Located in the geographical centre of China, Xian is regarded as an important communications hub for the western and the eastern parts of China. The city has already developed a modern transportation network incorporating road, rail, and air travel.

Xian airport is located 50 km (about 31 miles) northwest of downtown Xian in Xianyang, a neighboring city. Ranked as the fourth most frequented airport in China, Xianyang International Airport (XIY) is home to 68 domestic daily flights from almost every major Chinese destination. From Jiuzhaigou, Ningbo, Zhengzhou and Lianyungang, etc. to Xian are newly opened domestic routes. International airlines from Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand totally 10 Asian cities are well established services of XIY. In 2005, there opened 7 new international airline routes from Germany, France, Britain, America and Canada via transfers in Beijing. In 2006, other 8 international airline routes from Europe, America and Asian are opening via transfers in Shanghai. International air connections with Hong Kong and Macao are also available depending on the airline schedule. Presently, with a total of 25 international air routes, Xian has become the city with most international connections in Western China.
Xianyang International Airport Enquiry: (029) 88798450

There are shuttle busses between the airport and the urban area with a 25 Yuan admission fee per person. Alternatively, at a price of 100 - 120 Yuan the journey can be made by taxi.

A summary of shuttle bus information:

Line 1 includes service between the airport and Melody Hotel:
If you are traveling to the Melody Hotel, there are several options. One option is to take bus No.7, 43, 251, 604, 612, 300, or K630 to reach the Drum Tower Station where you will find the Melody Hotel adjacent to the opposite of the Drum Tower Station. Another option is to take bus No.32, 46, 205,206,208,214,215,216,218,221,222, 300, 600, K600, 603, 604, K605, 606, 608, 608 Interval Line, 609, 611, 612, 612 Interval Line, K618, or K630, U-7 or U-8 (610) to the Bell Tower Station where you will find the Melody Hotel to be on the southwestern corner of the Bell Tower Station.
By this line tourists can reach many luxurious hotels in the city center including the Hyatt Regency, Howard Johnson Ginwa Plaza Hotel, Bell Tower Hotel, Prince International Hotel and City Hotel.

Line 2 offers service between the airport and Xian Railway Station and passes by Qinfeng Hotel and Jiefang Hotel. Passengers can also take this line to get to the Diamond International Hotel.
If you are going to the railway station, take bus No.5, 9, 14, 25, 30, 40, 41, 42, 103, 105, 201, 240, 251, 500, 602, 603, 607, 611, 914, U-1, U-2, U-3, U-5(306), U-6, U-7, or U-8(610).

Line 3 is available if you are traveling between the airport and Huoju Dasha (Huoju Mansion) in the Xian Hi-tech Development Zone.
Getting to Huoju Dasha, take bus No.14, 28, 29, 402, 700 to reach Gaoxin Road Station.

Line 4 provides service between the airport and Guomao Dasha (Guomao Mansion) in the southern suburb, and passes by Tangcheng Hotel and Orient Hotel.
Getting to Guomao Dasha, take bus No.5, 12, 14, 24, 215, 400, 407, K600, K605, K618, 600, 603, U-6,U-8(610) to reach Xiaozhai Station.

Line 5 is available for traveling between the airport and Jianguo Hotel in the eastern suburb, and also passes by Empress Hotel.
Getting to Jianguo Hotel, take bus No. 8, 27, 37, 102, 300, 320 or Jiaoyu Zhuanxian (Education Special Line) to reach Huzhu Road Station.

The shuttle bus departing the downtown area leaves hourly from 06:00 to 18:00 for the airport. It is suggested that travelers pay attention to the lines 2 to 5 since these lines may not be in service after 15:00 or 16:00. The departing time for bus service from the airport to the downtown area is according to the arrival times of incoming flights. Passengers arriving on late flights will be provided bus service, but only to the Melody Hotel which is near the Bell Tower Station. The shuttle bus usually costs CNY25.

Due to underground construction in Xian, the shuttle bus's departure time of Line 1 and Line 2 from Xian locations to the airport is one hour later than before. At the same time, the last bus of Line 2 and Line 3 from the airport to Xian locations may be delayed for one or two hours. One station of Line 3 called Dynasty Hotel is temporarily cancelled because of underground construction.

Line 6 provides service between the airport and downtown Xianyang, and passes Caihong Hotel in Xianyang City.
If traveling to the Caihong Hotel, take bus No.1, 11 at Xianyang Railway Station for direct service.

With a reputation as 'the Gateway to the West', Xian Railway Station is one of the most pivotal terminals of the domestic railway system. It is the key junction between the southwest and the northwest, and forms a connecting link between the east and the west of China.

The station lies in the north urban area, so it will take you about half an hour by car from the downtown area. Buses traveling to the railway station can be found on every main street, and will only cost you 1 or 2 Yuan. If you choose to travel by taxi, the fare should be less than 10 Yuan (from the city center).

Purchasing train tickets can be troublesome for foreigners, as the ticket windows are usually crowded and have few English-speaking staff. One solution to such a problem is to ask for the ticket-booking service at any star rated hotel, who will offer their assistance for a nominal service charge. You are better off buying train tickets one week in advance of travel, especially during the peak travel seasons.

The highway transportation to Xian extends in all direction. Long-distance buses commute between Xian and many large cities, covering 18 provinces and over 300 cities and counties. The Xian long-distance bus line terminal, which has been ranked as the highest class station in the whole nation, lies to the southwest of the railway station. People usually buy bus tickets on the same day of travel. Generally speaking, though the price is much more economical, foreigners are not encouraged to take the long-distance busses due to general hardship and fatigue. If at all possible, the plane and train are better choices.

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