When traveling in Nanjing, taking the subway is definitely a cost-effective choice. The biggest feature of Nanjing Metro is that the line design is reasonable and convenient to transfer, such as at the most prosperous Xinjiekou station, you can easily transfer between Line 1 and Line 2. Of course, these details are not necessarily the focus of attention for foreign tourists.
You just need to remember one thing: as a travel tool, the Nanjing Metro can make it easier and more efficient to play in the city! Next, through this article, you can roughly sort out the following things you may want to know:
- Specific lines of Nanjing Metro
- What are the attractions worth visiting between the routes?
- Nanjing Metro fare and some precautions
Nanjing Metro lines
Nanjing Metro is mainly divided into urban trunk lines and intercity lines (S lines). The urban trunk line covers the core area of Nanjing, which is suitable for most travelers to move and explore the city.
Intercity lines are more used for commuting between urban areas and suburbs and airports, making them very practical for tourists planning to travel to the suburbs or directly to and from the airport.
| line | Main area/end point | Pass by key stops | Nearby attractions/uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Line 1 | China Pharmaceutical University ↔ Maigaoqiao | Nanjing South Railway Station, Xinjiekou, Drum Tower | The north-south trunk line connects the South Station and the city center |
| Line 2 | Fish mouth ↔ through the heavenly road | Xinjiekou, Xuanwumen, Nanjing Station | Purple Mountain, Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Ming Xiaoling |
| Line 3 | Mozhou East Road ↔ Forest Farm | Nanjing South Railway Station, Confucius Temple, Daxing Palace | Confucius Temple, Laomendong Historic District |
| Line 4 | Pearl Spring East ↔ Qixia | Jiangxinzhou, Daxing Palace, Xianlin | Hexi New Town, Xianlin University Town |
| Line 5 | Wenjing Road ↔ Fangjiaying | Jiangbei New Area, Jianye | Connecting Jiangbei with the main city |
| Line S1 (Airport Line) | Nanjing South Railway Station ↔ Lukou Airport | Jiangning | Direct to Lukou International Airport |
| Line S3 (Ninh Hoa Line) | Nanjing South Railway Station ↔ Gaojiachong | Southern Jiangning | Connecting Anhui and county directions |
| Line S7 (Ningli Line) | Airport New Castle ↔ Musoyama | Jiangning-Lishui | Jiangning Lishui commuting, Wuxiang Mountain Scenic Area |
| Line S8 (Ning Antenna) | Taishan New Village ↔ Jinniu Lake | Northern Nanjing | Jinniu Lake Scenic Area, Baibai Bridge |
| Line S9 (Ninggao Line) | Xiangyu Road South ↔ Gaochun | Jiangning-Gaochun | Gaochun Old Street, Slow Life Tourist Area |
Along Lines 2 and 3, many famous attractions in Nanjing are gathered. If you have the opportunity, you might as well get off on Line 2 and visit the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum. It is full of tall French plane trees, and the environment is very beautiful.
When I first arrived in Nanjing for school, I was taking a taxi past the school and found a sycamore avenue around the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum.
Very beautiful. I personally think that if you come to Nanjing in spring and summer but don’t come here for a walk, you will leave a little regret in your life.
Nanjing Metro fares
China is a socialist country, and one of its advantages is reflected in public transportation. Almost all subways and buses are operated by the government, and the fares are very cheap and cost-effective. Taking Nanjing as an example, the starting price of the subway is only 2 yuan, and the maximum fare is only about 6 yuan as the mileage increases;
Most buses are 2 yuan per ticket. Such a price is very low in most big cities in the world, which is not only convenient for citizens, but also reduces the travel burden of tourists.
