Nanjing Lukou International Airport is about 35 km from Nanjing city centre. Transport costs vary depending on your method, destination, and time of day.
By transport type
Metro Line S1 (Airport Express): CNY 7-10 per person. Metro Line S1 connects the airport to Nanjing South Railway Station, where you transfer to Lines 1 or 3 to reach the city centre. The full journey to Xinjiekou (city centre) takes about 50 minutes. Runs approximately 6:30 AM to 10:30-11 PM.
Airport bus: CNY 15-30 depending on the route. Slow but inexpensive.
Taxi: CNY 100-180 to central areas. Meters are standard. After 11 PM, fares increase by roughly 20 percent. Rush hour traffic pushes fares toward the higher end.
Pre-booked transfer: $35-60 USD for a sedan. Minivans and premium vehicles cost more. The price is fixed regardless of traffic.
By destination
| Destination | Taxi (CNY) | Transfer (CNY) | |-------------|------------|----------------| | Xinjiekou (city centre) | 80-130 | 300-450 | | Confucius Temple area | 80-120 | 280-420 | | Xuanwu Lake | 90-140 | 320-480 | | Nanjing South Station | 20-40 | 100-180 | | Jiangning district | 40-60 | 150-250 | | Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum | 90-140 | 300-450 |
Hidden costs to consider
- Late-night surcharge: Taxi meters increase after 11 PM. Budget an extra 20 percent.
- Traffic factor: Rush hour (7-9 AM, 5-7 PM) fares can be significantly higher as the meter runs on both time and distance.
- Language confusion: If a taxi driver misunderstands your destination, the detour costs you money on the meter. Having your address in Chinese reduces this risk.
- Payment friction: Without WeChat Pay or Alipay, you are limited to cash. ATMs are available in arrivals.
Tips for managing costs
- The metro at CNY 7-10 is by far the cheapest option, but factor in walking and possible transfers to your final destination.
- For groups of 3-4 people, a taxi or transfer becomes more cost-effective per person than individual transit fares.
- Cash in CNY is the most reliable payment for taxis. ATMs in the arrivals hall accept international cards.
- Pre-booked transfers include the price for the vehicle, not per person, making them economical for families and small groups.