Getting around China is straightforward once you match the mode to the trip: high-speed trains for city pairs under about 1,200 km, flights for longer hops, metros for moving within a city, and DiDi or taxis for the last mile. Fares, booking windows and luggage rules differ for each, so here is how every option works and how to pick between them.
China is huge, but getting across it is easier than most first-time visitors expect. The country has built the world’s largest high-speed rail network, dozens of modern airports, and ride-hailing and metro systems in every major city. The trick is knowing which mode fits which trip — distance, budget and how much luggage you carry all point to a different answer.
China transport at a glance
| Mode | Best for | Typical cost | How to book |
|---|---|---|---|
| High-speed rail (G/D/C) | City pairs up to ~1,200 km, city-centre to city-centre | Second class ~RMB 0.45–0.60/km (Beijing–Shanghai ~RMB 550) | 12306 app/site or an English platform; opens ~15 days ahead |
| Domestic flight | Distances above ~1,200 km or tight schedules | RMB 500–1,500 one-way if booked ahead | Airline sites or an English booking platform; compare airports and baggage |
| Metro | Getting around a single city | RMB 2–10 per trip, distance-based | Ticket machines, a QR transport code, or a rechargeable card |
| Taxi / ride-hailing | Door-to-door, late nights, heavy luggage | Flag fall ~RMB 10–14, then per km; DiDi shows the fare upfront | DiDi app or a licensed taxi rank |
High-speed trains: the backbone of domestic travel
For most city-to-city trips, the bullet train (G, D and C services) is the default choice. It is punctual, comfortable, and drops you in city-center stations linked to the metro. Seats are assigned, there is space for luggage, and you can order food to your seat. G is the fastest tier at up to 350 km/h; D and C are slightly slower intercity and regional services that cost a little less.
Is high-speed rail cheaper than flying?
More often than not, yes on shorter routes. A second-class seat is priced at roughly RMB 0.45–0.60 per kilometre, so Beijing to Shanghai (about 1,300 km) runs around RMB 550 in second class, while a one-way flight on the same route can easily top RMB 700–1,200 once you add checked baggage and the trip out to the airport. First class is roughly 1.6 times the second-class fare and business class around three times, but even first class undercuts many last-minute airfares. Fly for very long distances or when a fare sale undercuts the train; otherwise the rail fare is hard to beat.
How do I book train tickets, and how early should I arrive?
Tickets are released about fifteen days before departure on the official 12306 platform, and popular routes sell out within minutes during holidays, so book as soon as the window opens. Foreigners can use 12306 directly once their passport is verified, or an English-language platform that handles the ID formatting and accepts a card you already own. Bring the same passport you entered at booking; the number must match at the gate. Arrive 30–45 minutes early at most stations, and up to an hour at huge hubs or before a holiday, because security and the walk to the platform take longer than you expect. Our 2026 high-speed train booking guide covers seat classes, ID rules and release dates in detail, and the on-board guide to riding China’s high-speed rail explains what the journey itself is like.
Domestic flights: when flying beats the train
When the distance is large — say Beijing to Guangzhou or Shanghai to Chengdu — flying saves real time. Fares are competitive if you book ahead, and the guide to booking domestic flights within China explains which airports to use and how to compare carriers. Budget extra time for security and the often large terminal layouts.
When is flying better than taking the train?
Fly when the trip is long, your schedule is tight, or a fare sale beats the rail price. On routes above roughly 1,200 km a two-hour flight can replace a six-to-nine-hour train ride, which matters if you only have a week. Watch the airport codes: Beijing splits between PEK (Capital) and PKX (Daxing), Shanghai between PVG (Pudong) and SHA (Hongqiao), and using the wrong one is an easy way to miss a flight. Economy baggage is usually 20 kg checked on full-service carriers and less or chargeable on budget airlines, so factor that into the fare. You can compare and book domestic flights within China in English to keep the process simple.
