I am going to visit Qingdao, how can I purchase subway tickets?

Foreign visitors to Qingdao can conveniently access the subway using international bank cards, mobile payment apps like Alipay and WeChat, foreign currency cash, or by purchasing travel passes via the Qingdao Metro app or at station service counters.

Types of tickets

1) Single-Ride ticket
Regular Single-Ride ticket: For one-time use. Purchasable via cash, Alipay, or WeChat Pay at ticket vending machines (TVMs). Collected upon exit.
Commemorative Single-Ride ticket: Issued during special events or holidays; may be kept, but follow the same usage rules as regular tickets.

2) Tourist travel passes
One-Day Pass: 15 yuan per ticket; unlimited rides within 24 hours after the first entry.
Three-Day Pass: 35 yuan per ticket; unlimited rides within 72 hours after the first entry.

Payment with international bank cards

1) POS machine ticket purchase: At eight major transport hubs—including Jiaodong Airport, Qingdao Railway Station, and Qingdao North Station—as well as international traveler-friendly stations like May Fourth Square and Taidong, POS machines supporting international bank cards are available. You can use VISA, Mastercard, JCB, and other major international cards to purchase tickets, top up transit cards, or get change.

2) TVM QR code payment: TVMs offer English interfaces and voice prompts. Foreign passengers can scan QR codes to buy tickets after linking an international bank card to Alipay, WeChat Pay, or the overseas version of the Digital Yuan app.

Foreign card-friendly transit QR code
Alipay’s "Foreign Card-Friendly" transit code: Alipay has launched a special QR code for foreign users. Once an international bank card is linked, foreign visitors can scan to ride just like domestic users, with the same easy process.

Cash payment
TVMs and ticket counters: Support cash payments in foreign currency. (Check in advance whether the station offers foreign currency exchange service.)

Other ticketing options
1) Qingdao Metro app
2) Digital Yuan app

After enabling the transit feature, payment can be made via NFC on mobile phones or IC card-based digital wallets.

3) Offline purchase
TVMs: Inside stations, support cash, WeChat Pay, or Alipay for single-ride tickets (destination selection required).

Ticket counters: Provide single-ride tickets, travel passes (1-day/3-day), and Qingdao Tong card top-up services.

Service centers: Located at major stations such as Jiaodong Airport and Qingdao Railway Station, offering Qingdao Tong card sales, foreign currency exchange, and transport assistance.

(Information updated on July 24, 2025)