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← MASTER CHECKLISTTRANSPORT · SCENARIO GUIDE
Getting around China: choose the right transport.
Match the transport to the journey, then compare time, luggage, transfers and the last mile before choosing.
01 · CHOOSE YOUR JOURNEY
Start with the situation, not the transport brand.
The same journey can have more than one good answer. These three choices give you a practical starting point and the reason to switch.
1 · What journey are you making?
2 · What are you carrying?
3 · What matters most?
02 · COMPARE THE VALID OPTIONS
Compare the whole journey, not one fare or one timetable.
When two modes both work, the decision usually comes down to door-to-door time, luggage, transfers, group size and the last mile.
SITUATIONSTART WITHALSO WORKSDECIDE USING
Both ends are close to metro stationsMetroDiDiTraffic, number of transfers and the final walk
You have bags or are travelling togetherDiDiMetroCombined ride cost, luggage effort and station access
You arrive lateDiDi / taxiPre-booked transferOperating hours, pickup clarity and setup readiness
The attraction is outside the centrePublic transport + shuttleDriver / DiDiReturn timetable, group size and last-mile coverage
You are moving between citiesHigh-speed railFlightDoor-to-door time, total price and exact terminals
THE USEFUL CALCULATIONDoor-to-door time+Transfer effort+Last mile+Setup risk
03 · MAKE THE JOURNEY WORK
Open only the instructions you need.
The detailed app tutorials can come later. For now, these are the steps that keep the selected mode from failing at the pickup point, gate or final exit.
METRO
Plan beyond the station name.
Metro is the practical default in many large cities, but the direction, transfer and exit still determine whether the journey works.
WATCH FOR
Open the Amap navigation tutorial →A correct station with the wrong exit can add a long and confusing final walk.
- 01Plan the route in AMap and confirm the travel direction
- 02Choose a single ticket, supported transport code or local pass
- 03Allow for the station security check
- 04Check the transfer station before boarding
- 05Choose the exit before the final stop
- 06Open the walking route before reaching street level
04 · PREPARE ONCE
Make the phone a tool, not a single point of failure.
Finish the shared setup once, then every metro, ride and transfer becomes easier.
Map
AMap can find the hotel, station and destination
Payment
The intended wallet or card has been tested
Address
The accommodation is saved in Chinese and as a screenshot
Translation
The relevant offline language pack is downloaded
Battery
Your phone and backup power can cover the travel day
YOU ARE TRANSPORT-READY WHENYou can find the destinationYou can payYou can show the Chinese addressYou can recover without data
COMMON QUESTIONS
Getting around China FAQ
City-specific rules and edge cases stay here so the main decision remains easy to scan.
Does Google Maps work well enough for getting around China?
Do not make it your only navigation tool. Prepare AMap Global for local routes and place information; iPhone users can keep Apple Maps as a familiar backup. Save critical destinations in Chinese as well.
Can tourists use DiDi?
Official visitor guidance lists DiDi Greater China, Alipay and WeChat as ride-hailing routes for foreign travellers. Complete registration and payment setup before relying on it for the first journey.
Can I use Uber in China?
Plan around DiDi, local ride-hailing entries or marked taxis rather than assuming an overseas Uber account will provide the service you need.
Can I buy metro tickets without a Chinese payment app?
Single-journey machines and service counters remain useful fallbacks, but accepted cards and payment methods vary by city and station. Check the local signage rather than assuming one national rule.
Do I need a Chinese phone number for transport?
Not for every journey. Some current visitor-facing services accept foreign numbers, but verification and account requirements vary. A working data connection and a tested ride entry matter more for a short trip.
Are buses a good default for a first visit?
Use them when the route and stop are clear or when the metro does not cover the destination. Metro and ride-hailing usually require less interpretation for a first journey.
What if my phone loses internet or power?
Keep the hotel name and full address in Chinese, a route screenshot, enough battery reserve and an independent way to pay. A marked taxi or staffed transport counter can then act as the backup.
Is public transport expensive?
Urban public transport is generally the lower-cost option, but the useful comparison is the complete journey. A multi-person ride can become reasonable when it removes several transfers or a long final walk.
Are Hong Kong and Macao included in this advice?
No. They have different transport, payment and app environments. Treat them as separate systems when planning a Mainland China itinerary.
Connect the transport plan to the Master Checklist.
Keep the arrival route, Chinese address and transport-ready setup with the rest of the trip preparation.
Open the Master Checklist →