Leaving the airport in Chinese
Find the taxi stand, metro station, ride-hailing pickup area, or airport bus after arrival. Shenzhen Bao'an, late at night. Your hotel is across the city, and unofficial drivers are already offering rides.
Key phrases
The 6 phrases this lesson is built around, with the words that make them up. Tap ▶ to listen, or the turtle to hear it slowly.
-
我想去这个酒店。
Wǒ xiǎng qù zhège jiǔdiàn.
I want to go to this hotel.
- 我Wǒ
- 想xiǎng
- 去qù
- 这个zhège
- 酒店jiǔdiàn
-
这是酒店地址。
Zhè shì jiǔdiàn dìzhǐ.
This is the hotel address.
- 这Zhè
- 是shì
- 酒店jiǔdiàn
- 地址dìzhǐ
-
请问出租车站在哪里？
Qǐngwèn chūzūchē zhàn zài nǎlǐ?
Excuse me, where is the taxi stand?
- 请问Qǐngwèn
- 出租车chūzūchē
- 站zhàn
- 在zài
- 哪里nǎlǐ
-
去这个酒店大概多少钱？
Qù zhège jiǔdiàn dàgài duōshǎo qián?
About how much does it cost to go to this hotel?
- 去Qù
- 这个zhège
- 酒店jiǔdiàn
- 大概dàgài
- 多少duōshǎo
- 钱qián
-
大概需要多长时间？
Dàgài xūyào duō cháng shíjiān?
About how long will it take?
- 大概Dàgài
- 需要xūyào
- 多duō
- 长cháng
- 时间shíjiān
-
请按计价器收费。
Qǐng àn jìjiàqì shōufèi.
Please charge by the meter.
- 请Qǐng
- 按àn
- 计价器jìjiàqì
- 收费shōufèi
More phrases for this situation
Every other phrase from the lesson: 18 in all.
-
请问去这里应该坐什么？
Qǐngwèn qù zhèlǐ yīnggāi zuò shénme?
Excuse me, what should I take to get here?
-
您可以坐出租车，也可以坐地铁。
Nín kěyǐ zuò chūzūchē, yě kěyǐ zuò dìtiě.
You can take a taxi, or you can take the metro.
-
请跟着“出租车”的标识走。
Qǐng gēnzhe “chūzūchē” de biāozhì zǒu.
Please follow the signs for “Taxi.”
-
请问地铁站在哪里？
Qǐngwèn dìtiě zhàn zài nǎlǐ?
Excuse me, where is the metro station?
-
请问机场巴士在哪里？
Qǐngwèn jīchǎng bāshì zài nǎlǐ?
Excuse me, where is the airport bus?
-
请问网约车上车点在哪里？
Qǐngwèn wǎngyuēchē shàngchē diǎn zài nǎlǐ?
Excuse me, where is the ride-hailing pickup point?
-
网约车上车点在停车场二层。
Wǎngyuēchē shàngchē diǎn zài tíngchēchǎng èr céng.
The ride-hailing pickup point is on level two of the parking lot.
-
去市中心大概多少钱？
Qù shì zhōngxīn dàgài duōshǎo qián?
About how much does it cost to go to the city center?
-
打车大概需要四十分钟。
Dǎchē dàgài xūyào sìshí fēnzhōng.
By taxi, it takes about forty minutes.
-
请帮我确认一下路线。
Qǐng bāng wǒ quèrèn yíxià lùxiàn.
Please help me confirm the route.
-
可以在地图上指给我看吗？
Kěyǐ zài dìtú shàng zhǐ gěi wǒ kàn ma?
Could you point it out on the map for me?
-
可以帮我写下来吗？
Kěyǐ bāng wǒ xiě xiàlái ma?
Could you write it down for me?
-
我听不懂中文，请说慢一点。
Wǒ tīng bù dǒng Zhōngwén, qǐng shuō màn yìdiǎn.
I don’t understand Chinese. Please speak more slowly.
-
您要去哪里？
Nín yào qù nǎlǐ?
Where would you like to go?
-
请带我去这个地址。
Qǐng dài wǒ qù zhège dìzhǐ.
Please take me to this address.
-
请走最快的路线。
Qǐng zǒu zuì kuài de lùxiàn.
Please take the fastest route.
-
到了请告诉我。
Dào le qǐng gàosu wǒ.
Please let me know when we arrive.
-
谢谢您的帮助。
Xièxie nín de bāngzhù.
Thank you for your help.
What you’ll hear, and how to answer
Staff won’t follow your script. These are things they are likely to say here, with a reply that works.
-
Staff
大概八十块。Dàgài bāshí kuài.
About eighty yuan.
You
大概需要多长时间？Dàgài xūyào duō cháng shíjiān?
About how long will it take?
-
Staff
上车吧，箱子放后备箱。Shàng chē ba, xiāngzi fàng hòubèixiāng.
Hop in. Your case goes in the trunk.
You
请带我去这个地址。Qǐng dài wǒ qù zhège dìzhǐ.
Please take me to this address.
Play the scene
Shenzhen Bao'an, late at night. Your hotel is across the city, and unofficial drivers are already offering rides.
-
Staff
您好，请问您去哪个区？
Nín hǎo, qǐngwèn nín qù nǎge qū?
Hello, which district are you going to?
-
You
我想去这个酒店。
Wǒ xiǎng qù zhège jiǔdiàn.
