The following is a detailed transportation guide for foreign tourists on how to get to Xi’an, covering practical information on arriving in Xi’an from various international and domestic cities, helping you plan a smooth journey through the millennium.
How to get to Xi’an from abroad
Direct Flights
Xi’an Xianyang International Airport (XIY) is a major port of entry with flights to many cities around the world, including:
- Europe: Frankfurt (Air China), Paris (China Eastern Airlines), London (Hainan Airlines), etc. Flight time is about 8-12 hours, with fares around US$500-800 in low season and US$1000+ in high season.
- Asia: Seoul (Korean Air), Tokyo (China Southern Airlines), Singapore (Xiamen Airlines), etc., flight time 3-6 hours.
- North America: Los Angeles (Hainan Airlines), San Francisco (China Eastern Airlines), etc. Flight time is about 14-16 hours.
Connecting flight options
If there is no direct flight, you can transit through Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and other hub cities, and then take high-speed rail or domestic flights to Xi’an (see below for high-speed rail connection suggestions).
How to get to Xi’an from China’s domestic cities
Beijing → Xi’an
- High-speed train: the fastest 4 hours, 20+ times daily, second-class ticket price 550 RMB, the terminal is Xi’an North Railway Station (subway line 2 directly to Zhonglou).
- Airplane: 2 hours flight time, departing from Capital Airport/Daxing Airport, ticket price 300-500 RMB in low season, 800+ RMB in high season.
Shanghai → Xi’an
- High-speed train: fastest 6 hours, second class seat RMB 669, Hongqiao Station/Shanghai Station departs to Xi’an North Station.
- Airplane: Flight time 2.5 hours, departing from Pudong/Hongqiao Airport, low season fare 400-600 RMB.
Guangzhou → Xi’an
- High-speed train: about 7-8 hours, second-class ticket price about RMB 800, Guangzhou South Station to Xi’an North Station.
- Airplane: Flight time 2.5 hours, departing from Baiyun Airport, off-season fare 500-700 RMB.
Qingdao → Xi’an
- High-speed train: transit required (e.g. Jinan West Railway Station), the whole journey takes about 7 hours, the ticket price is 500-600 RMB.
- Airplane: direct flight 1.5 hours, off-season fare 400-600 RMB.
Chengdu → Xi’an
- High-speed train: fastest 3 hours, RMB 263 for second class seat, Chengdu East Railway Station to Xi’an North Railway Station.
- Airplane: flight time 1.5 hours, Shuangliu/Tianfu Airport departure, ticket price 200-400 RMB.
Zhangjiajie → Xi’an
- High-speed train: no direct, need to transfer at Changsha South Railway Station, the whole journey takes about 6 hours, the ticket price is 500+ RMB.
- Airplane: no direct flights, it is recommended to transit through Changsha or Wuhan.
Chongqing → Xi’an
- High-speed train: fastest 4.5 hours, second class seat RMB 400, Chongqing West Railway Station to Xi’an North Railway Station.
- Airplane: flight time 1.5 hours, from Jiangbei Airport, ticket price 300-500 RMB.
Guilin → Xi’an
- High-speed train: the whole journey takes about 10-12 hours, second-class ticket price is RMB 850-950, Guilin North Railway Station and Xi’an North Railway Station.
- Airplane: Flight time 2.5 hours, departing from Guilin Liangjiang International Airport, ticket price 600-900 RMB in low season, 1200-1800 RMB in high season.
Transportation from airport/high-speed train station to downtown core area
Xi’an Xianyang International Airport (XIY) → downtown area
- Subway Line 14: direct to Xi’an North Railway Station (High-speed Railway Hub), transfer to Line 2 to Zhonglou, Yongningmen (South Gate) and other downtown areas, the whole journey takes about 40 minutes, the ticket price is 5-8 RMB.
- Airport bus: operates 24 hours a day, the Zhonglou line (RMB 25/person, 50 minutes) goes directly to the city center; the Qujiang line (RMB 35/person) goes to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and the Datang Hibiscus Garden.
- Taxi/Internet taxi: about RMB 100 to Zhonglou (including highway fee), 20% service charge added at night, recommended platforms such as DDT and Cao Cao Travel.
Xi’an North Railway Station (High-speed train Station) → Downtown
- Subway Line 2: direct access to Zhonglou (30 minutes, RMB 4) and Yongningmen (south gate of the city wall, 25 minutes), covering the downtown core.
- Subway Line 4: to Daming Palace National Heritage Park (Hanyuan Hall Station) and Big Wild Goose Pagoda (Big Wild Goose Pagoda Station).
Xi’an Station (train Station) → Downtown
- Subway Line 4: Directly to Daming Palace, Big Wild Goose Pagoda and other attractions, transfer Line 2 to Bell Tower.
