At the train station

Chinese train stations require ID checks. Bring your passport, since that is what you booked with. At the entrance, scan your passport at the automatic gate or show it to the manual check lane (international passports sometimes need the manual lane). Inside, find your waiting hall (displayed on screens), and board when your train is called.

DiDi (Ride-Hailing)

DiDi is China’s answer to Uber, and it works the same way. Open the app, set your pickup and destination, confirm the ride, and a driver comes to you.

Cost

DiDi rides are affordable:

• Short rides (2 to 5 km): 10 to 20 CNY
• Medium rides (5 to 15 km): 20 to 40 CNY
• Airport rides: 80 to 200 CNY depending on distance

Fares are lower than traditional taxis and about 50 to 70% cheaper than ride-hailing services in most Western countries.

When to use DiDi

• Late at night when the metro is closed
• Airport trips with luggage
• When you are running late and buses or metro involve transfers
• Group trips (split a DiDi 4 ways and it is cheaper than individual metro tickets)

Tips

• The app has an English interface option (toggle it in settings)
• Pay through WeChat Pay or Alipay linked to your bank account
• You can add notes in the “remarks” field. If you are at a tricky pickup location, describe it clearly
• DiDi also has a shared ride option (拼车) that is cheaper if you do not mind sharing with other passengers going a similar direction

Shared Bikes

Shared bike systems are everywhere in Chinese cities. Bright orange, blue, or yellow bicycles (and increasingly e-bikes) are parked on sidewalks and near every metro entrance.

How it works

1. Open the Meituan or HelloBike app (or scan the bike’s QR code through Alipay)
2. Scan the QR code on the bike to unlock it
3. Ride wherever you need to go
4. Park the bike in any approved parking zone and lock it

Cost

• Regular bikes: 1.5 CNY per 30 minutes
• Electric bikes: 2 to 3 CNY per 30 minutes (these are faster and do not require pedaling uphill)

Shared bikes are perfect for “last mile” trips between the metro station and your destination, or for quick errands around campus. Most students use them several times a week.

Walking

This sounds obvious, but it is worth mentioning. Chinese university campuses are often very large (some are larger than small towns), and many things you need are within walking distance: canteen, library, convenience store, dormitory, teaching buildings.

Invest in a good pair of walking shoes. You will walk more than you expect.

Intercity Buses

For destinations not connected by high-speed rail, or for cheaper alternatives on shorter routes, intercity buses are an option. Book through the Ctrip/Trip.com app or at the bus station.

Intercity buses are slower than trains but cheaper and sometimes more frequent for shorter distances. The quality varies: some are comfortable coaches, others are basic. For trips under 3 hours, buses are a reasonable choice.

Domestic Flights

For very long distances (Shanghai to Chengdu, Beijing to Kunming, Guangzhou to Harbin), flights often make more sense than 8+ hour train rides. Domestic flights are relatively affordable, especially if booked in advance:

• One-way flights on budget routes: 300 to 800 CNY
• Book through Trip.com, Qunar (去哪儿), or directly from airline apps
• Passport required for check-in

Monthly Transportation Budget

For a typical month as a student:

This fits well within the CSC stipend. For a full budget breakdown, see our cost of living guide.

FAQs

Q: Is it safe to use DiDi late at night? A: Yes. DiDi rides are tracked, and the app records the driver’s identity, license plate, and route. You can share your trip with a friend through the app. The same safety precautions you would take with any ride-hailing service apply.

Q: Can I rent a car in China? A: To drive in China, you need a Chinese driver’s license. International driving permits are not recognized. As a student, public transport, DiDi, and shared bikes will cover all your needs.

Q: Do I need to speak Chinese to use these transport apps? A: No. Between the English interfaces in DiDi and Trip.com, the visual maps in Baidu Maps, and the point-and-scan systems for metro and bikes, you can manage without fluent Chinese. Basic words like 地铁 (dìtiě / metro), 公交 (gōngjiāo / bus), and 火车 (huǒchē / train) help, though. See our survival Mandarin guide for must-know vocabulary.

Q: What about Uber or Grab? Do they work in China? A: Neither operates in China. DiDi is the dominant ride-hailing platform and works in every city.

Part of the pre-departure series. For setup instructions on the apps mentioned here, see our essential apps guide.