How do I pay for metro rides in China?

Alipay Ride Code — Easiest Method

Setup: Open Alipay → tap 'Transport' (出行) on home screen → select 'Metro' (地铁) → choose your city (e.g., Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou) → agree to terms → your QR code appears. Do this once per city.

Using it: At the metro gate, tap 'Transport' in Alipay → your QR code displays → hold it over the scanner on the gate (usually a blue/black pad with QR code icon) → gate opens. Scan again when exiting.

Payment: Automatically deducted from your Alipay Tour Card balance (linked to your international card). No need to top up separately. You'll see the fare after exiting.

Works in: All major cities with metro systems — Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Xi'an, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Wuhan, Chongqing, Tianjin, Suzhou, and 40+ more cities.

WeChat alternative: Open WeChat → 'Me' → 'Services' → 'Transport' (交通出行) → 'Ride Code' (乘车码) → select city. Same process.

Tip: Add the ride code to your Alipay home screen for quick access. The QR code refreshes every minute for security.

Ticket Machines & Transit Cards

Single-journey tokens: Available at ticket machines in every station. Select your destination station on the touchscreen → select number of tickets → pay (cash ¥5/10/20 coins/bills, or Alipay/WeChat scan) → collect token (green plastic coin). Tap token on gate entering, insert into slot when exiting.

English interface: Most ticket machines in major cities have an 'English' button (top right corner). Smaller cities may only have Chinese — look for the UK flag icon or ask station staff for help.

Physical transit card (交通卡/一卡通): Buy at service counter with ¥20 deposit + load amount (¥50–100). Tap card on gate entering and exiting. Works on metro AND buses. Refundable deposit when leaving. Some cities (Shanghai, Guangzhou) support NFC phone cards.

Multi-day passes: Some cities offer 1-day/3-day/7-day unlimited metro passes (¥15–80). Available at service counters. Good if you're riding metro many times per day.

Contactless bank cards: NOT supported in most Chinese metro systems (unlike London/Paris). Don't try to tap your Visa/Mastercard — it won't work.

Station staff: Every station has a service counter (服务中心) with staff who can help with ticket purchases, especially if machines are confusing. They may speak basic English in tourist areas.

Metro Tips for Foreigners

Rush hour: Avoid 7:30–9:00am and 5:00–6:30pm if possible. Trains are extremely crowded (packed like sardines). If you must travel, stand clear of doors and hold your bags close.

Signage: All major cities have English station names and signs. Line maps are in English and Chinese. Platform signs show next train arrival time and destination.

Security check: All bags go through X-ray scanners at station entrances. Liquids may need to be shown or scanned. Keep your bag ready to speed up the process.

Priority seats: Orange/yellow seats near doors are for elderly, pregnant, disabled, and people with children. It's polite to offer them if you're sitting there and someone needs it more.

Eating/drinking: Not allowed on trains in most cities (Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou). You can eat in the station concourse but not on the train. Water is usually OK but avoid food.

Wi-Fi: Some metro systems offer free onboard WiFi (Shanghai, Guangzhou). Requires Chinese phone number registration — may not work for foreigners.

Lost items: Contact station staff or call the metro hotline. Shanghai: 021-64370000, Beijing: 96165. Most lost items are turned in.