Tips · China
Nanjing Lukou Airport (NKG) to the City
Nanjing Lukou Airport to the city: Metro Line S1 (running through onto Line 6 since 29 September 2026), the trial Mausoleum shuttle bus, taxis and payment prep.
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Where Lukou Airport is and what to check
Nanjing Lukou International Airport (NKG) is in Lukou Town, Jiangning District, Nanjing. It is a major East China airport with two passenger and cargo terminals and a transportation centre.
There are three ways from the airport into the city: Metro Line S1, the Airport–Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum tourist shuttle bus, and taxis.
Metro Line S1 (Airport Line) runs from Lukou Airport station to Nanjing South Railway Station. Since 29 September 2026 it runs through onto Line 6, so you can stay on board at Nanjing South and continue towards Qixiashan. For Line 1, Line 3 and other lines, change at Nanjing South. Line 6's first trains leave at 6:00, and the last train towards Qixiashan leaves Nanjing South at 23:38. S1 last-train times were also changed, so check the station notices. Check official information for journey times and fares.
The Airport–Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum tourist shuttle is a 37-seat bus from Lukou Airport Terminals 1 and 2 to the South Square of Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, stopping at Nanjing South Railway Station. Trial service began on 1 January 2026, with two provisional departures from the airport at 11:40 and 13:40. It takes about 40 min and costs CNY 25 to Nanjing South, or 80 min and CNY 35 to the Mausoleum. As it is a trial, service and times may change, so check before you travel.
A taxi takes about 40–50 min to Nanjing International Expo Center in Jianye; check official information for fares. The city runs crackdowns on illegal drivers touting for passengers around the airport car parks, especially at night and early morning. Don't go with drivers who approach you; use a regular taxi or a car booked through a proper platform. Showing your hotel address in Chinese makes things easier.
The airport's official website (www.njiairport.com) also has the latest timetables.
When you buy your ticket, check that the arrival airport printed on it is Nanjing Lukou (NKG).
Before you land: Jinlingtong card and Alipay QR code
Nanjing's metro and buses accept the Jinlingtong transport card or a QR code from Alipay: open Civic Center and set the location to Nanjing. Our guide suggests setting up a payment method before you land.
The city's official English website has a payment guide for inbound visitors (UnionPay, Weixin Pay and Alipay).
- Jinlingtong transport card: sold at every metro station
- Alipay Civic Center, location set to Nanjing: QR code for the metro and buses
- The 'Nanjing Metro Electronic Card' QR code in Alipay also works for metro entry and exit
- Metro helpline +86 25 51899999, bus helpline +86 25 96155
Using the metro and buses in town
At a metro ticket machine, tap your destination station and choose how many tickets, and the fare is shown. With a Jinlingtong card or an Alipay QR code you can go straight through the gates. Check official information for fares.
On buses, board at the front and put the correct fare for the route into the coin box, so carry enough small change. You can also tap a Jinlingtong card on the reader at the front or scan the Jinlingtong QR code in Alipay.
Find your hotel area by metro line
Every area in our guide is described by its metro stations. Check which line is closest to your hotel or first stop before you set off.
In the Zhongshan Mountain (Purple Mountain) scenic area, during control hours (weekdays 09:00-17:00, weekends and public holidays 08:30-17:30), many roads are closed to most vehicles and taxis may not enter the controlled roads. Change at Metro Line 2 Xiamafang, Xiaolingwei, Zhonglingjie or Muxuyuan stations to scenic-area shuttles for the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Ming Xiaoling (with its avenue of stone animals), the Linggu area and more. These traffic measures run from 1 October 2025 to 30 September 2028.
- Zhongshan Mountain (Purple Mountain) scenic area: Metro Line 2 plus scenic-area shuttles
- Confucius Temple and Qinhuai River (Qinhuai District): walk from Metro Line 3 Fuzimiao or Wudingmen stations
- Daxinggong and Xuanwu Lake: Daxinggong station (Lines 2 and 3); the Ming city wall near Jimingsi station to the north
- Zhonghua Gate and Zhanyuan Garden area: Metro Line 1
At a glance
There are three ways from the airport into the city: Metro Line S1, the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum tourist shuttle bus (trial service) and taxis. This list also covers getting around once you are in town.
- Metro Line S1: Lukou Airport station to Nanjing South; runs through onto Line 6 since 29 September 2026; check official information for times and fares
- Airport–Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum tourist shuttle bus: trial service since 1 January 2026; departs the airport 11:40 and 13:40 (provisional); about 40 min/CNY 25 to Nanjing South, 80 min/CNY 35 to the Mausoleum
- Taxi: don't go with illegal drivers who approach you; about 40–50 min to Nanjing International Expo Center (Jianye); check official information for fares
- Metro: choose station and number of tickets at the machine, or use a Jinlingtong card or Alipay QR code; check official fares
- Buses: board at the front; cash (have small change), Jinlingtong card or the Jinlingtong QR code in Alipay
- Zhongshan Mountain scenic area: during control hours, Metro Line 2 plus scenic-area shuttles; taxis cannot enter the controlled roads
- Trains (Nanjing South and Nanjing stations): buy at the station window with your passport, or register your passport on the official 12306 website or app and book; collect tickets at the window
Arrival-day checklist
If you continue by train, Nanjing South Railway Station (Yuhuatai District) is the high-speed station, while most trains from Nanjing Railway Station (Xuanwu District) are on the Shanghai-Nanjing route or T, K and Z services. Ticket machines only accept Chinese ID cards, so passport holders collect tickets at the window (enquiries 12306).
For planning your days, see our 3-day Nanjing route.
- Check that the arrival airport on your ticket is Nanjing Lukou (NKG)
- Check airport-to-city transport, times and fares on the airport's official website
- Set Alipay Civic Center to Nanjing (or get a Jinlingtong card)
- Carry small change for buses
- Emergency numbers: police 110, fire 119, ambulance 120; government service hotline 12345
- Check visa and entry rules with official sources
Plan your Nanjing trip
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FAQ
How do I get from Lukou Airport to the city, and how long does it take?
Metro Line S1 goes to Nanjing South and, since 29 September 2026, runs through onto Line 6 towards Qixiashan (check official information for times and fares). The Airport–Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum tourist shuttle bus has run as a trial since 1 January 2026, departing at 11:40 and 13:40 (provisional); it takes about 40 min to Nanjing South and 80 min to the Mausoleum. A taxi takes about 40–50 min to Nanjing International Expo Center (Jianye); check official information for fares.
How do I pay for the Nanjing metro?
Use a Jinlingtong transport card (sold at every station) or an Alipay QR code, either via Civic Center set to Nanjing or the 'Nanjing Metro Electronic Card'.
Can I take a taxi straight to the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum or Ming Xiaoling?
During control hours (weekdays 09:00-17:00, weekends and public holidays 08:30-17:30) taxis cannot enter the controlled roads. Change from Metro Line 2 to the scenic-area shuttles, or use a designated taxi drop-off zone such as at Muxuyuan station.
Can I buy train tickets from the machines?
The machines only accept Chinese ID cards. Buy at the station window with your passport, or register your passport on the official 12306 website or app, book, and collect the ticket at the window.
Related reading
ⓘ Photo credits
- Airport rail platform (Hong Kong Airport Station) · MNXANL / CC BY-SA 4.0
- Coins and banknotes from many countries · Caleidoscopic / CC BY-SA 4.0