Travel Guide

Xi'an Metro Guide

Complete guide to Xi'an Metro system. Metro lines, tickets, hours, transfers, and tips for tourists.

Xi'an Metro Guide

Complete guide to Xi'an Metro system. Metro lines, tickets, hours, transfers, and tips for tourists.

8-10 min read Updated May 18, 2026 Transport Guide

Xi'an Metro: Your Best Way to Explore

The Xi'an Metro (西安地铁) is a fast, affordable, and air-conditioned way to navigate the city. With 13 lines covering major attractions, train stations, and the airport, the metro should be your go-to transportation option.

Quick Facts

Lines: 13 | Stations: 283+ | Daily Ridership: 4+ million | Operating Hours: 6:00 AM - 11:00 PM

Metro Lines Overview

LineColorKey Stations for TouristsConnects To
Line 1RedEast/West connectionBell Tower, Train Station
Line 2BlueSouth Gate, Bell Tower, North StationAirport, High-speed Rail
Line 3PinkBig Wild Goose PagodaShaanxi Museum
Line 4TealDaming Palace, North StationTrain Station
Line 14PurpleAirport ↔ North StationDirect Airport Link

Key Lines for Tourists

Line 2 (North-South)

Most important for tourists:

Line 3 (East-West)

For the Big Wild Goose Pagoda area:

Line 14 (Airport Express)

Direct airport connection:

Airport Transfer

The cheapest way to/from Xi'an Xianyang Airport is Line 14 metro (7 CNY). Taxis cost 150-250 CNY. The metro runs every 8-10 minutes from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM.

How to Buy Tickets

Method 1: Single Journey Tokens

  1. Find the ticket machine (usually orange/yellow)
  2. Select English interface
  3. Choose your station from the map or list
  4. Pay with cash (5/10/20 CNY bills) or Alipay/WeChat
  5. Collect your token (don't lose it - you'll need it to exit)

Method 2: Metro Card (长安通)

Method 3: Mobile Payment

Fare Structure

DistancePrice
0-6 km2 CNY
6-10 km3 CNY
10-14 km4 CNY
14-20 km5 CNY
20-26 km6 CNY
26+ km+1 CNY per 8 km

Average tourist trip: 2-4 CNY

Operating Hours

LineFirst TrainLast Train
Line 16:00 AM11:30 PM
Line 26:00 AM11:45 PM
Line 36:00 AM11:00 PM
Line 46:00 AM11:00 PM
Line 146:00 AM10:00 PM
Peak Hours

Avoid traveling during 7:30-9:00 AM and 5:30-7:30 PM if possible. Metro can be extremely crowded during these times.

Metro Etiquette

Essential Metro Phrases

地铁站在哪里？
Dìtiě zhàn zài nǎlǐ?
Where is the metro station?
去...怎么走？
Qù... zěnme zǒu?
How do I get to...? (point to destination)
我要买票
Wǒ yào mǎi piào
I want to buy a ticket
换乘站在哪里？
Huànchéng zhàn zài nǎlǐ?
Where is the transfer station?

Getting to Top Attractions by Metro

AttractionNearest StationMetro Line
Bell Tower钟楼Line 2
City Wall (South Gate)永宁门Line 2
Big Wild Goose Pagoda大雁塔Line 3
Terracotta Warriors华清池 → Shuttle BusLine 1 then bus
North Railway Station北客站Line 2, 4, 14
Airport机场西Line 14
Muslim Quarter钟楼 → WalkLine 2

Related Guides

Before You Go

Essential preparation tips for your Xi'an adventure

Getting Around

Complete transportation guide for Xi'an

Food & Dining

Where to eat and what to try in Xi'an

Frequently Asked Questions

How many metro lines?

9+ lines. Key: Line 2 (Bell Tower to Xi'an North), Line 1 (east-west), Line 4 (Big Wild Goose Pagoda), Line 14 (airport).

Metro cost?

2-10 RMB by distance. Most tourist trips 2-5 RMB. Machines have English option. Use WeChat/Alipay transit QR.

Alipay or WeChat on metro?

Yes! Search Xi'an Metro in Alipay or Chang'an Tong in WeChat. Scan QR at turnstiles.

Metro to Terracotta Warriors?

NOT accessible by metro. Take Line 2/4 to Xi'an North, then Bus 306 or Didi.

Metro hours?

6:00-23:00 daily. Every 3-8 min peak, 6-12 min off-peak.