City in Jiangsu, China
Getting around Suzhou
How to get around Suzhou
The metro and buses cover the city; the old town is best on foot or by boat. Fast trains from Shanghai take about 25–40 minutes.
Ways to get around Suzhou
| Option | Fare | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Suzhou Metro | 2–7 CNY by distance | Use Alipay QR; Lines 1, 2 and 4 reach main sights |
| DiDi | About 13–25 CNY for 5 km | Pay via Alipay |
| High-speed train from Shanghai | About 25–45 CNY | Hongqiao to Suzhou in about 25–40 min |
| Canal boat | About 80–150 CNY | Pingjiang or Shantang Street canals; book at official piers |
Ride-hailing apps in Suzhou
A 5 km ride costs about ¥13–25 ($1.9–3.7).
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| DiDi | Dominant; pay via Alipay |
- Use DiDi or metered taxis; avoid unlicensed drivers at the station.
Arriving in Suzhou
Via Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA)
High-speed train from Hongqiao to Suzhou about 25–45 CNY, 25–40 min, then metro or DiDi.
Via Shanghai Pudong (PVG)
Metro or taxi to Hongqiao, then train; about 2–3 h in total.
Driving and onward travel
- Driving: on the right. IDPs aren't recognised. Visitors need a temporary Chinese driving permit (up to 90 days) or a Chinese licence.
- Onward travel in China: High-speed trains link nearly every big city, often faster than flying; book with a passport on 12306 or Trip.com. Cheap domestic flights and sleeper trains cover long distances.
Quick answers
Is there Uber in Suzhou?
No. Use DiDi instead.
What's the best way to get around Suzhou?
The metro and buses cover the city; the old town is best on foot or by boat. Fast trains from Shanghai take about 25–40 minutes.
How do I get from the airport to Suzhou?
High-speed train from Hongqiao to Suzhou about 25–45 CNY, 25–40 min, then metro or DiDi.
Is Suzhou walkable?
Walkable center.
More about Suzhou
Going to Suzhou solo?
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Sources
Fares are typical 2026 prices; check the operator for today's fares. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.