- Bus line: No. 611, No. 603, etc. directly to the Bell Tower and the South Gate, the fare is 2 yuan, and the ride takes about 20 minutes.
Transportation to Popular Attractions
Core Area of the Ancient Capital (Bell and Drum Towers, City Walls, Hui Min Street)
- Subway: Line 2 [Zhonglou Station] direct, Exit D direct to Zhonglou underground passage; 5-minute walk to Hui Min Street.
- Bus: No. 611, No. 618 to Zhonglou West Station, or take a sightseeing bus to tour around the city wall (entrance of Yongning Gate, South Gate).
Big Wild Goose Pagoda-Datang Hibiscus Garden-Datang Nocturnal City
- Subway: Line 3 [Big Wild Goose Pagoda Station] directly to the North Square of Big Wild Goose Pagoda; Line 4 [Datang Hibiscus Garden Station] directly to the West Gate of the scenic spot.
- Night Transportation: Taxi pick-up points are set up in the area of Datang Not Night City, and additional night buses (No. 8 and No. 609) are available after 23:00.
Terracotta Warriors and Horses – Huaqing Palace
- Public transportation: Metro Line 9 to [Huaqingchi Station], transfer to Lintong Tour 613 to the Terracotta Warriors (15-minute drive); or take Tour 5 (No. 306) from the train station directly to the Terracotta Warriors, the ticket price is 5 yuan.
- Chartered car/carpool: about 120 RMB/car (4-person seat) from downtown to Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses, recommend booking through regular platforms.
Shaanxi History Museum
- Subway: Line 2 [Xiaozhai Station] change to Line 3 to [Big Wild Goose Pagoda Station], walk for 10 minutes; or directly take bus No. 26, No. 271 to [Shaanxi History Museum Station].
- Taxi Tips: There is a special parking space for cabs at the west gate of the museum, and there is a pick-up area for internet taxis at the north gate.
Daming Palace National Heritage Park
- Subway: Line 4 [Hanyuandian Temple Station] directly to the Danfengmen Ruins; or take Line 2 to [Anyuanmen Station] and transfer to Bus 2.
Train Ticket Purchase Channels and Notes
Official platform: 12306 English version (website/APP)
- Function Highlights:
- English interface supports online registration, ticket purchase, ticket change and refund, station names in Chinese and English.
- Permanent Resident Card Users: You can directly swipe your card to enter and exit the station, enjoying the same convenience as Chinese ID card holders.
- Ordinary passport users: need to go through online identity verification (fill in passport information or upload passport photos) or go to the station window for verification, and can purchase tickets only after passing the verification.
- Payment Methods: VISA, MasterCard, JCB, Diners and other international credit cards, as well as Alipay and WeChat (international bank cards must be bound).
- Notes:
- After purchasing the ticket, you need to print the ticket information sheet (PDF version) in advance and use the manual channel to verify your passport when you take the train.
Trip.com: provides bilingual interface, supports international credit card payment, can purchase train tickets and send electronic confirmation to the mailbox, you need to pick up the ticket at the station with your original passport.
Airline ticket purchase channels and notes
International common platform
- Skyscanner: global price comparison platform, Chinese interface can be filtered, directly jump to the airline’s official website to buy tickets, support multi-currency payment.
- Expedia: Chinese and English interface, provides flight + hotel packages, supports VISA, MasterCard and PayPal payment, suitable for free travelers.
- Trip.com: designed for international users, supports 40+ languages, provides 24-hour English customer service, can book flights within China and international routes.
Student/Youth Deals
- StudentUniverse: specializes in providing special airfares for students, requires uploading student certificates, supports Chinese interface and international credit card payment, covers Air China, Hainan Airlines and other Chinese airlines.
General Notes
Documentation Requirements:
- To purchase tickets and travel, you need to use a valid passport that matches your registration information, and make sure the passport is valid for more than 6 months.
- Users of permanent residence permits can directly use the document for self-service access, while users of ordinary passports need to complete the verification in advance.
Payment Issues:
- International credit cards may charge a cross-border handling fee of 1%-3%, and it is recommended to prioritize cards that support “no currency conversion fee”.
- Alipay/WeChat can bind VISA, MasterCard and other international cards, but some small payments may be limited.
Travel verification:
- Train tickets require passport verification at the station 30 minutes in advance, and airplane tickets are recommended to arrive at the airport 2 hours in advance for check-in.
- E-tickets can be boarded directly with your passport without printing the itinerary (except for some low-cost airlines).
After-sale and Customer Service:
- 12306 English customer service number: +86 21 12306 (English service).
- Third-party platforms are recommended to choose channels with 24-hour English customer service (e.g. Trip.com, Expedia).