First arrival
Getting in from the airport
Three ways out of the terminal and how to choose between them.
A metered taxi
The simplest option with luggage and at a late hour. The queue at the official rank moves quickly even when it looks long.
You show the address in characters on your phone screen. That is where the conversation with the driver ends — by design.
Careful
Anything offered to you out loud in the arrivals hall costs two or three times the metered fare and has no fixed rate. The official rank is outside, following the signs.
Metro and airport express
In the large cities a metro line runs right into the terminal and costs a fraction of a taxi.
There is one real drawback: with two suitcases at rush hour it is hard work, and the last trains leave earlier than in Europe.
A booked transfer
Worth it when you land at night, have a lot of luggage or are in the city for the first time. The driver meets you with a sign in arrivals and the price is known in advance.
It is also the only option where somebody notices your flight was delayed and adjusts.
Tip
If you land after midnight, check the metro timetable in advance: your options narrow to a taxi or a booked transfer, and the rank queue is longer at night.
Checked: 26 August 2026
Editor: The PANDA editorial team
What you can hand to PANDA
Sources
- PRC government portal for foreignersofficial source
- Civil Aviation Administration of Chinaofficial source
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