How to get around China
Navigating China is straightforward with a variety of public and private transport options. Here's what you need to know about getting between and within its cities and towns.
Inter-City Travel
For travel between cities in China, several options cater to different budgets and speed preferences. High-speed trains offer a fast and comfortable experience, with prices generally consistent throughout the year. For instance, a high-speed train journey from Shanghai to Beijing can cost around US$21.86, or approximately 600-700 CNY for a 5-hour trip. Ordinary trains are a cheaper alternative for longer distances, though they take more time.
Long-distance buses are typically the most economical choice, often even more affordable than trains, and they connect a vast network of urban centers and more remote areas. A bus trip from Shanghai to Suzhou might range from CNY 40-100, while a longer journey like Shanghai to Xi'an could be around CNY 280. However, bus travel can present a language barrier as schedules are often only in Chinese.
For the fastest long-distance travel, domestic flights are available and can sometimes be more cost-effective than high-speed trains during off-peak seasons.
Travel Within Cities
Within Chinese cities, transportation is efficient and diverse. The metro or subway systems are the quickest and most affordable means of travel in major cities, with extensive networks and English signage in many stations. Fares typically range from CNY 3-6 depending on the distance, and day passes are often available for unlimited travel, such as a 24-hour pass in Shanghai for CNY 18 or Guangzhou for CNY 20.
City buses offer an extensive and inexpensive way to navigate, costing around CNY 2 per trip, with some routes having distance-based fares, for example, a minimum of CNY 2 for the first 10 km in Beijing. While buses are convenient, route information at stops is primarily in Chinese. Taxis and ride-hailing services like DiDi provide a comfortable, door-to-door option, being more expensive than public transport but still affordable compared to many Western countries.
A typical 5 km taxi ride in China costs around 31 CNY, with base fares starting at approximately 13-16 CNY for the first 3 km, followed by a per-kilometer charge. DiDi rides are often 20-30% cheaper than traditional taxis, with a 10 km daytime ride in Shanghai potentially costing around 35 CNY, though prices can surge during peak hours.
