Riding the metro in China: a detailed A

How to ride the metro in China

The metro systems in China's big cities are extremely modern, punctual and reach most of the famous sights. Even if it is your first time in the country and you have never used public transport abroad, once you know the step-by-step process below you can get around with confidence.

Written by Chow · Updated 11/2026 · 6 min read

5 steps to ride the metro in China

Step 1: Buy your entry (a single-journey card or an Alipay QR code)

These are currently the two most common ways to pay:

Option 1: Buy a single-journey card at a ticket machine

1
Switch the touchscreen of the ticket machine in the station to English.
2
Choose the line and your exact destination station.
3
Choose how many tickets you need.
4
Pay in cash (notes or small coins) or by scanning a payment code, then collect the plastic card (or magnetic token) from the ticket tray.
Single-journey cards for the Chongqing metro

Option 2: Scan a QR code directly in Alipay (recommended)

1
Open Alipay and tap the Transport icon on the home screen. Then select the city you are in.
Transport → choose the city you are in
2
Choose BusMetro > Metro. A QR code will appear.
BusMetro → Metro, the QR code appears
3
Hold this QR code up to the reader on the ticket gate to enter the station, and scan it again when you exit. The fare is calculated and deducted in Alipay automatically.

Important note about Alipay:The Transport QR code is set up separately for each city. When you move to another city (for example from Shanghai to Hangzhou or Chongqing), go back into Transport in Alipay, select that city and activate a new code before you tap in.

Note when scanning:Open the QR code again right when you scan, instead of opening it in advance, because the code can expire if left open too long and then will not scan.

Step 2: Strict security checks

Before the ticket gates, every passenger has to put luggage, backpacks and bags through an X-ray scanner and walk through a metal detector.

Special note about liquids:Drinks and open bottles of liquid are not allowed in stations. You may only bring an empty bottle or flask. Many stations have free hot and cold water dispensers inside, so you can refill after security.

Step 3: Find the right line by its signs and colour

Every metro line is identified by a number and its own colour (for example Line 1 red, Line 2 green...).

Follow the signs on the ceiling and walls of the station. Check the terminal station of each platform so you are sure you are waiting on the side heading in your direction and do not ride the wrong way.

Step 4: Wait for the train and board

Queue behind the yellow safety line on the platform floor.

Let passengers get off before you board. Trains always have electronic displays and announcements of the next stop in Chinese and English.

Watch the time of the last train:Metro lines in China tend to close fairly early; the last train usually runs before midnight (around 22:30 to 23:30 depending on the city and line). Check the timetable posted at the station entrance or on the big screens on the platform so you can plan your way back to the hotel and not miss it.

Step 5: Leave the station and tap out

When you reach your stop, follow the exit signs (Exit A, B, C...).

With a single-journey card:Insert the card into the slot at the gate; the system keeps the card and opens the gate for you.
With Alipay:Open the Metro QR code in the app again and scan it at the exit gate reader; the fare is charged automatically.

Comparison: single-journey card or Alipay QR?

Criteria

Single-journey card (Single-journey Ticket)

Scan with Alipay

Best for

First-timers who have not set up international payment in Alipay and only make 1 or 2 short trips.

Anyone who wants flexibility, has a changing plan and visits many places in one day.

Requirement

You must know your exact destination from the start.

Get on and off at any station you like.

If you miss your stop

Inconvenient:If you miss your stop or take the wrong line, you have to exit at the station you originally chose, return the card and buy a new ticket to enter again.

Very convenient:Change lines or exit at any station; the system calculates the distance you actually travelled and charges the exact fare when you scan out.

Real lesson: avoid flagged transactions from mixing a card and the app

Something that happened on my first trip that you should really avoid:

On my first metro ride I bought a single-journey card for a stop 3 stations away. On the way I realised I was on the wrong line and needed to change. Not wanting to exit, return the card and buy again, I just changed lines and carried on. At the final station my old card would not open the gate (wrong destination), so I scanned my Alipay code to get out and then went back to hand the card to the security desk.

