How to Ride Hangzhou Metro - Map, Lines, Hours, Tickets

Hangzhou Metro Map 2025

Credit: China Discovery

Hangzhou Metro is the fastest, cheapest way to explore the city. As of 2025, it has ​12 lines, ​516 km of track, and ​268 stations, connecting top areas like ​West Lake, Xiaoshan Airport, and major shopping districts like In77.

• ​Operating Hours: Most lines run ​6:00 AM–11:00 PM (extended to midnight on holidays).
• ​Fares: Start at ¥2 (up to ¥9 for long trips) based on distance.

Hangzhou Metro is the only system in China where Lines 1–7 follow the rainbow’s color order (red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, purple)!🌈

If u are going to Hangzhou from other cities like Shanghai, pls search China bullet train below!

List of Hangzhou Metro Lines & Stations

Take Line 1 to West Lake!

🚇 Line 1 (Red Line) – The Best Line for Travel

• Route: Xianghu (Xiaoshan) ↔ Xiaoshan International Airport
• Length: 53.1 km | Stations: 33
• Best For: Airport transfers, shopping, siteseeing, and major train stations.
• Highlights:
  
• Runs like an arc across Hangzhou, linking West Lake, Hangzhou Railway Station, and Hangzhou East Railway Station.
• The only line that directly reaches Xiaoshan Airport (great for travelers!).
• Used to stretch to Linping (now part of Line 9).

🚇 Line 2 (Orange Line) – Northwest to Southeast Connector

• Route: Chaoyang (Xiaoshan) ↔ Liangzhu (Yuhang)
• Length: 43.3 km | Stations: 33
• Best For: Culture lovers and business districts.
• Highlights:
  
• Passes Qianjiang Century City (Hangzhou’s futuristic CBD).
• Ends at Liangzhu, home to the 5000-year-old Liangzhu Ruins (UNESCO World Heritage Site).
• A lifeline for commuters between Xiaoshan and Yuhang.

🚇 Line 3 (Yellow Line) – The Scenic Commuter

• Route: Xingqiao (Linping) ↔ Wushanqiancun (Yuhang) / Shima (Xihu)
• Length: 57.5 km | Stations: 37
• Best For: Exploring nature and universities.
• Highlights:
  
• Xixi Wetland branch (perfect for a peaceful getaway).
• Stops near Hangzhou West Railway Station (handy for high-speed trains).
• Connects multiple universities, making it a student favorite.

🚇 Line 4 (Green Line) – The Hook-Shaped Hybrid

• Route: Chihua Street (Xihu) ↔ Puyan (Binjiang)
• Length: 46.8 km | Stations: 32
• Best For: Mixing business with leisure.
• Highlights:
  
• Covers West Lake’s southern side (less touristy but just as beautiful).
• Stops at Hangzhou East Railway Station (major transport hub).
• Ends in Puyan, near tech parks and residential areas.

🚇 Line 5 (Cyan Line) – The Busiest Z-Shaped Route

• Route: East Nanhu (Yuhang) ↔ Guniangqiao (Xiaoshan)
• Length: 56 km | Stations: 40
• Best For: Transfers and cross-city travel.
• Highlights:
  
• Hangzhou’s busiest line (over 500,000 daily riders!).
• Direct transfer to Shaoxing Metro (perfect for day trips).
• Passes Future Sci-Tech City (Hangzhou’s Silicon Valley).

🚇 Line 6 (Blue Line) – The Asian Games Special

• Route: Goujulong (Shangcheng) ↔ West Guihua Road (Fuyang) / Shuangpu (Xihu)
• Length: 58.5 km | Stations: 34
• Best For: Sports fans and event-goers.
• Highlights:
  
• Served the 2022 Asian Games, linking Olympic Sports Park and Asian Games Village.
• Connects Fuyang District (a quieter suburban area).

