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Hangzhou Airport Guide · 2026

Getting from Hangzhou airport
to West Lake without the guesswork

Xiaoshan Airport sits about 27 km east of the city. Three metro lines reach it, one runs straight downtown for the price of a coffee, the shuttle bus does it in one ride, and a taxi takes you to the door. Every option laid out before you leave Arrivals.

First things first

Hangzhou has one airport — but several ways into town

Unlike Shanghai, Hangzhou has a single international airport: Xiaoshan (HGH). Every direct flight from Bangkok and Don Mueang lands here. It sits to the east of the city, around 27 km from West Lake. The good news is that three metro lines reach the airport, alongside shuttle buses and taxis — so the right choice comes down to where your hotel is and how much luggage you're carrying. Here's each option, laid out plainly.

HGH
Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport
杭州萧山国际机场

Hangzhou's only international airport, handling both international flights (including those from Thailand) and domestic routes. It sits east of the city in Xiaoshan district, roughly 27 km from the centre and West Lake.

IATA code: HGH
Distance to West Lake: ~27 km (about 40 min by road)
Flights: International and domestic
Open: 24 hours
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Three metro lines reach the airport
Line 1 · Line 7 · Line 19 (Airport Express)

The metro station is on the B2 level of the airport's transport hub, walkable from the terminals. Three lines serve it — Line 7 runs straight into the centre, Line 1 connects (via transfer) to West Lake and the East railway station, and Line 19 is the express to the HSR hubs.

Fare: ~¥7–9 (฿35–45) by distance
Payment: Scan an Alipay / WeChat QR at the gate
Hours: Roughly 06:00–23:15 (varies by line)
Why it wins: Cheapest, beats the traffic
By metro from the airport

HGH by metro — pick the line that matches your hotel

The cheapest option and the best at dodging traffic — as long as you board the right line. Read this before you head down to B2.

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Metro Line 7
Airport to Wushan Square · straight into the centre and southern West Lake

Line 7 runs from Xiaoshan Airport directly into the heart of the city, terminating at Wushan Square, with no line change required. The fare is around ¥8 (฿40) and the full run takes 60–70 minutes. From Wushan Square it's about a 10-minute walk to the southern shore of West Lake (the Liulang Wenying area). The appeal is simplicity: one train all the way to the Hefang old-town quarter and the southern lake. If your hotel is around there, this is the easiest option.

¥8 (฿40) ~60–70 min to Wushan Square No line change
Best if: you're staying around the Hefang/Wushan old town or the southern side of West Lake, and you're not in a rush. Less ideal for the Wulin downtown area to the north, which is the opposite direction from the terminus.
Operating hours: Approximately 06:15–22:50 daily
Transfers: Switch to Line 1 at the airport station, plus several interchanges en route
Where to board: B2 level of the transport hub — follow signs for Metro / 地铁
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Metro Line 1 — the line for West Lake
Transfer at the airport to Longxiangqiao · the closest stop to the lake

Line 1 is Hangzhou's main metro line, and you can transfer onto it right at the airport station. Its big advantage is Longxiangqiao (龙翔桥) — the metro stop closest to West Lake. Walk out of the station and you're a few minutes from the eastern (Hubin) shore, where most visitors stay. Line 1 also runs through Hangzhou East railway station, making HSR connections easy. The fare is around ¥7–9 (฿35–45) depending on distance.

¥7–9 (฿35–45) Via Longxiangqiao (closest to the lake) One transfer at the airport
Best if: your hotel is on the eastern shore of West Lake or in the Hubin area, or you simply want the stop that walks straight to the water. The best default for first-timers staying near the lake.
West Lake, Hangzhou — the Su Causeway stretching across the water, willow trees along the shore, Leifeng Pagoda in the distance
West Lake — where most international arrivals at HGH are heading
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Metro Line 19 (Airport Express)
Airport to the East and West railway stations · fastest, few stops

Line 19 is the Airport Express: built to run fast, making few stops, and linking Xiaoshan Airport with the Hangzhou East (杭州东) and Hangzhou West railway stations — the city's two main high-speed rail hubs. It's the line to take if you've just landed and want to connect straight to an HSR train, or simply reach the centre quickly. The fare is around ¥7–9 (฿35–45) and it's roughly an hour to downtown. For West Lake, transfer to Line 1 at Pengbu (彭埠).

