City in Shaanxi, China
Getting around Xi'an
How to get around Xi'an
The compact center is walkable; the subway reaches the airport route and Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Terracotta Warriors need a bus or DiDi, and high-speed trains link Xi'an to major cities.
Ways to get around Xi'an
| Option | Fare | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Xi'an Metro | 2–7 CNY | Use Alipay QR; lines 1, 2 and 3 cover the main sights |
| DiDi | About 13–25 CNY for 5 km | Cheapest way to the Terracotta Warriors, about 35 km |
| Tourist bus 5 (306) | About 8–10 CNY | From Xi'an railway station area to the Terracotta Warriors, about 1 h |
| City wall bike | 45 CNY per 2 h | 14 km ride on top of the Ming wall |
Ride-hailing apps in Xi'an
A 5 km ride costs about ¥13–25 ($1.9–3.7).
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| DiDi | Dominant; pay via Alipay with a foreign card |
- Use DiDi or metered taxis. Skip station touts offering fixed-price Terracotta rides.
Arriving in Xi'an
Xi'an Xianyang (XIY)
Airport intercity rail about 25 CNY, 40 min to the city; taxi or DiDi 120–180 CNY, 50–70 min.
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 Xi'an?
No. Use DiDi instead.
What's the best way to get around Xi'an?
The compact center is walkable; the subway reaches the airport route and Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Terracotta Warriors need a bus or DiDi, and high-speed trains link Xi'an to major cities.
How do I get from the airport to Xi'an?
Airport intercity rail about 25 CNY, 40 min to the city; taxi or DiDi 120–180 CNY, 50–70 min.
Is Xi'an walkable?
Walkable center.
More about Xi'an
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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 Spotted something out of date?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.