Hangzhou Transport – Airport, Metro, Trains & Taxis
Hangzhou Transport – Airport, Metro, Trains & Taxis
Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang province, is famous for the picturesque West Lake, Longjing green tea, and as the headquarters of Alibaba. The city hosted the 2022 Asian Games and has one of China’s most modern metro systems. Mandarin is spoken throughout; Hangzhou Wu dialect is local.
Airport Access
Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH)
- Distance: 27km southeast of city center
- Transfer options:
| Method | Time | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metro Line 19 (Airport Express) | 30 min | ¥7 | To West Lake Cultural Square |
| Airport Bus | 60-90 min | ¥20 | Routes to major hotels |
| Taxi | 50-80 min | ¥70-120 | +¥10 airport surcharge |
| Didi | 50-80 min | ¥60-100 | Cheaper option |
Metro 19 Line: The Airport Express runs every 4-6 minutes and is the fastest way downtown. Look for the blue "19" signs at the airport terminal.
Metro Overview
Hangzhou Metro has 12+ lines with full English support. The system is spacious, modern, and less crowded than Shanghai or Beijing.
Key Lines for Visitors
- Line 1: Xiaoshan Airport → West Lake Cultural Square → East Train Station
- Line 2: Chaoyang → Fengqi Road → Liangzhu (ancient city site)
- Line 4: Puyan → Binjiang → East Train Station
- Line 5: Liangtang → West Lake → Future Sci-Tech City (Alibaba)
- Line 16: Lin’an → West Lake Cultural Square
- Line 19 (Airport Express): Xiaoshan Airport → West Lake Cultural Square
Fares & Tickets
- Base fare: ¥2 for first 4km, max ¥10
- Payment: Single tickets, Hangzhou Tong, Alipay/WeChat Pay
- Tourist Card: ¥100 for 3-day unlimited rides
- English support: All bilingual
High-Speed Train Stations
Hangzhou East Station (杭州东站) – Main High-Speed Hub
- Primary station — one of China’s largest with 30+ platforms
- Destinations: Shanghai (1h), Beijing (4h 30min), Nanjing (1h 30min), Hefei (2h), Ningbo (1h), Fuzhou (3h)
- Metro access: Lines 1, 4
Hangzhou Station (杭州站) – Traditional & Regional
- Traditional K/T trains, some high-speed
- Metro access: Line 1
Shanghai Day Trip: Hangzhou East → Shanghai Hongqiao takes just 1 hour. Multiple trains per day.
Taxi & Ride-Hailing Tips
Taxis
- Base fare: ¥11 for first 3km, ¥2.5/km
- Night surcharge: ¥13 base + 20% (10 PM - 5 AM)
- Airport surcharge: ¥10
Didi & Ride-Hailing
- Didi works perfectly in Hangzhou
- Metered taxis are generally honest
Tourist Hotspot Access
| Attraction | Metro Access | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| West Lake | Line 1: Ding’an Road; Line 5: Wanxiangcheng | Walkable; boat rides available |
| Lingyin Temple | Line 4: Shuicheng Bridge + bus K837 | 5-min bus ride from metro |
| Feilai Feng (Flying Peak) | Same as Lingyin | Buddhist grottoes |
| Longjing Tea Village | Bus 27 from West Lake | 20-min ride |
| Alibaba HQ (Xixi) | Line 5: Future Sci-Tech City | 10-min walk from station |
| Hefang Street | Line 1: Ding’an Road | Old street, snacks, crafts |
| Qinghefang Ancient Street | Line 1: Ding’an Road | Near West Lake |
West Lake Free Boat: Take the free ferry between Bai Di and Su Di inside the West Lake scenic area. A quick and scenic way to cross.
Scam Alert: Near West Lake, watch for fake Longjing tea sellers offering "special" deals on the street. Buy only from licensed tea shops.
Editorial Note: All facts verified against official metro and railway data. Fare adjustments and line extensions happen periodically. Always verify locally before travel. This article is for travel navigation reference only.