| Mileage range | One-way fare |
|---|---|
| 0 – 4 km | 2 yuan |
| 4 – 9 km | 3 yuan |
| 9 – 14 km | 4 yuan |
| 14 – 21 km | 5 yuan |
| 21 – 28 km | 6 yuan |
| 28 – 37 km | 7 yuan |
| 37 – 48 km | 8 yuan |
| 48 – 61 km | 9 yuan |
| Over 61 km | For every additional 15 kilometers, an additional 1 yuan will be charged |
Overview of the starting and ending stations of each line of Nanjing Metro
| Subway lines | Start → End point | Main areas/stops |
|---|---|---|
| Line 1 | Mochou Lake East → China Pharmaceutical University | Xuanwu District, Gulou District, Jianye District, Jiangning District; Main stations: Xinjiekou, Xuanwumen, near Nanjing South Railway Station |
| Line 2 | Yushan Road → Shilipu | Jiangbei New District, Gulou District, Qinhuai District, Jianye District; Main stations: Xinjiekou, Confucius Temple, Hexi CBD |
| Line 3 | Nanjing South Railway Station → Liuhe Development Zone | Liuhe District, Jiangbei New Area, Jianye District, Qinhuai District; Main stations: Nanjing South Railway Station, Software Park, Longpao, Liuhe Development Zone |
| Line 4 | Longchi → Nanjing Station | Jiangning District, Qixia District, Gulou District; Main stations: Xianlin University Town, Nanjing Railway Station, around the railway station |
| Line 5 | Heding Bridge → Maigao Bridge | Jiangning District, Pukou District; Main stations: Maigao Bridge, Jiangning Development Zone, Jiangpu Street |
| Line 6 | Qilin Gate → Gaochun | Jiangning District, Gaochun District; Main stations: Qilinmen, Dongshan, Fangshan, Chunhua |
| Line 7 | Qilin Gate → Nanjing West Railway Station | Jiangning District, Qinhuai District, Gulou District; Main stations: Qilin Gate, Jiming Temple, Xinjiekou, Nanjing West Railway Station |
| Line 10 | Youfang Bridge → Maigao Bridge | Jiangning District, Pukou District; Main stations: Youfang Bridge, Maigao Bridge, Jiangning Development Zone |
| Line S1 (Airport Line) | Nanjing South Railway Station → Qifu New Village | Jiangning District, near Lukou Airport; Main stations: Nanjing South Railway Station, Lukou Airport |
| Line S3 (Ningli Intercity) | Nanjing South Railway Station → Lishui | Jiangning District, Lishui District; Main stations: Nanjing South Railway Station, Lishui City |
| S7 Line (Ningju Intercity) | Zhongling Street → Jurong West Station | Jiangning District, Jurong City; Main stations: Zhongling Street, Jurong City, Jurong West Station |
How to Take the Nanjing Metro (In-Depth Guide)
Nanjing Metro is the core backbone of transportation in Nanjing and surrounding areas, with a complete line network, convenient transfer facilities and a variety of payment methods. Familiarizing yourself with the subway riding process can not only save time, but also improve the travel experience. The following will be a comprehensive explanation from ticket purchase, entry and exit, boarding, safety, transfers, planning and practical skills.
1. Ticketing methods and ticketing strategies
Nanjing Metro offers a variety of ticketing options, and passengers can choose according to their travel frequency and needs:
- One-way ticket
- Suitable for short or single trips.
- Tickets can be purchased at self-service ticket vending machines using cash, Alipay, or WeChat Pay.
- Note that you will keep your ticket until you exit the station, if you lose it, you will not be able to pass through the gate.
- Nanjing Transportation Card (including double-decker card / NFC card)
- It is suitable for passengers who ride for a long time and change trains frequently.
- The card can be recharged multiple times, and it supports subway, bus, and some shared bicycle payments.
- Use your transportation card to enter and exit the gate, and you don’t need to buy a ticket every time, and you can enjoy small discounts or multi-trip discounts.
- Mobile phone ride code
- Generate QR codes through Alipay, WeChat, or Nanjing Metro official APP.
- Scan the QR code to enter and exit the gate, eliminating the need for physical tickets or cards, suitable for travel or short-term travel.
- It is recommended to keep your phone fully charged and avoid delays during peak periods.
Ticketing strategy suggestions:
- It is recommended to use a transportation card or ride code during peak hours to save time in queuing.
- If you change trains multiple times, you can use a transportation card to reduce the inconvenience of repeated ticket purchases.
