Just arrived at Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport and thought—now what? Especially if it’s your first visit, negotiating your way from the airport to the city center of a busy Chinese metropolis like Hangzhou might seem daunting. But don’t worry—this guide is here to make sure your transfer from Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport to city center is smooth, hassle-free, and even enjoyable.

Whether you’re visiting for business, exploring the magical West Lake, or just passing through, knowing your transport options in advance can save time, money, and stress. Let’s analyze it in traveler-friendly depth.

Getting from Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport to City Center

About 30 kilometers southeast of Hangzhou’s city center lies Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH). On a good day, it takes about 40–60 minutes to get from Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport to city center, depending on your chosen mode of transport.

From affordable metro rides to comfortable private cars, this guide takes you through all the best transfer possibilities. Let’s dive in!

Typical Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport Transfer Choices

Shuttle Bus to the Airport

🕒 Travel Time: 60–90 minutes

💰 Price: $3—$4 (¥20–25)

✅ Best For: Budget travelers, those with medium luggage

The airport shuttle bus is a reliable and affordable choice for getting from Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport to city center. Several roads run to significant downtown centers including Wulin Square and Hangzhou East Railway Station.

Popular Lines:

Wulinmen Line: To Wulin Square, great for city-center hotels and West Lake access
Hangzhou East Railway Station Line: Best for high-speed train connections

Gradually: Taking the Shuttle Bus

Follow signs for “Airport Shuttle Bus” or “机场巴士” close Gate 14 to leave the Arrival Hall.
Go to the Ticket Counter: Staff will help you choose the right route. You can pay by cash or mobile payment (Alipay/WeChat Pay).
Receive Your Ticket: Review your stop and path once more. Keep the ticket handy—it may be checked on board.
Board Your Bus: Follow signs to your bus bay to board the right bus. Find your seat and load big baggage in the undercarriage.
Monitor Your Stop: Most announcements are in Chinese, so track progress using Baidu Maps or Google Maps.
Arrive: At your stop, collect your luggage and go into town!

Metro (Subway)

🕒 Travel Time: 60–75 minutes

💰 料金： ¥6–¥10 ($0.90–$1.50)

✅ Best For: Backpackers, solo travelers, budget-conscious people

Thanks to Metro Line 1, reaching the city center from Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport has become super convenient. It’s clean, efficient, and affordable.

Main Stations:

Wulin Square Station (武林广场) – downtown center with hotels and shopping centers
Longxiangqiao Station (龙翔桥) – close to Qinghefang Ancient Street and West Lake

Using the Metro: A Step-by-Step Guide

Find the Metro Entrance: Located on B1 of Terminal 3, follow “Metro 地铁” signs after baggage claim.
Buy Your Ticket: Use the touchscreen vending machine (English available) or visit the service desk. Choose your destination, pay with cash or scan a QR code via Alipay/WeChat.
Optional: Purchase a Transit Card – the “Hangzhou Z Card” allows you to tap and go, therefore saving time.
Go Through Security Check: Like all Chinese metros, you’ll scan your bags. It’s quick and easy.
Board Line 1 (to Xianghu): Ensure you’re going toward Xianghu, not the opposite way.
Transfer If Needed: Should you require a transfer, go to other lines via transfer stations clearly marked.
Exit at Your Stop: Follow exit signs marked A, B, C, etc. to go toward your hotel or attraction.

Most downtown locations are within walking distance, or hail a short ride with Didi.

Taxi or Ride-Hailing (Didi)

🕒 Travel Time: 40–60 minutes

💰 料金： ¥100–¥150 ($15–$22)

✅ Best For: Comfort, direct transfers, late-night arrivals

Great for door-to-door convenience, taxis are readily available 24/7. For a smoother experience, many travelers opt for Didi, China’s version of Uber, which supports English.

Step-by-Step: Taking a Taxi

Follow Taxi Zone Signs: It’s clearly marked “出租车” and located outside the arrivals hall.
Have Your Address Ready in Chinese: A smoother ride is guaranteed by hotel or destination name in Mandarin.
Confirm Fare: All official taxis are metered. Usually, a journey to the city center runs about ¥120.
Pay and Tip: Pay with cash or scan with Alipay/WeChat. Tipping is not expected but appreciated.

Step-by-Step: Using Didi

Download the Didi App Before Arrival: It has an English interface for foreigners.
Open the App and Input Pickup/Drop-off: Either use the GPS pin or type “Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport” manually.
Select a Car Type: Choose “Express” for the cheapest or “Premier” for a more comfortable ride.
Confirm Your Ride: The app will show driver details and estimated wait time.
Meet Your Driver: Go to the designated pickup area. Watch the license plate number in the app.
Pay in the App: All payments are handled automatically with the linked card or e-wallet.

Private Transfer

🕒 Travel time: 40–60 minutes

💰 料金： ¥200–¥300 ($28–$42), depending on car type

✅ Best For: Families, first-time visitors, big groups, late-night arrivals

For peace of mind, many travelers pre-book a private transfer from platforms like Mr. Orange or Klook. From Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport to city centre, this is the simplest and most tailored approach.

