To get from Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport to downtown, the metro is now your main option: Line 19 (the Airport Express) takes about 22 minutes to Hangzhou East Railway Station, and continuing west reaches West Lake Culture Square, Xixi Wetland, and Hangzhou West Railway Station. For the south side of West Lake and the Hefang Street area, take Line 7 to Wushan Square. Line 1 also runs from the airport into the city via Hangzhou East Railway Station. Daytime airport buses have mostly stopped, leaving only late-night services. A taxi to West Lake covers about 30 km and takes just over 30 minutes without traffic.
The metro first/last train times, airport bus schedules, and fares in this article are based on information displayed on the Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport official website on November 10, 2026; Line 19 operating hours are cited from Hangzhou's official English-language media. Metro fares are estimated using Hangzhou Metro's current distance-based pricing rules, and distances are measured via the OpenStreetMap road network. Please check the latest information published by the airport and Hangzhou Metro before you travel.
Choose your route by destination
To catch a high-speed train at Hangzhou East Railway Station: Take Line 19 from Xiaoshan International Airport Station. It takes about 22 minutes to Hangzhou East Railway Station (East Square), stopping at only four stations along the way. Once at East Station, it's easy to transfer to a high-speed train or to metro Lines 1 and 4.
To the north shore of West Lake, Wulin Square, or Hubin: Take Line 19 to West Lake Culture Square, then transfer to Line 1 heading south for three stops to Longxiangqiao—Hubin is right outside the station. Alternatively, transfer to Line 1 at Hangzhou East Railway Station and ride straight to Longxiangqiao.
To Hefang Street, Southern Song Imperial Street, and the south shore of West Lake: Take Line 7 toward Wushan Square to the terminal station. After exiting, Hefang Street is within walking distance, and West Lake is about a 10-minute walk west.
To Xixi Wetland, Future Sci-Tech City, and Hangzhou West Railway Station: Take Line 19 westbound. Both Xixi Wetland North Station and Hangzhou West Railway Station are on this line. According to Hangzhou's official English-language media, the ride from West Station to the airport takes about 45 minutes.
To Xiaoshan urban area, Binjiang, and Xianghu: These areas sit on the south bank of the Qiantang River and are much closer to the airport than West Lake. A taxi usually gets you there in 20–30 minutes, while the metro takes a detour. If you have luggage, taking a taxi is more convenient.
Metro Line 19: The fastest and most reliable airport express
Line 19 opened on September 22, 2022. It runs about 59 km with a top speed of 120 km/h, linking three major transport hubs: Hangzhou West Railway Station, Hangzhou East Railway Station, and Xiaoshan Airport. Heading west from the airport, it stops at Zhixing Road, Gengwen Road, Pinglan Road, and Yudao before reaching Hangzhou East Railway Station (East Square). Continuing west, the stations are Yicheng Road, West Lake Cultural Square, Shentangqiao, Wensan Road, Wulian, Xixi Wetland North, Jingchang Road, Haichuangyuan, Chuangjing Road, and Hangzhou West Railway Station. The carriages have luggage racks and phone charging ports.
According to the Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport website, the first train from the airport station toward Hangzhou West Railway Station departs at 6:03 and the last at 23:14; toward Yongsheng Road, the first departs at 6:20 and the last at 00:09. The route from the airport to Hangzhou East Railway Station is about 24 km. Under Hangzhou Metro's current fare rules—¥2 for the first 4 km, plus ¥1 for every 4 km up to 12 km, plus ¥1 for every 6 km from 12 to 24 km, and plus ¥1 for every 8 km beyond 24 km—the fare is about ¥7. Check the Hangzhou Metro app for exact pricing.
Note that Hangzhou East Railway Station has two metro stations: Lines 19 and 6 stop at "Hangzhou East Railway Station (East Square)," while Lines 1 and 4 stop at "Hangzhou East Railway Station." The two are connected via the arrival level of the station hub. Transfers within 30 minutes count as a continuous trip for fare calculation, but single-journey tickets don't qualify—scanning your phone or using a transit card is cheaper. It takes a few minutes to walk from East Square Station to the Line 1 platforms; just follow the signs if you have luggage.