Metro and buses inside cities
Every major Chinese city has a clean, cheap metro. Buy a rechargeable card or scan a QR code with a local app, and you will rarely need a taxi. Signage is in English in most carriages, and Google Maps is unreliable — use a China-friendly map app instead.
How do I buy metro tickets as a foreigner?
It is easier than it looks. At any station a touch-screen machine (most have an English option) sells a single-journey token or card for RMB 2–10 depending on distance; tap it at the gate and drop it in the slot on exit. The smoother option is a QR transport code inside Alipay or WeChat Pay: open the city’s transit mini-program once, then scan at the gate every time without queuing. Fares are distance-based and rarely exceed RMB 10 even across a big city. Check the last-train time for your line, typically around 10:30–11:30 pm but earlier on quiet branches. The best China travel apps in 2026 for booking, maps, pay and translate covers the wallets and maps you need, our China metro guide walks through riding the subway in any city without Chinese, and the city transport guide covers buses and bike-share too.
Taxis and ride-hailing
Ride-hailing through a local app is safer and clearer than street hailing, with upfront pricing and GPS. Keep your destination written in Chinese characters to show the driver, since many do not read Latin script.
Can I use Uber in China?
No — Uber left the mainland market in 2016 and its operations were folded into DiDi, which is now the default app. Set up DiDi before you travel with a linked card, type your destination in English or paste the Chinese address, and the app shows the fare upfront and tracks the route on GPS. At airports and stations use the official taxi rank rather than touts who approach you; the metered, licensed cabs are cheapest for short hops. Save your hotel’s name and address in Chinese on your phone to show any driver. The taxis and DiDi guide for foreigners covers setup, fare types and airport queues in more detail.
Trains vs flights: a quick rule of thumb
Use the train for routes up to roughly 1,200 km and flights above that. Our train vs flight comparison lays out the trade-offs by distance, price and city-center access so you can decide per leg rather than by habit.
What’s the quickest way to choose between train and flight?
Ask how far, how much time, and how central you need to be, then work through this order:
- Under ~1,200 km? Default to high-speed rail — city-centre to city-centre is usually faster door-to-door.
- Over ~1,200 km or short on time? Compare a flight, factoring in baggage and airport transfers.
- Within one city? Use the metro for most trips, with a QR transport code for payment.
- Last mile, late night or heavy bags? DiDi or a licensed taxi, with the destination shown in Chinese.
Once you match the mode to the trip, China’s transport network stops feeling intimidating and starts feeling like an advantage. The trains are punctual, the flights fill the long gaps, the metros are cheap and clean, and a phone with DiDi and a linked card covers almost every last mile. Pick per leg using the distance rule, book the popular trains the day seats open, and you will spend far less time worrying about logistics and more time where you actually meant to be.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need my passport to ride the train?
Yes. The passport number you enter at booking must match the document you carry, and staff check it at the station gate and occasionally on board. Double-check every digit at checkout, because a mismatch can invalidate the ticket.
Is the metro English-friendly?
Largely yes in big cities, with announcements and signs in both Chinese and English on most lines, and ticket machines with an English option. Station names are romanised, so counting stops and following the map is straightforward.
Should I book train tickets in advance?
For holidays, Fridays and popular weekend departures, absolutely — seats go on sale about fifteen days ahead and the best ones can sell out fast. Off-peak mid-week trains can often be bought the same day, but booking a week out removes the risk.
Can I use Uber in China?
No. Uber exited the mainland in 2016 and was folded into DiDi. Install DiDi before you travel, link a card, and you will have the same upfront fares and GPS tracking you are used to, plus the option to show drivers a Chinese address.
How much does a high-speed train ticket cost in China?
It depends on distance and class. Second class works out at roughly RMB 0.45–0.60 per kilometre — about RMB 550 for Beijing to Shanghai — with first class around 1.6 times that and business class around three times. Buying early does not usually lower the fare, it just secures a seat.