Getting Around, Xian Travel, Transport and Car Rental

(Xian, Shaanxi, China)

There are all kinds of different ways to travel around parts of Xian, with bus transport being widely available throughout the city and connecting all of the main places of interest. Alternatively, tourists visiting Xian and wishing to avoid the packed buses may prefer to flag down a passing taxi, or even hire a bicycle for the day.

The City Walls of Xian are often used to describe destinations, which are either depicted as being 'inside' or 'outside' of the actual walls. For travel further afield, rental cars (with driver) and railway transport are both worthy of consideration, suiting different needs. Those wishing to sightsee around Xian may like to join a one-day bus tour of the top sights, with the Eastern Tour (Dongxian Youlan) and Western Tour (Xixian Youlan) being the main choices.

Xian Xianyang International Airport (XIY) / Arriving by Air

Address: Weicheng Town, Xianyang, Shannxi Province, 710082, China, CN
Tel: +86 29 8879 6997
Located some 40 km / 25 miles to the north-west of Xian, the Xianyang International Airport is especially close to the town of Xianyang and well connected by both bus and taxi transport. Currently the biggest and busiest air facility in the whole of north-western China, the Xianyang International Airport enjoys annual passenger figures now exceeding 21 million and has undergone a major expansion. Domestic airlines fly all over China, with the most popular routes linking cities such as Beijing, Chengdu, Dalian, Guilin, Haikou, Hangzhou, Kunming, Lanzhou, Nanning, Qingdao, Shanghai, Shenyang, Shenzhen, Tianjin, Xiamen and also Yulin. International flights arrive and depart from Bangkok, Busan, Nagoya, Seoul, Tokyo and other prominent global destinations.

Car Rental

Tourists who have chosen to hire a car in Xian, without a personal driver, must first hold either a Chinese driving licence or relevant provisional licence. Drivers will find that there are two main ring road systems in operation, encircling the city and resembling highways. There are also major roads connecting Xian with Baoji, Han Zhong, Lintong, Qin Mountains and Tongchuan, all of which are popular excursions for those with their own rental vehicle.

Book your Xian Car Rental here.

Buses and Coaches

There are buses operating all over Xian and this mode of public transport is ideal for short distances. Regular buses travel to the Army of Terracotta Warriors and the Banpo Neolithic Village, departing from the Xian bus station, which stands just outside of the city walls and across from the railway station. Within the city, buses all cost the same amount, regardless of how far you are intending to travel. However, at busy times, do be prepared for buses to being somewhat cram-packed with passengers. Minibuses are also available and tend to ply the same routes.

Trains

The railway connections provided in Xian are constantly improving, following the relatively recent additions of the North-South and East-West lines. Train transport lends itself to long distances, and there are no less than seven different train stations currently residing within the city, the largest of which is the Xian Railway Station, which is used by around 80,000 passengers each day.