The Hangzhou metro is one of the easiest ways to move around Hangzhou, especially if you are visiting West Lake, Hefang Street, Hangzhou East Railway Station, Hangzhou West Railway Station, or Xiaoshan International Airport. For foreign travelers, it is clean, affordable, bilingual in many key areas, and usually much faster than driving during rush hour. Still, using the system well is not just about finding the nearest station. You need to understand the Hangzhou metro map, choose the right line, check the last train, and know when a private car is more comfortable than the subway.
As of 2026, Hangzhou has 12 operating metro lines, covering the city center, airport, high-speed railway stations, Lin’an, Qiantang District, Xiaoshan, Yuhang, and major sightseeing areas. The network is large enough to be useful, but also complex enough to confuse first-time visitors. This guide explains the hangzhou subway, key lines, transfer stations, tourist routes, airport and train connections, ticket tips, and when our private Hangzhou travel service can save you time and stress.
Hangzhou Metro Map: How to Read It
The Hangzhou subway map may look busy at first, but travelers can simplify it by remembering a few practical rules.
A local tip: do not only check which station is closest on the map. Check the exit. Around West Lake, Hefang Street, Wulin, and railway stations, choosing the wrong exit can turn a 10-minute walk into a 25-minute walk with luggage. This is one reason many of our guests use metro for simple daytime sightseeing, but choose our private car and English-speaking guide service for airport pickup, hotel transfer, family trips, and tight multi-city itineraries.
Tour packages including Hangzhou: Hangzhou tours
Hangzhou Metro Lines at a Glance
The Hangzhou metro network is large, so the table below focuses on what travelers actually need: route direction, approximate operating window, main transfer stations, and useful attractions.
| Line | Main Route | Approx. First & Last Train Window | Key Transfer Stations | Useful Attractions & Travel Ideas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Line 1 | Xianghu ↔ Xiaoshan International Airport | Around 06:00 to 22:30–after 23:00, depending on direction | Fengqi Road, Wulin Square, West Lake Cultural Square, Chengzhan, East Railway Station, Coach Center, South Wenhai Road, Xiaoshan Airport | West Lake, Hangzhou Railway Station, Hangzhou East Railway Station |
| Line 2 | Chaoyang ↔ Liangzhu | Around 06:00 to 23:00–after midnight on some directions | Fengqi Road, Qianjiang Road, Qianjiang Century City, Jianshe Third Road, Xueyuan Road | Hangzhou city highlights, Qianjiang New City, Wulin Square |
| Line 3 | Wushanqiancun ↔ Xingqiao / Shima branch | Around 06:00 to 22:30–23:00 | Hangzhou West Railway Station, Lüting Road, Huanglong Sports Center, Wulinmen, Wulin Square, West Lake Cultural Square, Xintiandi Street | Xixi Wetland, Top Things to Do in Hangzhou, Hangzhou West Railway Station |
| Line 4 | Puyan ↔ Chihua Street | Around 06:00 to 22:30–23:00 | East Railway Station, Pengbu, Jinjiang, Qianjiang Road, Citizen Center, Nanxingqiao, Xintiandi Street | Best Hotels in Hangzhou, Qianjiang New City, Hangzhou East Railway Station |
| Line 5 | East Nanhu ↔ Guniangqiao | Around 06:00 to 22:30–after midnight on some sections | Lüting Road, Sanba, Hemu, Grand Canal, Datieguan, Chengzhan, Nanxingqiao, Changhe, Binkang Road, Hangzhou South Railway Station | Grand Canal, Gongchen Bridge, Hangzhou Railway Station, Hangzhou South Railway Station |
| Line 6 | Shuangpu / West Guihua Road ↔ Goujulong | Around 06:00 to 22:30–23:00 | Jiangling Road, Changhe, Olympic Sports Center, Qianjiang Century City, Sanbao, East Railway Station, Goujulong | Hangzhou Travel Guide, Olympic Sports Center, Qiantang River |
| Line 7 | Wushan Square ↔ Jiangdong Second Road | Around 06:00 to 22:30–23:40 | Guanyintang, Citizen Center, Olympic Sports Center, Jianshe Third Road, Xiaoshan International Airport, Middle Qingliu Road | Hefang Street, Wushan Square, Olympic Sports Center, Xiaoshan Airport |
| Line 8 | South Wenhai Road ↔ Xinwan Road | Around 06:05 to 22:30–23:00 | South Wenhai Road, Middle Qingliu Road | Qiantang District, university areas, eastern Hangzhou |
| Line 9 | Long’an ↔ Guanyintang | Around 06:00 to 23:00–after midnight on some directions | Coach Center, Yudao, Sanbao, Qianjiang Road, Guanyintang | Qianjiang New City, Linping, Coach Center |
| Line 10 | Yisheng Road ↔ Huanglong Sports Center | Around 06:00 to 22:50–23:30 | Huanglong Sports Center, Wensan Road, Xueyuan Road, Hemu, Hangxing Road | Huanglong Sports Center, north Hangzhou, Hangzhou tours |
| Line 16 | Jiuzhou Street ↔ Lüting Road | Around 06:10 to 22:30–23:15 | Lüting Road | Lin’an, Qingshan Lake, suburban Hangzhou |
| Line 19 | Hangzhou West Railway Station area ↔ Xiaoshan Airport area | Around 05:40–06:20 to 23:00–after midnight on some airport sections | Hangzhou West Railway Station, Chuangjing Road, Wensan Road, Shentangqiao, West Lake Cultural Square, East Railway Station, Yudao, Xiaoshan International Airport | Xiaoshan Airport, Hangzhou East Railway Station, Hangzhou West Railway Station, How to Take High Speed Train in China |
Always check the station screen on the day you travel. First and last trains vary by station and direction, and holiday schedules may be extended or adjusted.
