Getting Around China: Trains, Taxis & Bikes

Introduction

China is enormous, but its transportation network is world-class — if you know how to use it. Trains are faster and more punctual than flights for many routes, ride-hailing is cheaper than taxis, and shared bikes cover the last mile.

But there are quirks: your foreign Uber app won't work, train tickets require passport verification, and subway signs are sometimes only in Chinese.

This guide covers everything you need to get from point A to point B in China — safely, affordably, and without constant hand-waving.

Part 1: Ride-Hailing — Didi is Your Friend (Not Uber)

Uber does not operate in China. The dominant ride-hailing app is Didi Chuxing (often just called Didi).

How to use Didi without a Chinese phone number

Option A: Within Alipay — the easiest method

Open Alipay, tap the search bar, type "Didi," and you'll see the Didi mini-program. Tap it, enter your destination, confirm your pickup point, and book. Payment is auto-deducted from your linked card. No separate app, no Chinese phone number. This is what I used for 90% of my rides.

Option B: Standalone Didi app

Download the Didi app (it has an English interface). Register with your foreign phone number — SMS verification works. Link your Alipay or WeChat Pay for payment.

How to actually use Didi — step by step

Enter your destination — You can type in English (e.g., "Shanghai Disneyland") or pinyin ("Shanghai Di Shi Ni"). For places with common names, double-check the map pin — Didi might pick the wrong branch of a hotel chain.
Confirm your pickup point — Here's the catch: Didi's GPS can be off by 50-100 meters. I once stood at the exit of a mall and the app thought I was on the other side of the building. The driver called me and I had to wave wildly to get his attention. Solution: Drag the pin to your exact spot on the map, or use the "Choose pickup point" feature to select a specific landmark (like "Gate 3").
Choose your ride type — Options include:
- Express (快车 — kuài chē) — standard option, cheapest, most drivers
- Premium (专车 — zhuān chē) — nicer cars, slightly more expensive
- Taxi (出租车 — chū zū chē) — regular metered taxi, good if you need a receipt
- 6-seater (六座 — liù zuò) — for groups or extra luggage
Wait and watch — The app shows the driver's car model, license plate, and real-time location on a map. You'll also see their estimated arrival time.
Get in and go — Confirm the license plate matches the app before getting in. Payment is auto-deducted at the end — no cash needed.

What if the driver calls you?

Drivers often call to confirm your location, especially if the GPS is off. They'll speak Chinese. Here's what to do:

If you know Chinese, say "Wǒ zài [landmark]" — I'm at [landmark].
If you don't, just say "Sorry, I don't speak Chinese. Please follow the GPS" or hand the phone to a nearby staff member (e.g., hotel doorman, security guard) — they'll help.

How much does Didi cost?

Very affordable compared to Western countries:

A 10-km ride in a city like Chengdu: 25-35 RMB ($3.50-5)
A 50-km airport ride: 80-120 RMB ($11-17)
A short 3-km ride within the city center: 10-15 RMB ($1.50-2)

Pro tip: Didi shows the fare estimate before you book — you'll never be surprised. There's also no surge pricing as crazy as Uber's.

Part 2: High-Speed Rail — The Best Way to Travel Between Cities

China has the world's largest high-speed rail network. Trains are clean, punctual, and often faster than flying (once you account for airport travel and security).

How to book train tickets as a foreigner

Best option: Trip.com (formerly Ctrip). They have an English website and app, accept foreign credit cards, and send e-tickets to your phone. No need to pick up physical tickets — you just scan your passport at the gate.

Booking window: Tickets go on sale 15 days in advance at 8 AM (Beijing time). Popular routes (Beijing-Shanghai, Chengdu-Xi'an, Shanghai-Hangzhou) sell out fast, especially on weekends and holidays. Book as early as possible.

Wait, there's a catch: When you book on Trip.com, they'll send you a confirmation with a "ticket number." This is not your ticket. You still need to bring your passport — that's your ticket. At the gate, you scan your passport, not a QR code.