The gate opened and nothing was charged at first, but a few days later Alipay flagged an unusual transaction because there was an exit scan with no entry scan. As the system could not tell where I had started, I was charged the maximum fare of 11 yuan for the whole journey.

Alipay transaction charging 11 yuan for a Chongqing metro ride because the entry scan was missing — A few days later, Alipay charged 11 yuan because the trip only had an exit scan

Chow's note: Golden rules to remember:

In with a card, out with that card at the station you paid for:A ticket to a station only lets you out at that station. If you go to the wrong station or miss your stop, go to the station service desk so staff can sort out the fare difference; never use another payment method to scan out.
In with Alipay, out with Alipay at any station:Whichever station you scan in at, open that same Alipay code to scan out at any station. The system measures the actual distance between the two stations and charges the exact fare, with no errors or surprise penalties.

How to ride the metro in China

Written by Chow · Updated 11/2026 · 6 min read

5 steps to ride the metro in China

Step 1: Buy your entry (a single-journey card or an Alipay QR code)

These are currently the two most common ways to pay:

Option 1: Buy a single-journey card at a ticket machine

1
Switch the touchscreen of the ticket machine in the station to English.
2
Choose the line and your exact destination station.
3
Choose how many tickets you need.
4
Pay in cash (notes or small coins) or by scanning a payment code, then collect the plastic card (or magnetic token) from the ticket tray.
Single-journey cards for the Chongqing metro

Option 2: Scan a QR code directly in Alipay (recommended)

1
Open Alipay and tap the Transport icon on the home screen. Then select the city you are in.
Transport → choose the city you are in
2
Choose BusMetro > Metro. A QR code will appear.
BusMetro → Metro, the QR code appears
3
Hold this QR code up to the reader on the ticket gate to enter the station, and scan it again when you exit. The fare is calculated and deducted in Alipay automatically.

Note when scanning:Open the QR code again right when you scan, instead of opening it in advance, because the code can expire if left open too long and then will not scan.

Step 2: Strict security checks

Before the ticket gates, every passenger has to put luggage, backpacks and bags through an X-ray scanner and walk through a metal detector.

Step 3: Find the right line by its signs and colour

Every metro line is identified by a number and its own colour (for example Line 1 red, Line 2 green...).

Step 4: Wait for the train and board

Queue behind the yellow safety line on the platform floor.

Let passengers get off before you board. Trains always have electronic displays and announcements of the next stop in Chinese and English.

Step 5: Leave the station and tap out

When you reach your stop, follow the exit signs (Exit A, B, C...).

With a single-journey card:Insert the card into the slot at the gate; the system keeps the card and opens the gate for you.
With Alipay:Open the Metro QR code in the app again and scan it at the exit gate reader; the fare is charged automatically.

Comparison: single-journey card or Alipay QR?

Best for

Single-journey card (Single-journey Ticket)First-timers who have not set up international payment in Alipay and only make 1 or 2 short trips.

Scan with AlipayAnyone who wants flexibility, has a changing plan and visits many places in one day.

Requirement

Single-journey card (Single-journey Ticket)You must know your exact destination from the start.

Scan with AlipayGet on and off at any station you like.

If you miss your stop

Single-journey card (Single-journey Ticket)Inconvenient:If you miss your stop or take the wrong line, you have to exit at the station you originally chose, return the card and buy a new ticket to enter again.

Scan with AlipayVery convenient:Change lines or exit at any station; the system calculates the distance you actually travelled and charges the exact fare when you scan out.

Real lesson: avoid flagged transactions from mixing a card and the app

Something that happened on my first trip that you should really avoid:

Chow's note: Golden rules to remember:

In with a card, out with that card at the station you paid for:A ticket to a station only lets you out at that station. If you go to the wrong station or miss your stop, go to the station service desk so staff can sort out the fare difference; never use another payment method to scan out.
In with Alipay, out with Alipay at any station:Whichever station you scan in at, open that same Alipay code to scan out at any station. The system measures the actual distance between the two stations and charges the exact fare, with no errors or surprise penalties.