Overview
Zhengzhou Metro (郑州地铁, Zhèngzhōu Dìtiě) is the rapid transit network serving Zhengzhou, the capital of Henan province. It is operated by the state-owned Zhengzhou Metro Group and opened on 28 December 2013, making it the first metro system in Henan and the 18th in mainland China. As of December 2024 the network has 13 operational lines, about 450 km of track and 217 stations.
Riding it end to end is straightforward. You enter a station, buy or tap a ticket at the gates, ride to your interchange or destination, and insert your single ticket into the exit gate (or tap your card) to leave. Fares are distance-based, so you only pay for how far you travel. Most lines run from roughly 06:00 to about 23:00, though the Chengjiao line to the airport stops earlier (around 22:00) and Line 14 keeps shorter hours (about 08:00–20:00).
The network
The metro is the backbone of public transport in Zhengzhou, supplemented by city buses and long-distance and airport coach services. The lines currently in operation are:
- Line 1 – a west–east line from Henan University of Technology to the New Campus of Henan University (about 41 km, 30 stations). It links Zhengzhou Railway Station, Erqi Square, Zijingshan, the Convention & Exhibition Centre, Zhengzhou East Railway Station and the Longzihu college area. Colour: red.
- Line 2 – a north–south line from Jiahe (Huiji District) to Nansihuan (Guancheng), about 31 km with 22 stations. It interchanges with Line 1 at Zijingshan and runs through services onto the Chengjiao line to the airport. Colour: yellow.
- Line 3 – a northwest–southeast (L-shaped) line from Henan Sports Center to Yinggang, passing People's Park, Erqi Square, Dongdajie and the Confucian Temple. Colour: orange.
- Line 4 – another L-shaped northwest–southeast line from Laoyachen to Langzhuang, via the Henan Sports Center, the Central Business District and Dragon Lake. Colour: light blue.
- Line 5 – the system's first loop line, about 40 km with 32 stations, circling the city centre under Huanghe Road, Shangwu Outer Ring Road, Xinyi Road, Hanghai Road, Tongbai Road and Xizhan Road. Colour: green.
- Line 6 – a west–east line that began operation on 30 September 2022. Colour: purple.
- Line 7 – opened 29 December 2024. Colour: bronze.
- Line 8 – opened 29 December 2024. Colour: cream.
- Line 10 – a west–east line that began operation on 28 September 2023. Colour: brown.
- Line 12 – opened in the 2020s as part of the third construction round.
- Line 14 – a short line serving the CBD area west of the city, with a handful of stations (Xushui to Lianhu). It operates only from about 08:00 to 20:00.
- Chengjiao line (城郊线, Chéngjiāo Xiàn, "Suburban line") – a suburban metro line of about 32 km from Nansihuan to Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport, with through services onto Line 2. It is shown in yellow like Line 2 on signage, and is planned to become part of Line 9 in future.
Beyond the metro, city buses cover the spread-out city at ¥1 or ¥2 per ride depending on whether the bus is air-conditioned (A/C buses cost more but are usually less crowded). Zhengzhou is also a national rail hub, with Zhengzhou Station in the centre and Zhengzhou East Station (high-speed trains only) on the east side. Long-distance coaches leave from a bus station across from the railway station, and airport coaches run to many cities in Henan and neighbouring provinces. The sources consulted do not describe any tram, light-rail or ferry services in Zhengzhou.
Tickets & fares
Fares are calculated by distance and are approximate — check the current fare at the station, as prices change. The published structure is:
- ¥2 for the first 6 km
- ¥3 for 6–13 km
- ¥4 for 13–21 km
- ¥1 extra for each additional 9 km beyond 21 km, up to a maximum of about ¥9
Children under 130 cm tall ride free when accompanied by an adult.
Single journey tickets are sold at ticket vending machines at every station, and also at customer service centres. Tap the ticket on the sensor at the entry gate, then insert it into the slot at the exit gate, where it is reclaimed.
Lü Cheng Tong (绿城通, Lǜ Chéng Tōng, literally "Green City Pass") is a rechargeable contactless smart card usable on both the metro and city buses, with a 5% discount on metro fares compared with single tickets. You can buy it at station service offices, at customer service centres at selected stations (including Xisanhuan, Bishagang, Erqi Square, Lücheng Square, Renmin Road, the International Convention & Exhibition Center, South Nongye Road and South Dongfeng Road), at China Mobile offices, and at branches of Bank of Zhengzhou, ICBC, China Construction Bank and Bank of Communications displaying the Lü Cheng Tong sign.
The sources do not describe a dedicated tourist pass, so for short visits a single ticket or a loaded Lü Cheng Tong card is the practical choice.
From the airport
Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport (CGO, 郑州新郑国际机场) lies about 30 km outside the city and is served directly by the metro. The Chengjiao line runs from the airport to Nansihuan, where trains continue through onto Line 2 into the city centre. First and last trains on this route depart at about 06:30 and 20:00, so plan late arrivals accordingly.
Other options from the airport include:
- An airport shuttle bus from Zhengzhou Hotel in the centre, costing about ¥15.
- A public bus to the Aviation Hotel (民航酒店, Mínháng Jiǔdiàn) on Jinshui Road (金水路, Jīnshuǐ Lù), costing about ¥25.
- Mainline rail services connecting the airport with Zhengzhou and Kaifeng (mostly to Zhengzhou East Station), departing at intervals of roughly 30–60 minutes.
- Taxis, which cost around ¥120–140 to the airport; bargaining seldom helps as locals pay the same price.
Etiquette & customs
Chinese metro systems run on a few unwritten rules that will make your journey smoother:
- Queuing: stand behind the marked lines at platform doors and let passengers off before boarding. Boarding is generally orderly, but expect a gentle press of people at busy times.
- Escalators: stand on the right and leave the left side free for people walking up or down.
- Priority seating: seats near the doors are reserved for the elderly, pregnant passengers, parents with small children and people with disabilities. Give them up without being asked.
- Eating and drinking: avoid eating on trains and in paid areas; it is frowned upon and often discouraged by signage.
- Rush hour: trains are very crowded around 07:30–09:00 and 17:30–19:00. Keep bags in front of you, move down the carriage, and don't block the doors.
- Quiet: keep phone calls short and voices low; many locals watch videos with headphones.
Survival terms
- Subway/metro – 地铁 (dìtiě)
- Ticket – 票 (piào)
- Line – 线 (xiàn), as in 一号线 (yī hào xiàn, Line 1)
- Entrance – 入口 (rùkǒu)
- Exit – 出口 (chūkǒu)
- Transfer – 换乘 (huànchéng)
- Single fare – 单程票 (dānchéng piào)
- Day pass – 一日票 (yīrì piào)
Load a Lü Cheng Tong card on your first day if you plan more than a couple of rides, and always check the last-train time for your line — especially the Chengjiao line, which stops running to the airport well before the rest of the network.