Suzhou Transportation: How to Get to & Travel Around Suzhou

Written by Veronica | Updated April 03,2025

Known for its exquisite gardens, silk, and Kunqu Opera, Suzhou is an important historic city within both the Shanghai Metropolitan Area and the Suzhou-Wuxi-Changzhou Metropolitan Area. Hence, it can be easily accessed by air, rail, and road.

What’s more, the public transportation in Suzhou is well-developed, with seven metro lines and frequent buses. Besides, you can explore the water towns around this city by waterways.

 

How to Get to Suzhou

1. By Flight

Suzhou itself doesn’t have its own airport. However, there are convenient options for reaching this city by flying to nearby Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport or Shanghai Pudong International Airport and then taking a bus or train to Suzhou.

Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport

It mainly serves domestic and regional flights connecting major cities in China, such as Beijing, Tianjin, and Chengdu, though it also offers several international flights to Seoul and Tokyo. Besides, this airport is located about 90 km from Suzhou, it allows you to easily access Hongqiao Railway Station, where a high-speed bullet train can take you to Suzhou in just about 30 minutes.

Shanghai Pudong International Airport

This fast-growing hub operates international flights to nearly 90 cities like Singapore, Seattle, and Toronto and domestic flights to over 60 destinations including Guangzhou, Chongqing, and Xi’an. What makes it a good option is that this airport is about 150 km from Suzhou; after landing at this airport, you can take an airport bus (3 hours) directly to Suzhou and embark on Suzhou tours.

The good news is that Shanghai, Jiangsu Province, and Zhejiang Province are now 144-hour visa–free for citizens from 54 countries, which makes traveling to these places easier.

2. By Train

As for the railway transportation in Suzhou, it owns four railway stations that offer frequent trains to various major cities in China, including Shanghai, Beijing, Hangzhou, Nanjing, and more. Among these stations, Suzhou Railway Station and Suzhou North Railway Station are the most accessible for tourists: the former one is located in the downtown area, while the latter one is situated in the northern suburbs.

By the way, to ensure a hassle-free trip to Suzhou, you can book train tickets either online or at the railway station counter. The schedules and fares for the trains are as follows:

Departure	Arrival	Train Type	Duration	Frequency	Price
Shanghai Hongqiao	Suzhou/Suzhou North	G/D Train	23-50 min	About 120 trains per day	CNY 31-46 for second class seat
Shanghai	Suzhou/Suzhou North	G/D Train	25-49 min	About 100 trains per day	CNY 30-46 for second class seat
Beijing South	Suzhou North	G Train	4h-5.5h	About 20 trains per day	CNY 545-627 for second class seat
Hangzhou East	Suzhou/Suzhou North	G/D Train	1.5h-2h	About 35 trains per day	CNY 110-133 for second class seat
Nanjing South/Nanjing	Suzhou/Suzhou North	G/D Train	1-1.5h	About 200 trains per day	CNY 84-134 for second class seat

Related reading: Shanghai Suzhou High-Speed Train

3. By Long-Distance Bus

Long-distance bus transportation in Suzhou is also highly developed, and there are five bus stations for foreign travelers to get to Suzhou from nearby cities like Shanghai, Nanjing, Yangzhou, Hangzhou, and more. Among these stations, Suzhou North Bus Station (a first-class bus terminal), Suzhou South Bus Station, and Suzhou West Bus Station are mostly used.

Regarding bus tickets, you can purchase them either online or at the bus station. Besides, you can even buy a ticket through ticket offices scattered throughout the city, which is convenient. Here are the schedules and fares for the buses:

Departure	Arrival	Bus Station	Duration	Price
Shanghai	Suzhou	Hongqiao West Bus Station, Shanghai Pudong International Airport Long-Distance Bus Station, Shanghai South Bus Station	2h-3h	CNY 50-118
Nanjing/Nanjing Lukou Airport	Suzhou	Nanjing Lukou International Airport Bus Station	3h	CNY 240
Hangzhou	Suzhou	Hangzhou North Bus Station, Hangzhou Bus Station	2-3h	CNY 80

4. Getting to Suzhou from Shanghai

Shanghai functions as the major gateway to Suzhou, and it’s easy for travelers to reach Suzhou from Shanghai by train, bus, or metro, among which the fastest method is by train. Make your way to Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station or Shanghai Railway Station to take a train to Suzhou, which takes about 30 minutes to one hour.

Popular China Tours with Suzhou & Shanghai

• One Day Private Tour from Shanghai to Suzhou
• 5 Days Shanghai-Suzhou Private Tour

5. Getting to Suzhou from Hangzhou

A popular saying goes “Up above there is heaven; down below there are Suzhou and Hangzhou,” and Suzhou has long been traveled together with Hangzhou. To get to Suzhou from Hangzhou, the most time-saving way is by taking high-speed trains. Head to Hangzhou East Railway Station and take a train to Suzhou, which takes 1.5-2 hours.

Highlighted China Tours with Suzhou & Hangzhou

• 9 Days Shanghai-Suzhou-Hangzhou-Huangshan Private Tour
• 10 Days Beijing Xian Hangzhou Suzhou Shanghai Tour

 

How to Travel Around Suzhou

To get around Suzhou, you can rely on Suzhou’s public transport or take a taxi to explore the charm of this historic city.

1. By Metro

Suzhou has a user-friendly metro transportation system consisting of seven lines, they are Lines 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 11, and another two lines including Lines 7 and 8 are under construction and expected to be operational by the end of 2024. Besides, the metro operates daily from 6:00 to 23:00, with fares ranging from CNY 2 to CNY 13.

Metro Line 1 takes you to many attractions in Suzhou, such as Pingjiang Road, Jinji Lake, and Lion Hill. Metro Line 2 sends you to the Lingering Garden and Shantang Street. And, Metro Lines 4 and 6 allow you to explore Suzhou Museum, Humble Administrator’s Garden, Lion Grove Garden, Master of the Nets Garden, and more.

2. By Bus

The bus transportation in Suzhou covers most attractions of the city, with charges ranging from CNY 1 to CNY 3. Just note that payment can be made in cash or by using a transportation card. Besides, some buses offer English announcements, and most do not.

3. By Taxi

Taking taxis is also a good way to travel around Suzhou. You can hail a taxi on the street or book one through a mobile app named Didi. Typically, the initial charge is CNY 10 for the first 3 km and an additional charge of CNY 2 is required for each subsequent kilometer.

4. Getting to Tongli Water Town from Suzhou

Located 27 km from downtown Suzhou, Tongli Water Town can be reached by Metro Line 4 or Bus No. 725. After you get there, embark on a boat tour along the Grand Canal to explore this enchanting water town.

Recommended Suzhou Tours with Tongli Water Town

• 5 Days Suzhou Huangshan Tour with Water Town and Local Villages
• 6 Days Shanghai-Suzhou-Hangzhou Tour with Tongli Water Town

5. Getting to Zhouzhuang Water Town from Suzhou

Zhouzhuang is called the No.1 water town in China, and it can be easily accessed owing to the convenient Suzhou Transportation. Go to Suzhou North Square Bus Station and take a direct bus to Zhouzhuang Water Town, which costs CNY 25 and takes about 1 hour.

Recommended Suzhou Tours with Zhouzhuang Water Town

• 1 Day Shanghai-Suzhou-Zhouzhuang Group Tour
• Suzhou Day Tour to Zhouzhuang Ancient Town and Pingjiang Road