I was surprised by Hangzhou public transport. The Hangzhou metro felt newer. Trains were clean and frequent. Buses, Didi rides and even renting a shared bike for a breezy morning ride around West Lake are all comfortable here. Here’s a comprehensive guide for getting around in Hangzhou, including metro, bus, didi, taxi, and more Hangzhou transport.
✈️ Hangzhou Airport Transfers
The easist way to get from Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport (HGH) to city is by Metro Line 19. You can get to the city centre or Hangzhou East Railway Station in about 35–45 minutes. Airport shuttle buses, taxis, and ride-hailing services are also readily available. The airport is well-connected, so you can choose many different ways to downtown.
👇 Read the full Hangzhou Airport to city guide!
🚇Hangzhou Metro
The Hangzhou Metro (杭州地铁) is extensive, with 12 lines covering almost every part of Hangzhou. You’ll find Hangzhou Metro easy to navigate. Lines are numbered and colour-coded for clarity. Trains have clear signage in both Chinese and English.
🕒 Operating Hours & Frequency
Hangzhou Metro | |
First trains | Around 6:00 AM |
Last trains | Around 10:30–11:00 PM, depending on the line |
Frequency | Every 2–6 minutes |
💳 Ticket Price & Payment
The metro fares start from ¥2 (about S$0.37) to ¥9 (about S$1.61). Single-journey tickets can be bought at machines using cash or Alipay/WeChat Pay. Or you can buy it at the staff counter. Besides, many travellers now use Alipay or WeChat QR codes for direct gate access. It's super convenient!
For locals, especially children and seniors, Hangzhou Transportation Card (市民卡) is also popular. It functions like an EZ-Link. You can tap in/out seamlessly. If you’re staying a few days, consider a 1-day or 3-day metro pass for unlimited rides.
📍 Key Tourist Stops
- Longxiangqiao (Line 1): Closest to West Lake and lakeside strolls.
- Hangzhou East Railway Station (Lines 1 & 4): For high-speed trains to/from Shanghai.
- Fengqi Road (Line 1): Access to Wulin and malls.
- Lingyin (transfer via bus from Longxiangqiao or Fengqi Road): For temple visits and hiking.
- Hangzhou Railway Station (Line 1): Main rail link for regional travel.
⚠️ Tips
- Some older stations may have limited escalators/elevators. Plan ahead if you have heavy bags.
- Transfers between lines can involve long walks, so allow extra time.
🚌 Buses
Source: Hangzhou gov.
Hangzhou’s public bus (公交车) covers nearly every corner of the city. Buses are widely used by locals and are a solid option for budget-friendly travel.
🕒 Timings & Frequency
Hangzhou Bus | |
Operating hours | Around 5:30 AM – 10:00 PM for most routes |
Frequency | Every 8–15 minutes during the day, less frequent at night. |
💳 How to Ride?
Payment:
- Alipay/WeChat QR codes (most convenient).
- Hangzhou Transportation Card (市民卡).
- Exact fare required (usually ¥2–4, about S$0.40–0.75).
⚠️ Tips
- Use Baidu Maps or Alipay’s “Transport” feature to track stops.
- Alipay and WeChat are reliable for QR payments.
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🚕 Taxis & Ride-Hailing in Hangzhou
Source: Hangzhou gov.
📱 Popular Ride-Hailing Apps
The most common apps in Hangzhou are:
- ✅ Didi (滴滴出行): The “Grab” of China, best for tourists.
- ✅ Gaode Maps (高德地图/高德打车): Mix map and ride-hailing function.
- ✅ CaoCao (曹操出行): Another reliable option, sometimes cheaper.
💸 Fare Estimates
- City Center ➔ West Lake: ~¥20–40 (S$3.70–7.50).
- Airport ➔ City Center: ~¥120–180 (S$22–33).
💰 How to Pay?
Didi payments are done inside the app. For normal taxis, WeChat Pay or Alipay is used.
- Taxis are metered with possible night surcharges.
- Ride-hailing apps sometimes offer discounts.
⚠️ Things to Note
- Avoid unofficial touts who may approach you inside the airport.
- Insist on using the meter in taxis.
- Ride-hailing availability may be limited during heavy rain, peak hours, or public holidays.
⛴️ Cruises
Hangzhou isn’t a typical ferry city, but lake and canal cruises are unique to your trip.
