Getting Around Xuzhou. Public Transport, Taxis, Car Rental

Air Travel Hubs

Airport Profile XUZ

Xuzhou Guanyin International Airport (IATA: XUZ) sits approximately 45 kilometers (about 28 miles) southeast of the city center. The airport handles both domestic and a limited number of international flights.

Connections

Domestic Routes: Major Chinese cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen.
International Flights: Limited options, mainly connecting to other Asian cities (check current schedules).
Global Hubs: Connect to Xuzhou via Shanghai (PVG), Beijing (PEK), or Guangzhou (CAN).

Airport Transfers

Several options connect Xuzhou Guanyin International Airport to the city center and major transport hubs.

Transfer Choices

Airport Shuttle Bus: Regular service for train stations and central bus stops (~1 hour journey).
Taxi: Readily available outside the terminal. Ensure the driver uses the meter (fare ~¥100-¥150).
Ride-sharing (DiDi): Book via the app for convenient and transparent pricing. Have the app set up.

Seasonal Pricing

Flight prices are higher during Chinese New Year, National Day, and summer holidays. Book well in advance for better prices. Use Dollar Flight Club or Skyscanner.

Terminal Facilities

Xuzhou Guanyin International Airport offers basic amenities, including check-in counters, security, baggage claim, and a limited selection of shops and dining. Wi-Fi is generally available.

Comfort & Convenience

Car rental desks and designated taxi stands are outside the terminal. Having the DiDi app ready streamlines ride-sharing options.

High-Speed Rail in Xuzhou

Xuzhou East Railway Station 徐州东站

Main hub for high-speed rail lines, on Beijing-Shanghai and Xuzhou-Lanzhou lines.
Fast connections: Beijing (~2.5-3 hrs), Shanghai (~2.5-3 hrs), Nanjing (~1-1.5 hrs).
Reserve tickets early via 12306.cn (requires Chinese ID) or Trip.com. Collect physical tickets with passport.
Direct links to Hangzhou, Xi'an, and Zhengzhou.

Xuzhou Railway Station 徐州站

Older station, closer to the central area, handles conventional trains and some D-class trains.
Offers connections to a broader selection of smaller cities and towns.
Conventional rail services are generally slower, typically with overnight sleeper options.
More simple facilities compared to the modern Xuzhou East Railway Station.

Other Land Transport

Long-Distance Buses

Xuzhou features various long-distance bus stations. These offer connections to cities and towns within Jiangsu province and neighboring regions. Bus travel is generally slower but serves destinations not covered by train.

Self-Driving

International Driving Permits are not recognized in mainland China. Obtaining a temporary Chinese driving permit is complex and generally not undertaken by short-term tourists. DiscoverCars.com does not operate here.

Road Safety

Roads in and around Xuzhou are generally well-maintained. However, urban traffic can be congested and chaotic. Driving yourself is not advisable for most tourists due to unfamiliar conditions.

Sea/River Arrivals

Ferry Services

Xuzhou is an inland city, so it does not have sea or cruise ports for passenger travel. This section is not applicable to tourist arrivals in Xuzhou.

No Sea Ports

Xuzhou is located far from any coastline.
No passenger ferry services connect Xuzhou to other destinations.
The city has no direct coastal access.

River Transportation

Xuzhou is located on the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, but this waterway is mainly used for cargo transport, not passenger services for tourists.

Canal Use

The Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal passes through Xuzhou.
Its chief use in this region is industrial cargo transport.
Recreational boating on Yunlong Lake is a regional activity, not a major transport option.

Immigration & Connections

Seaport Immigration

Not applicable to Xuzhou, as there are no seaports in the city or surrounding area.

River Port Procedures

No specific immigration procedures apply as there are no international passenger river routes.

Land Connections from Water

Not applicable, as there are no sea or river passenger arrivals in Xuzhou for tourists.

Departure Details

Departure Protocols

China does not typically impose separate departure taxes for international flights. These fees are usually incorporated into your airfare during ticket purchase.

Timing Recommendations

International Flights: Arrive 2-3 hours before departure for check-in, security, and immigration.
Domestic Flights: Arrive 1.5-2 hours before departure.
High-Speed Rail: Arrive 30-60 minutes before departure for security and platform location.
Ticket Collection: Collect physical tickets at the station using your passport well in advance.

Airport/Station Facilities

Both Xuzhou Guanyin International Airport and Xuzhou East Railway Station offer facilities for departing travelers, though the scale differs.

Facility Overview

Xuzhou Airport: Basic amenities, waiting areas, limited dining and shops.
Xuzhou East Station: Modern, nice waiting rooms, shops, restaurants, charging stations.
Xuzhou Railway Station: More basic facilities compared to the East Station.
Wi-Fi is typically available at major transport hubs.

Pre-Departure Reminders

Reconfirm all flight or train schedules.24-48 hours prior
Keep passport and boarding pass/ticket easily accessible.Multiple checks
Spend any remaining CNY or have mobile payment available.Last-minute purchases
Understand your destination in Chinese for airport/station staff.Language assistance

Last-Minute Prep

Ensure your mobile phone is fully charged.Mobile payments
Exchange any remaining foreign currency.At bank or airport
Verify all checked luggage limits.Avoid excess fees
Secure valuables in your carry-on.Personal safety

Smooth Exit Advisory

Departure TaxesNone usually

Airline Check-inOnline/Kiosk available

Security ChecksCan be thorough

BoardingPunctual departures

BaggageConfirm weight/size

CurrencySpend remaining CNY

Final Security

Ensure all valuables are secured in your carry-on luggage.
Double-check that you haven't left any important documents behind.
Be aware of your surroundings, especially in crowded departure halls.
Do not accept packages from strangers.
Report any suspicious activity to staff.

Getting Around Xuzhou