Hangzhou Metro Guide (2026): Lines, Fares & Tips
Ride the Hangzhou metro to West Lake and beyond — pay by Alipay QR code, the line to Longxiangqiao for West Lake, fares and day passes.
Hangzhou’s metro is clean, cheap and the fastest way to West Lake and the city’s main sights. This guide covers paying, the lines you’ll actually use, fares and the practical details.
How to pay
- Alipay QR code (easiest): open the Hangzhou metro code in Alipay (or WeChat) and scan at the gates — the fare is deducted on exit. Foreign visitors can link an international card to Alipay.
- Single-journey ticket: at the machines with cash or phone payment.
- Day passes: ¥15 one day, ¥40 three days of unlimited rides — great for a sightseeing day.
Fares
- Fares are by distance: ¥2 for the first 4km, then ¥3, ¥4 and up. Most rides run ¥2–9; the single-trip maximum is around ¥8–9.
The lines you’ll actually use
| Line | What’s on it |
|---|---|
| Line 1 | West Lake (Longxiangqiao), Hangzhou East, Xiaoshan Airport |
| Line 2 | West shore, Liangzhu |
| Line 3 | Lingyin Temple, Leifeng Pagoda, Xixi Wetland, Wulin |
| Lines 7/19 | Xiaoshan Airport links |
- To West Lake: Line 1 to Longxiangqiao, then a 5-minute walk to the lakeside (Broken Bridge area). From Hangzhou East station, about 35–40 minutes and ¥3.
Practical tips
- Hours: most lines run 6am–11pm (varies by line; later on holidays).
- Avoid peak: 8–9am and 5:30–7pm, especially at interchange stations; holidays can bring crowd limits at West Lake stops.
- Bags go through security at the entrance; liquids may be checked separately.
- Buses for the lakeside: the metro doesn’t reach every West Lake corner — grab a Hangzhou bus QR code in Alipay for the rest.
- Payment and data: set up Alipay and an eSIM before you arrive.
Getting around the city
West Lake is the anchor — the city guide maps the sights and the lakeside loop. For the system-wide basics, our China metro guide covers how the network works.
Where this fits
Hangzhou is the day-trip star of the Shanghai–Suzhou–Hangzhou route and a stop on the two-week route. For where to stay, see the Shanghai & Hangzhou area guide.
Fares and hours as of August 2026 — confirm current schedules in a maps app before you travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I pay for the Hangzhou metro?
Get the Hangzhou metro QR code in Alipay (or WeChat) and scan at the gates — the fare is deducted on exit. Alipay also lets foreign visitors link an international card. Single-journey tickets are available at the machines with cash or phone payment. See our [payments guide](https://chinotrips.com/how-to/pay-in-china/).
How do I get to West Lake by metro?
Take Line 1 to **Longxiangqiao station** — the closest stop to West Lake, about a 5-minute walk to the lakeside (Broken Bridge area). From Hangzhou East station it's about 35–40 minutes and ¥3. West Lake itself has no direct station, so plan to walk or bike the last stretch.
How much does the Hangzhou metro cost?
Fares are by distance: ¥2 for the first 4km, then ¥3, ¥4 and up, with most rides ¥2–9 and a single-trip maximum around ¥8–9. Day passes are ¥15 for one day, ¥40 for three — unlimited rides, worth it on a sightseeing day.
Which lines will I use for the main sights?
Line 1 for West Lake and the rail/airport connections, Line 2 for the west shore and Qiantang New Town, and Line 3 for Lingyin Temple, Leifeng Pagoda, Xixi Wetland and the Wulin shopping area. See the [Hangzhou guide](https://chinotrips.com/hangzhou/) for the sights.
Is the metro English-friendly?
Yes — bilingual signs and announcements throughout, and the ticket machines have English. For navigating, use Amap or Baidu Maps (Google Maps is unreliable in China); screenshot your route in case you lose signal underground. Our [navigation guide](https://chinotrips.com/how-to/navigate-without-internet/) has more.