🚤 West Lake Boat Cruise (西湖游船)
West Lake Boat Cruise circles West Lake, stopping at Three Pools Mirroring the Moon, Huagang Park, and Yanggong Causeway.
🕒 Timings & Frequency
- Operating hours: 8:00–17:00.
- Boats depart every 15–30 minutes during the day.
💸 Tickets
From ¥45–150 (S$8–28) depending on boat type. Tickets can be purchased at West Lake piers or via online platforms like Trip.com.
🛶 Grand Canal Cruise (京杭大运河游船)
Grand Canal Cruise follows sections of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal. You can have a glimpse of the river and the old bridges. Routes often include Wulin Gate, Gongchen Bridge along the canal.
🕒 Timings & Frequency
- Operating hours: Typically day and evening cruises (night cruises popular for lit-up canal views).
- Frequency: Departures every 30–60 minutes.
💸 Tickets
From ¥60–120 (S$11–22) depending on route and boat type.
⚠️ Tips
- Check the weather in Hangzhou before booking a boat trip.
- Crowds can be heavy on weekends and public holidays. So, arrive early.
🚴♂️ Shared Bikes
Source: China Daily
Hangzhou was one of the first cities in China to roll out a massive shared bikes. It’s super convenient to get around. It’s a fun way to see the city like a local.
📍 Where to Find Them?
You’ll see shared bikes parked everywhere:
- Near metro exits, bus stops, and tourist spots.
- Around West Lake scenic paths (great for lakeside cycling).
- In local neighbourhoods and outside malls.
Popular bike brands include:
- Alipay Blue Bikes (Hello Bike / 哈啰单车)
- Meituan Bikes (美团单车)
- Didi Qingju Bikes (青桔单车)
📲 How to Use?
- Download Alipay or WeChat to unlock bikes.
- Go to the “Bike” section in Alipay/WeChat, scan the QR code on the bike, and it will unlock automatically.
- Most bikes require a refundable deposit (~¥99–199) unless you link a Chinese card with a good credit score in Alipay to skip the deposit.
- Parking is flexible, but return bikes to designated bike zones to avoid fines.
⚠️ Tips
- Stick to bike lanes when possible and watch for electric scooters.
- If you’re not comfortable with Chinese apps, consider sticking to metro or walking.
🚍Long-Distance Buses
Source: Wikipedia
If you’re looking for budget-friendly travel to nearby cities or towns, long-distance buses are a practical option in China.
🚌 Where to Take Them?
Hangzhou has several long-distance bus stations, with Hangzhou East Bus Station (杭州汽车东站), Hangzhou West Bus Station (杭州汽车西站) and Hangzhou North Bus Station (杭州汽车北站) being the most commonly used by travellers.
You can catch buses to:
- Shanghai, Suzhou, Nanjing for short city hops.
- Wuzhen, Moganshan, Qiandao Lake for day trips or overnight stays.
- Other Zhejiang and neighbouring province cities.
💸 Tickets & Booking
Tickets can be purchased directly at bus station counters (bring your passport). Fares are usually cheaper than high-speed rail, e.g., Hangzhou to Shanghai from ~¥70–100 (S$13–19).
⚠️ Things to Note
- Chinese signage at stations; staff may not speak English.
- Buses may depart from different stations, so double-check your departure point.
- Peak travel periods can sell out quickly.
🚗 Car Rentals & Driving in Hangzhou
If you’re used to Singapore’s organised roads and clear signage, driving in Hangzhou can feel like a mixed bag. While the roads are generally good, city traffic can be heavy, parking can be tricky, and local driving habits are more aggressive than you might be used to.
That said, renting a car makes sense if:
- You’re planning day trips to tea plantations, Thousand Islets Lake, Moganshan, or the Zhejiang countryside.
- Travelling with kids or elderly family members and want flexibility.
- Staying outside the city centre where public transport is limited.
If your trip focuses on West Lake and city attractions, the metro, buses, and ride-hailing apps will be easier and less stressful.
📍 Where to Rent a Car?
- Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport: Convenient if you want to drive out immediately upon arrival.
- City outlets: Near major train stations or CBD areas.
- Online booking: Best rates and English support via Trip.com.
📄 Requirements for Tourists
- An International Driving Permit (IDP) is mandatory along with your Singapore driving license.
- Minimum driver age: typically 21–25 years, depending on rental company.
- Passport and credit card for deposit.
- Local insurance is required (usually included in the rental fee, but check excess amounts).
