Written by Catherine |
Hangzhou city in Zhejiang Province is a renowned world tourist city with some of China’s most beautiful historical museums and UNESCO World Heritage sites. In Hangzhou, you can enjoy your share of the best Chinese food, immerse yourself in local tea culture and see the best waterways and parks in China. To take a hassel-free trip to Hangzhou, you need to know about the transportation in the city so that your won’t spend needless time and money on your way.
Brief Overview of the Hangzhou’s Transportation Infrastructure
Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport and the city’s major railway stations, including Hangzhou East Station, Hangzhou West Station, Hangzhou Station, and Hangzhou South Station, offer convenient transportation options to reach the city.
Hangzhou’s public transport mainly includes five types: taxi, public bicycle, water bus, rail transit and bus. It is very convenient to travel in Hangzhou or between Hangzhou and nearby cities. However, some travel times are busy, and you should pay attention to that.
Getting to Hangzhou
By Air
Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH) is the first stop for entering this beautiful Jiangnan region. The airport is situated in the financially advanced Xiaoshan District. It has three terminals. T1 and T3 are domestic terminals, and T2 mainly handles international flights. Whether you are coming for the West Lake vinegar fish, a leisurely stroll around the West Lake, or an experience of future city where technology and tradition intertwine, Hangzhou Airport will ensure a smooth start of your journey.
How to Get to the City Center of Hangzhou from the Airport
- By Subway: You can take the subway from B2 level of the Transportation Center at T4/T3 terminal. Line 1 (6:00-22:30), Line 7 (6:16-22:49), or Line 19 (6:03-23:14) can all take you to the city center. Most travelers will choose Line 19 (also known as the Hangzhou Airport Express). It will take about 1 hour to get to the city center of Hangzhou.
- By Airport Bus: You can take an airport bus at the northwest side of the 1F level of the Transportation Center (Coach station). The journey takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes.
- By Taxi: You can hail a taxi at the T4 terminal and the F1 level corridor of the Transportation Center. Getting to the city center may cost about 150 RMB (including tolls), and additional charges is needed during nighttime (23:00-05:00). The journey takes about 40 minutes.
By Train
The well-developed railway system just make it easier to reach Hangzhou from many surrounding cities. Also, take a train, and you can arrive at many famous tourist cities within three hours such as Wuzhen, Nanjing, Suzhou, Shaoxing, and Shanghai. There are four main railway stations in Hangzhou as shown below.
Hangzhou East Station & Public Transportation in Service
Located at No. 1 Tiancheng Road of Shangcheng District Hangzhou East Station is the most comprehensive transportation hub in Hangzhou.
- Subway: Lines 1, 4, 6, and 19 serve Hangzhou East Station.
- Bus: There are two bus stations at Hangzhou East Station: East and West.
- Taxi: There are a total of six taxi pick-up points in Hangzhou East Station, that are South 1, South 2, South 3, North 1, North 2, and North 3.
- Ride-hailing car:P1 to the east and P West to the west of Hangzhou East Station are where you can get in a ride-hailing car.
Hangzhou West Station & Public Transportation in Service
Hangzhou West Station is in the Cangqian Subdistrict of Yuhang District, serving as an interchange station for the Hefei-Hangzhou High-Speed Railway and the Hangzhou-Wenzhou High-Speed Railway.
- Subway: Line 3 or Line 19 can get you to Hangzhou West Station. The entrances are located on the negative second floor (E or L entrance).
- Bus: The bus station is located on the first floor of the station, southeast side (next to the taxi hailing area). There are 7 routes in the bus station including 382, 467, 349, 404, 599B, 592, and 8203 (night). The West bus station is located outside the station, to the west of the West Square, on Hangqu Street. There are 3 routes, including 420, 7497, and 478M.
Hangzhou Station & Public Transportation in Service
The address of Hangzhou Station is No. 1 Huancheng East Road of Shangcheng District. Hangzhou Station is a key passenger terminal along the coastal corridor and is at the junction of the Shanghai-Kunming Railway, the Hangzhou-Ningbo Railway, and the Xuanhang Railway.
- Subway: Take Line 1 or Line 5 to reach the Hangzhou Station.
Hangzhou South Station & Public Transportation in Service
Hangzhou South Station, the passenger railway station on the south shore of the Qiantang River, is located in the No. 1 Zhànqián Road, Xiaoshan District. It is one of the principal passenger hubs of the Hangzhou Railway Hub.
- Subway: Take the Line 5 to Hangzhou South Station.
- Bus: East Square: routes 727, 123, 743, 328, etc. West Square: routes 726, 747, 707, 700, etc.
Transportation from Major Cities to Hangzhou
Most likely, when visiting Hangzhou, you would also like to visit some neighboring cities, like Suzhou and Shanghai.
Travel between Hangzhou and Shanghai
- High-speed train: Depart from Hangzhou East Station and go directly to Shanghai Hongqiao Station. Approximately 1 hour from taking the ferry where the departures are very frequently, almost every few minutes. Less high-speed, express train is more affordable than high-speed train. The trip is approximately 1.5 hours long.
- Long-distance bus: The hour can be uncertain due to traffic congestion, usually takes 2-3 hours however, it is a more affordable way.