Metro Line 7: To Wushan Square and Hefang Street
On Line 7, the first train from the airport station toward Wushan Square departs at 6:16 and the last at 22:49; toward Jiangdong 2nd Road, the first is at 6:06 and the last at 23:14. Line 7 heads northwest from the airport, crosses the Qiantang River into the city, and ends at Wushan Square Station, right next to Hefang Street and Southern Song Imperial Street. If your hotel is near the southern shore of West Lake or Qinghefang, taking Line 7 straight there is the easiest option.
Line 7 has more stops and shorter distances between them than Line 19, so it's noticeably slower to Wushan Square than Line 19 is to East Railway Station—plan on about an hour. The upside is no transfers, so if you have a lot of luggage you can just sit all the way to the terminus. Line 7 was also the official alternative route recommended by the metro during the partial Line 19 shutdown in 2024, so it's reliable.
Metro Line 1: It gets you there, but takes a detour
The first train on Line 1 leaves the airport station at 6:00 and the last at 22:30. From the airport, Line 1 heads north into the Xiasha area, then passes through Hangzhou East Railway Station, West Lake Cultural Square, Wulin Square, and Longxiangqiao before heading south. For Hubin, you can ride directly to Longxiangqiao without transferring. The catch is the many stops and long detour—it's slower than taking Line 19 to East Railway Station and transferring. It's generally only worth considering if you're staying in Xiasha or Jiubao, or when Line 19 is too crowded.
Airport buses: Now only late-night service
Many older travel guides still mention "airport buses to Wulinmen and Huanglong," but things have changed. According to the Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport website, buses from the airport to Wulinmen now run only late at night, departing at 23:30, 23:55, 0:20, 0:40, 1:00, and 1:30. After 1:30, departures depend on flight arrivals. The route stops at the Second Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine bus stop and Pinghai Road, takes about 60 minutes, and costs ¥20. Buses from Wulinmen to the airport leave at 4:30, 5:00, and 5:30.
The Hangzhou East Railway Station line is also a night bus. Departures from the airport are at 23:50, 0:30, 1:10 and 1:50, with stops at Hangzhou Railway Station, Honghui Hospital North and Hangzhou East Railway Station, terminating at Jiubao Bus Station. The fare is ¥28 and the trip takes about 80 minutes. There is no return service. If you arrive during the day, the metro is much faster than the bus. The airport bus station also runs services to Wuzhen, Anji, Shaoxing, Yiwu, Zhoushan and other destinations. It is located on the northwest side of the first floor of the transportation center, and tickets must be purchased under your real name.
If you're heading straight to nearby towns instead of downtown Hangzhou, these routes are very handy. Based on the schedules listed on the airport's official website: there are 12 daily buses to Wuzhen from 9:10 to 20:10, stopping at Tongxiang Bus Station before reaching Wuzhen Bus Station and the Xizha Scenic Area. The ride normally takes about 90 minutes and costs ¥60. There are 10 daily buses to Shaoxing from 9:00 to 19:50 for ¥40. Routes and timetables often change due to weather or road conditions, so check the board at the bus station on the day of travel. For return buses, ask at the local bus station.
Taxis and ride-hailing
Based on OpenStreetMap road data, Xiaoshan Airport is about 30 km from Hubin at West Lake and 26 km from Hangzhou East Railway Station. With smooth traffic, the ride takes around 30 minutes, but during morning and evening rush hours the bridges over the Qiantang River often back up, so allow at least an extra half hour. Taxis run on the meter, while ride-hailing apps show an estimated fare. The arrivals level has separate pickup zones for taxis and ride-hailing cars; the ride-hailing zone offers seating and screens showing arriving vehicles.
If it's your first time hailing a car in China, start by reading How to take a taxi in China. The airport's official website advises that if a ride-hailing driver refuses your ride or cherry-picks passengers, you can report them to staff on site. Never get into a car whose driver solicits you at the arrivals exit—only board at the official pickup zones.