¥7–9 (฿35–45) ~1 hour to downtown Direct to the HSR hubs
Best if: you need to connect to a high-speed train at Hangzhou East/West, or want the quickest run into town with fewer stops. For West Lake, change to Line 1 at Pengbu.
One practical tip: set up the Alipay Metro QR before you land. When you walk into the B2 station, you can scan straight through the gate without queuing for a token — every line in Hangzhou uses the same system. Details in our China payments guide.
Bus · Taxi · DiDi

If you'd rather not haul luggage onto the metro

Lots of bags, travelling as a group, or arriving late — the bus and taxi options make more sense.

The metro is cheap and beats the traffic, but with heavy luggage or if you'd rather not change lines, the airport shuttle bus and taxi/DiDi are more comfortable. The shuttle buses run fixed routes in a single ride, while a taxi drops you at the hotel door.

Grand Canal, Hangzhou — an arched stone bridge over the canal, old waterfront buildings, a boat passing, lights reflecting on the water at night
Hangzhou after dark — late-night shuttle buses and taxis get you in even on a delayed flight
Shuttle bus → Wulin Gate

The route visitors use most, running into the central Wulin area (downtown, malls, old town). The fare is ¥20 (฿100), with late-night departures running until around 01:30.

Journey: ~60–80 min · Fare: ¥20 (฿100)
Shuttle bus → East Railway Station

Runs directly to Hangzhou East (杭州东) — useful for an onward HSR connection or if your hotel is near the station. The fare is ¥35 (฿175).

Journey: ~50 min · Fare: ¥35 (฿175)
Taxi — door to door

A metered taxi runs about ¥150 (฿750) into the centre, or roughly ¥160 (฿800) to West Lake, in about 40 minutes. To Hangzhou East it's around ¥80 (฿400). Official rank only.

Journey: ~40 min to West Lake · Fare: ¥150–160 (฿750–800)
DiDi (滴滴出行) — ride-hailing

China's ride-hailing app, similar to Grab. You see the price before booking and pay via Alipay or WeChat. Into the centre it runs around ¥100–120 (฿500–600), a little cheaper than a taxi. Set up your account before arriving in China.

Journey: ~40–50 min · Fare: ¥100–120 (฿500–600) into town
Watch out for: as at any big Chinese airport, people may approach you in the arrivals hall offering a flat-rate car — decline and walk straight to the official taxi rank, which is clearly signed, or use DiDi through the app. If you take a metered taxi, confirm the driver starts the meter before leaving the airport. All fares here are approximate; check before you go, as they can change.
Onward by high-speed rail / to Shanghai

From HGH — connecting to HSR and the route to Shanghai

Hangzhou is a major high-speed rail interchange. To continue to another city — Shanghai, Suzhou, Nanjing, Huangshan — the main station is Hangzhou East (杭州东), reached from the airport on Line 19 (the Airport Express) or the ¥35 shuttle bus. See our China high-speed rail guide for booking.

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Hangzhou East (HSR) — the main hub

Hangzhou's largest high-speed rail station, with frequent departures all day. From here it's about 45–60 minutes to Shanghai Hongqiao, around 1.5 hours to Suzhou, 1–1.5 hours to Nanjing, about 1.5 hours to Huangshan, and roughly 4.5–5.5 hours to Beijing. Metro Lines 1 and 4 connect it to the city.

Shanghai ~45–60 min Suzhou ~1.5 hr Beijing ~4.5–5.5 hr
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Heading to Shanghai — skip the connecting flight

If your plan is to land in Hangzhou and continue to Shanghai (or vice versa), there's no need to fly. A high-speed train from Hangzhou East reaches Shanghai Hongqiao in about 45–60 minutes — faster and far more reliable than a short hop by air. Equally, if you land at a Shanghai airport (PVG or SHA) first, an HSR train brings you down to Hangzhou. Both cities sit on the same rail network, so pairing them is straightforward.

HSR beats a connecting flight Pair Hangzhou + Shanghai
Plan ahead: Hangzhou pairs just as well with Suzhou (around 1.5 hours by HSR) — lake, tea and temples versus classical gardens and old canals. For ideas around Hangzhou itself, see our day trips from Hangzhou.
West Lake, Hangzhou at night — Leifeng Pagoda lit up, light reflecting on the water, the city skyline beyond
West Lake at night — the destination most travellers make for after clearing the airport
Paying for transit

How to pay for the metro and buses — no coins required

Hangzhou's transport system is well set up for international visitors. The token machines have English menus, but the smoothest options are all app-based — set them up before you reach China and the whole trip is easier.

Alipay Metro QR (recommended)

Open Alipay, go to the Transport/Metro function, and scan the QR at the gate. Fare deducted automatically, no token needed. Works for both the metro and many bus routes.