Travel between Hangzhou and Suzhou
- High-speed train: The most efficient way to reach Suzhou from Hangzhou is high-speed train, which is both quick and affordable. Board at Hangzhou West or Hangzhou East Station. The journey to reach Suzhou Station/Suzhou North Station takes 1-2 hours, and costs 70-120 yuan.
- Long-distance bus: There are long-distance bus available in Hangzhou Passenger Transport Center and Hangzhou North Passenger Transport Station. It costs 71 yuan and takes around two and a half hours.
Travel between Hangzhou and Huangshan
- High-speed train: Take high-speed train from Hangzhou East Station to Huangshan North Station, around 2-3 hours. The fare is relatively expensive but it is an efficient, comfortable, and fast way to travel.
- By air: Flying directly to Huangshan will surely be more convenient and faster. The journey is about 1 hour. But noted that the ticket price may be quite high.
- Bus: Take a bus from Hangzhou Passenger Transport Center or Hangzhou West Station to Huangshan City (approximately 5-6 hours).
Travel between Hangzhou and Xi’an
- High-speed train: There are many high-speed train and express train services from Hangzhou to Xi’an. From Hangzhou East Station or Hangzhou West Station, the trip takes about 7-8
- Flight: The flight takes around 2 hours and 45 minutes from Hangzhou to Xi’an.
Travel between Hangzhou and Beijing
- High speed train: Take at Hangzhou East Station or Hangzhou West Station. The quickest (G32) takes 4 hours and 33 minutes, while the slowest (G158) takes around 7 hours and 2 minutes. The ticket prices range from 674 to 2357 yuan. The time taken for expresstrain is about 24 hours and 13 minutes. Ticket prices are between 189 and 505 yuan.
- Flight: Usually direct flights take about 2 hours. Prices vary from 500 to 1500 yuan.
Getting Around Hangzhou
As the first smart city in China, Hangzhou has a transport system that is quite mature. It has an extensive subway system, buses, bicycles, sightseeing vehicles, water buses and taxis.
Hangzhou Metro
Hangzhou Metro is the 17th urban rail transit system in Mainland China. Currently, the system comprises five subway lines, with a total length of 206 kilometers and 120 stations. Metro plus bus can almost cover all tourist attractions. For example, transferring from Line 3 to bus No. 87 can get you to Longjing Tea Village.
- Operating hours:about 6 a.m. to 23 p.m.
- Ticket price: 2-15 yuan
Water Bus
The water bus in Hangzhou is the first water public transportation bus launched in mainland China, featuring four lines.
Line 1
- Direction: Pujia – Genshanmen – Wulinmen – Xinyifang – Gongchen Bridge (weekdays); Wulinmen – Xinyifang – Gongchen Bridge (weekends)
- Operating hours:07:00 – 18:10 for weekdays, 07:00 – 18:35 for weekends
- Ticket fare: CNY 3
Line 2
- Direction: Xinyifang – Beixinguan – Hemu – Gucui – Gudun – Zijinghua Road – Yangjia Bridge – Jiangcun
- Operating hours: 06:20 – 17:30 (from Wulinmen); 10:20, 12:00, 14:30, 15:30 (from Xixi Wuchang Pier)
- Ticket fare: CNY 3
Line 3
- Direction: Datieguan – Zhaohui – Gongda – Daguan – Chengbei Sports Park – Xiwen – Gaotingba – Huanxi Yongning – Hangbo – Beijingyuan – Banshan
- Operating hours: 06:30 – 16:30 (from Datieguan); 07:30 – 17:30 (from Banshan)
- Ticket fare: CNY 3
Line 7
- Direction: Bazi Bridge– Baoshan Bridge – Guang’an New Bridge – Chaomingsi Lane – Caishiqiao – Kuiyang – The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine – Hangzhou Railway Station – Meihuabei
- Operating hours:07:00 – 17:00
- Ticket fare: CNY 3
Taxis
There are approximately 8500 passenger taxis in Hangzhou, with a body color of blue-green and a silver-gray waistline.
- Operating hours: 24 hours a day.
- Price: 11 yuan for the first 3 kilometers, 2.5 yuan per kilometer for the next 7 kilometers, and 3.75 yuan per kilometer after that.
Buses
Hangzhou has 393 bus routes. There are tourist bus routes starting with the letter “Y” that can take you to the West Lake, Zoo, and Daqing Valley, among other places.
- Operating hours: 6:30 to 22:00 (night buses running until 5:00 in the morning).
- Ticket price: 1 – 4 yuan.
√ Best China Tours including Hangzhou:
- 6 Days Shanghai-Suzhou-Hangzhou Tour with Tongli Water Town
- 10 Days Beijing Xian Hangzhou Suzhou Shanghai Tour
Tips for Tourists Using Hangzhou Transportation
- The busiest travel time for public transportation in Hangzhou: 7:30 AM-9:00 AM and 17:00 PM-19:00 PM. Avoid peak hours whenever possible, saving yourself from the lines and packed trains.
- West Lake, Lingyin Temple, and other hot tourist spots will be very crowded on holidays and weekends. Research your travel route ahead of time, and plan to arrive early or visit during off-peak hours.
- Download Hangzhou Metro App, for subways, and Didi Chuxing, for ride-hailing.
