Travel Tips · City transport
Find Your Metro Exit
Activate the correct city transport code or buy a ticket, use Amap to choose an exit, and know when DiDi makes more sense.
A useful metro journey ends at the right exit. Amap can show a route to the station, but a building may be easiest to reach from Exit C rather than Exit A. With luggage or a wheelchair, a lift may be at a different exit again. Read the last few hundred meters before starting.
Get a ticket or activate the right transport code
In Alipay, look for Transport, select the city, and inspect the available metro service. Where your account and payment method are supported, follow the activation and payment authorization prompts to obtain that city’s transport QR code. A metro code is different from the ordinary Alipay shopping payment code. WeChat may offer a corresponding city transport mini program, but support varies.
If a QR service cannot be activated, use the station’s ticket machine or service center. Ask for a single-journey ticket to your destination and choose an accepted payment method. Cash and card arrangements differ by city and machine; use the staffed counter when a machine does not handle your payment or language.
Read direction and exit together
- Identify the line number and the direction toward its terminal station. Two platforms on the same line can take you in opposite directions.
- At a transfer, follow the next line number and allow time for the walk. A short-looking route may contain a long interchange.
- At the destination, check your planned exit number or letter. Compare it with signs for lifts if you need a step-free route.
- Use the same ticket or activated transport service for entry and exit. If a gate rejects it, go to staff instead of repeatedly buying another ticket.
Use DiDi or the official taxi queue when the metro does not fit
For DiDi (滴滴出行), enter the destination, then verify the pickup pin and car category. The standalone app or a WeChat/Alipay entry can be used according to your account setup. Match the number plate before boarding, and be prepared to confirm the last four digits of the phone number associated with the ride.
Check the last metro departure for the actual line and station, not a generic city closing time. If an evening ends late or a step-free exit is unavailable, choose a realistic alternative. In a hilly city such as Chongqing, consider gradients and building levels as well as map distance; a small walk can still involve stairs.
Practical guidance reviewed 12 October 2026. Confirm current rules, opening arrangements, and availability with the relevant authority or provider before travel.
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