Getting Around Hangzhou Without a Chinese Bank Card: Metro, Didi, Alipay & Airport Guide

You've just landed in Hangzhou without a Chinese bank card or language skills. This guide covers every transport mode—metro, bus, Didi, shared bike, and water bus—with step-by-step instructions for overseas visitors.

Quick Answer

What's the best way to get around Hangzhou?

Direct answer: The best way to get around Hangzhou is by metro using an Alipay QR code. It's the fastest, cheapest, and most reliable option for most travelers. Supplement with buses for scenic spots like Lingyin Temple, ride-hailing (Didi) for late-night trips, and shared bikes for the West Lake loop. The metro network covers all major scenic spots, has bilingual signs, and works with foreign credit cards through Alipay.

How do I get from Hangzhou airport to my hotel?

Direct answer: Take Metro Line 19 (Airport Express) for the fastest and cheapest option—about 45 minutes and 8-10 RMB. If you have heavy luggage or are in a group, take a taxi or Didi for 80-150 RMB. The airport bus costs 20 RMB per person but has fixed routes to Hubin, Wulin Square, and Hangzhou Railway Station. Choose based on your luggage, group size, and arrival time—metro closes around 23:00.

Can I use Alipay for all transport in Hangzhou?

Direct answer: Yes—Alipay works for metro, bus, Didi, shared bikes, and water buses. The international version supports foreign credit cards. Search "Hangzhou Metro" or "Hangzhou Bus Code" in Alipay to get QR codes. Carry small cash bills as backup for emergencies, but Alipay covers nearly every scenario.

Quick Decision Table

Scenario	Best Mode	Why	Cost	Time	Risk/Note
Airport to city (solo, light luggage)	Metro Line 19	Fast, cheap, no traffic	~8-10 RMB	35-45 min	Last train ~23:00
Airport to city (group, heavy luggage)	Taxi/Didi	Door-to-door, comfortable	80-150 RMB	40-60 min	Peak-hour traffic
West Lake loop	Shared bike + walk	Scenic, flexible	1.5-2 RMB/30 min	Flexible	Requires Alipay
Lingyin Temple	Bus 7/324 or Metro Line 3 + shuttle	Avoids parking/traffic	2-4 RMB	30-50 min	Bus may be crowded
Late night (after metro closes)	Didi	Safe, available 24/7	Variable	Variable	Higher surge pricing
Day trip to Qiandao Lake	High-speed rail	Fast, reliable	~50-100 RMB	1 hour	Book in advance
Hefang Street	Metro Line 1 (Ding'an Road)	2-min walk	2-4 RMB	15-20 min from center	Exit A or C
Xixi Wetland	Metro Line 3 (Xixi Wetland South)	Direct access	3-5 RMB	25-35 min from center	Exit A

TripChina Verdict

For most travelers, the metro + Alipay QR code combination is the fastest, cheapest, and most reliable way to get around Hangzhou. The metro network covers all major scenic spots, operates with bilingual signs and announcements, and works seamlessly with foreign credit cards through Alipay. Supplement with Didi for late-night trips or heavy luggage, and shared bikes for the West Lake loop.

Arriving at Hangzhou

Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH)

Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport is the city's only international airport, located about 27 km southeast of the city center. The airport has an International Service Center that provides one-stop guidance for overseas travelers on food, accommodation, transport, tourism, shopping, and entertainment. For inquiries, call 0571-96299.

Three ways to get from the airport to the city:

Metro Line 19 (Airport Express): The fastest and cheapest option. Takes about 45 minutes to the city center. Fare is approximately 8-10 RMB. This is the best choice for solo travelers with light luggage arriving before 23:00.
Airport Bus: Board at Gate 8 in the arrival hall. Routes go to Hubin (near West Lake), Wulin Square, and Hangzhou Railway Station. Fare is 20 RMB per person. Good for budget travelers staying near these stops.
Taxi/Didi: Door-to-door service costing 80-150 RMB, taking 40-60 minutes. Ride-hailing pickup is at the B2 level of the airport transport center. Best for groups (3+ people), travelers with heavy luggage, or those arriving after the metro closes.

