The cheapest way from Xi'an Xianyang Airport (XIY) into central Xi'an is the airport Metro Line 14 (机场城际) to Xi'an North Railway Station, then a transfer to Line 2 for the Bell Tower — one CNY 8 fare (about $1.10) covering the whole 45–90 minute ride. Board on level B1 below Terminal 3 and pay by scanning a QR from the 'Xi'an Metro' mini-program in Alipay or WeChat, since gate readers don't take foreign bank cards. Ignore the unlicensed taxi touts who approach you inside the terminal — they have no meter and charge CNY 150+ — and note the official airport shuttle bus to the Bell Tower is CNY 25, over triple the metro.
How to find it
- AIRPORTXi'an Xianyang International Airport
- 01From Terminal 3 arrivals, follow the 'Metro / 地铁' signs down to level B1, or from Terminal 2 walk about 5 minutes via the covered corridor, to Airport West (机场西) station — the start of Metro Line 14, the airport intercity line (机场城际).
- 02Buy the fare (about CNY 7–8) at a machine or, easier, scan a ride QR from the 'Xi'an Metro' mini-program in Alipay or WeChat at the gate. Trains run roughly 06:00–23:15 from the airport, every 5–10 minutes.
- 03Ride Line 14 about 33 minutes to Xi'an North Railway Station (西安北站). Stay inside the paid area and follow the orange Line 2 signs to transfer.
- 04Take Line 2 southbound (towards Weiqu/韦曲南) about 30 minutes to Bell Tower (钟楼) station, in the heart of the old walled city beside the Muslim Quarter and Drum Tower. Tap out with the same QR or token — total fare CNY 8.
- CITY CENTREXi'an
Ticket
Xi'an Metro single-journey fare, Airport West to Bell Tower (Line 14 机场城际 + Line 2)
Where to buy: At the self-service ticket machines or ticket counter in the Airport West (机场西) metro station on level B1 below Terminal 3, or pay by phone with no ticket at all.
How to pay: Machines take cash and QR-pay; the easiest way is to open the 'Xi'an Metro' (西安地铁) mini-program inside Alipay or WeChat, generate a ride QR and scan it at the gate. Foreign cards are not accepted at gates, so use the app or cash-bought token. One CNY 8 fare covers the whole trip including the transfer.
All ways to downtown, compared
| Option | Price | Time | Ticket |
|---|---|---|---|
| MetroCheapest route | CN¥8.00 | 1 h 15 min | Xi'an Metro single-journey fare, Airport West to Bell Tower (Line 14 机场城际 + Line 2) |
| Bus | CN¥25.00 | 1 h 20 min | Xi'an Airport Shuttle Bus, Bell Tower line one-way |
Frequently asked
- What is the cheapest way from Xi'an airport to the city centre?
- The airport Metro Line 14 to Xi'an North Railway Station, then Line 2 to the Bell Tower. One CNY 8 fare (about $1.10) covers the whole 45–90 minute trip, including the transfer. The CNY 25 shuttle bus is a direct no-transfer alternative.
- How do I get from Xi'an airport to the Bell Tower by metro?
- Go down to Airport West (机场西) station on level B1 below Terminal 3, ride Line 14 about 33 minutes to Xi'an North Railway Station, then transfer to Line 2 southbound about 30 minutes to Bell Tower station. Total fare CNY 8.
- How do I pay for the Xi'an airport metro?
- Buy a token at a machine with cash or QR-pay, or open the 'Xi'an Metro' mini-program in Alipay or WeChat and scan a ride QR at the gate. Foreign bank cards are not accepted at the gates, so use the app or cash.
- What time does the airport metro stop running?
- Line 14 runs roughly 06:00 to 23:15 from the airport. If you land later, the CNY 25 airport shuttle bus to the Bell Tower runs until after midnight.
- Should I take a taxi from Xi'an airport?
- Only from the official taxi queue outside the terminal. Ignore anyone offering a 'taxi' inside the hall — those are unlicensed touts with no meter who charge CNY 150–250+ for a trip the metro does for CNY 8.
- What is the best way from XIY to downtown Xi'an?
- For budget travellers the best way is the cheapest one: Metro Line 14 to Xi'an North Railway Station, then Line 2 to the Bell Tower — one CNY 8 fare covering the whole 45–90 minute trip, transfer included.
Last verified: . Prices and timetables change — confirm at the official transport source.