At the station — what to expect

Here's what happens when you arrive at a train station:

Security check — Similar to airports but faster. Put your bags on the X-ray belt, walk through the metal detector. Allow 30-40 minutes before departure. In busy stations like Beijing West or Shanghai Hongqiao, give yourself an hour.
Find your gate — The departure board shows gates (e.g., "A12"). Follow the signs. Major stations are huge — you might walk 10-15 minutes to your gate.
Boarding — At the gate, scan your passport at the turnstile. If it doesn't work (sometimes the scanner fails), show your passport to the staff and they'll let you through manually.
Find your seat — The seat number is on your ticket (e.g., "5号车厢 12D" — Car 5, Seat 12D). Seats are labeled on the overhead bins.

Classes on high-speed trains

Second class — 2+3 seats per row. Similar to economy on a plane. Legroom is fine, but if you're tall, book a seat at the end of a row. Base fare.
First class — 2+2 seats. More legroom, wider seats. About 1.7x the second-class fare. Worth it for trips over 2 hours.
Business class — 2+1 or 2+2 seats. Lie-flat seats on some trains (like the Fuxing models). About 3x the second-class fare. Only worth it for overnight or very long trips.

Sample high-speed routes & times

Beijing → Shanghai (1300 km): ~4.5 hours, ~550-650 RMB (second class)
Chengdu → Chongqing (300 km): ~1.5 hours, ~150 RMB
Xi'an → Chengdu (650 km): ~3.5 hours, ~260 RMB
Shanghai → Hangzhou (170 km): ~45 minutes, ~75 RMB
Guangzhou → Shenzhen (140 km): ~30 minutes, ~75 RMB

Food on the train

There's a food cart that comes through selling snacks, drinks, and hot meals (noodles, rice boxes). Prices are reasonable — around 20-40 RMB for a hot meal. You can also order food through the Trip.com app and have it delivered to your seat.

Pro tip: Bring your own snacks and water. Train water is potable (boiled) but you might prefer bottled water. Convenience stores at stations sell everything you need.

Part 3: Subways — Navigating Within Cities

Nearly all major Chinese cities have modern, clean, and cheap subway systems. Signs and announcements are often bilingual (Chinese + English).

How to pay

Alipay or WeChat Pay is the easiest way:

Open Alipay or WeChat
Tap the "Transport" section (Alipay: "Transport" tab on the home screen)
Select the city you're in
You'll get a QR code for that city's subway system
Hold the QR code under the scanner at the gate
Walk through
Scan again when you exit — payment is auto-deducted

Alternative: Buy a single-use token from the ticket machine. The machines take cash (5, 10 RMB notes and coins) and sometimes Alipay/WeChat. Some machines have English menus.

Subway fares

Fares are cheap: 3-10 RMB per ride depending on distance. A 30-minute ride across a city like Beijing costs about 5 RMB ($0.70).

Tips for smooth subway travel

Download an offline map of the metro system before you go. Amap (Gaode) and Apple Maps both work.
Avoid rush hour (8-9:30 AM, 5:30-7 PM) — trains get extremely crowded. I made the mistake of taking Beijing's Line 1 at 8:15 AM. I was pressed against the door and couldn't move my arms. If you can, travel at off-peak times.
Know your exit letter — Subway stations have multiple exits labeled A, B, C, D, etc. Check your destination's exit before you leave the train. The signs at the station will show which exit is closest to landmarks.
Hold onto your belongings — In crowded trains, keep your bag in front of you.

Part 4: Shared Bikes — The Fun & Flexible Last-Mile Solution

China is full of dockless shared bikes. They're perfect for short trips: hotel to subway, park exploration, or just cruising along a river.

How to use them

Find a bike — Open Amap (Gaode) or the bike's app to see nearby available bikes. They're everywhere — you'll usually spot one within 100 meters.
Unlock — Scan the QR code on the bike with the corresponding app, or via Alipay's "Bike" section. The lock clicks open when you hear the beep.
Ride — Cost is typically 1-2 RMB per 30 minutes. Some bikes require a small deposit (50-100 RMB) but many waive it if you have a good Alipay credit score.
Park — This is where it gets tricky. You must park in designated "P" zones. The app shows these zones on the map. If you park outside a P zone, you'll get charged a penalty fee (10-50 RMB). I once parked a bike next to a hotel entrance and got charged 20 RMB because I was 20 meters outside the designated area. Now I always check the map before ending the ride.