High-Speed Rail Stations

Hangzhou has four main railway stations. Choose based on your hotel location:

Hangzhou Station (Chengzhan): The closest station to West Lake. Served by Metro Lines 1 and 5. Best for travelers staying near the lake or in the old city center.
Hangzhou East Station: The main high-speed rail hub with the most train connections. Served by Metro Lines 1, 4, 6, and 19. Best for most travelers due to convenient metro connections.
Hangzhou West Station: Located in the future science and technology city area, about 18 km from West Lake. Served by Metro Lines 3 and 19. Only recommended if your hotel is in the western part of the city.
Hangzhou South Station: Located in Xiaoshan district, farther from the city center. Served by Metro Line 5. Avoid unless your destination is in the southern part of the city.

Metro: Your First Choice for Getting Around Hangzhou

As of 2026, Hangzhou's metro network has 12 lines covering 516 km and 262 stations. It's the fastest and most reliable way to get around the city.

Operating hours: Approximately 6:00-23:00 (varies slightly by station).

Fares: Start at 2 RMB for the first 4 km. Most city trips cost between 2-8 RMB.

Key lines for tourists:

Line 1 (Red): Connects the airport, Hangzhou East Station, and West Lake (Longxiangqiao Station). Also serves Hefang Street (Ding'an Road Station).
Line 3: Serves Lingyin Temple (Lingyin Station) and Xixi Wetland (Xixi Wetland South Station). This is the most scenic line for tourists.
Line 4: Connects Qianjiang New City and the Citizen Center. Good for modern city views and night scenery.
Line 7: Connects the airport with Wushan Square Station, near West Lake's southern shore.
Line 19 (Airport Express): The fastest connection between the airport, Hangzhou East Station, and the city center.

How to pay: Use Alipay QR code. Open Alipay, search for "Hangzhou Metro, " and get your QR code. Scan at the ticket gate to enter and exit. The international version of Alipay supports foreign credit cards.

Bilingual signs: Most stations have Chinese and English signs and announcements, making navigation easy for overseas visitors.

Bus: Best for Scenic Spots

Hangzhou's bus network reaches areas the metro doesn't cover, especially scenic spots in the hills and tea villages.

Tourist routes:

Bus 7 and 324: Direct to Lingyin Temple and Feilai Peak. This is the most convenient bus route for temple visitors.
Bus 27 and 87: To Longjing Village, the famous tea-growing area. These buses wind through scenic hills.
Bus 4: To Jiuxi (Nine Creeks), a beautiful hiking area.

Fare: 2 RMB per trip. Pay with Alipay QR code (search "Hangzhou Bus Code" in Alipay) or exact cash (no change given).

When to choose bus over metro: When heading to Lingyin Temple, Longjing Village, or Jiuxi—these destinations have direct bus routes but require transfers on the metro. Buses also offer a more scenic ride through the hills.

Taxi & Ride-Hailing: Best for Comfort & Late Night

Taxi fares: Flagfall is 13 RMB for the first 3 km. After that, it's 2.50 RMB per km from 3-10 km, and 3.75 RMB per km beyond 10 km.

Didi (ride-hailing): Didi is the most popular ride-hailing app in China and works well for overseas tourists. It has an English interface and supports address translation. You can access Didi through Alipay without downloading a separate app. The app shows the fare upfront, so there's no negotiation or risk of overcharging.

Peak-hour warning: Avoid short taxi trips near West Lake during peak hours (7:30-9:00 and 17:30-19:00). Traffic congestion makes taxis slower than walking or taking the metro.

Tip: Save Chinese address screenshots of your hotel and destinations. This helps avoid location errors when entering addresses into Didi.

Scam warning: Refuse unlicensed black car drivers who approach you near West Lake and Lingyin Temple. They charge inflated prices and may take longer routes. Only use official taxis or Didi.

Shared Bikes: Best for West Lake Loop

Shared bikes are perfect for exploring the West Lake area at your own pace.

