Below, we'll introduce the transportation options from the Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (XIY) and Xi'an North Railway Station to the city center (near the Bell Tower) and the Terracotta Warriors, helping you quickly make the best choice based on common travel concerns.
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- 1. Xi'an Airport to the City Center
- 2. Xi'an Airport to the Terracotta Warriors
- 3. Xi'an North Station to the City Center
- 4. Xi'an North Station to the Terracotta Warriors
- FAQs
1. How to Get from Xi'an Xianyang International Airport to the City Center?
Xi'an has one airport: Xi'an Xianyang International Airport, located in Xianyang, about 35 kilometers (21.8 miles) from Xi'an city center.
If you're on an international flight, you'll land at T5, while domestic flights arrive at Terminals T1, T2, T3, and T5.
The city center (near the Bell Tower)There are 3 common ways to get from the airport to the city center, mainly differing in convenience and travel time.
Taxi (Fastest): The most direct option. It takes about 1 hour to reach the city center, costing approximately 70-100 RMB.
Metro (Most Economical): Requires transfers. First, take Line 14 to Xi'an North Station, transfer to Line 4 to Administrative Center Station, then transfer to Line 2 to Bell Tower Station. Operating hours are 6:22-22:20 (according to Line 14's schedule), with a total travel time of about 1.5 hours and a cost of 8 RMB.
Tip: Although you can directly transfer from Line 14 to Line 2 to reach the city center, the transfer involves a 15-minute walk, which is inconvenient with luggage, so we don't recommend it.
Airport Shuttle Bus (Limited Flexibility): Covers multiple locations in Xi'an. Except for 5:10-8:40, shuttle buses operate at all other times. During the day, you can take the Bell Tower West Line or Bell Tower North Line from T2, T3, or T5. The journey takes about 1 to 1.5 hours and costs 25 RMB.
If you are traveling with a group, have a lot of luggage, arrive at night, or want to reach your destination quickly, a taxi is the most convenient choice. The metro is suitable for those with less luggage, ample time, or a limited budget.
Since the airport shuttle buses depart at fixed times, you might have to wait, and after getting off, you may need additional transportation to your hotel. Therefore, we usually do not recommend this option.
Note that during holidays and peak hours (7:00-9:00, 17:00-19:00), both the airport shuttle and taxis may experience traffic, leading to longer travel times.
2. How to Get from Xi'an Xianyang International Airport to the Terracotta Warriors?
Terracotta ArmyXi'an Xianyang International Airport is about 65 kilometers (40.4 miles) from the Terracotta Warriors. Whether you go directly from the airport depends on your itinerary and time constraints.
Taxi (Most Efficient): The journey takes about 1 hour and costs 160-200 RMB.
Metro + Direct Bus (Budget-Friendly): There is no direct metro. We recommend taking Line 14 to Xi'an North Station, then locate the ticket office at the Chengbei Bus Station for a direct bus to the Terracotta Warriors. The total journey is about 1.5 hours and costs 37 RMB.
Airport Shuttle Bus (Less Flexible): Take the Lintong Line from T3 or T5, operating from 9:15 to 20:45, with buses approximately every hour. The journey takes 1-1.5 hours and costs 45 RMB.
If you plan to visit the Terracotta Warriors for a day trip and want to start your tour as soon as possible after landing, a taxi is the most efficient option. The airport shuttle bus is less suitable for tight schedules due to its departure times.
You might also consider our private service, in which a guide and transfer will be arranged for you, ensuring a worry-free and efficient day.
3. How to Get from Xi'an North Railway Station to the City Center?
Business class on high-speed trainsCurrently, Xi'an has 3 main train stations, with Xi'an North Station being the high-speed rail hub.
If you're traveling from nearby cities like Beijing, Luoyang, Pingyao, or Chengdu, you'll typically arrive at Xi'an North Station.
Xi'an North Station is about 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) from the city center. Getting into the city is relatively straightforward.
Taxi (Most Comfortable): The journey takes about 50 minutes and costs around 40-50 RMB.
Metro (Fastest): The most common option. Take Line 2 directly to Bell Tower Station. Operating hours are 6:00-23:50, with a total travel time of about 30 minutes and a cost of 4 RMB.
