Getting to the Terracotta Army at a glance
The museum is on Qinling North Road in Lintong, outside the city. The usual routes combine Metro line 9 with a local bus, or use the 306 tourist bus from Xi'an East. A taxi or DiDi is the simplest choice if you travel in a group.
Before you set out, buy your ticket in your own name with your passport: see Terracotta Army tickets. If you would rather not organise the journey, Terracotta Army tours from Xi'an handle the transfer, and you should check what each one includes.
The routes compared
Times and costs are rough 2026 planning figures, not fixed fares.
| Route | Time from the centre | Cost | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metro line 9, then bus 602 or 游613 | 1.5 to 2 hours | Small fares, no fixed total | Get off at Huaqingchi, exit C |
| Metro line 9, then bus 617 | 1.5 to 2 hours | Small fares, no fixed total | Get off at Qinlingxi, exit D |
| Tourist bus 游5 / 306 | Check the timetable | Pay the conductor | Starts at Xi'an East, 07:00 to 19:00 |
| Taxi or DiDi | About 1 hour | Roughly CNY 160 to 220 | Fares are estimates |
| Guided tour with transfer | Depends on the pickup | See the tour cards | Check what is included |
For most visitors travelling alone, Metro line 9 and a bus is the best value, and a taxi pays off from two or three people. If you have little time, a tour with a transfer removes the planning.
Our pick: a tour with hotel transfer
The tour option of this ticket takes care of the ride to Lintong.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Terracotta Army tours with transfer
Guided trips from Xi'an, with pickup options, group sizes and live prices.
By Metro and bus
This is the standard public transport route. From the city centre, take Metro line 1 and change at Fangzhicheng to line 9. Ride line 9 to Huaqingchi, leave by exit C, and take a Lintong bus, 602 or 游613. The alternative is to get off at Qinlingxi, use exit D and take bus 617.
From the Xi'an North high-speed station, the route is Metro line 2 to Beidajie, line 1 to Fangzhicheng, then line 9 to Huaqingchi and a bus. Plan about 2 hours and a rough CNY 11 to 14 for Metro and bus. Fares for the individual buses are small, but no fixed amount is published, so carry change or a working mobile payment.
The Huaqingchi stop is next to the Huaqing Palace, so one trip can include both. See Huaqing Palace.
The 306 bus, taxi and parking
The three options beyond the Metro.
The tourist bus 游5 / 306
Since 29 August 2026 the line runs from Xi'an East (西安东站) to the Terracotta Army, a distance of 45 km, from 07:00 to 19:00. A conductor is on board, and you pay the conductor rather than tapping a transit card. Fangzhicheng is an intermediate stop. Board at Xi'an East and confirm the stop with the driver or conductor.
Taxi and DiDi
A taxi from the centre takes about 1 hour and costs roughly CNY 160 to 220. Foreign visitors can book rides with DiDi through Alipay, WeChat or the DiDi app, after registering with a foreign phone number and an international card. Not every taxi accepts foreign cards, so carry some cash. Agree the return trip before you set off.
Parking by car
For busy holiday periods, parking lot 1 has 650 spaces and lot 2 has 3,200, together 3,850. Drivers are diverted when the lots are full. Parking fees are not fixed here, so check at the lot.
Drivers, guides and add-ons
Most drivers and tour buses are fine. A few cases are worth knowing.
Drivers at Qinlingxi
Some drivers wait at the Qinlingxi stop and offer a ride. Agree the price before you get in, or use the bus or an app instead.
Simulated tomb chambers
A few guides steer visitors to private VR or XR tomb chamber experiences, sometimes described as official. These are paid add-ons and do not give access to the real tomb. The real central chamber has not been excavated. Buy your entry ticket through the booking channels described on the tickets page.
Plan for the whole visit
Each of the two museum areas takes about 1.5 hours, and a free shuttle links them. Arrive early: from 16 March to 15 November the ticket check runs 08:30 to 17:00 with closing at 18:30, and from 16 November to 15 March it runs 08:30 to 16:30 with closing at 18:00. In winter the last check can fall at 17:00, so do not arrive late. See the pits for what to look for inside.
Entering China and paying on the way
Short notes with their 2026 status. Rules change, so check before you book.
Entry
Holders of ordinary German, Austrian and Swiss passports can enter visa-free for tourism for up to 30 days, valid until 31 December 2026. The EU as a whole is not covered automatically, so check the rule for your own country. US citizens can use a 240-hour visa-free transit with a confirmed onward ticket to a third country, which does not apply to a normal return trip.
Payment
Alipay and WeChat Pay let foreign visitors link an international card. Not every card or transaction works, so keep some cash and a backup card.
Coming from Beijing
The high-speed train runs about 4 to 6 hours. The routes from Xi'an North to Lintong are the ones above. See Terracotta Army from Beijing.
Getting to the Terracotta Army: frequently asked questions
How do I get from Xi'an to the Terracotta Army?
Take Metro line 9 to Huaqingchi, leave by exit C and change to bus 602 or 游613. A taxi or DiDi takes about 1 hour from the centre.
How long does it take?
Plan 1.5 to 2 hours by Metro and bus from central Xi'an, and about 1 hour by taxi. Add the entry check and the time inside.
Which station is the start of the 306 bus?
Xi'an East (西安东站), since 29 August 2026. The line runs 07:00 to 19:00, with a conductor on board.
Can I walk from the Metro to the pits?
No. The Metro stops are in the surrounding area, and you still need a bus or taxi to the museum.
Do I need my passport?
Yes, for the ticket and the check at the gate. The name and document you booked with must match.
Is this the official website of the museum?
No. This is an independent guide. Tickets, hours and rules are set by the museum, so check them before you go.