Most people arriving or departing Nanjing will do so by either plane or train. Smaller numbers also do so by coach, usually to or from nearby other cities.
Arriving or Leaving via Nanjing Lukou International Aiport
Nanjing Lukou International Airport has everything a major international facility of this sort should, while also being small enough to be both comfortable and manageable.
If arriving from abroad, however, immigration officers at Lukou are generally not in so much of a hurry. Don’t waste time after disembarking the plane with the toilet or selfies; get in the queue asap!
As to leaving or getting to the airport, Lukou is served by Line S1 on the Nanjing Metro network. In addition, an airport shuttle bus service links the airport with key parts of the city, a timetable for which may be downloaded via this link.
while a large number of taxis are based at the airport, the experience of taking one is hit and miss. If arriving at Lukou at night, there is a good chance your driver may start falling asleep at the wheel. For this reason, The Nanjinger recommends the ride-hailing option. Follow the signs in the arrivals area to the ride-hailing pick up points. In T1 that means being first directed down to basement level; in T2 it means going up.
Lukou is 45 minutes by car from Nanjing’s centre that is Xinjiekou, in normal traffic conditions.
Regarding to departures, all international flights operate out of Terminal 2, as do many domestic operations.
In addition to lounges offered by particular airlines or airline alliances, there are a number of others open to all travellers for a one-off fee, or through the use of points previously accumulated elsewhere.
For foreign fast dining, Lukou Terminal 1 offers KFC, McDonald’s, Burger King and Starbucks, while McDonald’s is all there is to be had in Terminal 2 after the security check.
Arriving or Leaving via Nanjing Railway Station or Nanjing South Railway Station
Nanjing’s two principal stations are Nanjing Railway Station and Nanjing South Railway Station.
While both offer high-speed trains to destinations nationwide, the former is distinct for also offering slower services which stop at less-frequented destinations, on services such as the “K” class of train.
For many, the choice of station will be dictated by the destination and proximity to the station prior to departure. For example, if you are staying at the Westin Hotel by Xuanwu Lake and want to catch a train to Shanghai then Nanjing Railway Station is the sensible choice.
As regards Nanjing South Railway Station, would-be travellers should be aware it is the largest railway station in Asia. That fact, however, does not seem to detract unnecessarily from a timely experience.
Nevertheless, the check-in process can often be speeded up by ensuring to arrive at the Station’s south concourse, where queues are invariably shorter. This entrance is also the closest option for trains departing from gates numbered greater than 12.
For those lucky enough to be travelling business class, the south concourse is where there is also to be found a dedicated business-class check in (at the entrance’s far right), but seconds from the lounge itself.
Arriving into Nanjing, travelers will have the choice of Metro lines 1 or 3 at Nanjing Railway Station; and lines 1, 3, S1 (airport line) or S3 at Nanjing South Railway Station, to take them on their way. In the case of S1 and S3, be aware these are almost a 10-minute walk from the centre of the the Station.
Avoid those offering taxi rides at all costs. Take the Metro or join the taxi queue; it moves faster than it looks.
At Nanjing South Railway Station, KFC, Starbucks and Costa Coffee are to be found, while KFC is the only foreign-fast-food option at Nanjing Railway Station.
