Hangzhou transport pass for tourists: Skip queues & save money

Three hours. That’s how long my clients waited in the sun at the South Gate last week. Forget the glossy brochures—if you don’t know the exact WeChat mini-program trick, you aren’t getting in. Now, let me save you that headache with the Hangzhou transport pass for tourists—your key to skipping queues and slashing transport costs.

The Hangzhou Transport Pass is a reloadable smart card (or day pass) that gives you unlimited rides on the metro and most buses. No fumbling for cash, no language barrier at the ticket machine. Here’s everything you need to know, straight from years of guiding in this city.

What is the Hangzhou Transport Pass?

It’s not a single product. Actually, there are two options:

• Hangzhou Tourist Transport Card (杭州通·旅游卡): A reusable card you can top up and use for metro, bus, and even some taxis. You buy it at metro stations for a deposit (usually 20 RMB), then add money.
• Metro Day Pass: A paper ticket or mobile pass valid for 24h, 48h, or 72h of unlimited metro rides. No deposit, fixed price.

I always tell my clients: if you’re in Hangzhou for 2–3 days and plan to use the metro heavily, the 72h pass is a steal. If you’re staying longer or mixing with buses, get the reloadable card.

Pass types & prices

Here’s a breakdown based on current prices (verified by our editorial team):

Buying the metro pass at the machine? Look for the English button—some older machines only have Chinese. If stuck, ask any station staff; they’re used to helping tourists.

Where to buy & how to activate

You can buy both at any metro station. Here’s the catch: the day pass is sold at the ticket vending machine (TVM). The reloadable card is sold at the service window (look for a “Customer Service Center” sign).

Activation: For the day pass, it’s activated the moment you tap it at the gate. For the reloadable card, just top up at the machine or window—the card is active immediately.

Pro tip from my experience: bring small bills (10 or 20 RMB) for the machine. The 100 RMB notes often get rejected.

How to use on metro & bus

Using it is dead simple:

• Metro: Tap the card on the yellow reader at the gate. For day passes, you tap to enter and exit; the system checks the time limit. For reloadable cards, it deducts the fare automatically.
• Bus: Tap on the reader near the driver. Some buses have a separate card reader. Listen for a beep—if it’s a double beep, your balance might be low.

One mistake I see all the time: tourists tap their phone (Alipay) on the metro gate while holding the card in the same hand. The gate gets confused. Keep them separate!

Alipay vs pass: which saves more?

Alipay is convenient—you just scan a QR code. But it charges the full single-trip fare each time. For example, a metro ride from Hangzhou East to West Lake costs about 5 RMB. If you make 4 trips in a day, that’s 20 RMB. The 24h pass is 15 RMB—you save 5 RMB plus the hassle of pulling out your phone.

Plus, the pass works even when your phone battery dies or when Alipay’s QR code lags (happens more often in tunnels). I always carry a backup pass when guiding.

Common pitfalls I’ve seen with clients

• Buying the wrong card at the machine: The screen shows “单程票” (single trip) and “一日票” (day pass). Make sure you select “一日票” or “三日票”.
• Forgetting to exit on the first try: Some gates require a gentle tap. Don’t slam the card—just hold it near the reader for one second.
• Buying a reloadable card with no money left: The card itself costs 20 RMB deposit. If you load only 10 RMB, you can’t go far. I recommend loading at least 50 RMB upfront.
• Not checking the refund policy: The deposit on the reloadable card is refundable at any service window, but only if the card is undamaged. Keep it clean!

FAQ: real answers from a guide