How to Get to & around Hangzhou 2023

Hangzhou boasting the global well-known West Lake and other charming sightseeing and cultural sites has long been reputed as a “Paradise City” in China. To meet such amazing scenic and cultural destination in Zhejiang Province, you must want to know where Hangzhou is and how to get there by flight or train and how to travel around. Read our ultimate Hangzhou transportation guide to find your answers and plan your trip to Hangzhou in 2023/2024!

Where is Hangzhou?

Hangzhou, the capital city of Zhejiang Province is located in the north part of this province in East China. It is only about 1125 km from Beijing (4.5 hours’ bullet train riding), 165 km from Shanghai (3 hours’ driving distance; 180 km), 125 km from Suzhou (2.5-3 hours’ driving distance; 160 km), 190 km from Huangshan (3-3.5 hours’ driving distance; 240 km). convenient daily flights and high speed train can take you to Hangzhou from almost domestic cities and popular tourist destinations. Besides, many international flights also well link Hangzhou with many other countries (regions).

Hangzhou Transportation

Hangzhou China Map

Click to Jump to:

Get to Hangzhou by Air	Get to Hangzhou by Train
From Shanghai to Hangzhou	From Suzhou to Hangzhou
From Huangshan to Hangzhou	From Nanjing to Hangzhou
From Beijing to Hangzhou	From Xian to Hangzhou
From Guangzhou to Hangzhou	From Hong Kong to Hangzhou
Get Around Hangzhou by Subway, Bus...	From Hangzhou to Putuoshan
From Hangzhou to Wuzhen	From Hangzhou to Xitang Old Town
From Hangzhou to Nanxun Old Town	From Hangzhou to Ningbo

Get to & away from Hangzhou

By Air

Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport

Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH) is the only airport served in Hangzhou. There are more than 230 airlines connecting Hangzhou to about 100 domestic cities including Beijing, Xian, Chengdu, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Changsha, Wuhan, Zhengzhou, Harbin, Qingdao, Xiamen, Shenzhen, Guilin, Guiyang, Kunming, Lijiang, Lhasa, Lanzhou, Hohhot, Urumqi, Shenyang, etc. and about 40 international cities (regions) such as San Francisco, Amsterdam, Madrid, Sydney, Melbourne, Vancouver, Rome, Doha, Singapore, Seoul, Busan, Jeju Island, Tokyo, Osaka, Okinawa, Bangkok, Chiengmai, Kuala Lumpur, Viet Nam, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macao, etc.

Address: Konggang Avenue, Xiaoshan District, Hangzhou (杭州市萧山区空港大道)

Transportation: Xiaoshan Airport is located about 27 kilometers from downtown Hangzhou, usually taking about 1 hour to transfer by car. Besides, airport shuttle buses run between the airport and city center every 15 minutes for 20 Yuan, taking about 1 hour also. Furthermore, you can take Metro Line 1 and transfer to Line 2 to downtown for about 1 hour and 20 minutes.

Check more about Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH) | Get from Hangzhour Airport to City

144-hour Visa Free Transit in Yangtze River Delta (including Hangzhou): Hangzhou has implemented the 144-hour Visa Free Transit Policy since January 30, 2016, which enables citizens from the certain 53 countries to enter from 8 permitted ports of enter (including Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport) and stay in the administrative region of Shanghai, Jiangsu and Zhejiang within 144 hours (6 days). For more details about 144-Hour Visa-free Transit Policy.

Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport

Hangzhou Airport Location Map

By Train

Trains to Hangzhou

Taking a bullet train to Hangzhou is also quite convenient from many domestic destinations, including Shanghai, Beijing, Xian, Suzhou, Huangshan, Nanjing, Chengdu, Changsha, Wuhan, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhengzhou, Chongqing, Xiamen,etc.

Hangzhou Train Stations

There are four major train stations in Hangzhou City, which are Hangzhou Railwawy Station, Hangzhou East Railway Station, Hangzhou South Railway Station and Yuhang Railway Station. Among them, Hangzhou Railway Station and Hangzhou East Railway Station are the most frequently used.

Hangzhou East Railway Station 杭州东站

Address: No.2 Quanfuqiao Road, Jianggan District, Hangzhou (杭州市江干区全福桥路2号)

Distance to Hangzhou City Center: about 6 km to Wulinmen (0.5 hour by car)

Distance to West Lake: 6.5 km; 30 minutes’ driving distance

Hangzhou East Railway Station is one the largest railway junctions in Asia and hosts trains passing through the city. It serves most bullet trains from/to Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Guangzhou, Suzhou, Huangshan, Chengdu, Changsha, Chongqing, Guiyang, Guilin, Nanjing, Zhengzhou, and Xiamen, etc. If you are considering flexible choice of train schedule, this station is more recommended.

