Fang Wang
What's Inside
Lost in translation? Not if you know these hacks. I've been guiding tours in Nanjing for years, and I still see tourists pay triple for taxis or waste hours on the wrong bus. Here is exactly how to skip the queues, handle the payment nightmare, and see the real Nanjing in under two hours.
Nanjing Metro: The Backbone of City Travel
Forget the traffic jams. The metro is your best friend. It covers all major sights: Confucius Temple, Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum, and Nanjing South Railway Station. Line 1 and Line 2 are the main arteries.
How to buy tickets? You can use Alipay's transport code or a physical card called 'Nanjing Tong'. But here is the catch: the ticket machines only accept cash or Chinese mobile payment. So if you don't have WeChat or Alipay yet, keep 5-10 RMB in small bills. Or simply download the 'Nanjing Metro' app (English available) for QR codes.
Avoid this mistake: Most tourists line up at the machine during rush hour (8-9am, 5-7pm). I always tell my clients to use Alipay—scan your phone at the gate, no queue. One more tip: if you're going to Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, get off at Line 2's 'Xiamafan' station. The exit is right at the scenic area entrance.
Operating hours: 6:00 am to 11:30 pm. Fares start at 2 RMB, up to 9 RMB for a full city trip.
Taxis & Didi: When Speed Matters
Taxis are everywhere but they don't speak English. And many drivers will take a longer route if they see a foreigner. Use Didi instead—it's like Uber. Download the app, connect your foreign credit card (Visa/Mastercard works now), and input your destination in Chinese or use the map pin.
Cost: Start at 11 RMB. From the airport to city center, expect around 130-180 RMB, including toll. But here is a secret: if you take the taxi from the airport, go to the 'Taxi Waiting Area' on the first floor, not the second floor where drivers charge extra for luggage. I've seen it happen.
Red flag: Never get into a black-market car outside the train station. They'll charge you double. Use the official Didi queue.
Bicycle & E-Scooters: For the Adventurous
Nanjing is bike-friendly with dedicated lanes. You'll see blue Hellobikes everywhere. Rent one via the Alipay app (deposit 100 RMB, refundable). Cost is 1-2 RMB per hour. Great for short trips like Xuanwu Lake Park.
Warning: The bike lanes are also used by e-scooters—they go fast. Always wear a helmet if you can find one. But honestly, I only recommend biking on weekends or early mornings. Traffic gets chaotic after 9am.
If you want an e-scooter, there's a local app called 'Meituan' but it's all in Chinese. Not recommended for non-Chinese speakers.
Buses: Cheap but Tricky
Buses cost 1-2 RMB and reach places the metro doesn't. But—don't use them without a translator app. Stops are announced in Chinese only. I've watched tourists skip their stop three times. That said, if you have a bus app like 'Gaode Maps' (it shows real-time in English), go for it.
My advice: stick to the metro and Didi unless you have plenty of time and patience.
Quick Comparison Table
| Mode | Cost | Speed | Best For | Downside |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metro | 2-9 RMB | Fast, no traffic | Major sights, long distances | Rush hour crowds |
| Taxi/Didi | 11+ RMB | Door-to-door | Late nights, heavy luggage | Language barrier, surge pricing |
| Bicycle | 1-2 RMB/hr | Moderate | Short trips, scenic areas | Traffic, e-scooters |
| Bus | 1-2 RMB | Slow, traffic | Off-the-path locations | No English, confusing routes |
FAQ: Your Top Questions Answered
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