I want to go to this hotel.
What do you say?
-
Staff
这个酒店在南山，打车比较方便。
Zhège jiǔdiàn zài Nánshān, dǎchē bǐjiào fāngbiàn.
That hotel is in Nanshan. A taxi is the easiest way.
-
You
去这个酒店大概多少钱？
Qù zhège jiǔdiàn dàgài duōshǎo qián?
About how much does it cost to go to this hotel?
What do you say?
-
Staff
大概八十块。
Dàgài bāshí kuài.
About eighty yuan.
-
You
大概需要多长时间？
Dàgài xūyào duō cháng shíjiān?
About how long will it take?
What do you say?
-
Traveler
打车大概需要四十分钟。
Dǎchē dàgài xūyào sìshí fēnzhōng.
By taxi, it takes about forty minutes.
-
You
请问出租车站在哪里？
Qǐngwèn chūzūchē zhàn zài nǎlǐ?
Excuse me, where is the taxi stand?
What do you say?
Scene complete. 很好！ (Hěn hǎo — very good!)
Culture tip
Use official pickup areas
At airports, follow signs for taxis, metro, airport buses, or ride-hailing pickup points. Avoid following strangers who approach you unsolicited.
What should you show a driver?
Show the answer
酒店名称和中文地址
Go deeper
Background for this situation: key words, what to expect and a few more short dialogues.
Key Terms
[object Object] A designated place at the airport where licensed taxis pick up passengers.
[object Object] A station for the city subway or metro system. Some Chinese airports are connected to metro lines.
[object Object] A bus route connecting the airport with city areas, train stations, or major hotels.
[object Object] A designated pickup area for app-based cars. At large airports, it may be in a parking building or a specific floor.
Meter The device in a taxi that calculates the fare. You can ask the driver to charge by the meter.
Choosing Transport
Taxi
Good when you have luggage, arrive late, or go directly to a hotel. Use official taxi stands when possible.
Metro
Usually cheaper and reliable, but may be less convenient with large luggage or during rush hour.
Airport Bus
Useful if the route goes near your hotel or train station. Confirm the stop name before boarding.
Ride-hailing car
Convenient if your app works, but airport pickup points can be hard to find. Ask where the pickup point is.
Useful Question Patterns
去……大概多少钱？ Use this to ask about the approximate cost to a destination.
大概需要多长时间？ Use this to ask how long a trip or route will take.
请带我去…… Use this with a driver when showing an address or destination.
请按计价器收费。 A useful taxi phrase asking the driver to charge by the meter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it better to take a taxi or the metro from the airport?
It depends on luggage, arrival time, distance, and budget. Taxi is easier with luggage; metro is often cheaper and predictable.
What should I show a taxi driver?
Show the hotel name and full address in Chinese if possible. Use: 请带我去这个地址。
What if I cannot find the ride-hailing pickup point?
Ask airport staff: 请问网约车上车点在哪里？ Large airports may have pickup points in parking buildings or specific floors.
How can I ask about cost before getting in?
Use: 去这个酒店大概多少钱？ For taxis, you can also say: 请按计价器收费。
Travel Safety Tips
Use official pickup areas
At airports, follow signs for taxis, metro, airport buses, or ride-hailing pickup points. Avoid following strangers who approach you unsolicited.
Keep the address in Chinese
Before arrival, save your hotel name and address in Chinese. It helps taxi drivers, staff, and map apps.
Ask before you go
If unsure, ask about cost, travel time, and route before getting into a taxi or leaving the airport.
Interactive Scenarios
Showing your hotel address to staff
- Traveler我想去这个酒店。
Wǒ xiǎng qù zhège jiǔdiàn.
I want to go to this hotel.
- Traveler这是酒店地址。
Zhè shì jiǔdiàn dìzhǐ.
This is the hotel address.
- Traveler请问去这里应该坐什么？
Qǐngwèn qù zhèlǐ yīnggāi zuò shénme?
Excuse me, what should I take to get here?
Asking for the ride-hailing pickup point
- Traveler请问网约车上车点在哪里？
Qǐngwèn wǎngyuēchē shàngchē diǎn zài nǎlǐ?
Excuse me, where is the ride-hailing pickup point?
- Staff网约车上车点在停车场二层。
Wǎngyuēchē shàngchē diǎn zài tíngchēchǎng èr céng.
The ride-hailing pickup point is on level two of the parking lot.
Talking to a taxi driver
- Driver您要去哪里？
Nín yào qù nǎlǐ?
Where would you like to go?
- Traveler请带我去这个地址。
Qǐng dài wǒ qù zhège dìzhǐ.
Please take me to this address.
- Traveler请按计价器收费。
Qǐng àn jìjiàqì shōufèi.
Please charge by the meter.
Mini Quiz
How do you say “I want to go to this hotel” in Chinese?
- 我想去这个酒店。 ✓ Answer
- 我来旅游。
- 我的行李还没有出来。
Which phrase means “Where is the ride-hailing pickup point?”
- 请问网约车上车点在哪里？ ✓ Answer
- 请问洗手间在哪里？
- 可以帮我看一下吗？
What should you show a driver?
- 酒店名称和中文地址 ✓ Answer
- 菜单
- 行李牌
Which phrase asks the driver to charge by the meter?
- 请按计价器收费。 ✓ Answer
- 请带我去这个地址。
- 到了请告诉我。