Three Transit Modes You Will Use
1. Metro (subway)
Hefei Metro runs 5 lines covering the city center, the airport (Line S1), and the high-speed rail station. Single rides cost ¥2–6.
Best payment: Alipay or WeChat Pay scan-to-ride. No need for a physical card. See our Alipay setup guide.
Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou metros work the same way — one app, all cities.
2. High-Speed Rail (HSR)
If your treatment requires consults or procedures across multiple Chinese cities (e.g., Beijing for cardiology + Shanghai for follow-up imaging), HSR is faster and more comfortable than flying.
- Hefei → Shanghai: 2h 15min, ¥250 second class
- Hefei → Beijing: 3h 30min, ¥420 second class
- Hefei → Guangzhou: 5h 30min, ¥670 second class
Booking: Trip.com (English) or Railway 12306 app (Chinese, accepts foreign passports). Book 5–7 days ahead for popular routes.
3. Taxis & Ride-Hailing
Didi Chuxing is the WeChat-Pay-equivalent for rides. Install Didi (English UI), bind your card, and you're set. Most major hotels and hospitals are pre-saved as drop-off points. Average ride within Hefei: ¥18–35.
Etiquette & Practical Notes
- Metro security scans every bag — do not bring lighters or large liquid bottles
- HSR security is similar; arrive 30 min before departure
- Taxi drivers may not speak English — show a screenshot of your destination in Chinese (your case manager provides this)
- Tipping is not customary in China for any of these services
Accessibility
All Hefei Metro stations have step-free access and elevators. HSR trains have wheelchair-accessible cars (request when booking). For patients with limited mobility post-surgery, our coordination service arranges accessible Didi vehicles or private medical transport.
Cost Estimate
For a typical 14-day medical stay in Hefei, plan ¥800–1,500 (USD 110–210) for transit. We include airport pickup & hospital transfers in our coordination fee, so this is mostly daily-life movement.