4. How to Get from Xi'an North Railway Station to the Terracotta Warriors?
Xi'an North Station is about 40 kilometers (24.9 miles) from the Terracotta Warriors. There are 3 options to choose from:
Taxi (Most Convenient): The journey takes about 50 minutes and costs around 140-170 RMB.
Metro + Bus (Budget-Friendly but Time-Consuming): There is no direct metro. You need to take Line 2 to Beidajie Station, transfer to Line 1 to Fangzhicheng Station, then switch to Line 9 to Huaqing Palace Station, and finally take the Lintong Tour Bus 613. The total journey is about 2 hours and costs 14 RMB.
We don't recommend this option due to multiple transfers and potential hassles. Also, be cautious of sales pitches on Bus 613 and avoid unofficial guides.
Direct Bus (Cost-Effective): You can take an 8-seat direct bus from Chengbei Bus Station (North Square). It runs daily from 8:30 to 20:30, takes about 50 minutes, and costs 30 RMB.
In summary, if you are traveling with 1-3 people, the direct bus offers good value. For groups of 4, a taxi may be more convenient since the shared price is similar to the direct bus, but a taxi is more comfortable and allows you to depart immediately without waiting.
FAQs:
1. How do I get to the Terracotta Warriors from the city center?
Taxi (Fastest and Most Direct): The journey takes about 40-50 minutes and costs approximately 120-130 RMB.
Metro + Bus/Taxi (Most Affordable): Take Line 6 to Fangzhicheng Station or Line 2 to Beidajie Station, then transfer to Line 1 to Fangzhicheng Station. From there, switch to Line 9 to Huaqing Palace Station, and take the Lintong Tour Bus 613 or a taxi. The total journey is about 1.5 hours, costing around 12-30 RMB.
If you're near Xi'an Station, you can take a bullet train to Lintong Station, which takes only 19 minutes. After arriving, take the Lintong Tour Bus 613 or a taxi. The total journey is about 1 hour, costing 15-50 RMB.
2. Which is the best way for a Beijing to Xi'an day trip?
Flying from Beijing to Xi'an takes about 2 hours, while the high-speed train takes around 4 hours. For a same-day round trip, the key factor in choosing which option to take is how much effective sightseeing time you have in Xi'an.
If your only goal is the Terracotta Warriors, both early morning flights and high-speed trains work, as long as you arrive in Xi'an between 10-11 AM for a more relaxed itinerary.
We recommend the high-speed train because check-in is simpler, it's less affected by weather, more reliable, and Beijing's train stations are closer to the city center than the airport, saving travel time.
However, if you also want to see the City Wall, Muslim Quarter, or Big Wild Goose Pagoda, choosing a flight that arrives between 9-10 AM would be more efficient, allowing more time for activities in the city.
See our One-Day Xi'an Tour including Airport Transfers. Our itineraries can be adjusted and tailor-made for you.
Our guests visited the City Wall3. How much layover time in Xi'an is enough to visit the Terracotta Army?
The Terracotta Warriors are open from 8:30 to 18:30 between March 16 and November 15, with the last entry at 16:30. During other dates, the last entry and closing times are 30 minutes earlier.
For just visiting the Terracotta Warriors, we recommend having at least an 8-hour layover. Here's a rough time allocation:
- 1 hour: Deplaning, immigration (if applicable), and airport procedures
- 1 hour: Taxi to the site
- 3 hours: Touring the Terracotta Warriors
- 0.5 hour: Dining
- 1 hour: Taxi back to the airport
- 1.5 hours: Check-in and waiting for your flight
Tip: If you need to retrieve your luggage, you can store it at the airport or the Terracotta Warriors site.
Worry-free Travel in Xi'an with China Highlights
With transportation sorted, you can click on our Xi'an tours to see the must-visit attractions and experiences. We provide private guides and transfers, so you can focus entirely on exploring Xi'an without worrying about logistics.
If you have any ideas or needs, feel free to share them with us. We can customize your trip even while you're traveling. Let's plan a relaxing journey together!
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