Metro & City Transport
How to use Chinese metros in 2026: tickets, Alipay QR codes, security checks, rush hour, luggage and station navigation in Beijing, Shanghai and beyond.
Last reviewed October 23, 2026 · policies change — confirm the official sources before travel
Chinese metros are fast, cheap, air-conditioned and usually the best way to cross a big city. They are also busy, security-screened and signed in a mix of Chinese and English. Once you have a payment method and know which exit you need, the metro is easier than taxis for most trips. This guide covers tickets, apps, rush hour and the station habits that save time.
Key points
The details that matter
Paying for the metro
The easiest method is a QR code inside Alipay or WeChat Pay: open the transport or metro mini-app, select the city and scan at the gate. It works in most major cities and charges your linked card. Alternatively, ticket machines accept cash and coins, and some accept mobile payment; English menus are available on newer machines. Single tickets are a plastic token or paper card — tap at entry and insert or tap at exit. Day passes exist in some cities but are rarely worth it unless you ride four or more times.
Security and gates
Every station has a security check: bags go through a scanner and you walk through a metal detector or are hand-scanned. It is quick but adds two to five minutes at busy stations. At the gate, scan your QR code or token; if it fails, go to the staffed gate. Keep your ticket or phone ready at the exit. Stations are large, and transferring between lines can take 5–10 minutes — do not cut connections close.
Finding the right exit
Chinese metro stations often have many exits, labelled A, B, C, D and sometimes numbered sub-exits. The exit matters more than the station: the wrong exit can put you on the opposite side of a major road. Use Amap or Baidu Maps to see the recommended exit, or ask station staff. English signage is good on the train and concourse but less consistent at street level. Photograph the exit letter before you go up.
Rush hour, luggage and accessibility
Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen metros are extremely crowded at commuter peaks. If you have large luggage, avoid 7:30–9:30 am and 5:30–7:30 pm; airport lines are usually less crowded. Most stations have lifts, but not all exits do — check the map if you use a wheelchair or pram. Escalators are common; stand on the right and keep the left clear. Eating and drinking are prohibited on many systems, and staff enforce it.
Beyond the metro
Buses are cheaper but harder to navigate without Chinese; use Amap for route planning. Shared bikes are everywhere and useful for short hops, but require an app and a deposit or credit score. For late nights, DiDi is the fallback; metros in most cities stop around 11 pm, earlier on some suburban lines. Taxis are metered and plentiful, but traffic can double the journey time at peak.
What works in practice
Set up the metro QR code in Alipay before your first ride
Screenshot the station name and exit number in Chinese
Allow extra time for security and long transfers
Avoid rush hour with luggage
Stand on the right on escalators and let passengers off before boarding
Check the last train time if you are out late
Mistakes to avoid
Assuming the exit number does not matter — it often does
Cutting a transfer too close and missing the last train
Carrying a large suitcase at rush hour
Trying to eat or drink on the train
Not knowing the Chinese station name when asking for help
Frequently asked
Can I use a foreign credit card on the metro?
Not directly at most gates. Link the card to Alipay or WeChat Pay and use the metro QR code, or buy a ticket with cash at a machine.
Is the metro safe at night?
Major city metros are generally safe and busy until closing. Check the last train time; after that, use DiDi or an official taxi.
Do I need a Chinese phone number?
No. Alipay’s metro mini-app works with an international number and a linked foreign card. Ticket machines are the no-phone option.
Are metros wheelchair accessible?
Most newer stations have lifts, but older stations and some exits do not. Check the station map or ask staff; allow extra time for detours.
Questions about your trip?
If you want help with routes or want to ask me something directly, you can find me here.