Xi'an Airport to City Centre: Metro Route Map & Travel Guide

Written and updated by Ruqin
October 10, 2026

Xi’an Xianyang International Airport (西安咸阳国际机场) is about 40 kilometres northwest of central Xi’an. For first-time visitors, the metro is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to reach the city centre.

Take Metro Line 14 from the airport to Xi’an North Railway Station, then change to Line 2 for the Bell Tower (钟楼). Allow around 70–90 minutes for the journey, including walking, waiting and transferring between trains.

However, there is one important detail to understand before leaving the airport.

Xi’an Airport has two Metro Line 14 stations serving different terminal areas. Choosing the correct station will save you unnecessary walking and confusion

Xi'an Xianyang Airport to City Center metro route map

Xi’an Xianyang Airport to City Centre Metro Route Map

The map above shows how to travel from either airport station to Xi’an North Railway Station, then continue to the Bell Tower or South Gate of the City Wall.

1. Find the Correct Airport Metro Station

Xi’an Airport’s newer Terminal 5 (T5) opened in February 2025.

International flights and flights to and from Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan generally use T5, along with selected domestic airlines. Other domestic services continue to use the older terminal area.

Always check your flight confirmation because terminal assignments can change.

There are two airport metro stations:

Airport West (机场西) — serves Terminals 1, 2 and 3.
Airport (T5) — 机场(T5) — serves Terminal 5.

Both stations are on Metro Line 14.

At Terminal 5, follow the signs for the Ground Transportation Centre (GTC) and Metro Line 14. The metro station is connected to the airport’s transport centre.

If you arrive at the wrong terminal, ask airport staff about the free terminal shuttle. The airport provides this service between the older terminal area and T5.

Ruqin’s Tip: Don’t automatically follow signs for Airport West just because it was the original airport metro station. If you arrive at T5, use Airport (T5) Station instead.

2. Take Metro Line 14 to Xi’an North

From either airport station, board Metro Line 14 toward Heshao (贺韶).

Get off at Xi’an North Railway Station (西安北站).

The journey from the airport area to Xi’an North takes approximately 25–35 minutes, depending on your starting station.

Line 14 is part of Xi’an’s regular metro network. You don’t need to book a seat or reserve a ticket in advance.

What to Expect on the Train

Metro Line 14 has standard metro seating, standing areas and space near the doors. During busy periods, you may need to stand.

If you’re carrying a suitcase, keep it close to you and avoid blocking the doors or aisles.

Xi’an North is also one of the city’s main high-speed railway stations. If you’re connecting to a train for Beijing, Chengdu or another destination, check your railway ticket carefully.

For the Bell Tower and historic city centre, however, you’ll need to change to another metro line.

3. Change to Metro Line 2 for the Bell Tower

At Xi’an North, follow the transfer signs for Metro Line 2.

The transfer is within the metro system, so you normally don’t need to exit through the ticket gates and buy another ticket.

Take Line 2 southbound, toward Changninggong (常宁宫).

Get off at Zhonglou Station (钟楼) for the Bell Tower.

The Bell Tower stands in the historic centre of Xi’an. This area is convenient for hotels, restaurants, shopping and sightseeing.

From Zhonglou Station, you can also walk toward the Drum Tower (鼓楼) and Muslim Quarter (回民街).

Which Metro Station Is Best for Your Hotel?

Your final metro stop depends on where you’re staying.

Hotel area	Recommended station
Bell Tower (钟楼)	Zhonglou, Line 2
Drum Tower and Muslim Quarter	Zhonglou, Line 2
South Gate of City Wall (南门)	Yongningmen, Line 2
Hotels near Xi’an North Railway Station	Xi’an North

If your hotel is near the South Gate, stay on Line 2 for one more stop after Zhonglou and get off at Yongningmen (永宁门).

Before traveling, check the exact hotel address. Some hotels advertise themselves as being near the Bell Tower but are still a considerable walk from the metro.

Ruqin’s Tip: If you’re staying inside the City Wall, look at the hotel’s position on a map before choosing your station. A short taxi ride from the nearest metro stop may be easier than walking with luggage.

4. Xi’an Airport Metro Fares and Travel Times

The airport metro is generally much cheaper than taking a taxi all the way into central Xi’an.

Xi’an uses a distance-based metro fare system. You pay according to the total distance traveled, including transfers.

For planning purposes, expect approximately ¥8–10 per person for the airport-to-Bell-Tower journey. Check the fare shown by the ticket machine or journey planner for your exact route.

Here are some useful travel estimates:

Journey	Approximate time
Airport to Xi’an North	25–35 minutes
Airport to Bell Tower, including transfer	70–90 minutes
Airport to South Gate, including transfer	75–95 minutes

These are planning estimates, not guaranteed travel times. They exclude immigration, baggage collection and the walk from your final station to your hotel.

If you’re arriving on an international flight, allow additional time to clear immigration and collect your luggage.

5. How to Buy Metro Tickets at Xi’an Airport

You don’t need to arrange a metro ticket before arriving in Xi’an.

At the airport station, look for the ticket machines or ask staff at the service counter.