Lingyin, Longjing and Meijiawu: places the metro doesn't reach
Many popular spots in Hangzhou are a bit of a walk from the nearest metro station. To visit Lingyin Temple, most people take the metro to Longxiangqiao Station and transfer to a direct bus to Lingyin at the exit, or grab a taxi from Hubin — either way, you'll be there in 10 to 20 minutes. Lingyin Feilai Peak is currently free, but you need to book a real-name reservation in advance on the "Hangzhou Lingyin Feilai Peak" mini program. It's open from 7:30 to 17:30. For tea villages like Longjing Village, Meijiawu, and Jiuxi, buses run infrequently and the mountain roads are winding, so taking a taxi or booking a private car saves time if it's your first visit.
If you plan to head straight to Lingyin Temple or the tea villages on the day you land, drop your luggage at your hotel first instead of dragging suitcases through metro transfers and onto buses. Staying at a hotel west of West Lake near Lingyin Temple? Taking a taxi or an airport pickup directly from the airport is much smoother than riding the metro to Hubin and doubling back. For opening hours and reservation details around Lingyin, check the Lingyin Temple attraction page.
Traveling with seniors, kids, or lots of luggage: the easier way
Line 19 is the airport express. The trains have luggage racks and every station has elevators, so getting to Hangzhou East Railway Station with suitcases is no problem. The hassle comes with transfers: you have to walk a fair distance between the two metro stations at East Station, and holiday crowds can be intense. Hauling two or three suitcases while pushing a stroller gets exhausting fast. If you have a lot of luggage, just ride Line 19 to the stop closest to your hotel and take a taxi for the rest of the way — or simply book a taxi or ride-hailing car straight from the airport to your hotel door.
If older family members haven't ridden the metro before, set up a QR ride code on their phones or buy single-journey tickets ahead of time. Stay close when entering and exiting so nobody fumbles at the gates. Kids over a certain height need a ticket; standards vary by city, so follow the official Hangzhou Metro guidelines.
Heading to Xiaoshan Airport from downtown: how much time to allow
From Hubin or Wulin Square, take the metro and transfer to Line 19. Factor in security and check-in, and leave at least 2.5 hours early; for international and regional flights, aim for 3.5 hours. Getting to the airport from Hangzhou East Station is easiest — Line 19 takes about 22 minutes. The last train toward the airport runs fairly late, but if you're catching an early flight, the first train might not get you there in time, so book a car or take a taxi in advance.
Early morning flights also depend on the weather. In winter and spring, Hangzhou occasionally has heavy fog in the early morning, and the plum rain season and typhoon season can also affect flights. Checking the weather forecast and flight status the night before is much easier than rebooking at the airport.
Holidays are another variable to plan for. Around National Day, Labor Day, and Chinese New Year, taxi lines at Xiaoshan Airport's arrivals level, traffic on the Ring Expressway and Qiantang River Bridge, and crowds on Metro Line 19 all increase significantly—but at least travel time remains predictable. On these days, take the metro first, or book a car in advance and share your flight number with the driver.
A few quick things to handle after landing
Before leaving the arrivals hall, get your phone network and payment methods sorted: you can buy a SIM card or activate an eSIM right at the airport—see China Travel SIM Cards & eSIMs. You'll need mobile payments for the metro and ride-hailing; to learn how to link a foreign bank card to Alipay or WeChat, see How Foreigners Can Use Alipay and WeChat Pay. For navigation, use Amap or Apple Maps—they clearly mark metro transfers and exits.
How to continue your trip after arriving in Hangzhou
If you land in the morning, take Line 19 to Hangzhou East Railway Station to store your luggage, or head straight to your hotel to drop it off, and you can stroll around West Lake in the afternoon. Many travelers combine Hangzhou with Shanghai and Suzhou—for high-speed train options between cities, see How to Get from Shanghai to Hangzhou and How to Get from Suzhou to Hangzhou. To head further west to Qiandao Lake, see How to Get from Hangzhou to Qiandao Lake. Temperatures and clothing needs vary greatly across Hangzhou's four seasons, so check Hangzhou Weather & What to Wear before you go.
When is an airport pickup worth it?
If you're traveling with one or two people, have light luggage, and arrive during the day, Line 19 works great. In the following situations, booking an airport pickup in advance will save you a lot of hassle: landing late at night when the metro has stopped running and you'd have to wait for the night bus; traveling as a family with several large suitcases and a stroller, and not wanting to transfer at Hangzhou East Railway Station; staying at a hotel in Lingyin, Longjing, or Meijiawu, which the metro doesn't reach; heading straight from the airport to Wuzhen, Qiandao Lake, or Suzhou; or traveling with elderly companions who have limited mobility.
