Metro
in China
How to ride the metro in major Chinese cities, including Alipay transport QR, ticket machines, day passes, and first-time visitor tips.
Last reviewed: June 2026
Quick answer
Quick answer
How to use the metro
Follow these basic steps when taking the metro in Chinese cities.
Plan your route
Use Apple Maps, Amap, Baidu Maps, MetroMan, or the local metro app to check the line, transfer station, and best exit.
Plan your route
Use Apple Maps, Amap, Baidu Maps, MetroMan, or the local metro app to check the line, transfer station, and best exit.
Buy a ticket or prepare a QR code
Use a ticket machine, transport card, Alipay, WeChat Pay, or the city metro app if available. Some machines have English, but not always.
Buy a ticket or prepare a QR code
Use a ticket machine, transport card, Alipay, WeChat Pay, or the city metro app if available. Some machines have English, but not always.
Pass security and enter the gate
Most metro stations have security screening before the gates. After that, insert your ticket, tap your card, or scan your QR code to enter.
Pass security and enter the gate
Most metro stations have security screening before the gates. After that, insert your ticket, tap your card, or scan your QR code to enter.
Ride and transfer if needed
Follow the line color, station names, and transfer signs. In large stations, transfers can involve a long walk, so leave extra time.
Ride and transfer if needed
Follow the line color, station names, and transfer signs. In large stations, transfers can involve a long walk, so leave extra time.
Exit the station
Keep your single-journey ticket until you leave the destination station. Insert the ticket at the exit gate, or scan the same QR code again if you entered by QR code. If the exit gate rejects your ticket, ask staff at the service center.
Exit the station
Keep your single-journey ticket until you leave the destination station. Insert the ticket at the exit gate, or scan the same QR code again if you entered by QR code. If the exit gate rejects your ticket, ask staff at the service center.
Choose how to pay
Use Alipay Transport QR for the easiest daily experience, buy a single ticket as a reliable backup, or tap a contactless bank card where supported.
Alipay Transport QR
Open Alipay, tap "Transport" or "出行", choose Metro, and generate a QR code to scan at the gate. You may need to activate the card separately for each city.
Select your city and open Transport.
Tap View or Get Card.
Agree and obtain the card.
Scan at the gate to enter.
Single Ticket Machine
Buy a single-use ticket from the machine at the station. This is a good backup if you do not want to use Alipay Transport QR.
Choose English
Tap the English button on the ticket machine if available.
Select your destination
Choose the correct metro line, destination station, and number of passengers. If a transfer is required, choose the final destination station. The system calculates the fare automatically.
Pay and collect your ticket
Pay with Alipay, WeChat Pay, or cash, then collect your single-use ticket.
Contactless bank card
Some metro systems let visitors tap a contactless international bank card directly at a supported gate. This can be convenient, but availability varies by city, station, gate, and card issuer.
Look for a supported gate
Look for Visa, Mastercard, or international-card signage. Examples of supported locations include Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Tianjin, and parts of Chengdu.
Use the same card to enter and exit
Foreign-issued contactless cards are the safest choice. Your issuer may apply a temporary hold, exchange-rate conversion, or foreign transaction fee.
Important note
Considering a day pass?
A day pass may be useful on a busy sightseeing day, but pay-per-ride is usually simpler for first-time visitors.
If the metro does not reach your destination
Metro is the easiest default in major cities, but some hotels, parks, neighborhoods, and scenic areas still need a short bus or taxi connection.
Use a bus for known local routes
If a map app gives you a clear bus number, direction, and stop name, buses can cover places the metro does not reach.
Use taxi or DiDi when the route is awkward
Choose ride-hailing or an official taxi when you have luggage, arrive late, or need a direct route.