How to Get to Terracotta Warriors: Skip the Crowds & Save Time

I've been guiding travelers to the Terracotta Warriors for over a decade. And let me tell you—most online guides make this trip sound way more complicated than it is. Or worse, they send you straight into a tourist trap. I once had a couple from Australia who followed a blog that told them to take Bus 306 from Xi'an Railway Station. They ended up at the wrong pit first, wasted an hour, and missed the main hall because of the queue. Don't be them.

Here is the catch: the Terracotta Warriors site is about 40 kilometers east of Xi'an city center, but there are exactly four practical ways to get there. I'll break down each one with real costs, time, and the little secrets that only a local guide knows.

Why Most Tourists Get It Wrong

The biggest mistake? Following Google Maps blindly. It suggests taking a direct bus from Xi'an North Station, but that bus drops you at a fake entrance where touts push expensive tours. I always tell my clients: start from Xi'an Railway Station (the old one, not the high-speed station). That's where the official tourist buses depart.

Another pitfall: many guides tell you to take a taxi from Xi'an. Yes, it's convenient, but taxi drivers often refuse to use the meter and will charge you double if you don't negotiate upfront. More on that below.

Option 1: Public Bus from Xi'an (Cheapest & Most Common)

Route: Bus 306 (also called Tourist Bus 5) or Bus 307. Both depart from Xi'an Railway Station (East Square).

Where to find it: Exit the main station building from the east side. You'll see a parking lot with green-and-white buses. Ignore the people with clipboards yelling "Tourist Bus"—those are private minibuses trying to upsell you. Look for the official bus with a sign that says "306" or "307" and has a fixed ticket booth nearby.

Cost: 7 yuan (about $1) one way. Time: About 1 hour, depending on traffic.

Stop: The bus drops you at the Terracotta Warriors parking lot, about a 5-minute walk from the main entrance.

Return bus: The last bus back to Xi'an usually departs around 7 pm (winter) or 7:30 pm (summer). But don't cut it too close—line up by 6:30 pm to be safe. I've seen too many tourists stuck at the site after the last bus left, forced to pay a fortune for a private car.

Option 2: Train (High-Speed) + Taxi

This is for those staying near Xi'an North Station. Take a high-speed train from Xi'an North to Lintong Station (about 15 minutes, 9.5 yuan). From Lintong, it's a 10-minute taxi ride to the Terracotta Warriors (about 15 yuan). Taxi drivers at Lintong Station are usually happy to use the meter—just insist.

Total time: About 40 minutes (including waiting). Total cost: ~25 yuan per person. This is my personal favorite when I want to avoid the bus crowd.

Option 3: Private Driver or Tour (Best for Groups)

If you're with 3-4 people or want door-to-door service, hire a private driver for the day. Expect to pay 350-500 yuan for a round trip with waiting time. Your hotel can arrange it, or book through Trip.com or Klook.

What's included? Usually, the driver will wait at the site while you visit (up to 4 hours). Some drivers also offer to take you to other Lintong attractions like Huaqing Hot Springs. Negotiate beforehand if you want to add stops.

My personal experience: I always recommend booking through a reputable platform like Trip.com rather than haggling with a random driver on the street. Last year, one of my clients paid 300 yuan to a tout, and the driver disappeared after two hours. Use the app, pay by card, and get a confirmation.

Option 4: Taxi Ride All the Way

From Xi'an city center, a taxi to the Terracotta Warriors costs about 120-150 yuan one way if the driver uses the meter. But most drivers will quote a flat fare of 200-250 yuan, especially if they see you're a foreigner. To avoid being ripped off:

• Agree on the price before getting in.
• Use the Didi app (Chinese Uber) if possible. It shows the estimated fare upfront, and you can pay by card or Alipay. Many taxis also accept WeChat Pay.
• If you take a taxi from the site back to Xi'an, there's a designated taxi stand near the exit. Drivers there are regulated, and the fare to the city center is around 130-150 yuan using the meter.

Time: 45-60 minutes depending on traffic. The route goes through the Lintong district, which can get congested on weekends. I always suggest leaving before 8 am or after 3 pm to avoid the worst jams.

Ticket Booking & Opening Hours

Insider Tips to Avoid Crowds

Most visitors head straight to Pit 1 (the famous army). But here's the deal: if you enter the museum at 8:30 am, skip Pit 1 first. Go to Pit 3 (the command post) and Pit 2 (the archers and cavalry). By the time you finish those, Pit 1 will be slightly less packed. I've tested this dozens of times. You save at least 20 minutes of queue time.

Another trick: wear comfortable shoes. The museum is huge, and you'll walk over 3 kilometers easily. There are electric carts inside for 5 yuan, but they only run from the entrance to the pits. Not worth it unless you have mobility issues.

Don't take photos with flash (it damages the paint). Guards will yell at you. And don't touch the warriors—there are no barriers in some areas, but it's a fine if you get caught.

Frequently Asked Questions

Verified and fact-checked by the editorial team. Based on my personal guiding experience and official sources.