Travelers planning a journey to China must evaluate a massive transport network featuring over 5.5 million kilometers of roadways.
While high-speed rail and domestic flights handle long-distance travel efficiently, local transport requires understanding specific administrative rules and digital payment tools.
China operates the world’s largest highway system, featuring modern infrastructure equipped with bridges, tunnels, and electric vehicle charging stations. Visitors choosing to drive must obtain a temporary Chinese driver’s license, as international permits are invalid.
This administrative process requires presenting an original national license, a certified Chinese translation, and passing a medical test in major cities or airports. Rental vehicles cost between €30 and €40 per day, and drivers must link a local payment application to a bank card to cover tolls, parking, and energy costs.
Renting a car with a professional driver offers a simpler alternative to self-driving. This service costs roughly €80 to €100 per day, covering all vehicle options and routing responsibilities while giving travelers freedom on daily excursions.
For public transit, regional bus networks operate under local monopolies with standardized pricing set by authorities.
While city buses complement metro lines effectively, long-distance buses compete directly with the rail network. Buses primarily serve rural areas, nature reserves, and overnight routes where travelers save on hotel costs, with fares averaging €2 to €3 per hour of travel.
Ride-hailing services like Didi function as the local equivalent to Uber, while traditional street-hailing taxis remain widely available. Fares for taxis and ride-hailing services typically start with a €2 or €3 base charge, followed by roughly €0.50 per kilometer. Authorities are also expanding autonomous taxi fleets across major urban areas, with projections aiming for nearly 300,000 driverless vehicles in service within four to five years.
* Can tourists rent a gasoline-powered scooter in Chinese cities?
Gasolines scooters are generally banned from city centers and require a Chinese driver’s license, whereas electric two-wheelers are widely available in self-service schemes without a license requirement.
* How do visitors pay for public transport and tolls?
Transactions are conducted primarily through smartphone applications and QR code scans linked to local payment platforms, though traditional ticket counters remain available at transit stations.
* What is the recommended transport mode for distances under 1,500 kilometers?
Trains are prioritized for medium-distance journeys, while domestic flights handle very long distances and buses serve rural or remote countryside destinations.