💸 Cost
- Daily rates: From ¥200–400/day (S$36–72) depending on car type.
- Deposit: Often ¥3000+ (S$540+) held on your credit card.
- Fuel policy: Usually full-to-full; petrol prices are lower than in Singapore.
Additional costs:
- Electronic toll charges (ETC) on expressways.
- Parking fees (~¥5–15/hour in city areas).
🚗 Classic Day Trips from Hangzhou
If you’re looking to explore beyond West Lake, renting a car or booking a private driver lets you uncover hidden gems and natural beauty around Hangzhou.
🚗 Hangzhou → Qiandao Lake (Thousand Islets Lake)
It’s famous for its crystal-clear waters and over 1,000 islands, Qiandao Lake offers boat rides, lakeside cycling, and fresh fish head soup.
Distance & Drive Time: Approx. 150 km, 2–2.5 hours drive. ETC tolls: approx. ¥50–70.
Route: Take Hangzhou Ring Expressway → Hang-Xin-Jing Expressway → Exit at Qiandao Lake.
🚗 Hangzhou → Wuzhen Water Town
It’s a classic Jiangnan water town with picturesque canals, stone bridges, and lantern-lit night scenes.
Distance & Drive Time: Approx. 80 km, 1.5 hours drive.
Route: Take Hangzhou Ring Expressway → G60 Hukun Expressway → Exit at Tongxiang/Wuzhen.
🚗 Hangzhou → Moganshan
It’s a lush mountain escape ideal for hiking, bamboo forest walks, boutique stays, and tea tasting.
Distance & Drive Time: Approx. 60–70 km, 1.5 hours drive.
Route: Take Hangzhou Ring Expressway → Hang-Chang Expressway → Exit at Deqing, then follow signs to Moganshan.
🚘 Tips Before You Go
- ETC toll payments are common.
- Use Baidu Maps or Amap for reliable navigation (Google Maps is unreliable in China).
- Expect weekend and holiday traffic, so leave early to maximise your day.
🚶Exploring on Foot in Hangzhou
If you love strolling around Singapore’s Orchard Road or the Marina Bay waterfront, you’ll likely find Hangzhou a delight to explore on foot.
🛣️ Citywalk in Hangzhou
Many of Hangzhou’s main attractions are clustered around West Lake. You can hop between gardens, pagodas, and cafes without needing transport.
Other walkable areas include:
- Hefang Street (Qinghefang Ancient Street): A pedestrian cultural street lined with traditional shops and street food.
- West Lake Scenic Area: Shaded paths, causeways, and bridges for slow exploration.
- Bai Causeway & Su Causeway: For sunrise or sunset walks along West Lake.
- Xixi Wetland Park: Boardwalks through wetlands and canals for a nature fix.
- Wulin & Hubin Areas: Good for modern shopping walks.
🌦️ Weather in Hangzhou
Hangzhou’s weather can impact your plans:
- Spring/Autumn: Best for walking, with mild temperatures.
- Summer: Can get hot and humid, similar to Singapore, so hydrate and bring an umbrella for sun/rain.
- Winter: Cold but walkable; layer up.
Temperature in Hangzhou
🚄China High Speed Train
Source: Wikipedia
China’s high-speed rail (HSR) is one of the best ways to get around different cities. Trains are fast (up to 350 km/h), clean, and reliable. You can easily travel between Shanghai, Nanjing, Suzhou, and even Beijing from Hangzhou in just a few hours.
- Hangzhou East Station (杭州东站) is the main HSR hub, with frequent departures and clear English signage.
- Hangzhou Station (城站) near the city centre is convenient for some high-speed and regional trains.
- Hangzhou South and Hangzhou West Stations serve a few routes depending on your destination.
The trains are comfortable and punctual, with Second Class, First Class, and Business Class seats. Tickets are easy to buy online, and Trip.com is a popular platform for foreigners to book tickets in advance.
For intercity travel, high-speed trains are often faster and less stressful than flying, with no need to deal with airport transfers.
🎯Which Option is Best for You?
If it’s your first time in Hangzhou, the metro paired with ride-hailing apps is the easiest and fastest way to get around. Families will appreciate taxis or private transfers for comfort. Budget travellers can save by using the metro, buses, and walking to discover hidden local gems.
Getting around Hangzhou is part of the experience itself. The city feels peaceful yet lively, and once you get the hang of the transport options, moving around is easy.