Hangzhou Railway Station 杭州站

Address: No.1 East Huancheng Road, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou (杭州市上城区环城东路1号)

Distance to Hangzhou City Center: right in downtown, about 4 km to Wulinmen (20 minutes by car)

Distance to West Lake: 2 km; 15 minutes’ driving distance

Hangzhou Railway Station, called the “Chengzhan Railway Station (means City Station”, is the main station operating trains that arrive in Hangzhou as a terminal. Many fast trains, direct trains and some bullet trains run between Hangzhou and other cities. Among them, there are frequent G/D-high speed trains running from Shanghai, Nanjing to Hangzhou every day. Since it is situated in Hangzhou downtown and very close to West Lake, it is also popular for travelers.

Hangzhou South Railway Station 杭州南站

Address: No.1 Zhanqian Road, Xiaoshan District, Hangzhou (杭州市萧山区站前路1号)

Distance to Hangzhou City Center: about 17.5 km to Wulinmen (60-70 minutes by car)

Distance to West Lake: 15 km; 1 hour’s driving distance (22 km)

Hangzhou South Railway Station is a little far from the downtown area. Some bullet trains run to this station from Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing, Suzhou, Xian, Xiamen, etc. for your alternative choice.

Check more about Hangzhou High Speed Trains | Hangzhou Train Stations

Hangzhou High Speed Rail Map (click to enlarge)

Hangzhou High-Speed Train

Hangzhou Railway Station

Shanghai to Hangzhou

Shanghai is only 165 kilometers away from Hangzhou, so there is no direct flights.

By Private Car

It takes about 2.5-3 hours with a driving distance of about 180-200 kilometers.

By Train

Another popular way is taking a bullet train. There are more than 150 pairs of G/D high speed trains running between Shanghai and Hangzhou daily, which needs only about 1-1.5 hours, with the fastest one running for only 45 minutes. Most trains depart from Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station, and number of trains from Shanghai South Railway Station and Shanghai Railway Station are limited. Besides, there are more than 50 normal K/T/Z trains between Shanghai South Railway Station and Hangzhou South Railway Station and Hangzhou Railway Station, which takes only about 2-2.5 hours.

By Coach

Furthermore, there are many coaches from Shanghai downtown, train stations, airports and Shanghai Disneyland Park to the downtown area like Wulinmen and train stations in Hangzhou. It usually takes about 2.5-4.5 hours based on your start and arrival places.

Check more about Hangzhou Shanghai High Speed Trains | Shanghai to Hangzhou Train Schedule | Get from Shanghai to Hangzhou

Recommended Tour Package:

☛ 5 Days Essence of Shanghai & Hangzhou Tour

☛ More Shanghai Hangzhou Tours

Shanghai Hangzhou High Speed Train Route Map

Suzhou to Hangzhou

Suzhou and Hangzhou is about 125 kilometers away. No flights available either.

By Private Car

It needs about 2.5-3 hours by car with a driving distance of about 16 kilometers.

By Train

There are more than 30 pairs of G/D bullet trains between Suzhou and Hangzhou, with most trains to and from Suzhou Railway Station and Suzhou North Railway Station. The whole riding usually takes about 1.5-2.5 hours. Also, there are about 20 normal K/T/Z trains from Suzhou Railway Station to Hangzhou Railway Station and Hangzhou South Railway Station, which takes about 2.5-4.5 hours.

By Coach

Suzhou has many distance coaches from Wujinag area, Suzhou North Railway Station, Shengze Bus Terminal, Suzhou South Bus Terminal to Hangzhou train stations and bus terminal, which takes about 2.5-3.5 hours.

Check more about Get From Suzhou to Hangzhou | Get From Hangzhou to Suzhou

Recommended Tour Package:

☛ 5 Days Shanghai Hangzhou Suzhou Highlights Tour

☛ 3 Days Hangzhou & Suzhou Beauty Tour by High Speed Train

☛ More Suzhou Hangzhou Tours

Suzhou Humble Administrator’s Garden

Huangshan to Hangzhou

Huangshan is about 190 kilometers from Hangzhou. There is no flights available.

By Private Car

It needs about 3-3.5 hours for driving about 240 kilometers.

By Train

Huangshan North Railway Station has more than 30 high speed G/D trains to Hangzhou East Railway Station and Hangzhou South Railway Station from early morning to night, with the whole riding of about 1.5-2 hours.