🚇 Line 7 (Purple Line) – The Airport & Industrial Link

• Route: Jiangdong’er Road (Qiantang) ↔ Wushan Square (Shangcheng)
• Length: 47.5 km | Stations: 24
• Best For: Business travelers and industry workers.
• Highlights:
  
• Second airport line (alternative to Line 1).
• Runs through Dajiangdong Industrial Park (key economic zone).

Other Lines (8, 9, 10, 16, 19) – Shorter but Useful

• Line 8: Short east-west shuttle in Qiantang (17.2 km).
• Line 9: Replaced part of Line 1, now linking Qianjiang New City to Linping.
• Line 10: Future link to Deqing Intercity Rail (under construction).
• Line 16: Express line to Lin’an District (35.1 km, only 12 stops).
• 👍Line 19: Airport express, zipping between West Railway Station, East Railway Station, and Xiaoshan Airport. As a Hangzhou local, I think it's the fastest and the most efficient line!

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How to Ride Hangzhou Metro? Map App & Station Guide

Credit: Bilibili, 一两二三四L

1. Plan Your Route (Use a Map App)

First, open China Map App like Amap (高德地图) or Apple Maps and type in your destination.

• Tap "Public Transport" (Bus/M) to see metro options.
• The app will tell you:
  
• Which metro line(s) to take
• Where to enter/exit
• If you need to transfer (换乘)
• Estimated travel time

📌 Pro Tip: Screenshot your route in case you lose signal underground!

Sry I use Shanghai metro route for instance here, Hangzhou is the same!

2. Enter the Metro Station

• Look for the big metro sign (杭州地铁, usually blue/green/red) outside the station.
• Take the escalator or elevator down to the station hall.

Source from viajeroslowcosteros

3. Buy a Ticket (If You Don’t Have Alipay)

• If using Alipay: Open the app → Search "Hangzhou Metro" → Tap "Transport QR Code" (乘车码). Scan at the gate. (Super easy!)
• If buying a ticket:
  
• Find the self-service ticket machine (usually near the entrance).
• Touchscreen → Select your destination station → Pay (cash/WeChat/Alipay).
• Get your token (single-use card) and keep it safe—you’ll need it to exit!
• Need help? Ask staff near security (they usually speak basic English).

Credit: Bilibili, 一两二三四L

⚠️ Security Check:

• All bags go through X-ray (like at airports).
• What NOT to bring:
  
• Lighters, knives, alcohol (over 50%)
• Pets (unless in carriers)
• Big luggage? No problem, but avoid rush hour (7:30-9:30 AM / 5-7 PM).

Credit: Bilibili, 一两二三四L

4. Find Your Train & Board

• After entering, follow signs for your line (e.g., Line 1 → Xianghu方向).
• Check the direction (the app tells you the final stop name).
• Wait on the platform:
  
• Screens show next train arrival time (usually 2-5 mins).
• Stand behind the yellow line!

Credit: Bilibili, 一两二三四L

• Board the train: Let people exit first, then step in.

🚇 Accessibility?

• Elevators are available (look for ♿ signs).
• Priority seats are marked (please offer them to elderly/pregnant passengers).

Credit: Bilibili, 一两二三四L

5. Ride & Get Off at Your Stop

• Watch your map app—it’ll tell you when to get off.
• Trains announce stops in Chinese & English.
• Transfer? Follow colorful signs (e.g., "Line 3 → this way").

Credit: Bilibili, 一两二三四L

6. Exit the Station

• Scan your QR code (Alipay) or insert your token at the gate to exit.
• Which exit? Your map app will suggest the best one (e.g., "Exit A for West Lake").
• Lost? Check the station wall map or ask staff.

Hangzhou Metro Operating Hours for All Lines

Credit: Wikipedia

Hangzhou Metro typically operates from ​6:00 AM to ​11:00 PM (23:00) for most lines and stations. However, ​extended hours apply during holidays, special events, or high-demand periods (e.g., Spring Festival, New Year).

