Getting Around

Dalian metro system is expected to bring great convenience to the locals together with the city buses and trams. As planned, 10 subway lines will run in the city. By now, line 1, line 2, line 3 and line 12 are in service, and line 4, line 5 , line 7 and line 13 are under construction.
 See metro maps for reference
 

 Public Buses
The public bus transport in Dalian is highly developed. Over 150 routes enable budget visitors to get around the city easily. The buses' operating times vary, starting between 4:30am and 6:30am and finishing between 8pm and midnight. Make sure of the operating hours when you take a bus.

Most buses have no conductors and so you will need to prepare one or two Yuan in change before getting aboard. There are many one-way streets in the city, so do not always take it for granted that the return will drop you on the same street. People in the city are very kind to foreigners, so ask locals for help.

There are three well-preserved old tram routes from colonial times in the city. Luckily they still serve as an important means of transport. The antique red trolleys of 201, 202 and 203 cruise the downtown and southwestern areas in the city.

Buses with the initial number 6 are suburban commuters.

The flexible mini-buses usually cruise the lanes and corners of the city. You can flag one down at anywhere. The ticket price is two yuan.

 Special Tourist Bus

Bus No. 901 is a main tourist buses which cover almost all the tourist attractions in the city except Golden Pebble Beach (Jin Shi Tan) scenic area at the northern end of the city.

 Tourist Bus 901
This route covers most of the southwestern part of the city and then goes northwards to the bustling downtown area.

Route: Dalian University of Technology --> North Gate of Dalian University of Technology --> Software Park --> Digital Square --> Dongbei University of Finance and Economics --> Heishijiao --> Xinghai Bathing Place --> Dalian Medical University -->Huawusuo --> Xinghai Square --> Xinghai Exhibition Center --> Heping Square --> Taiyuan Streert --> Wansui Street --> Olympic Square --> No. 129 Street --> Qingniwaqiao (Railway Station) --> Youhao Square --> Zhongshan Square

Ticket: CNY 2
First Stop Xinxin Villa, operating hours: 06:00 - 20:00
Last Stop Dalian University of Foreign Languages, operating hours: 06:35 - 20:00

 There are four cities in China with well-preserved trams from the old days, namely, Hong Kong, Changchun, Anshan and Dalian, among which those in Dalian are said to be the best preserved. Trams are not only an important means of transport but a historical testimony of this century-old city. The well-preserved tram lines were built by Japanese colonists in the early 1900s and nowadays these 'relics' still serve as a crucial means of transport in the downtown area.

There are three tram routes running through the city from east to west at a speed of 20km/hour (about 12 miles/hour).

 Bus 201

Railway Station --> Dongguan Jie --> Shichang Jie --> Datong Jie --> Beijing Jie --> Wuyi Square --> Zhengong Jie --> Xinggong Jie --> Shahekou Railway Station

If possible, tourists are suggested to take this route in the day for it passes through the bustling residential areas and you can have a chance to see the daily life of the local people.

 Bus 202
Xinggong Jie --> Jinhui Shopping Mall --> Jiefang Square --> Gongcheng Jie --> Heping Square --> Xinghai Exhibition Center --> Heishijiao --> Gaoxinyuan -->Qixianling --> Hekou --> North Hekou

This route takes passengers from the downtown area to the Xinghai Scenic Area including the Xinghai Square, Exhibition Center, Xinghai Park and the famous bathing area.

 Bus 203
Route: Railway Station --> Shengli Qiao -->Minsheng Jie --> Minzhu Square --> Sanba Square --> Erqi Square --> Si'ergou

This is highly recommended for tourists who are enjoy lush lawns, European style buildings, musical fountains and various charming squares.

 Dalian is not very large, so taxi can be a good choice for travelers who want to quickly see the city. Generally, local taxi drivers have a good reputation for their hospitality and honesty; in particular, they are very kind to foreign visitors. Most drivers would use taximeter following the charging rule below:

Flag-down Rate for the first 3km (2mi)	Daytime: CNY10
	Night (22:00 – 05:00 the next day): CNY13
Rate within 20km (12mi)	CNY2/km
Rate beyond 20km (12mi)	CNY3/km
Waiting Fee (Free for the first 3min)	Rush hours (06:30 – 08:30 & 16:30 – 18:30): CNY0.5/min
	Other time: CNY0.3/min

Note: The Pearl Card (Ming Zhu Ka) is a public transportation IC card. Some taxis accept this kind of IC card as a way of payment.