By Coach

There are some distance coaches running from Huangshan to Hangzhou from early morning to early afternoon, which usually takes about 3 hours. You can take one from Huangshan Bus Terminal, Yansi Bus Terminal and Yixian Gonglu Bus Terminal to get to the downtown and bus terminals in Hangzhou.

Check more about Hangzhou to Huangshan Transfer | Huangshan to Hangzhou Train Schedule | Hangzhou to Huangshan Train Schedule | Hangzhou Huangshan High Speed Train

Recommended Tour Package:

☛ 5 Days Yellow Mountain Tour from Hangzhou

☛ 9 Days East China & Mt. Huang Tour by Speed Train

Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)

Nanjing to Hangzhou

Nanjing is about 235 kilometers from Hangzhou. No flights are available.

By Private Car

It takes about 3.5-4 hours to go by car, with a driving distance of about 270-330 kilometers.

By Train

More than 110 pairs of high speed train run between Nanjing and Hangzhou from early morning till late night, which usually takes about 1.5-4.5 hours. And most trains are available at Nanjing South Railway Station and Hangzhou East Railway Station.

Check more about Get from Nanjing to Hangzhou | Hangzhou to Nanjing Train Schedule

Recommended Tour Package:

☛ 8 Days East China Tour by High-speed Train

Nanjing Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum

Beijing to Hangzhou

Beijing and Hangzhou is about 1125 kilometers away. Beijing Daxing Airport and Beijing Capital Airport both offers frequent direct flights to Hangzhou every day, which usually fly for about 2 hours. Besides, Beijing South Railway Station and Beijing Railway Station has altogether over 10 high speed trains including Fuxing trains to Hangzhou East Railway Station, which take about 4.5-6.5 hours for arrival.

Check more about Get from Beijing to Hangzhou | Hangzhou to Beijing Train Schedule

Recommended Tour Package:

☛ 11 Days Gorgeous China Tour from Beijing

Beijing Great Wall

Xian to Hangzhou

Xian is about 1145 kilometers away from Hangzhou. Taking a flight is the fastest and most convenient way. Every day, there are over 10 direct flights fly between Xian and Hangzhou, which usually needs about 2.5 hours. Also, you can take a high speed train from Xian North Railway Station to Hangzhou East Railway Staiton, which usually takes about 7-8.5 hours.

Check more about Xian to Hangzhou Train Schedule

Guangzhou to Hangzhou

Guangzhou is about 1050 kilometers southwest from Hangzhou. The most convenient way is taking a flight. There are more than 30 flights daily, which runs about 2 hours from Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport to Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport. Besides, you can take a high speed G train from Guangzhou South Railway Station to Hangzhou East Railway Station, which needs about 6-7.5 hours. There are about 6 trains from morning to late afternoon.

Check more about Guangzhou to Hangzhou Train Schedule

Hong Kong to Hangzhou

Hong Kong is about 1070 kilometers from Hangzhou. Hong Kong International Airport has many direct flights to Hangzhou daily, which takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes. There is one morning high speed train running from Hong Kong West Kowloon to Hangzhou, which takes about 7.5 hours.

Check more about Hong Kong to Hangzhou Train Schedule

Get Around Hangzhou

By our Local Private Transfer Service

Traveling with a local private transfer service is the most recommended way. If you want to get rid of hustle of public transportation and troublesome navigation, you can book a private Hangzhou tour package which covers sightseeing, dining and transfer from us. Our local tour guide and driver will escort you to Hangzhou city center, attractions, your accommodation, and any place you want to go with speed and convenience with our non-smoking and comfortable licensed privater vehicle, and take care of all the details. You just need to focus on sightseeing. Please feel free to contact us directly if you need any help!

By Taxi

Getting around Hangzhou by taxi is the most convenient way to travel. You can find one almost anywhere in the city. The flag-down fare is CNY 13 for the first 3 km, plus CNY 2.5 per extra km after 3 km. Generally, it would cost around CNY 110~130 to take a taxi from Xiaoshan International Airport to the downtown Hangzhou and West Lake area.

By Subway

Taking a metro to travel around Hangzhou is convenient and budget. So far in January 2020, there are altogether 7 metro lines, namely Metro Line 1, Metro Line2, Metro Line 4, Metro Line 5, Metro Line 6, Metro Line 7 and Metro Line 16. you can take Line 1 to Xiaoshan Airport, Hangzhou East Railway Station, Hangzhou Railway Station, West Lake, Wulin Square, etc., take Line 2 to Wulinmen, West Lake, Qianjiang City, etc., take Line 7 to Xiaoshan Airport, take Line 5 to Hefang Street, etc.

Check more about Hangzhou Metro.

