How to Master the Chinese Subway (A Foreigner’s Guide)

China’s subway systems (especially in Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangzhou) are modern marvels. They are incredibly clean, air-conditioned, run every 2–3 minutes, and cost less than $1 USD per ride.

However, if you walk up to the ticket machine, you might run into a wall. The machines usually only accept Chinese cash or domestic coins, and they often reject foreign credit cards.

Here is the exact, stress-free way to ride the subway like a local, using the phone in your pocket.

Step 1: The Best Way to Pay (Ditch the Ticket Machine)

Do not waste 20 minutes standing in line at the ticket machine. The absolute easiest way to ride the metro is by using the Alipay (支付宝) app.

1. Open Alipay and tap the “Transport” icon on the home screen.
2. If you can’t find it, search for “Transport” in the search bar and select the metro option for the city you are in (e.g. Shanghai Metro).
3. Generate the QR code.

Alternative: if you don’t have Alipay, you can also use WeChat Pay, or buy a physical transit card at the customer service window (requires a small deposit).

Step 2: Entering the Station (Security First)

Before you reach the gates, you will hit a bag scanner. This happens at every station in China.

1. Place your backpack or suitcase on the conveyor belt.
2. Walk through the metal detector archway.

Step 3: The Gates (The Tricky Part)

At the automated gates, do not tap your phone on the scanner. Instead, hold your phone screen — with the QR code showing — flat against the glass scanner at the gate. The gate will beep, open, and you walk through.

Note: you must scan the QR code again when you exit the station. The system calculates the fare from your distance and deducts it automatically from your linked card.

Step 4: Navigating the Trains and Transfers

• The signs: all metro signs and announcements are in both Chinese and English. Look for the destination name and the line colour.
• Transfers: follow the signs for “Transfer” (换乘). You don’t need to exit the station or scan your phone again — just follow the arrows to the next line.
• Which exit? stations are huge and can have up to 10 exits (labelled A, B, C, D). Use a map app such as Amap to check which letter exit is closest to your destination before you surface.

⚠ Crucial Rules & Etiquette

• No eating or drinking: it is strictly forbidden on the trains, and you can be fined.
• Mind the gaps: the gap between the train and the platform can be wider than you expect.
• Rush hour is brutal: avoid 8:00–9:30 AM and 5:30–7:00 PM. You will be packed in like a sardine.
• Luggage struggles: not every exit has an elevator or escalator. With heavy bags, be prepared to carry them up stairs.