2. Station entry process and station navigation
- Security check and pit entry
- Before entering the subway station, all passengers need to go through security checks, and their luggage needs to be placed in the X-ray security screening machine.
- Dangerous goods and large luggage are prohibited.
- During peak periods, it is recommended to arrive at the station entrance early to avoid queue delays.
- Swipe the ticket or scan the code
- Swipe your transportation card or scan your mobile phone code to enter the gate.
- Pay attention to the gate beep and display information to ensure a successful pit stop.
- Station orientation
- Each platform is clearly marked, including the line color, terminal name, and transfer direction.
- You can check the station map and electronic screen to choose the fastest route or transfer station.
- Waiting on the platform
- Wait in line and keep a safe distance.
- Pay attention to the train arrival prompt sound and the end point of the train displayed on the electronic screen to avoid taking the wrong direction.
3. Ride and safety rules in the car
- Riding etiquette
- Go down first and then go up, don’t stay at the door.
- During peak periods, try to stand on the inside and give way to the elderly, pregnant women and children.
- Equipment & Facilities
- There is an electronic screen in the carriage that displays the next stop, transfer information, and operation announcements.
- Some cars have seating areas, air conditioning, and Wi-Fi.
- In case of emergency, you can use the emergency alarm button in the cabin.
- Safety precautions
- Hold the armrest firmly and pay attention to the door switch.
- Avoid leaning on the door and large luggage to obstruct passage.
- It is recommended to sit close to the driver’s cab or crowded areas at night to improve your sense of security.
4. Transfer and route planning
- Transfer station identification
- Nanjing Metro Line Interchange Station has eye-catching signs indicating different line platforms and directions.
- Pay attention to the marking “transfer in the same direction” to avoid trains in the opposite direction.
- Transfer steps
- After exiting the station, go to the transfer platform, and some stops take a few minutes to walk.
- Use the same transportation card or mobile phone code to transfer, no need to purchase tickets again.
- Route planning tips
- Plan ahead during peak periods and save time by choosing routes with fewer transfers.
- Use the official subway APP or third-party navigation app to check the train arrival time, transfer suggestions and shortest route in real time.
5. Outbound and shuttle transportation
- Swipe your card or scan the QR code gate when leaving the station to exit the station smoothly.
- After leaving the station, you can usually connect to buses, rental cars, and shared bicycles, and some stations have ground commercial areas and shopping malls.
- During peak hours, you can choose a diversion exit to avoid crowds.
6. Advanced riding skills and advice
- Peak avoidance strategy
- 7:30–9:00 a.m. and 17:30–19:00 p.m. are peak periods, so it is recommended to avoid or travel early.
- Convenience tools
- The official subway APP provides real-time train operations, arrival reminders, and transfer suggestions.
- It is recommended to take a photo of the subway route map to facilitate inquiry when there is no internet.
- Ride safe
- Take care of your belongings, especially in crowded carriages.
- Pay attention to emergency communication facilities and exit signs, and familiarize yourself with emergency escape routes.
- Ticket savings
- Long-term passengers can purchase transportation card monthly passes or recharge discounts to reduce one-way ticket expenses.
On the whole, Nanjing Metro is not only a means of transportation, but also a manifestation of an efficient urban travel experience. Its line design fully covers the urban area and surrounding major areas, and the transfer station layout is reasonable, which can save passengers’ commuting and travel time to the greatest extent. Diverse ticketing methods (one-way tickets, transportation cards, mobile phone codes) meet different needs, whether it is short-term travelers or long-term residents.
In addition, the subway carriages are comfortable, well-equipped, and the station instructions are clear, combined with modern electronic information systems, allowing passengers to easily navigate in unfamiliar cities. Order management and safety measures during peak periods make travel more reliable. For tourists, after familiarizing themselves with the route and transfer skills, they can reach the attractions in the shortest time, reducing transportation costs and improving travel efficiency and experience.
In short, the Nanjing Metro combines convenience, economy and safety, making it an ideal transportation choice for exploring Nanjing’s urban style and cultural attractions, and a model of modern urban transportation planning.