If you need a car for several consecutive days in and around Hangzhou, check out Hangzhou private car; if you want your itinerary and transfers arranged by date and group size, see Hangzhou private customized travel; if you're going straight from the airport to Wuzhen, see Hangzhou to Wuzhen private car.
Best of Hangzhou 3 days 2 nights: West Lake north and south routes, Leifeng Pagoda, Dream Town, Xixi Wetland, Yuewang Temple guided tour and Hu Xueyan's Former Residence cultural discovery leisure tour
A 3-day, 2-night private tour exploring just one city, Hangzhou: Yuewang Temple and a boat ride on West Lake, Lingyin Temple and Feilai Peak, Dream Town and Xixi Wetland, plus Hu Xueyan's Former Residence and a stroll along Hefang Street. Airport transfers included, with vehicle, guide, hotel and admission tickets. An English-speaking guide is available upon request.
Feilai Zen Realm Day Tour: Hangzhou and Lingyin Temple
Private day tour in Hangzhou: climb Leifeng Pagoda, take a 45-minute boat ride on West Lake, and visit Lingyin Temple and the Feilai Peak grottoes in the afternoon. Pickup and drop-off at Hangzhou East Railway Station or Xiaoshan Airport included, along with transportation, guide and admission tickets. English, Japanese and other language guides available upon request. Choose your own date.
Hangzhou & Qiandao Lake 4-day, 3-night tour: West Lake north and south routes, Leifeng Pagoda, Dream Town, Xixi Wetland, Yuewang Temple, Hu Xueyan's Former Residence, no shopping
Stay three nights in Hangzhou with a day trip to Qiandao Lake in between: cruise West Lake, visit Yuewang Temple, Lingyin Temple and Feilai Peak, and explore Xixi Wetland. On day three, head up Tianyu Mountain for views of Qiandao Lake, and finish with Hu Xueyan's Former Residence. This private tour includes transport, a guide, hotels and admission tickets, with an English-speaking guide available.
FAQs
How do I get from Hangzhou Airport to downtown by metro?
The most commonly used is Line 19, which takes about 22 minutes to Hangzhou East Railway Station, then continues west to West Lake Cultural Square. For Hefang Street, take Line 7 to Wushan Square. Line 1 also reaches Longxiangqiao, but it's a detour. The fare from the airport to East Railway Station is about ¥7; check the Hangzhou Metro app for exact prices.
How long does it take to get from Hangzhou Airport to West Lake?
Take Metro Line 19 to West Lake Cultural Square, then transfer to Line 1 to Longxiangqiao, or take Line 7 to Wushan Square. It usually takes under an hour. A taxi covers about 30 km and takes just over 30 minutes without traffic.
How do I get from Hangzhou Airport to the train station?
The fastest way to Hangzhou East Railway Station is Line 19, taking about 22 minutes. For Hangzhou West Railway Station, also take Line 19 heading west for about 45 minutes. Both stations are direct with no transfers needed.
How do I get from Xiaoshan Airport to Wuzhen?
The airport bus station runs direct buses to Wuzhen, with 12 departures daily from 9:10 to 20:10. They pass through Tongxiang before reaching Wuzhen Bus Station and the Xizha Scenic Area, taking about 90 minutes. Tickets cost ¥60. If you have a lot of luggage or are traveling in a group, booking a private car directly from the airport is much easier.
How long does a taxi from downtown Hangzhou to Xiaoshan Airport take?
It's about 30 km from Hubin near West Lake to the airport, and about 26 km from Hangzhou East Railway Station. With smooth traffic, it takes around 30 minutes, but allow an extra 30 to 60 minutes during morning and evening rush hours or holidays. Taxis run on the meter, while ride-hailing apps let you check the estimated fare in advance.
Are there still airport buses at Hangzhou Airport?
Currently, the airport buses to Wulinmen and Hangzhou East Railway Station only run late at night. For example, the Wulinmen line departs between 23:30 and 1:30 AM, with a fare of ¥20. During the day, we recommend taking the metro or a taxi.