Option 1: Buy a Single-Journey Ticket

Choose your destination on the ticket machine, check the fare and complete payment using an accepted method.

Payment options can vary by machine. If you’re relying on cash or a foreign bank card, ask station staff which ticket counter or machine can help.

Keep your ticket until you exit at your destination.

Option 2: Use Alipay or WeChat Pay

Travelers who have successfully set up Alipay or WeChat Pay may be able to use the local metro ride-code service.

Check that Xi’an is selected and that your account supports the service before approaching the gates.

A normal payment QR code is not necessarily the same as a metro ride code.

Option 3: Ask Station Staff

If the ticket machine doesn’t accept your payment method, don’t worry.

Show the staff your destination in Chinese, such as 钟楼 (Zhonglou), and ask for help purchasing a ticket.

For first-time visitors, buying a single-journey ticket is often the simplest option.

6. Traveling with Luggage on the Airport Metro

The airport metro can be practical with a medium-sized suitcase and a backpack.

However, traveling with several large suitcases is less convenient, particularly when transferring at Xi’an North.

There may be considerable walking between platforms, ticket gates and station exits.

Some exits have stairs, while elevators or escalators may be located elsewhere in the station.

If you’re traveling with heavy luggage, look for elevator signs before choosing an exit.

Also, allow more time if you’re traveling with children or older family members.

Ruqin’s Tip: If you have one manageable suitcase, the metro is a good choice. If you’re carrying two large suitcases after a long flight, a taxi or DiDi may be worth the additional cost.

7. What About Late-Night Arrivals?

Metro Line 14 does not operate throughout the night.

According to the July 2026 timetable, the last trains toward the city depart at approximately:

Airport West: 22:20
Airport (T5): 22:24

Check the latest timetable before traveling, particularly if your flight lands in the evening.

Remember that the flight’s landing time is not the time you’ll reach the metro platform.

You still need to disembark, pass through immigration if applicable, collect your luggage and walk to the station.

If your flight lands close to 21:30 or later, consider whether you’ll have enough time to catch the last train.

Even if you catch Line 14, you should also check the availability of your onward Line 2 connection.

Alternatives After the Last Metro

If the metro has stopped running, you have three main choices:

Official airport taxi: Follow the airport’s taxi signs to the designated taxi queue.

DiDi: Book a ride through the app and follow the instructions to the correct pickup area.

Airport bus: Check whether an airport bus serves a convenient stop near your hotel. Routes and operating hours can change.

Avoid accepting unsolicited rides from people approaching you inside the terminal.

8. Metro or Taxi: Which Is Better?

For most solo travelers staying near the Bell Tower, the metro is a sensible choice.

However, it isn’t always the best option.

Metro	Taxi or DiDi
Lower cost	Higher cost
Predictable train journey	Depends on road traffic
Requires a transfer for Bell Tower	Direct to your hotel
Better with light luggage	Easier with large suitcases
Limited operating hours	Available outside metro hours

A taxi is particularly useful if your hotel is far from a metro station or you’re arriving late at night.

For a family of three or four, the cost difference may also be less significant once you compare the total metro fares with one vehicle.

If you choose a taxi, save your hotel’s Chinese address. Many drivers will find the Chinese name more useful than the English hotel name.

9. Common Questions About the Xi’an Airport Metro

Can I take the metro directly from Xi’an Airport to the Bell Tower?

Not on one train. Take Line 14 to Xi’an North Railway Station, then change to Line 2 for Zhonglou Station.

Do I need to book a metro ticket in advance?

No. You can purchase a ticket at the station or use a supported metro payment method.

Is Xi’an North Railway Station the same as Xi’an Railway Station?

No. They are different stations.

Xi’an North (西安北站) is a major high-speed railway hub. Xi’an Railway Station (西安站) is closer to the historic city centre.

Always check the Chinese station name on your train ticket.

Can I take the airport metro with a large suitcase?

Yes, provided your luggage meets the metro’s current carriage and security rules. However, oversized or multiple heavy bags can make transfers difficult.

How much time should I allow from landing to my hotel?

For an international arrival, allowing approximately two to three hours from landing to reaching a central Xi’an hotel is a reasonable starting estimate.

The actual time depends on immigration, baggage collection, walking distances, train waiting times and your hotel’s location.

10. Ruqin’s Practical Tips

Before flying to Xi’an, save these Chinese names on your phone:

机场(T5) — Airport Terminal 5 Metro Station
机场西 — Airport West Metro Station
西安北站 — Xi’an North Railway Station
钟楼 — Bell Tower Metro Station
永宁门 — South Gate Metro Station

I also recommend saving your hotel address in Chinese and taking a screenshot of the metro route map.

Don’t rely entirely on having mobile internet immediately after landing. Your phone connection or payment apps may take some time to set up.

If you’re staying near the Bell Tower, Metro Line 14 followed by Line 2 is usually an inexpensive and practical way into the city.

However, after a long international flight, comfort matters too. If you’re tired, carrying heavy luggage or arriving after the last train, taking a taxi directly to your hotel may be the better choice.