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Xi'an Xianyang Airport (XIY) to the City

The seven-tiered brick Giant Wild Goose Pagoda rising over Da Ci'en Temple. — Giant Wild Goose Pagoda · Photo: 源義信 / CC BY-SA 4.0

Xi'an Xianyang Airport (XIY) to the city by metro, airport bus, taxi or ride-hailing, plus terminals, the moved taxi stands and an arrival-day checklist.

Published Oct 13, 2026 · Updated Oct 14, 2026

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Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (XIY): three ways into the city

From Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (XIY) you have three ways into the city: the metro, the airport bus, and a taxi or ride-hailing car. For the metro and the airport bus, check times and fares in the official information before you go; taxis are metered and the time depends on traffic.

This post walks through checking your terminal, what to look up for each option and what to sort out on arrival day. Check route numbers and first and last services in the official information before you travel.

First, check the terminal on your ticket

Xi'an Xianyang International Airport has Terminals 2 and 3 plus Terminal 5 (T5), which opened on February 20, 2025. Check which airport and which terminal are on your ticket first.

The taxi and ride-hailing pick-up points covered below also differ by terminal. Knowing your terminal also makes it much easier to find the right metro and airport bus details in the official information.

Terminal 2 (T2)
Terminal 3 (T3)
Terminal 5 (T5): opened February 20, 2025

Metro: check the line and transfers officially

Check the airport's and Xi'an Metro's official information for the metro line from the airport into the city and any transfers. Look up the journey time and fare there too.

Once you are in the city, the metro is convenient for sights. For example, the Shaanxi History Museum is about 778 m from Xiaozhai station (Lines 2 and 3) and about 834 m from Dayanta station (Lines 3 and 4).

You can ride with the Chang'an Tong transit card or a mobile payment app. If you plan to use a payment app, sign up and verify before you travel.

A silver and turquoise Line 14 train pulling into a station on an elevated track. — Xi'an Metro Line 14 (airport line) · Photo: A Chinese ID / CC BY-SA 4.0

Airport bus: check routes, stops and timetables

Airport buses also link the airport with the city. Check routes, stops, timetables and fares in the airport's official information.

Looking up in advance whether a route goes near your hotel, and where to board at your terminal, saves time when you land.

Taxi or ride-hailing: pick-up points moved in summer 2026

In summer 2026 the airport moved the taxi and ride-hailing pick-up points at T2 and T3. At T3 the taxi stand is now about 30 m away and the ride-hailing point about 140 m. Check the official information for the new spots at T2.

Taxis are metered, and the time depends on traffic. They are handy with heavy luggage or a late arrival, and ride-hailing apps are available too.

Showing your destination in Chinese helps, so have your hotel address ready in Chinese.

At a glance

Where times or fares can change, the line says to check official information.

Metro: line, transfers, time and fare all in the airport's and Xi'an Metro's official information; in the city you can ride with the Chang'an Tong card
Airport bus: routes, stops, timetables and fares all in the airport's official information
Taxi: metered, time depends on traffic, stand about 30 m away at T3, handy with heavy luggage or a late arrival
Ride-hailing: pick-up point about 140 m away at T3, have your destination in Chinese

Arrival-day checklist

Some foreign apps and services may be restricted in China. Sort out your connection (roaming, eSIM, etc.) and a Chinese map app before you travel, not after you land.

For what to do in the city, see our 3-day Xi'an itinerary.

Rows of terracotta warriors standing in Pit 1. — Terracotta Army, Pit 1 · Photo: 源義信 / CC BY-SA 4.0

Check the terminal on your ticket (T2, T3 or T5)
Look up metro and airport bus routes and timetables in the official information
Have your hotel address in Chinese for taxis and ride-hailing
Get the Chang'an Tong card or mobile payment ready; sign up and verify any payment app before you travel, and carry a little cash
If you plan to see the Terracotta Army, book under your real name through the official channels and bring the original passport you booked with
Check the latest visa rules, including visa-free entry, in official information

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FAQ

How long does it take and how much does it cost to reach the city?

Check times and fares for the metro and airport bus in the official information before you go; taxis are metered and the time depends on traffic.

How many terminals does Xi'an airport have?

Terminals 2 and 3, plus Terminal 5 (T5), which opened on February 20, 2025. Check which terminal is on your ticket.

Where is the taxi stand?

The taxi and ride-hailing pick-up points at T2 and T3 were moved in summer 2026. At T3 the taxi stand is about 30 m away and the ride-hailing point about 140 m.

Which transit card should I use?

You can ride the metro with the Chang'an Tong card, and mobile payment apps also work on city transport. Sign up and verify any payment app before you travel, and carry a little cash.