Getting Around

The base rate for taxis is 7 RMB for the first four km and 1.2 RMB per additional kilometer (this rate increases to 1.5 RMB from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.). Be forewarned that Qingdao has created many one-way streets with the hopes of improving traffic efficiency; this may make it seem that your cab driver is intentionally taking a circuitous route, but chances are he or she is not trying to rip you off by taking the long way.

Public Bus

Although public buses in Qingdao are very clean and cheap, they are only good options for foreigners with good Chinese language skills. For the rest of you, air-conditioned tour buses may be a convenient and comfortable option. Three tour bus lines offer professional guide service. A good one to know is tour bus 304, which runs along the shore between the ferry pier and Lao Shan with a stop at the train station.

Ferry

Sightseeing boats to nearby sites like Xiao Qingdao, Luxun Park, and Taiping Jiao can be found at the Maritime Tour Pier on Laiyang Lu just north of the Navy Museum. Boats that leave from Zhongyuan Maritime Square Tour Pier on Xilingxia Lu include overview shoreline tours of the city and also trips to Zhucha and Dagong Islands.

Ferries also connect downtown Qingdao with Huangdao across Jiaozhou Bay. The trip, which along the highway takes well over an hour, is only 20 minutes long. Please be aware that ferries will not run in heavy fog.

To and from Qingdao

Air

Qingdao Liuting International Airport is about 32 km from downtown, connecting Qingdao to more than 30 cities in China. It's also possible to fly internationally to Tokyo and Fukuoka in Japan, and also Seoul and Singapore.

Train

Qingdao Railway Station is located on No. 2 Taian Lu, nearby Zhanqiao Bridge. There are trains to and from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Jinan, Tai Shan, Xi'an, Lanzhou and Wuchang. Most long-distance trains stop in Jinan.

Bus

Highways leave Qingdao in every direction (at least where there's land) and long-distance buses serve all the major cities of Shandong province as well as many cities in neighboring areas from several bus stations throughout the city.

Ferry

Qingdao Passenger Ferry Terminal is located at No. 6 Xinjiang Lu. International ferries run to Inchon, Korea, and Shimonoseki, Japan, though these destinations are not served every day. Please check the schedule at the terminal to find out when you can travel internationally by boat.