Nanjing Transport Guide 2026: Getting Around Nanjing Easily

Nanjing Lukou International Airport Transfers

Nanjing Lukou Airport NKG is 40 kilometers to the southeast of the centre of Nanjing. There are four ways to get to the downtown area.

1. S1 Airport Metro Line

The fastest, most consistent choice, unaffected by traffic jams.

• Route: Lukou Airport ↔ Nanjing South Railway Station (transfer to Line 1/3 for Xinjiekou, Confucius Temple, Xuanwu Lake).
• Operating Hours: Airport bound 06:00–22:00; City bound 06:40–22:00.
• Frequency: Every 10 minutes.
• Journey Time: 35–40 mins to Nanjing South; 50–60 mins to Xinjiekou CBD.
• Fare: ¥6 one-way = S$1.10.
• How to ride: Exit T2 arrivals, turn left 50 metres to reach metro gates. Pay via single-journey ticket machines, Nanjing Tong transport card or the English-language Nanjing Metro mobile app QR code.

2. Nanjing Airport Express Buses

Three fixed routes with ample luggage space, running alongside flight schedules.

• Boarding point: T2 Exit 3 (domestic arrivals); T1 Exit 1.
• Pro tip: Avoid rush hour (07:30–09:00, 17:30–19:00) as road congestion can add 20+ minutes to travel time.

3. Taxis & Didi Ride-Hailing

• Standard taxi daytime rate (06:00–23:00): ¥11 flag fall (3km), ¥2.4 per km after.
• Night surcharge (23:00–06:00): 30% extra on all mileage fees.
• Estimated fares:
• • Airport → Xinjiekou CBD: ¥100–130 = S$18.40–S$23.90 (40–50 mins).
  • Airport → Nanjing South Station: ¥70–90 = S$12.90–S$16.60 (30 mins).

Nanjing Metro – The City’s Transport Backbone

Nanjing Metro connects all the historical places, shopping areas and transportation centers. It has 13 city lines and also includes suburban lines that go to the airport. It is the number one choice for people who are visiting Nanjing.

Nanjing Metro Timetables & Frequency

• First trains: ~05:47 (Line 1 earliest).
• Last trains: ~23:00–23:30 (Lines 1 & 2 extend to 23:30 on weekends; S1 airport line ends at 22:00).
• Peak frequency (07:30–09:00, 17:30–19:00): Trains every 2–3 minutes.
• Off-peak frequency: Every 4–6 minutes.

Nanjing Metro Fare

Nanjing Metro Payment Methods

1. Single-journey tickets: You can buy them from vending machines at every station.
2. Nanjing Tong Public Transport Card: This is similar to Singapore’s EZ-Link. You can purchase it at station counters for a ¥20 deposit, which can be refunded. You also need to add some cash to the card. This card works on the metro, buses and public ferries.
3. Nanjing Metro App: You can use this app to generate a QR code that you scan at the gates. It works with Alipay and WeChat Pay if you have a bank account linked.
4. Tourist passes: There are 1-day passes for ¥18 and 3-day passes for ¥45. These are great for tourists who are moving between attractions all day.

Must-Visit Tourist Metro Stops

• Xinjiekou (Line 1/2 interchange): China’s underground commercial hub, shopping malls and local food streets.
• Confucius Temple (Line 3 Exit 2): access to Qinhuai River waterfront Fuzimiao ancient town.
• Wudingmen (Line 3 Exit 2): 4-minute walk to Laomen East, Ming-dynasty alleyways.
• Xiamafang / Mafangshan (Line 2): Entrance, to Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Meiling Palace and Linggu Temple.
• Xuanwumen (Line 1 Exit 3): Xuanwu Lake Park, 600-year-old city wall promenade.
• Jimingsi (Line 3/4 Exit 5): Jiming Temple, famous cherry blossom viewing in spring.
• Daxinggong (Line 2 Exit 1): Nanjing Museum, one of China’s national museums.

Nanjing Local Buses

Source: wikimedia

Nanjing has a big bus network that goes to the suburbs and nice places that the metro does not go to. The bus fares are very cheap, which is great for people who do not want to spend a lot of money.

• Standard fare: ¥2 flat rate = S$0.37 per ride.
• Operating hours: Most routes run 05:30–22:00; limited night buses until 23:30 around Xinjiekou and Fuzimiao.
• Frequency: Every 5–15 minutes depending on route and time of day.
• Payment options: Nanjing Tong transport card, Alipay/WeChat QR codes, exact cash coins (no change given by drivers).
• Key tourist bus routes:
• • Route 202: Xinjiekou → Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum → Ming Xiaoling.
  • Route 1: Nanjing Railway Station → Confucius Temple → Laomen East.

Nanjing Taxis & Didi Ride-Hailing

For families, elderly travellers, late-night trips or rainy days, private rides are the most comfortable option.