Cost: Approximately 1.5-2 RMB per 30 minutes.

How to unlock: Use Alipay to scan the QR code on the bike. No Chinese ID or local phone number is needed—Alipay handles the authentication.

Best route: The West Lake loop is about 10 km and takes 30-60 minutes by bike. You can stop at any scenic spot along the way.

Limitation: Shared bikes are best for short, scenic trips. They're not practical for long distances or hilly areas like Lingyin Temple.

Water Bus: A Unique Local Experience

Hangzhou's water bus system runs along the Grand Canal and city rivers. It's a scenic and cheap way to see the city from the water.

Route 1 (Most Classic): Runs along the Grand Canal from Gongchen Bridge to Wulin Gate. Fare is only 3 RMB. This route passes historic neighborhoods like Xiahe Street and the Gongchen Bridge area.

Route 7: Runs from Meihuabei to Gongchen Bridge along the Donghe River. This route uses smaller boats and passes through old-town neighborhoods.

Payment: Alipay QR code or cash. No advance booking needed—just show up at the dock.

Best for: A scenic, slow-paced transport experience. Not for speed—water buses are slower than metro or taxis.

High-Speed Rail for Nearby Cities

Hangzhou's high-speed rail network connects to nearby destinations for day trips.

Qiandao Lake (Thousand Island Lake): About 1 hour by high-speed rail. Fare approximately 50-100 RMB. Book tickets through the official 12306 app or at the station.
Shanghai: Less than 1 hour by high-speed rail. Trains depart frequently from Hangzhou East Station.

Scenic Spot Transport Plans

West Lake

Metro: Take Line 1 to Longxiangqiao Station (Exit C) for the lakefront area. Or take Line 7 to Wushan Square Station for the southern shore.
Then: Walk along the lake or rent a shared bike for the loop.

Lingyin Temple

Metro: Take Line 3 to Lingyin Station, then take the shuttle bus to the temple entrance.
Bus: Take Bus 7 or 324 from Hubin area directly to the temple.
Avoid: Taxis during peak hours—the temple area has no parking and gets extremely congested.

Xixi Wetland

Metro: Take Line 3 to Xixi Wetland South Station. Exit A leads directly to the park entrance.
Bus: Several bus routes serve the area, but the metro is faster and more reliable.

Qianjiang New City

Metro: Take Line 4 to Citizen Center Station. Walk to the city balcony for night views of the skyline.

Hefang Street

Metro: Take Line 1 to Ding'an Road Station. Exit A or C leads to the street in about 2 minutes.

Payment Guide

Alipay (Most Recommended): The international version of Alipay supports foreign credit cards. Use it for:

Metro: Search "Hangzhou Metro" for QR code
Bus: Search "Hangzhou Bus Code" for QR code
Didi: Integrated into Alipay app
Shared bikes: Scan QR code on bike
Water bus: Scan QR code at dock

Cash backup: Carry small bills (10-20 RMB notes) for emergencies. Some older ticket machines may not accept foreign cards.

Tourist pass: The "Cultural Tourism One-Code Pass" may be available after Alipay international version real-name verification. This allows scenic spot entry without separate tickets. Check Alipay for current availability.

Network tip: Get an eSIM or physical SIM card for data. You'll need internet access for Alipay, Didi, and navigation apps.

Avoiding Traffic & Scams

Black cars: Refuse unlicensed touts near West Lake and Lingyin Temple. They charge inflated prices and may take longer routes. Only use official taxis or Didi.

Peak hours: Avoid short taxi trips near West Lake during 7:30-9:00 and 17:30-19:00. The metro is much faster during these times.

Holiday traffic: West Lake area experiences heavy traffic during weekends and holidays. The metro is the best option. Parking near West Lake costs about 30 RMB per hour if you drive.

Private boat touts: Only use official dock boats for West Lake cruises. Private operators may charge inflated prices and provide poor service.

