Getting around in Nanjing
Metro, taxi, ride-hailing and buses — how each works and which to use when.
Last reviewed for the 2026 season · Getting around across all of China →
In Nanjing specifically
- Nanjing has a metro network, so for most cross-city journeys the metro is faster and costs ¥2–10.
- Nanjing is best visited March, April, October, November when walking and outdoor routes are comfortable.
- From Lukou International (NKG), allow 45–75 minutes to the city centre in traffic.
What everyone needs to know
- DiDi is the dominant ride-hailing app and has an English interface; it is usually the easiest option without Mandarin.
- Metro systems screen every bag and cost ¥2–10 per journey, paid by QR at the gate.
- Taxis are metered and cheap but drivers rarely speak English — show the destination in Chinese characters.
- Traffic in major cities is heavy, so metro beats taxi for almost every journey under 10 km.
The numbers
| Item | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Metro fare | ¥2–10 per journey |
| Taxi flagfall | ¥13–16 in tier-1 cities |
| DiDi vs taxi | Similar price, no language barrier |
| Airport express | ¥25–50 where it exists |
Do it in this order
- Install DiDi before arrival and bind your international card.
- In metros, scan the Alipay/WeChat transit QR at the gate; no separate ticket needed in most cities.
- For taxis, keep your destination written in Chinese characters and photograph the driver’s licence plate.
- Use the airline-style airport express where available — it skips traffic entirely.
Mistakes that cost money or time
- Hailing an unlicensed taxi at a station exit instead of using the official rank.
- Assuming the driver will understand an English address.
- Riding the metro at 08:00–09:00 or 17:30–19:00 with large luggage.
Check it at the source
Questions people actually ask
- Is DiDi safe?
- Yes. The app records the route and driver details, which makes it safer and more accountable than a street-hailed taxi for visitors.
- Do I need a Chinese phone number for DiDi?
- No — you can register with an international number and pay with a foreign card.
More about Nanjing
- High-speed rail
- Metro systems
- Taxis & ride-hailing
- Apps you need
- Visa & entry
- Payment & money apps
- eSIM & connectivity
- VPN & internet access