By Bus

Hangzhou buses and tourist buses can conveniently take you to most of the tourist sites in Hangzhou, including West Lake, Lingyin Temple, Meijiawu Tea Village, Liuhe Pagoda, Wulin Square, Yuefei Temple, Song Dynasty Town, China National Silk Museum, Hupao Park, Bamboo-lined Path at Yunqi, etc.

Check more about Frequently-used Buses in Hangzhou

By Bicycle

Besides take a cruise on the water of West Lake, cycling is another good way to enjoy the scenery of Hangzhou. You could stop where you would like, for as long as you want. Hangzhou has a well-developed bicycle renting system, so it is easy to rent a bike. In every 300 meters, there is a public bike service point and it provide 24-hour self service. You need to bring your passport to obtain a bike rental card. One passport is only for one bike. (Please note: Su Causeway and Bai Causeway are not allowed for biking.)

Check more about Top 5 Recommended Biking Routes in Hangzhou

By Ferry

In Hangzhou, you can take a cruise on West Lake to admire its sightseeing around. Besides, you could also choose to cruise the Qiantang River or the Grand Canal Evening cruise to explore the city in the most relaxing way. They are usually running in summer (June to October) or the peak seasons.

Qiantang River Night Cruise Route:

Qian Jiang Long Pier -> Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center -> Urban Balcony -> Hangzhou CBD -> Fuxing Bridge -> Qian Jiang Long Pier (1-1.5 hour)

Grand Canal Night Cruise Route:

Wu Lin Men Pier -> West Lake Cultural Square -> Fuyi Cabin -> Xiangji Temple -> Gong Chen Bridge -> Wu Lin Men Pier (1 hour)

Check more about West Lake Cruise

Recommended Tour Package:

☛ 2 Days Essence of Hangzhou Tour

☛ 5 Days Shanghai Hangzhou Suzhou Highlights Tour

Local Private Transfer Service

Taxis in Hangzhou

Subway in Hangzhou

Bicylce around West Lake

Hangzhou Night Cruise

Hangzhou to Putuoshan

There is no flight available between Hangzhou and Putuoshan. You need to take a ferry after arriving in Zhoushan City.

By Private Car

It takes about 3-3.5 hours to arrive at Zhujiajian Pier in Zhoushan from Hangzhou downtown. And then, you need to take the ferry to Putuoshan Mountain for about 20 minutes.

By Coach

Hangzhou Wulin Square, railway stations, West Lake and other bus terminals has many distance coaches to the bus terminals at or close to the piers where you can take the ferry to Putuoshan. The coach run about 3-3.5 hours.

Check more about Putuoshan Transportation >>

Recommended Tour Package:

☛ 4 Days Hangzhou Putuoshan Brief Tour

Putuoshan Mountain

Hangzhou to Wuzhen

By Private Car

Wuzhen is located about 60 kilometers northeast from Hangzhou. It usually takes about 1.5-2 hours to go by car.

By Coach

Besides, frequent coaches launches from Hangzhou downtown and major bus terminals and Hangzhou East Railway Stations to Wuzhen from early morning to late afternoon, which takes about 1.5-3 hours.

By Train

Take a high speed train from Hangzhou East Railway Station to Tongxiang Railway Station for about 15-30 minutes and then take a local taxi to Wuzhen for about 0.5 hour.

Check more about Hangzhou to Wuzhen Transportation >>

Recommended Tour Package:

☛ 3 Days Best Hangzhou Tour with Wuzhen Water Town

Wuzhen Water Town

Hangzhou to Xitang Old Town

By Private Car

Xitang Old Town in Jiaxing City is about 103 kilometers northeast from Hangzhou, which usually takes about 1.5-2 hours by car.

By Coach

There are a few distance buses from Hangzhou Bus Terminal to Xitang every day, which takes 1..5 hours.

Recommended Tour Package:

☛ 2 Days Poetic Hangzhou with Xitang Water Town Tour

Xitang Old Town

Hangzhou to Nanxun Old Town

By Private Car

Nanxun Old Town is about 70 kilometers northeast from Hangzhou. It needs about 1.5 hours to arrive by car.

By Coach

Beside, you can take a coach from Hangzhou Bus Terminal and the railway stations to Nanxun for about 1.5 hours.

Nanxun Old Town

Hangzhou to Ningbo

By Private Car

Hangzhou and Ningbo is about 140 kilometers away.It usually takes about 2-2.5 hours to go by car with a driving distance of about 150-170 kilometers

By Train

There are about 100 pairs of high speed train between, which run from early morning to late night and takes only about 50 - 70 minutes.

