Hangzhou is a hub of communications on the southeast coast with all means of transportation like
railway, roads, water and air transport.
The following content may be helpful for you to arrive at your schools in a smooth and easy way as
well as offers some tips for you to travel within the city or around the country.
Arriving in Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport
Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport is considered a Garden Airport due to its verdant setting and
floral gardens and is one of the most important territorial airports in China. Hangzhou Xiaoshan
International Airport currently attracts 193 airlines that offer flights to 94 cities and regions at home
and abroad.
International students can conveniently process the ticket-booking issue of over 40 foreign airlines
through their offices in Hangzhou. Let's have a general understanding of terminal buildings.
Terminal Building Guide
Terminal A (International Terminal): All the International and regional flights operate in Terminal A which is
to the south of Terminal B, the former Terminal Building. There are two levels in Terminal A-the Arrival Level and the Departure Level. Covering an area of about 96,000 square meters, Terminal A is as
large as five of the former international waiting hall of Terminal B. There are altogether 2 check-in areas
with 48 Check-in Counters in Terminal A. The most attractive things in the new terminal building are no doub
t the Duty Free Stores. The prices of the famous brands are as low as the Duty Free Stores in Hong Kong.
Terminal B: All of the demostic flights to and from Hangzhou Airport. There are altogether three levels in
Terminal B. The first level is a parking lot that can park around 200 cars, the second level is the Arrival Hall
and the third level is the Departure Hall.
There are some useful tips which will help International students get though the capital airport processing.
The following procedure is for International arrivals:
1. Flight Arrival
2. Inspection & Quarantine
3. Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection
4. Baggage Claim
5. Customs Inspection
6. Leaving the Airport
Air Ticket Booking
There are various methods to book the air ticket:First, you may get it through some websites, such as ctrip.com
and qunar.com. Second, you may book the air ticket in the booking offices at major hotels. Third, you may get the
fast and reliable booking service from a lot of travel agencies.Fourth, it’s also a good choice to book your air-tickets
through the booking counters which was established by various airlines in the Hangzhou Xiaoshan International
Airport.
How to get to your university from HXIA?
On arrival, there are three ways to get from the airport to your university: SICAS's airport pick-up service, by airport
shuttle bus, and by taxi.
SICAS Airport Pick-up Service
If you arrive in HXIA, you can book an airport pick-up service with SICAS. E-mail to service@sicas.cn.
By Shuttle Bus
At present, there are shuttle buses to nearly 20 directions supplying convenient transportation for passengers to
and from Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport.
By Taxi
A Hangzhou taxi charges RMB 10 for the first 3 kilometers, and RMB 2 for the next 3–10 kilometers. For over 10
kilometers the fare is RMB 3 per kilometers. Moreover RMB 1 is claimed as the fuel surcharge.
SICAS Reminder
1. It would be hard to hail a taxi at around 3–7 o'clock in the afternoon since drivers are usually changing shifts
then.
2. International students should use the "official" taxis (with a Taxi sign on the car) and pay the fare according to
the meter.
3. You can refuse to pay the fare if the driver dropped you on the way or refused to let you on.
4. Hangzhou taxi calling number: +86 0571 2881 1111.
Daily Transportation Guide
By Bus
Hangzhou buses fall into 9 categories: Downtown Lines, mainly from 1 to 96 with some exceptions; Night Lines,
from 201–251; Suburban Lines, 300–498, 700–799 with some exceptions; Micro Bus Lines, 801–879 with
some exceptions; Mini Bus Lines, 801–879 with some exceptions; Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Lines, Lines that
start with the letter "B"; Holiday Lines, J1 and J12; Tourist Lines, Y1–Y9 and Y13; Sightseeing Lines, Sightseeing
Line 4, 6 and 8.
In general, buses in the downtown area run from 5:00 am to 10:30 pm. Some suburban lines stop as early as
5:30 pm or 6:00 pm. The night lines from 201 to 251 run from 9:30 pm. to 5:30 am.
Most of the city-buses in Hangzhou charge RMB1–3 per person. There is a discount on the normal ticket fare
when paying with a Hangzhou Transportation Smart Card. Most of the buses are self-service with no refund for
overpayment, so passengers need to prepare the exact small change beforehand.
By Taxi
Getting around Hangzhou by taxi is the most convenient way to travel. At present, there are more than 8000 taxis in
Hangzhou and International students can find a taxi almost anywhere in the city.
Travel to Nearby Cities
Hangzhou → Suzhou
By Train
Fifteen trains run between Hangzhou and Suzhou daily. Seven of these depart from the Hangzhou Railway Station
(which runs between 8:42 and 18:44). The Bullet Train takes 2 hours and 40 minutes to reach Suzhou. The other
eight trains depart from the Hangzhou South Railway Station, which runs between 1:44 and 19:44. Sixteen trains
run between Suzhou and Hangzhou, among which there are two Bullet Trains. Bullet Train tickets cost between
RMB 89—107.
By Long Distance Bus
International students can take long distance buses from either Hangzhou Passenger Transport Central Station
or Hangzhou North Bus Station. About 16 buses run to Suzhou from the Central Station daily between 8:00 and
18:30. Buses from the Central Station arrive at the Suzhou South Bus Station. The two-hour trip costs RMB 71. More
than 20 buses run between the Hangzhou North Bus Station and Suzhou North Bus Station from 7:00 to 18:30.
When returning to Hangzhou, you can board a bus at either the Suzhou South Bus Station or Suzhou North Bus
Station. Buses from Suzhou North Bus Station arrive at the Hangzhou North Bus Station, while buses from Suzhou
South Bus Station arrive at Hangzhou Passenger Transport Central Station.
Hangzhou → Wuzhen
By Bus
Sixteen buses leave from the Hangzhou Passenger Transport Central Station heading to Wuzhen daily,
between 6:25 and 18:15. Tickets cost RMB 25-28. If you are going to Tongxiang first, you can take a bus
from Hangzhou Passenger Transport Central Station to Tongxiang Central Bus Station and then transfer
onto a bus to Wuzhen. Once you arrive in Wuzhen, get off at Ziwu Hotel which is opposite to the entrance
of Wuzhen. When returning to Hangzhou, you can board a return bus at Wuzhen Bus Station, which is 20
meters away from Dongzha. Sixteen buses leave for Hangzhou everyday, the first at 6:25 and the last at
18:25. Tickets cost RMB 27.
Hangzhou → Nanjing
By Train
Hangzhou and Nanjing are connected by a network of 22 trains, 15 of which are from Hangzhou Railway Station,
and 7 of depart from Hangzhou's South Railway Station. Trains at Hangzhou Railway Station run between 2:00
and 20:45 while those at Hangzhou South Railway Station run between 1:44 to 19:44. The 4.5 hour Bullet Train
trip costs RMB 156 to RMB 187.
When returning to Hangzhou, you can board their return train at the Nanjing Railway Station. Altogether, 22 trains
are available, 15 of which arrive at Hangzhou Railway Station, with the other 5 arriving at Hangzhou's South
Railway Station.