Gradually: Using a Private Transfer

Reserve Online Ahead of Time: Select your car kind and enter hotel + flight details. You will receive a quick confirmation.
Arrive and Spot Your Driver: After customs, your driver will hold a name sign at the arrivals area.
Ride in Comfort: Standard features include clean air-conditioned cars, English support, and luggage help.
Pay: Usually prepaid online. No cash or tipping required.

Transportation Options Comparison

Transport Option	移動時間	Cost (USD)	Comfort Level	Availability
Metro (Subway)	60–75 minutes	$0.90–$1.50	★★☆☆☆ – Clean but crowded	06:00–22:30 daily
空港シャトルバス	60–90 minutes	$3–$4	★★★☆☆ – Comfortable seats	Every 15–30 mins, daytime
タクシー	40–60 minutes	$15–$22	★★★★☆ – Direct & private	24/7
Didi (Ride-Hailing)	40–60 minutes	$15–$25	★★★★☆ – App-based & smooth	24/7
Private Transfer	40–60 minutes	$28–$40	★★★★★ – VIP experience	24/7, pre-booking needed

Mr. Orange Private Transfer from City Center to Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport

Looking for a completely hassle-free way to go from Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport to city center? Mr. Orange offers a professional and comfortable private airport transfer service.

Here’s why travelers love it：

Sign bearing your name greets you at arrivals
English-speaking assistance for overseas visitors
No unexpected fees; fixed rates
Sedan to minivan vehicle options for groups

How It Operates

Reserve online ahead of time
Your driver monitors your flight and waits even if it is delayed
Relax on a comfortable trip directly to your destination or hotel

Depending on the car kind and city location, prices begin about ¥200 ($28).

The Benefits of Private Airport Transfers in Hangzhou

To be fair, the last thing you want after a long-haul flight is to navigate metro routes, wait in line for taxis, or handle language barriers. Many people thus pick a private transfer for tranquility.

Using Mr. Orange transfer service will relieve you of hassle for the following issues:

No waiting in taxi lines for long periods
For anyone wishing to travel safely and smoothly from Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport to city centre, this is a fantastic choice

What should I do if my flight is late?

Mr. Orange monitors your flight in real-time, so no concerns. Should you come late, your driver will still be waiting at no additional cost.

What occurs if my flight comes early or late?

The service is adaptable. Trained to change schedules based on your actual landing time, drivers guarantee your pickup is on time and stress-free.

Should my China visa run out, what should I do?

Although uncommon, airport personnel can guide you to immigration services should your visa have expired. Mr. Orange’s team can also assist in contacting the right authorities or guiding you to nearby help centers.

Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport Popular Travel Destinations

Here are some nearby must-see places once you reach city center from Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport:

West Lake (Xī Hú)

Travel Time: 50–60 min by taxi or metro
Famous for its poetic scenery, temples, and traditional tea houses
Ideal for nature lovers and photographers

Qinghefang Ancient Street

Just a short metro ride away from West Lake, Qinghefang Street is one of the oldest streets in Hangzhou. It is full of:

Ming- and Qing-style architecture
Street food stalls (try the beggar’s chicken!)
Traditional Chinese medicine shops
Handmade souvenir stores

Wulin Square

The city’s commercial and shopping core
Taxi, metro, or shuttle bus will get you there
Ideal for hotels, shopping centers, and quick access to other city areas

About an hour’s travel from Longjing Tea Village, a lovely rural getaway with local tea tastings, is where you’ll find the renowned Dragon Well tea.

Additional Advice for First-Time Visitors to Hangzhou

1. Acquire a Local SIM Card

SIM card kiosks will be located in the arrivals area. Among well-known companies are China Mobile and China Unicom. A local SIM simplifies ride reservations, menu translation, and map usage.

2. Download These Apps Before You Arrive

Didi (for ride-hailing)
Baidu Maps (for precise Chinese mapping)
MetroMan Hangzhou (for metro routes)
Pleco (English-Chinese dictionary)

3. Mobile Payments Work Best

In Hangzhou, Alipay and WeChat Pay are more commonly used than cash or credit cards—even for street vendors. You can now connect an international card to Alipay or use the “Tour Pass” feature as a foreigner.

4. Luggage Storage

Many metro stations and main attractions provide luggage storage options if you come early and cannot check into your hotel. For day use, West Lake area features private luggage counters (approximately ¥20 per bag).

5. Require Assistance? Look for the Blue Coats

Look for the staff in blue jackets at many significant metro stations; many of them are volunteers or employees who can help visitors and usually speak some English.

Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport Frequently Asked Questions to City Center

Q: What’s the cheapest way to get from Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport to city center? The cheapest choice, at under $2, is the metro.

Q: For foreigners, is the metro safe and simple to use? Absolutely! Most signs are in English and Chinese. It is contemporary, safe, and clean.

Q: Can I use credit cards or should I prepare cash? Most modes of transportation take Chinese mobile payments. Should you be using cash, have little notes ready. Credit cards aren’t widely accepted for public transport.

Q: Should I show up late at night? Ride-hailing apps like Didi and taxis run 24/7. Plan appropriately because metros and shuttle buses have restricted hours.

Q: Does the airport have free Wi-Fi? Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport does provide free Wi-Fi, yes. To gain access, you might have to scan your passport at a kiosk.