By Coach

Several coaches are available from Hangzhou major bus terminals to Ningbo, with the whole riding of about 2 hours.

Check more about Ningbo Transportation >>

Recommended Tour Package:

☛ 6 Days Zhejiang Highlights Tour from Hangzhou

Ningbo City

How to Plan a Hangzhou Tour

Things to Do in Hangzhou: West Lake, Lingyin Temple, Longjing tea Plantation, Hefang Street, Xixi National Wetland Park, China National Tea Museum, China National Silk Museum…

How to Get to Hangzhou: International flights from Singapore (5 hrs.), Seoul (6.5 hrs.), etc., domestic flights from Guangzhou (2 hrs.), Beijing (2 hrs.), etc., or high speed trains from Shanghai (1~2 hrs.), Suzhou (1.5~3 hrs.), Huangshan (1.5~2 hrs.), etc.

Best Time to Visit Hangzhou: all year around

Usually, visitors spend 2 days around to enjoy a classic Hangzhou tour to visit the West Lake Scenic Area, including the amazing West Lake, Lingyin Temple, Longjing Tea Plantations, etc. If you want an in-depth Hangzhou tour, you can also pay another half day or so to visit Xixi National Wetland Park, one day around to Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, or one day or so to Thousand Islands Lake, etc. Check all Hangzhou Tours >>

☛ 2 Days Essence of Hangzhou Tour

☛ 3 Days Classic Hangzhou Tour Plus Tea Plantation Exploration

Also, you can spend 1 day to take a side trip to the nearby water towns like Wuzhen and Xitang in Jiaxing, 2~3 days to Putuoshan - one of the four sacred Buddhist Mountains in China, or 1 day to the popular Nanxun Old Town in Huzhou. Check more about Zhejiang Tours >>

☛ 3 Days Best Hangzhou Tour with Wuzhen Water Town

Besides, compared with just travelling Hangzhou, most of the visitors prefer to travel the metropolis Shanghai, Suzhou Gardens and Hangzhou Lakes in One Go! Such an amazing tour will take 5~6 days.

☛ 3 Days Hangzhou & Suzhou Beauty Tour by High Speed Train

☛ 5 Days Shanghai Hangzhou Suzhou Highlights Tour

Some visitors also ride a high speed train to Huangshan to visit the world-famous Yellow Mountain. A Hangzhou Huangshan tour needs about 5 days around.

☛ 5 Days Yellow Mountain Tour from Hangzhou

Have your preferences? Please feel free to tell us your likes and let our professional travel consultants customize a personal tour for you!

Hangzhou West Lake Summer Sightseeing

Our Customers visited Meijia Dock Longjing Tea Plantation, Hangzhou

Get Inspired by Real Travel Stories of Our Customers

Since 2012, we China Discovery have helped numerous customers to visit Hangzhou and surroundings. With our fully-inclusive private tour packages, all of our customers enjoyed their trips to the West Lake, Lingyin Temple, etc. Some of them kindly shared their precious photos and stories about their Hangzhou journey, just get inspired now.

"Impression Show is a must see when visiting Hangzhou…" - shared by Nguyen (Read her entire travel story: The Pursuit of Natural Beauty with the Beloved one - 14 Days Beautiful China Exploring Tour)

"This last night in Hangzhou led us to explore a different side of West Lake, vastly changing our erstwhile bland impression of the famed tourist site…" - shared by CS from Singapore (Read her entire travel story: Delightful Journey to Poetic Jiangnan Area)

Besides the wonderful travel stories, many customers who visited Hangzhou with China Discovery also send us their first-hand feedbacks about their trip, feel free to read the Hangzhou Reviews and learn what they say about their experience. If you want to start your Hangzhou tour now, don't hesitate to contact us.

Our Customers visited the West Lake, Hangzhou (Check more Customers Hangzhou Travel Photos)

Hangzhou Tours

Hangzhou Attractions

More about Zhejiang Travel Guide

Recommended Hangzhou Tours

Top 3 Hangzhou tours chosen by most customers to explore Hangzhou in the best way. Check the detailed itinerary, or tailor your own trip now with us.

: 2 Days Hangzhou Essence Tour (Most Time-Efficient)
Hangzhou

: 5 Days Shanghai Hangzhou Suzhou Highlights Tour
Shanghai / Hangzhou / Suzhou / Shanghai

: 3 Days Hangzhou Suzhou Beauty Tour by High Speed Train
Hangzhou / Suzhou

Start planning your tailor-made holiday to China by contacting one of our specialists. Once inquired, you’ll get a response within 0.5~23.5 hours.

Customize a Trip