Best Route by Destination

Destination or scenario	Recommended route	Why it fits	Alternative	Trade-off
Airport to city center (solo, light luggage)	Metro Line 19 (Airport Express)	Fastest and cheapest option; ~45 min, ~8–10 RMB; bilingual signs	Airport bus (20 RMB) to Hubin or Wulin Square	Metro closes ~23:00; bus may be better if staying near those stops
Airport to city (group, heavy luggage)	Taxi or Didi	Door-to-door comfort; 80–150 RMB, 40–60 min	Metro Line 19	Higher cost; peak-hour traffic risk
West Lake loop	Shared bike + walk	Scenic, flexible; ~1.5–2 RMB per 30 min via Alipay	Metro Line 1 to Longxiangqiao Station	Bikes not practical for long distances or hills
Lingyin Temple	Bus 7 or 324 from Hubin area	Direct route, avoids parking and traffic; 2–4 RMB	Metro Line 3 to Lingyin Station + shuttle bus	Bus may be crowded; metro requires transfer
Hefang Street	Metro Line 1 to Ding'an Road Station (Exit A or C)	2-min walk to street; 2–4 RMB from city center	Taxi or Didi	Metro is faster during peak hours
Xixi Wetland	Metro Line 3 to Xixi Wetland South Station (Exit A)	Direct access to park entrance; 3–5 RMB, 25–35 min from center	Bus routes serving the area	Metro is more reliable and faster
Late night (after metro closes ~23:00)	Didi	Safe, available 24/7; fare shown upfront	Taxi	Surge pricing possible; requires Alipay
Day trip to Qiandao Lake (Thousand Island Lake)	High-speed rail from Hangzhou East Station	Fast, reliable; ~1 hour, ~50–100 RMB	Long-distance bus	Book tickets in advance via 12306 app
Qianjiang New City night views	Metro Line 4 to Citizen Center Station	Direct access to city balcony; 2–4 RMB	Taxi or Didi	Metro avoids evening traffic congestion

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using taxis during peak hours near West Lake: Traffic congestion makes taxis slower than walking or metro. Avoid short taxi trips between 7:30-9:00 and 17:30-19:00.
Relying on cash-only payments: Most transport requires Alipay. Carry small cash as backup only.
Taking unlicensed black cars: Refuse touts near West Lake and Lingyin Temple. Only use official taxis or Didi.
Forgetting to save Chinese addresses: Screenshot your hotel and destination addresses in Chinese to avoid location errors in Didi.
Assuming all ticket machines accept foreign cards: Use Alipay QR codes for metro and bus instead.

This article is part of the Hangzhou Travel Guide Hub.
Explore all Hangzhou travel guides here → Hangzhou Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Can foreigners use Alipay for Hangzhou metro and bus?

Yes—the international version of Alipay supports foreign credit cards. Open Alipay, search for "Hangzhou Metro" or "Hangzhou Bus Code, " and get your QR code. Scan at the gate or on the bus to pay. No Chinese bank card or local phone number is needed.

What is the cheapest way from Hangzhou airport to West Lake?

The cheapest option is Metro Line 19 (about 8-10 RMB, 45 minutes) or the airport bus (20 RMB, about 60 minutes). The metro is faster and more reliable. The bus is better if you're staying near Hubin or Wulin Square.

How do I rent a shared bike in Hangzhou as a foreigner?

Use Alipay to scan the QR code on the bike. No Chinese ID or local phone number is needed. The cost is about 1.5-2 RMB per 30 minutes. Return the bike to any designated parking area. This works best for the West Lake loop.

Is Didi available in Hangzhou for overseas tourists?

Yes—Didi has an English interface and supports address translation. You can access it through Alipay without downloading a separate app. The app shows the fare upfront, so there's no negotiation. Use it for late-night trips or when carrying heavy luggage.

What is the best way to avoid traffic jams around West Lake?

Use the metro or shared bikes during peak hours (7:30-9:00 and 17:30-19:00). Avoid taxis near West Lake on weekends and holidays. The metro is much faster than driving during these times. If you must take a taxi, walk away from the lakefront area before hailing one.

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