Didi Chuxing (Recommended for Foreign Tourists)

• Full English app interface, accepts credit cards for direct payment.
• Vehicle tiers & price estimates (central city short trips, 3–6km):
• • Didi Express (economy): ¥15–25 = S$2.75–S$4.60.
  • Didi Premium: ¥30–45 = S$5.50–S$8.30.
• Extra charges: 30% night surcharge (23:00–05:00), highway tolls for airport trips, dynamic surge pricing during heavy rain or peak holidays.

Official Metered Taxis

• Flag fall ¥11 for first 3km, ¥2.4/km daytime, ¥2.7/km overnight.
• Cash, WeChat Pay and Alipay accepted; carry small RMB cash as older drivers lack digital payment tools.

Nanjing Qinhuai River Cruises & Public Ferries

Nanjing’s most iconic scenic transport, perfect for evening sightseeing after exploring Confucius Temple.

1. Public Yangtze Ferry

• Operates between north and south Yangtze piers, used mainly by locals.
• Fare: ¥2 = S$0.37 one-way, payable via Nanjing Tong card or cash.
• Timetable: 06:30–21:00, departs every 15–20 minutes.

2. Qinhuai Painted Boat Sightseeing Cruises

Boats depart from Panchi Dock directly outside Confucius Temple, sailing the ancient “Ten-Mile Qinhuai” waterway with traditional lantern-lit scenery.

• Discounts: Children under 1.2m free; 1.2–1.5m half price.
• Best visiting window: 19:30–21:00, when all riverside lanterns and historic buildings are fully illuminated.

Nanjing Shared Bicycles

Nanjing’s tree-lined old alleyways and lakefront paths are made for cycling, ideal for short 1–5km trips between nearby attractions like Laomen East and Confucius Temple or Xuanwu Lake lakeside loops.

• Pricing: ¥1.5 for first 15 minutes, ¥0.5 per subsequent 15 mins = roughly S$0.28–S$0.90 per hour.
• No deposit required; unlock via WeChat/Alipay mini-program QR scan.

Nanjing Car Rental – Only Recommended for Day Trips Out of Town

Driving in Nanjing is not a good idea for tourists from Singapore. The traffic in the city center is always bad. You will also have a time finding a place to park your car, and you have to pay for it (¥10–20/hour = S$1.80–S$3.70). So it is better to rent a car only if you are going on a trip to places like Suzhou, Yangzhou or Huangshan Mountain for a few days.

Mandatory Documents for Singapore Licence Holders

Singapore driving licences and standard International Driving Permits (IDP) are not legally valid in mainland China. You must apply for a temporary Chinese driving permit at local vehicle administration offices:

1. Original Singapore driving licence.
2. Certified Chinese translation of your licence.
3. Passport with valid Chinese tourist visa.
4. Two passport-sized photos.
5. Application fee ¥15 = S$2.75 (valid for up to 90 days).

Driving Differences from Singapore

• When you are driving, you have to stay on the right-hand side of the road. This is the opposite of what they do in Singapore.
• You will see speed cameras everywhere, so you have to be careful not to speed or go through lights because the penalties are very strict.
• In the centre of the city, they do not let cars drive around on weekends and holidays, so traffic is a lot better in those places on traffic days.

Nanjing Citywalk

Nanjing is one of China’s most walkable major cities, with compact historic districts, wide lakefront promenades and shaded plane-tree boulevards perfect for slow sightseeing. 

Four walking routes tailored for Singapore travellers:

1. Qinhuai Ancient Town Line (4km, 4–5 hours): Confucius Temple → Wuyi Lane → Laomen East → Zhonghua Gate City Wall. Best visited late afternoon into evening for lantern-lit river views.
2. Republican Era Wutong Boulevard Line (5km, half-day): Yihe Road Mansion District → Jiangsu Road → Pioneer Bookstore. Ideal spring and autumn, with photogenic plane-tree canopies.
3. Xuanwu Lake Loop (6km, 2–3 hours): Free lakeside walking track circling the city’s iconic lake, paired with Ming Dynasty city wall viewpoints.
4. Zhongshan Cultural Corridor (8km full day): Mafangshan Metro Station → Meiling Palace → Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum → Linggu Temple (combine with shared e-bike to cut walking distance).

China High-Speed Rail (Intercity Travel from Nanjing)

Nanjing South Railway Station is a major national high-speed rail hub, connecting to neighbouring Jiangsu and Zhejiang cities in under two hours, far faster than short-haul flights with airport check-in delays.

Key popular routes & approximate fares (2nd class):

• Nanjing → Suzhou: 1 hour, ¥110 = S$20.20.
• Nanjing → Hangzhou: 1.5 hours, ¥180 = S$33.10.
• Nanjing → Shanghai: 1 hour 15 mins, ¥150 = S$27.60.
• Nanjing → Yangzhou: 30 mins, ¥40 = S$7.40.

Best Transport Choice in Nanjing by Traveller Type