ByChow.
Independent China travel checklist · Item 4/6

Metro

The metro is the fastest and cheapest way around big cities. Signs, route maps and ticket machines all have English. There are three ways to get through the gate.

ChowWritten by Chow · Updated [month/year] · [… min read]
Option 1

Scan the ride code in Alipay

Fastest
  1. 1Open Alipay and look for "Transport" or 乘车码.
  2. 2Pick the city you're in and turn on the ride code (the first time you need to accept the terms).
  3. 3Go through the security check and put your bag through the scanner.
  4. 4Hold the QR code up to the scanner at the entry gate. At your destination, scan again at the exit gate, and the fare is charged by distance.
Option 2

Buy a single ticket at the machine

No app needed
  1. 1Find the ticket machine in the station and choose English.
  2. 2Pick the line and your destination station on the on-screen map, then choose the number of tickets.
  3. 3Pay with cash or by scanning a code, and get a card or token ticket.
  4. 4Tap the ticket at the entry gate. At the exit gate, drop it into the slot so the machine keeps it.
Option 3

The city's transit card

Good for long stays
  1. 1Buy the card at the service counter in the station. There's usually a deposit.
  2. 2Top up at a machine or the counter.
  3. 3Tap the card at the entry and exit gates. In many cities the card also works on buses.
  4. 4Before you leave, ask at the counter to return the card and get your deposit back (depends on the city).
Notes
  • Every station has a security check, so add some extra time.
  • The ride code in Alipay is tied to each city, so choose again when you move to another city.
  • The last train usually runs before midnight. Check the times on the board in the station.

Chow's note: [your metro tip]

ByChow.
Checklist · Item 4/6

Metro

The metro is the fastest and cheapest way around big cities. Signs, route maps and ticket machines all have English. There are three ways to get through the gate.

ChowWritten by Chow · [… min read]
Option 1Fastest

Scan the ride code in Alipay

  1. 1Open Alipay and look for "Transport" or 乘车码.
  2. 2Pick the city you're in and turn on the ride code (the first time you need to accept the terms).
  3. 3Go through the security check and put your bag through the scanner.
  4. 4Hold the QR code up to the scanner at the entry gate. At your destination, scan again at the exit gate, and the fare is charged by distance.
Option 2No app needed

Buy a single ticket at the machine

  1. 1Find the ticket machine in the station and choose English.
  2. 2Pick the line and your destination station on the on-screen map, then choose the number of tickets.
  3. 3Pay with cash or by scanning a code, and get a card or token ticket.
  4. 4Tap the ticket at the entry gate. At the exit gate, drop it into the slot so the machine keeps it.
Option 3Good for long stays

The city's transit card

  1. 1Buy the card at the service counter in the station. There's usually a deposit.
  2. 2Top up at a machine or the counter.
  3. 3Tap the card at the entry and exit gates. In many cities the card also works on buses.
  4. 4Before you leave, ask at the counter to return the card and get your deposit back (depends on the city).
Notes
  • Every station has a security check, so add some extra time.
  • The ride code in Alipay is tied to each city, so choose again when you move to another city.
  • The last train usually runs before midnight. Check the times on the board in the station.

Chow's note: [your metro tip]