Which app to use?

Hellobike — Largest fleet, works via Alipay mini-program. No separate app needed.
Meituan Bike — Requires the Meituan app (which is in Chinese). Less convenient for tourists.
Didi also has a bike-sharing feature — called Didi Bike (青桔). Available in many cities, works through the Didi app.

Pro tip: Hellobike via Alipay is the easiest for tourists. No separate app, no Chinese phone number needed — just scan and ride.

Part 5: Getting from the Airport to City Center

Here's how to get from major airports to the city center:

Beijing Capital (PEK) — Subway Airport Express (25 RMB, 30 mins to Dongzhimen). Taxi/Didi to city center: ~100-150 RMB.
Beijing Daxing (PKX) — Subway Daxing Airport Express (35 RMB, 20 mins to Caoqiao). Taxi/Didi: ~150-200 RMB.
Shanghai Pudong (PVG) — Maglev + subway (50 RMB + 4 RMB, 8 mins to Longyang Road, then transfer). Taxi/Didi: ~150-200 RMB.
Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA) — Subway Line 2 or 10 (5-6 RMB, 30-40 mins to city center). Taxi/Didi: ~60-80 RMB.
Chengdu Shuangliu (CTU) — Subway Line 10 (5-8 RMB, 20 mins to city center). Taxi/Didi: ~50-70 RMB.
Chengdu Tianfu (TFU) — Subway Line 18 (12-15 RMB, 40 mins to city center). Taxi/Didi: ~150-200 RMB.
Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN) — Subway Line 3 (7-8 RMB, 40 mins to city center). Taxi/Didi: ~120-160 RMB.

General advice: Subway is almost always cheaper and nearly as fast as taxis during non-rush hours. If you have heavy luggage or arrive late (after 11 PM), take Didi — the subway might be closed or less safe for carrying large bags.

Part 6: Avoiding Common Scams & Pitfalls

Taxi overcharging — Always use Didi or insist on the meter (打表 — dǎ biǎo) if you take a street taxi. At airports, ignore touts offering "fixed price" — go to the official taxi line or Didi pickup point.
Airport touts — As soon as you exit arrivals, you'll hear "Taxi? Taxi?" from random people. Ignore them. Walk straight to the official taxi stand or the Didi pickup area.
Fake train tickets — Book only through Trip.com, the official 12306 app, or station ticket counters. There are fake ticket websites that look real.
Bike parking penalties — Always check the map to see the "P" zones before ending your ride. Penalty fees are annoying but avoidable.

Part 7: Quick Reference — Your "How to Get There" Card

Save this to your phone:

Intercity → Book high-speed rail on Trip.com (15 days ahead)
Within city → Use Didi via Alipay (cheap, easy, no Chinese needed)
Airport → Subway if light luggage, Didi if heavy/late
Last mile → Hellobike via Alipay (1-2 RMB/30 min)
Lost → Amap or Apple Maps (not Google Maps)

Final Checklist — Before You Move

✅ Install Alipay and link your card — it's your key to Didi, subway QR codes, and bike shares
✅ Download Amap (Gaode) or confirm Apple Maps is working
✅ For intercity trips: Book high-speed rail tickets on Trip.com 1-2 weeks in advance
✅ Carry your passport at all times — it's required for train travel and hotel check-in
✅ If taking Didi: Confirm pickup point by dragging the pin — GPS can be off by 100 meters
✅ If taking a shared bike: Check for "P" zones before parking to avoid penalty fees

Final Words

China's transportation system is efficient, affordable, and surprisingly foreigner-friendly once you learn the tools. Didi and Alipay are your universal keys; high-speed rail is a pleasure; shared bikes add fun.

Three takeaways:

Use Didi via Alipay — it's the easiest way to hail a ride without a Chinese phone number
Book trains 15 days ahead — popular routes sell out fast
Avoid rush hour — subways and trains are packed at 8-9:30 AM and 5:30-7 PM

Avoid the few scams, plan ahead, and you'll move around China with confidence.