Airport

Xian airport is located 50km northwest of downtown Xian in Xianyang, a neighboring city. Ranked as the fouth most frequented airport in China. Xianyang International Airport (XIY) is home to 68 domestic daily flights from almost every major Chinese destination. From Jiuzhaigou, Ningbo, Zhengzhou and Lianyunguang, etc. to Xian are newly opened domestic routes. International airlines from Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand totally 10 Asian cities are well established services of XIY. In 2005, there opened 7 new international airline routes from Germany, France, Britain, America and Canada via transfers in Beijing. In 2006, other 8 international airline routes from Europe, America and Asian are opening via transfers in Shanghai. International air connections with Hong Kong and Macao are also available depending on the airline schedule. Presently, with a total of 25 international air routes, Xian has become the city with most international connections in Western China.

Railway Station

With a reputation as 'the Gateway to the West', Xian Railway Station is one of the most pivotal terminals of the domestic railway system. It is the key junction between the southwest and the northwest, and forms a connecting link between the east and the west of China.

The station lies in the north urban area, so it will take you about half an hour by car from the downtown area. Buses traveling to the railway station can be found on every main street, and will only cost you 1 or 2 Yuan. If you choose to travel by taxi, the fare should be less than 10 Yuan (from the city center).

Purchasing train tickets can be troublesome for foreigners, as the ticket windows are usually crowded and have few English-speaking staff. One solution to such a problem is to ask for the ticket-booking service at any star rated hotel, who will offer their assistance for a nominal service charge. You are better off buying train tickets one week in advance of travel, especially during the peak travel seasons.

Bus Station

Long-distance bus:

The highway transportation to Xian extends in all direction. Long-distance buses commute between Xian and many large cities, covering 18 provinces and over 300 cities and counties. The Xian long-distance bus line terminal, which has been ranked as the highest class station in the whole nation, lies to the southwest of the railway station. People usually buy bus tickets on the same day of travel. Generally speaking, though the price is much more economical, foreigners are not encouraged to take the long-distance busses due to general hardship and fatigue. If at all possible, the plane and train are better choices.

City-bus:

Like most big cities, Xian has a convenient commuter system in the city. The pubic buses are the main means of daily transportation. Most buses are self-service, so remember to prepare some small change prior to boarding. Usually the ticket charge is CNY1-2 per person. There are also many mini-buses, with the price generally ranging from CNY0.5-4 according to the distance of the journey. Take good care of your belongings, as pickpockets operate in these areas targeting both residents and tourists alike.

Taxi

Taxis can be hailed in Xian's streets and lanes. They are mostly green in color. The flag-down rate of Citroen ZX, Jetta, Santana, and Santana 2000 is 6 Yuan for the first 2 km (about 1.2 miles) and 1.5 Yuan for every additional kilometer (about 0.6 miles). If you take a taxi at night after 11 pm, the flag-down rate will increase to 7 Yuan and then 1.8 Yuan for an extra kilometer. Besides, every waiting time of five minutes adds an additional charge to the passenger fee of one kilometer. The superior taxis, including Hongqi, Zhonghua, Oriental Son and Passat will charge 8 Yuan for the first 2 km and 2.4 Yuan for every extra km. Drivers use the meter in town, but for the longer distance destinations (such as the Terra-cotta Warrior Museum, airport etc) you will need to agree a price prior to departure. It is a good idea to write down your destination in Chinese since taxi drivers in Xian often do not speak English.