​Airport Access:

• ​Line 1 & 19 connect to Xiaoshan International Airport. Last regular trains depart by ​10:30 PM; holidays extend to midnight.
• For late flights, use ​Xiangyang Road Station (Line 1’s latest airport-bound train at ​00:02 AM).

​Transfer Hubs:

• ​Hangzhou East Railway Station (Lines 1, 4, 6, 19): Extended to ​1:15 AM during holidays.
• ​West Lake Stations (Lines 1, 2): Regular last trains at ​10:30–11:00 PM.

The Hangzhou Metro Hours I collected are as of Apr. 2025, it's only for reference! For real-time updates, use the ​Hangzhou Metro App or scan QR codes at stations

Hangzhou Metro Ticket Types

Credit: Wikimedia

1. ​Single-Journey Ticket

• ​Price: Starts at ¥2 (distance-based fare; max ¥9 for long routes).
• ​Validity:
• Physical ticket: Valid only on the day of purchase, recycled at exit gates
• E-ticket: Expires if unused on the day of purchase; automatic refund if unused
• ​Purchase: Available at station kiosks or on Hangzhou Metro App

2. ​Tourist Passes

• ​Rules:
• Physical tickets: Valid for ​6 months from purchase; non-refundable and non-reloadable
• E-tickets: Must activate within ​7 days of purchase; unused tickets auto-refunded
• No re-entry at the same station within ​5 minutes of exiting

3. ​Souvenir Cards

• ​Design: Special editions (e.g., "West Lake Scenery" or festival themes)
• ​Price: ¥15–¥80 (varies by design; same functionality as tourist passes)
• ​Validity: 6 months from purchase; reusable as collectibles after expiration

4. ​Hangzhou Public Transport Card (Hangzhoutong)

• ​Discount:
• ​9.1折 (9% off) for regular users
• ​5折 (50% off) for seniors aged 60–69; ​free for those over 70 during non-peak hours
• Rechargeable; usable on buses, metro, and ferries.

Hangzhou Metro Ticket Price & Discount

Source from ENGLISH.GOV.CN

Hangzhou Metro Ticket Price

• ​Starting Fare: ¥2 for 4 km, max price ￥9.
• ​Mileage-Based Pricing:
• ​4–12 km: +¥1 for every 4 km.
• ​12–24 km: +¥1 for every 6 km.
• ​24+ km: +¥1 for every 8 km.
• ​Time Limit: 240 minutes (4 hours) per journey

​Hangzhou Metro Discounts & Free Rides

• ​Free Access:
• Children under 1.3m (1 free per adult)
• Disabled individuals, veterans, firefighters, and blood giver holders
• ​50% Off:
• Students with valid ID
• Seniors aged 60–69
• ​Peak Hours (7–9 AM, 5–7 PM):
• Seniors over 70 pay 50% during peak times; free otherwise

Hangzhou Metro to Top Attractions & Shopping Areas

Hangzhou Metro connects u to best sights and shopping hubs easy. Here’s how:

• ​West Lake (西湖): Take ​Line 1 to Longxiangqiao Station (龙翔桥站) – 10-min walk to the lake.
• Xiaoshan Airport: Take ​Line 1 or ​Line 19 directly to ​Xiaoshan International Airport (last train around ​10:30 PM, extended to midnight on holidays).
• ​Xixi Wetland (西溪湿地): ​Line 3 to Xixi Wetland South Station (西溪湿地南站).
• ​In77 Shopping Mall (湖滨银泰): ​Line 1 to Longxiangqiao Station (exit C).
• ​Wulin Square (武林广场): ​Line 1/3 to Wulin Square Station – major retail hub.

Tip: Use ​tourist passes (¥15/day) for unlimited rides to these spots!

Recommended Hotels near Hangzhou Metro Station

Check these top hotels near the best Hangzhou Metro Station for first-time visitors👇👇