In short
There is no railway station at Nanjing Lukou Airport, so every high-speed journey begins with a transfer. The standard way is Metro Line S1: its station sits on Level B2 of the transport centre between Terminals 1 and 2, and trains run straight to Nanjing South Railway Station in about 35 minutes for ¥7, first at 06:00, last at 23:02, roughly every 10 minutes. Nanjing South is shared by the Beijing–Shanghai high-speed line, the Nanjing–Hangzhou line and the Nanjing–Anqing intercity, so most onward journeys start here. If you would rather sit down once and stay seated, Airport Bus Line 2 runs fixed departures to Nanjing South for ¥25, roughly 09:00 to 00:35, dropping you at the south drop-off platform. A taxi covers about 33 km in around 40 minutes; the city publishes only a metered tariff, and third-party sites quote a reference range of about ¥99–118. One thing to read carefully: Nanjing has two main stations. Nanjing South, telegraph code NKH, is the high-speed hub; Nanjing station, code NJH, is a different place north of the centre.
- Fastest journey
- About 35–40 min
- Metro fare
- ¥7
- First / last train
- 06:00 / 23:02
- Airport Bus Line 2
- ¥25, about 09:00–00:35
- Distance by road
- About 33 km
- Telegraph codes
- Nanjing South NKH; Nanjing NJH
How to take each option
Metro Line S1 (recommended)
Time About 35–40 minFare ¥7First 06:00Last 23:02
- After baggage claim, follow the metro signs through the transport centre between Terminals 1 and 2 and down to the Line S1 concourse on Level B2.
- Buy a single-journey token at the machines, which offer an English interface, or at the service window.
- Board a train towards Nanjing South Railway Station, which is the terminus in the city direction.
- Alight at Nanjing South about 35 minutes later; the metro station lies directly beneath the railway station.
- Follow the signs up to the railway station departure level and through security into the waiting hall; allow plenty of extra time with luggage.
On weekdays, limited-stop trains calling at only four stations run roughly between 07:27 and 18:54 and save a few minutes. Line S1 through-runs with Line 6, so always check the destination shown on the platform screen.
Airport Bus Line 2 (fixed departures to Nanjing South)
Fare ¥25First 09:00Last 00:35
- Walk out of the arrivals hall and find the designated coach stop outside Terminal 1 or Terminal 2.
- Buy a ticket for Nanjing South at the counter for ¥25 and ask when the next departure leaves.
- Ride to the south drop-off platform at Nanjing South and go straight into the station.
These are fixed departures, not a turn-up-and-go service; outside their hours, take Line S1 or a taxi. Ordinary Line 2 services towards Hexi also call at Nanjing South for the same ¥25.
Taxi
Fare Metered
- Queue at the taxi rank outside the arrivals level of Terminal 1 or Terminal 2, and ignore anyone offering a ride inside the terminal.
- Show the driver the Chinese station name for Nanjing South and make sure the meter is used.
- Pay the metered amount, ask for a receipt, and cover the tolls, which are the passenger’s share.
Third-party travel sites give a reference range of about ¥99–118 for the 33 km run; that is not an official price. Between 23:00 and 05:00 the per-km rate rises 20%, and beyond 20 km a 50% return fee applies.
If your ticket says Nanjing, not Nanjing South
- Read the station name and telegraph code on your ticket: NKH is Nanjing South, NJH is Nanjing station, and the two are far apart.
- For Nanjing station, take Airport Bus Line 1, which terminates at Nanjing Railway Station East Plaza for ¥25.
- You can also ride Line S1 to Nanjing South and change to Line 3 northbound for Nanjing station.
- If you do end up at the wrong one, you will be crossing the whole city by metro or taxi under time pressure, so check the ticket before you set off.
The Beijing–Shanghai, Nanjing–Hangzhou and Nanjing–Anqing high-speed lines all run from Nanjing South, while Nanjing station handles the Shanghai–Nanjing intercity and some conventional services. Check the station name before you book.
Late-night and early-morning arrivals
The last Line S1 train towards Nanjing South leaves at 23:02, and published versions differ slightly, so check the station boards on the day. After that, Airport Bus Line 2 keeps fixed departures until about 00:35 from Terminal 2; later, taxis run all night with a 20% surcharge between 23:00 and 05:00. For a very early high-speed train, consider staying near Nanjing South the night before.
Questions travellers ask
How do I get from Nanjing Lukou Airport to Nanjing South railway station?
Take Metro Line S1 direct: about 35 minutes, ¥7, running 06:00 to 23:02 every 10 minutes or so. Alternatively, Airport Bus Line 2 runs fixed departures for ¥25 from about 09:00 to 00:35.
How long is Nanjing Lukou Airport to Nanjing South?
Metro Line S1 takes about 35–40 minutes and costs ¥7; a taxi is around 40 minutes, depending on traffic.
How much is the metro to Nanjing South?
¥7, charged by distance. Buy at the machines on Level B2, which have an English interface.
How much is a taxi from the airport to Nanjing South?
No official reference fare is published, only the metered tariff. Third-party travel sites quote a reference range of about ¥99–118 for the 33 km run, and the real figure is whatever the meter shows.
Is there a direct bus from the airport to Nanjing South?
Yes. Airport Bus Line 2 runs fixed departures to Nanjing South for ¥25, roughly 09:00 to 00:35, terminating at the south drop-off platform.
What is the difference between Nanjing South and Nanjing railway station?
Nanjing South (NKH) is in the south of the city and is the high-speed hub for the Beijing–Shanghai, Nanjing–Hangzhou and Nanjing–Anqing lines, reached direct from the airport on Line S1. Nanjing station (NJH) is in the north and handles the Shanghai–Nanjing intercity plus some conventional trains; reach it on Airport Bus Line 1 or by changing to Metro Line 3.
Which high-speed lines leave from Nanjing South?
The Beijing–Shanghai, Nanjing–Hangzhou and Nanjing–Anqing lines all call here, so services towards Shanghai Hongqiao, Hangzhou East and Beijing South mostly depart from Nanjing South.
What time is the last metro to Nanjing South?
23:02 from Lukou Airport station, though published versions differ slightly. If you miss it, use the fixed-departure Airport Bus Line 2 or a taxi.
How early should I be at Nanjing South for a high-speed train?
International arrivals usually take 45–60 minutes from touchdown to the arrivals hall; add 35 minutes on the metro plus the walk up and security, so allow at least two hours from landing to departure.
Can I walk straight from the metro into Nanjing South railway station?
Yes — the metro station is directly beneath the railway station and signs lead you up to the departure level, all indoors, so it is manageable with luggage.
My ticket says NJH — which station is that?
NJH is Nanjing station, not Nanjing South. It is north of the centre: take Airport Bus Line 1 to Nanjing Railway Station East Plaza, or ride Line S1 to Nanjing South and change to Line 3 northbound.