Find the correct station entrance
Match the station's Chinese name and metro logo. An entrance letter is not always your final exit letter. Follow signs downstairs and prepare for a security check of bags.
SCENE 05 GETTING AROUND
Taking the metro
Find the station, show your destination, and leave through the right exit.
BEST SHORTCUTShow the destination on your phone
Start ↓地铁 METRO
ABC
2号线 · LINE 2
BEFORE YOU START · CITY TRANSPORT
From the street entrance to the right exit
Metro systems are efficient, but large stations can have many entrances, long transfers, and exits far apart. Know the line direction and destination exit before you pass the gate.
Choose one payment method
Buy a single-journey ticket, use a local transport card, or activate a city transport QR code in Alipay where supported. Keep the ticket or use the same QR/payment method when exiting.
Choose the direction
Find your line number and color, then check the terminal station shown for each direction. Count the stops and look for the transfer station before boarding.
Transfer and leave by the right exit
Follow Transfer signs without leaving the paid area. At your destination, check the exit map for the closest letter or number before scanning out.
!
COMMON PROBLEMS
What catches visitors out
The right station, wrong exit
Exits may be several blocks apart. Save the venue's recommended exit, not only the station name.
QR code is for the wrong city
In Alipay Transport, confirm the current city and metro service before entering.
Last-train times vary
Do not assume every line runs late. Check the local operator's current schedule for your route.
NEXTLearn only the Chinese you may need to say.
Start the lesson ↓YOUR ROUTE
From entrance to exit
STEP 01 · SIGNS
Six signs worth recognising
STEP 02 · BUY A TICKET
Show where you want to go
NUMBER OF TICKETS单程票 · One-way ticket
支
MOBILE PAYMENT
Pay with Alipay
Look for 支付宝 or the Alipay symbol. Support varies by city and ticket machine.
1 Find 支付宝→2 Scan or show→3 Check 支付成功
STEP 03 · ENTER
What you may hear
STEP 04 · ROUTE
Show your destination
CHOOSE A LINE二号线在哪里？èr hào xiàn zài nǎlǐ?Where is Line 2?
REAL SCENE · LISTEN & SPEAK
Asking for metro directions
Show your destination, ask which exit to use, then follow the letter or number signs—you do not need to learn the exit labels.
Set up speaking practice
Allow microphone access once. Your voice is used by the browser to recognize the sentence.
1·2·3
Listen → Practice → Check: hear the model, speak the sentence, then use the recognized words and match score to improve.
You · Passenger请问，地铁站在哪里？Qǐngwèn, dìtiězhàn zài nǎlǐ?
Excuse me, where is the metro station?
Metro staff一直走，然后左转。Yìzhí zǒu, ránhòu zuǒzhuǎn.
Go straight, then turn left.
You · Passenger我要去这里。怎么走？Wǒ yào qù zhèlǐ. Zěnme zǒu?
I want to go here. How do I get there?
Metro staff坐二号线。Zuò èr hào xiàn.
Take Line 2.
You · Passenger从哪个出口出去？Cóng nǎ ge chūkǒu chūqù?
Which exit should I use?
Metro staff三号口。Sān hào kǒu.
Exit 3.
IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG
Six useful help phrases
WRONG DIRECTION我坐反了。Wǒ zuò fǎn le.
I went in the wrong direction.
MISSED THE STOP我坐过站了。Wǒ zuò guòzhàn le.
I missed my stop.
CAN’T ENTER我进不去。Wǒ jìn bú qù.
I can’t get through the entry gate.
CAN’T EXIT我出不去。Wǒ chū bú qù.
I can’t get through the exit gate.
ELEVATOR电梯在哪里？Diàntī zài nǎlǐ?
Where is the elevator?
ASK FOR HELP可以帮我吗？Kěyǐ bāng wǒ ma?
Can you help me?
NEXT
STOP
STOP
SCENE COMPLETE