How to use Nanjing Metro with a QR code or ticket
A Nanjing-specific first-ride guide to choosing an activated QR code, a single ticket or Jinlingtong card, and a station or Metro hotline recovery path.
For a first Nanjing Metro journey, choose one method that is ready before you reach the gate: the Nanjing Metro Electronic Card in Alipay, the current WeChat City Pass mini-program route, a single ticket from a ticket-vending machine, or a Jinlingtong transportation card. Nanjing's Transport Bureau says ticket machines sell single tickets using banknotes and coins, Jinlingtong cards are available at all stations, and the Alipay route requires selecting Nanjing before scanning in and out. A December 2025 municipal notice separately describes the WeChat City Pass mini program as a QR-code route for Metro visitors. Treat each app as a live account, verification, payment, phone, and gate setup; if it fails, use the current station instructions or contact Nanjing Metro rather than repeatedly scanning or switching payment methods.
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Run a short no-signal rehearsal instead of assuming every app is ready.
- Open downloaded maps or language tools in airplane mode.
- Save the exact Chinese hotel and station names.
- Keep account recovery and itinerary access independent of one phone.
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Choose one ready method before the first gate
Do not make the first ride depend on two untested wallets, a low battery, and an unfamiliar station. Decide whether a fully activated QR route, a physical single ticket, or a Jinlingtong card is clearest from your phone, data connection, cash, and destination. Save the full Chinese station name and direction before entering the fare area, and keep one independent fallback for a late arrival, failed app, or uncertain transfer.
- Use the actual station name, not only an attraction nickname or hotel marketing name, when buying a ticket or asking for help.
- Keep enough battery and data to display a live QR code; a screenshot or a code prepared for another city is not evidence that the Nanjing gate will accept it.
- Do not assume that a foreign card, a mobile wallet, a transit card, or a QR code that worked in another Chinese city is ready in Nanjing.
Set up an Alipay or WeChat QR route as a live service
Nanjing's Transport Bureau describes the Nanjing Metro Electronic Card on Alipay: open Alipay, enter Civic Center, choose Nanjing as the location, then scan the QR code to enter and leave the station. The city's December 2025 announcement says the WeChat City Pass mini program has a Nanjing Metro ride code that visitors can activate by following its current prompts, then scan at the gate with fares deducted from WeChat Wallet. Those descriptions do not guarantee approval for a particular overseas account, card, phone number, app version, language, identity check, payment authorization, gate, fare, line, transfer, or journey. Read the live app terms and complete its current setup before a time-sensitive trip.
- Open the responsible app while you still have time and confirm that the code is current before walking through a gate.
- Use the app's displayed city and payment route; do not rely on an old tutorial, a shared code, or a QR code from a different operator.
- If the app asks for identity, card, or wallet steps that you cannot safely complete, choose a physical-ticket fallback instead of giving details to an unofficial helper.
Use a single ticket or Jinlingtong card when it is clearer
Nanjing's Transport Bureau says a passenger can select the destination and number of tickets on the ticket-vending-machine screen, then pay with sufficient banknotes and coins; the machine issues the ticket and any change. The same guide says Jinlingtong transportation cards are available at all stations. These published routes are useful fallbacks when a phone setup is not ready, but they do not guarantee that a particular machine will accept a note, have change, sell a particular card, or settle an earlier app or gate record. Follow the live machine and station instructions before loading more money than needed.
- Choose the destination from the current machine screen and retain the ticket until you have completed the exit.
- If a note is returned or a machine message is unclear, stop rather than forcing it; use another official machine or ask for the station's current assistance route.
- Treat a Jinlingtong purchase, balance, reload, refund, and use on another transport mode as separate live product questions.
Recover a failed gate, payment, or transfer through Nanjing Metro
A rejected code, returned banknote, red gate, or missed interchange does not by itself prove that the journey or ticket is invalid. Step aside, keep the current ticket, card, phone screen, and any receipt available, and ask the station for the current entry-record or fare process before trying a second method. Nanjing's Transport Bureau lists the Nanjing Metro helpline as +86 25 51899999; use the current operator information or staff direction for a route, safety, accessibility, late-night, or unresolved-fare question. Do not hand a passport, payment code, card, booking login, or phone to a stranger offering to fix a transport problem.
- Do not repeatedly rescan, tap, or switch cards after a partial entry; an unresolved record can need station handling.
- For a rail, airport, hotel, or last-service connection, separately confirm operating hours, transfer walks, and the responsible provider's live instructions.
- If the metro route is no longer safe or workable because of luggage, accessibility, payment, or timing, use an official taxi, ride-hailing, hotel, or transport-provider fallback rather than an off-app offer.
Before you rely on this answer
China travel rules and app behavior can change by city, route, account, passport, airline, and local inspection practice. Treat this page as a traveler-friendly starting point, then verify official or provider details before booking or packing anything important.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a visitor use a QR code on Nanjing Metro?
Nanjing's Transport Bureau describes the Alipay Nanjing Metro Electronic Card route, and the city's December 2025 notice describes the WeChat City Pass mini-program ride code. Both depend on the responsible app's live registration, identity, payment, and gate prompts, so set one up before a time-sensitive journey and keep a ticket or other fallback ready.
Can I buy a single Nanjing Metro ticket with cash?
Nanjing's Transport Bureau says ticket-vending machines sell tickets after you select the destination and number of tickets, using sufficient banknotes and coins. Follow the current machine and station instructions; a returned note, missing change, or an app entry record can require a different official process.
Where can I get a Jinlingtong card for Nanjing Metro?
The Transport Bureau's visitor guide says Jinlingtong transportation cards are available at all stations. Confirm the live purchase, balance, reload, refund, and route conditions at the station rather than assuming a card will work for every mode or journey.
What should I do if my Nanjing Metro QR code or ticket fails?
Step aside, retain the ticket, card, phone screen, and receipt, then ask the station for the current entry-record or fare process before trying another payment method. The Transport Bureau lists the Nanjing Metro helpline as +86 25 51899999; follow current staff or operator instructions for unresolved issues.