Requirement: Link a Visa or Mastercard via Alipay's international mode — see our China payments guide
Single-Journey Token

Vending machines inside every station have English-language menus. Select your destination, pay in cash or by card, and receive a small plastic disc to scan at the gate and return at your exit station.

Upside: No app needed · Downside: Queue every time
Transportation Card

A reloadable card that works on the metro, most buses, and some taxis. Buy and top it up at station service counters. Worth it if you're spending several days and getting around mostly by public transport.

Cost: Deposit + loaded credit
WeChat Pay

Works exactly like Alipay for metro and bus payments — scan the in-app transit QR at the gate. If you've already got WeChat Pay set up and linked to a card, it works the same way.

Setup: Open an account + link a card before arriving in China
Frequently asked

FAQ · Before you land in Hangzhou

What is the best way to get from Hangzhou Airport (HGH) to West Lake?
If you're not in a hurry and want the cheapest option, Metro Line 7 runs directly into the centre, terminating at Wushan Square (about ¥8 / ฿40, 60–70 minutes); from there it's a 10-minute walk to the southern shore of West Lake. Alternatively, transfer to Line 1 at the airport and get off at Longxiangqiao, the metro stop closest to the lake. With heavy luggage or for a door-to-door ride, a taxi or DiDi to West Lake costs roughly ¥120–160 and takes about 40–50 minutes. Fares can change, so check before you go.
How many metro lines serve Xiaoshan Airport and how do they differ?
Three metro lines serve Xiaoshan Airport from the B2-level transport hub. Line 7 runs directly into the city centre, ending at Wushan Square near the southern West Lake. Line 1 (transfer at the airport) reaches Longxiangqiao, the closest station to West Lake, and Hangzhou East railway station. Line 19, the Airport Express, is the fastest — few stops, linking the Hangzhou East and West HSR hubs. All charge a distance-based fare of around ¥7–9 (฿35–45), payable by scanning an Alipay or WeChat QR at the gate.
Where do the Hangzhou airport shuttle buses go and what do they cost?
Several airport shuttle bus routes operate from HGH. The most useful for visitors run to Wulin Gate in the central old-town area (¥20 / ฿100, about 60–80 minutes) and to Hangzhou East Railway Station (¥35 / ฿175, about 50 minutes). Buses depart from Level 1 of the transport hub. They're a good choice if your hotel is near one of those endpoints and you'd rather stay on one vehicle than change metro lines.
How much is a taxi from Xiaoshan Airport, and what should I watch out for?
A metered taxi from Xiaoshan Airport to the city centre runs about ¥150 (฿750), or roughly ¥160 (฿800) to West Lake, taking around 40 minutes in normal traffic. To Hangzhou East Railway Station it's about ¥80 (฿400). Use only the official taxi rank inside the terminal — ignore anyone who approaches you offering a car — and make sure the driver starts the meter before leaving the airport. DiDi, booked through the app, costs around ¥100–120 (฿500–600) into the centre, with the price confirmed before you ride.
How do I connect to a high-speed train from Hangzhou Airport?
Hangzhou's main high-speed rail hub is Hangzhou East (杭州东), reached from the airport on Metro Line 19 (the Airport Express) or the ¥35 shuttle bus. From Hangzhou East, high-speed trains reach Shanghai Hongqiao in about 45–60 minutes, Suzhou in around 1.5 hours, Nanjing in 1–1.5 hours, Huangshan in about 1.5 hours, and Beijing in around 4.5–5.5 hours. See our China high-speed rail guide for booking.
What time do the Hangzhou airport metro lines run?
Line 19, the Airport Express, runs roughly 06:00–23:15; Line 7 about 06:15–22:50; and Line 1 about 06:00–22:30. If your flight lands later, a late-night airport shuttle bus to Wulin Gate runs until around 01:30, or take a taxi or DiDi. Operating times can change, so check before you travel.
Hangzhou City Guide
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West Lake, Leifeng Pagoda, Lingyin Temple, Hefang Street, the Grand Canal — and which metro stop
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Alipay & WeChat Pay for Visitors
How to set up, link a foreign card, and pay for the metro, buses and taxis
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10 Best Hotels in Hangzhou
By location — West Lake shore, Wulin downtown, near the railway station — with real prices
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Day Trips from Hangzhou
Suzhou, Wuzhen and other spots within easy reach by HSR or road
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China High-Speed Rail Guide
Book HSR from Hangzhou East to Shanghai, Suzhou, Nanjing or Beijing
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Klook · Explore Hangzhou

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