How to Get to Popular Attractions by Metro
For West Lake, use Line 1 to Longxiangqiao or Ding’an Road. Longxiangqiao is better for the lakeside shopping area, Hubin, and the classic first impression of West Lake. Ding’an Road works better for the southern side and Hefang Street. If you plan to walk Su Causeway, take a boat, and visit quieter lake corners, the metro gets you close, but a guide and private car help you avoid wasting energy between distant lakeside points.
For Hefang Street and Southern Song Imperial Street, Line 7 to Wushan Square or Line 1 to Ding’an Road is usually practical. The area is walkable, but evenings can be crowded. If you are traveling with children or older parents, finish dinner before the crowd peaks or arrange a car pickup nearby.
For Xixi Wetland, Line 3 to South Xixi Wetland or Line 19 to North Xixi Wetland can work well. The key is choosing the right entrance. Xixi is not one single compact attraction; different entrances lead to different walking and boat routes. Guests often underestimate this and lose time moving between gates.
For Longjing Village, the metro alone is not enough. You can take Line 1 or Line 3 toward the West Lake/Huanglong area, then continue by taxi or private car. Longjing is best visited slowly, with tea fields, local tea tasting, and a scenic drive through the hills.
For the Grand Canal and Gongchen Bridge area, Line 5 is very useful. Get off at Grand Canal or Gongchenqiao East, depending on your walking route. This area is calmer than West Lake and gives travelers a different side of Hangzhou: old warehouses, canal culture, museums, and local neighborhoods.
For Qiantang River night views, Line 4, Line 6, or Line 7 can bring you close to Qianjiang New City, Citizen Center, or Olympic Sports Center. The skyline and riverfront are especially good in the evening. If your hotel is not nearby, pre-arranging the return trip is smart, because taxis can be harder to get after big events.
Airport and Train Station Connections
Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport is one of the easiest airports in China to reach by metro. Line 1, Line 7, and Line 19 all serve the airport. Line 19 is usually the most useful for fast transfers between the airport, Hangzhou East Railway Station, and Hangzhou West Railway Station. Line 1 is helpful if your hotel is near West Lake, Wulin, or central Hangzhou. Line 7 is useful for Wushan Square, Olympic Sports Center, and parts of Xiaoshan and Qiantang District.
For Hangzhou East Railway Station, use Line 1, Line 4, Line 6, or Line 19. This is one of the busiest transport hubs in the city. If you are arriving by high-speed train with large luggage, give yourself extra time to find the correct exit and pickup point. Many first-time travelers think “East Railway Station” is simple, then realize the station is huge.
For Hangzhou West Railway Station, Line 3 and Line 19 are the key routes. If you are connecting from the airport, Line 19 is usually the most direct option. If your itinerary includes Shanghai, Suzhou, Huangshan, or other nearby cities, read How to Take High Speed Train in China before finalizing your route.
For Hangzhou Railway Station, also known as Chengzhan, use Line 1 or Line 5. This station is more central than Hangzhou East but serves fewer high-speed routes.
For Hangzhou South Railway Station, use Line 5. This station is useful for some regional rail routes, but many foreign travelers will still use Hangzhou East more often.
The Hangzhou subway is excellent for independent travelers with light luggage. But if you land after a long international flight, travel with children, carry several suitcases, or need to meet a guide immediately, a private airport pickup is often worth it. It prevents the classic first-day problem: tired travelers, weak phone signal, payment setup not ready, and a hotel address that is hard to explain in English.
