🚇 Xi'an Metro Guide
Navigate Xi'an like a local - complete subway guide for international visitors
Operating Hours
6:00 AM - 23:30 PM
Some lines extended to 00:00 on weekends
Ticket Prices
¥2 - ¥6 per trip
Distance-based fare system
Payment Methods
Yikatong Card, Alipay, WeChat Pay
Single-ride tickets available
Recommended App
Xi'an Metro App
Official app with English support
Xi'an Metro Map
High-resolution official English metro map. Click to zoom or download for offline use.
Essential Metro Information
🕐 Operating Hours
Most Xi'an metro lines operate from 6:00 AM to 23:30 PM daily. First trains typically depart around 6:00 AM, and last trains depart around 23:30 PM.
⚠️ Note: Operating hours may vary by line and station. Check station notices for specific timetables.
💰 Ticket Prices
Metro fares are distance-based, typically ranging from ¥2 to ¥6 per trip:
- 0-6 km: ¥2
- 6-12 km: ¥3
- Over 12 km: ¥4+ (additional ¥1 per 10 km)
Children under 1.3 meters travel free when accompanied by a paying adult.
🎫 How to Buy Tickets
Option 1: Single Journey Ticket
Purchase at ticket vending machines (available in English) or staffed counters at any station. Cash and mobile payments accepted.
Option 2: Rechargeable Card (Recommended)
Buy a transit card at any station for a refundable deposit (usually ¥20). Top up at machines or counters. Offers convenience and avoids ticket queues.
Option 3: Mobile Payment
Use Alipay or WeChat Pay QR codes to enter and exit stations. Look for the QR code scanner at gates.
🚇 Riding Rules
- Queue up and let passengers exit before boarding
- Stand on the right on escalators; walk on the left
- No eating or drinking on trains or in stations
- Keep your ticket/card until you exit (you'll need it to leave the station)
- Priority seating is reserved for elderly, disabled, pregnant women, and passengers with young children
- No smoking anywhere in the station or on trains
Top Attractions & Nearest Stations
Quick reference for foreign tourists: attraction name, nearest metro station, line, exit, and walking time.
| Attraction | Nearest Station | Line | Exit | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum | ⚠️ Take Tourist Bus from Bell Tower (No direct metro access) | |||
| Ancient City Wall | Yongningmen (South Gate) | Line 2 | Exit A1 | 1 min |
| Big Wild Goose Pagoda | Dayanta (Big Wild Goose Pagoda) | Line 3 / Line 4 | Exit C | 3 min |
| Bell and Drum Tower | Zhonglou (Bell Tower) | Line 2 | Exit B | 2 min |
| Muslim Quarter (Huimin Street) | Zhonglou (Bell Tower) | Line 2 | Exit B | 5 min |
| Muslim Quarter (Huimin Street) | Line 2/6 | Beidajie (Exit A) | 10 min | Food street with roujiamo (meat burger) and yangrou paomo |
| Big Wild Goose Pagoda (Dayan Ta) | Line 3/4 | Dayanta (Exit C) | 5 min | Tang Dynasty Buddhist pagoda, fountain show at night |
| Shaanxi History Museum | Line 2/3 | Xiaozhai (Exit A) | 8 min | One of China's best museums (free, bring passport) |
| City Wall (Chengqiang) | Line 2 | Yongning Gate (Exit D) | 5 min | Best preserved ancient wall in China - rent a bike on top! |
| Bell Tower (Zhonglou) | Line 2 | Zhonglou (Exit A) | Direct | City center, connected to Drum Tower |
💡 Tip: For Terracotta Warriors, take Tourist Bus 游5 (306) from Xi'an Railway Station or Bell Tower area. The journey takes about 1 hour.
Line Guide & Transfer Tips
Xi'an Metro Line 2 (Blue Line)
Route: North Railway Station → Weiqu South
Operating Hours: 6:00 AM - 23:30 PM
Major Attractions: Bell Tower, Ancient City Wall (Yongningmen), Beilin Museum
Key Transfer Stations:
- Beishao (Transfer to Line 1)
- Zhonglou (Bell Tower) - Popular tourist area
- Xiaozhai (Transfer to Line 3)
How to Transfer Between Lines
- Follow the signs: Look for transfer signs with line colors and arrows
- Allow extra time: Transfers can take 5-15 minutes depending on station size
- Keep your ticket: You don't need to exit and re-enter; just follow transfer paths
- Use navigation apps: Baidu Maps or Gaode Maps show transfer routes
💡 Pro Tips:
- During rush hours (7-9 AM, 5-7 PM), transfers can be very crowded
- Some stations have multiple transfer passages - follow signs carefully
- If lost, ask station staff for help (many speak basic English)
Travel Tips for Foreigners
📱 Essential Apps
- Baidu Maps / Gaode Maps: For route planning and real-time navigation
- Alipay / WeChat: For mobile payments (set up before your trip)
- Google Translate: Download offline Chinese package before traveling
- Xi'an Metro App: For metro maps and planning
🗣️ Language Barriers
Most metro signs are in both Chinese and English. However:
- Announcements are primarily in Chinese (some lines have English announcements)
- Station staff may not speak English - use translation apps
- Keep your destination written in Chinese characters as a backup
- Metro maps in English are available at information counters
💳 Payment Methods
Recommended: Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay before your trip (requires Chinese bank account or international card binding).
Alternative: Buy a rechargeable transit card (¥20 refundable deposit + fare balance). Available at any station.
Emergency Option: Single journey tickets can be purchased with cash at vending machines (English interface available).
⏰ Rush Hour Avoidance
Avoid traveling during peak hours if possible:
- Morning Rush: 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM
- Evening Rush: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Trains can be extremely crowded, and you may need to wait for several trains to board.