If you want a smoother arrival, we can arrange airport pickup, private car, English-speaking guide, and a custom Hangzhou itinerary through custom China tours.
Booking Tickets and Payment Tips
For a single ride, you can buy a ticket from the ticket machine inside the station. Most machines support Chinese and English, but some foreign cards may not work. Cash, Alipay, WeChat Pay, or a metro QR code are usually more practical.
For most foreign travelers, the easiest method is setting up Alipay before the first metro ride. Open the transport section, choose Hangzhou, activate the metro QR code, and scan at the gate. Do not wait until you are standing at the gate with people behind you. That is when small app problems feel much bigger than they are.
If you are using the Hangzhou subway map inside a navigation app, check both the line and direction. In China, metro directions are usually shown by terminal station name. For example, you may need to board toward “Xiaoshan International Airport,” “Xianghu,” “Wushan Square,” or “Hangzhou West Railway Station,” not just “Line 1” or “Line 19.”
Useful travel guide for you: How to Use Metro in China: Foreign Traveler Guide
A practical rule: use the metro for clear, direct routes. Use a private car when the route involves multiple transfers, elderly travelers, heavy luggage, bad weather, late-night arrival, or attractions far from stations. Hangzhou is scenic, but many of its best experiences are not directly above a metro station. Longjing tea fields, Lingyin Temple, Meijiawu, quiet West Lake corners, and some local restaurants are much easier with a vehicle and a guide who knows the timing.
Recommended Hangzhou Tours
If you are only visiting Hangzhou for one day, a good route is West Lake, Hefang Street, and a relaxed local meal. The metro can help with access, but private guiding makes the day smoother because West Lake is large and route design matters. Tour packages including West Lake and old street culture: Hangzhou tours
If you have two days, add Lingyin Temple, Longjing Village, a tea experience, and a West Lake boat ride. This combination gives you the classic Hangzhou feeling: water, hills, tea, Buddhist culture, and Jiangnan-style streets. Useful travel guide for you: West Lake Boat Ride Hangzhou Guide
If you are interested in modern China, combine Shanghai and Hangzhou. Shanghai shows the international skyline, finance, design, and urban speed. Hangzhou shows technology, education, Alibaba-style innovation, West Lake culture, tea fields, and a softer lifestyle. Recommended route: 7-Day China Technology Tour: Shanghai & Hangzhou
For families, older travelers, Muslim travelers, vegetarian guests, or first-time visitors who do not want to handle tickets, transfers, Chinese apps, and hotel logistics alone, a custom private tour is usually the safest choice. We can design the route, arrange licensed English-speaking guides, provide private vehicles, help with high-speed train planning, and adjust the pace around your comfort.
Tell us your travel dates, hotel level, group size, and interests, and we will help you build a practical Hangzhou route. You can contact us to start planning.
FAQ
Yes, it is generally easy for foreign travelers, especially on major routes such as West Lake, Hangzhou East Railway Station, Hangzhou West Railway Station, and Xiaoshan International Airport. The main challenges are payment setup, choosing the correct direction, and finding the right exit.
You can use the official metro map displayed inside stations, local navigation apps, or updated travel maps. For planning, always use a recent map because Hangzhou’s network has expanded quickly in recent years.
Not completely. A map tells you which station is near an attraction, but it does not show walking distance inside scenic areas, the best entrance, crowd flow, weather impact, or whether a taxi/private car is better after the metro ride.
Line 19 is often the most convenient for fast cross-city transfers, especially to Hangzhou East Railway Station, Hangzhou West Railway Station, and West Lake Cultural Square. Line 1 and Line 7 are also useful, depending on your hotel location.
Longxiangqiao on Line 1 is one of the most popular stations for West Lake. Ding’an Road is also useful for the southern side and Hefang Street. For deeper West Lake routes, walking distance and pickup planning matter more than the station name alone.
Not directly. You can take the metro to a nearby city area such as Huanglong or West Lake, then continue by taxi, bus, or private car. For Lingyin Temple and Longjing tea fields on the same day, private transport is much more efficient.
Set up Alipay before your ride, check the line direction by terminal station, keep your passport with you, avoid rush hour with luggage, and screenshot your hotel address in Chinese. If your route includes several transfers or a late arrival, arrange a private pickup instead.
Use the metro for simple city routes, especially during rush hour. Use a private car for airport arrival, family travel, elderly travelers, rainy days, Longjing Village, Lingyin Temple, multi-stop sightseeing, or any day when comfort and timing matter more than saving a few yuan.
