Luoyang for First-Time Visitors: Airport, Metro, Payments & Tickets (2026)

Short answer: Luoyang is one of China's oldest capitals and the home of the Longmen Grottoes. It's a short high-speed train from Zhengzhou (about 30 min) and Xi'an (about 1 h 25 min). Book Longmen online before you go.

Visa-free entry and 240-hour transit

Luoyang is not a 240-hour transit port. You can still travel here on visa-free entry if your passport qualifies. (official source)

Not sure which rule applies to you? Check your passport in 10 seconds or see rules by country.

Airport to the city

Luoyang Beijiao Airport LYA

洛阳北郊机场

Taxi / Didi~¥40–6030–40 min. About 12–15 km north of the centre and the most practical option for most arrivals
Airport shuttle busCheck at the airportVaries. Runs to the city and ends near Luoyang Station; schedules vary, so check the arrivals hall

Times and fares change. Check Amap or the airport's official site on the day. (sources) First time landing in China? Read arriving in China step by step.

Metro and taxis

Metro: Scan an Alipay or WeChat Pay transit QR code at the gate, with a foreign Visa or Mastercard linked to the app. Set this up before you travel, because verification can take a while. Fares are about ¥2–5, and the metro closes around 22:00–23:00. Line 2 links Luoyang Station and Luoyang Longmen high-speed station but doesn't reach the grottoes. (sources) Set up Alipay with your foreign card before you fly as a backup.

Didi: Didi works through its own app or the mini-program inside Alipay, with a foreign card linked. The app shows the fare before you confirm. Typical fares are about ¥30–40 from the centre to White Horse Temple and ¥40–55 from the centre to Longmen Grottoes. See how to use Didi as a foreigner.

Hotels in Luoyang

Check in with your passport: hotels register foreign guests with the police automatically at check-in, so there's nothing else to do. Compare hotels in Luoyang on Trip.com (affiliate link): the site is in English, shows prices in your currency and takes foreign cards. Save the hotel's address in Chinese characters to show taxi drivers.

Top sights: do you need to book?

Longmen Grottoes

Book aheadBring your passport

Booking: Real-name timed ticket, ¥90 for all four areas (West Hill, East Hill, Xiangshan Temple, Bai Garden). Book online; on-site tickets are limited or unavailable, and peak days can sell out several days ahead

How: Foreign visitors can book on Trip.com with a passport. Bring the original passport you booked with; it is checked at four points. Entry opens 08:00, last admission is 17:00 in winter (Nov–Feb) and 18:00 from March to October. From Luoyang Longmen station it's about 15 min and ¥25–35 by Didi.

Longmen night tour

Bring your passport

Booking: Separate ¥90 ticket; runs roughly April to October, not in winter

How: The 2026 night programme covers West Hill and Xiangshan Temple only. Book online.

White Horse Temple

No passport needed

Booking: Check the temple's official channel for the current ticket and booking rules

How: About 30–40 min by Didi from the centre (~¥30–40). It pairs well with Longmen; allow 2–3 hours.

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Day trips from Luoyang

Shaolin Temple (Songshan): Reached by road from Luoyang; usually done as a tour or private car. Check the booking rules on the day-tour listing
Zhengzhou: High-speed train, about 30 min

Where to go next

Xi'anAbout 1 h 25 min

ZhengzhouAbout 30 min

Meridian Gate of the Forbidden City, Beijing

BeijingAbout 3 h 35 min

Booking trains: how to book China's high-speed trains as a foreigner. All cities: China city guides.

Next steps for your trip

1. Fill in the arrival cardOnline, free, within 72h before landing 2. Set up AlipayLink your Visa or Mastercard before you fly 3. Get a China eSIMGoogle, WhatsApp & Instagram keep working · affiliate link Stuck? Ask a real personWhatsApp / WeChat · free to ask

FAQ

How do I book Longmen Grottoes as a foreigner?

Book online in advance. Tickets are real-name and timed, ¥90, and foreign visitors can book on Trip.com with a passport. Bring the same original passport to the gate. On-site tickets are very limited, and peak days can sell out several days ahead.

Which station do I use for Longmen Grottoes?

Luoyang Longmen high-speed station is the closest, about 3 km from the grottoes and about 15 min by Didi (~¥25–35). Luoyang Station is in the centre. From there, bus 71 or 81 takes 50–60 min for ¥1–2.

Does the Luoyang metro go to Longmen Grottoes?

No. Line 2 links Luoyang Station and Luoyang Longmen high-speed station, but the grottoes need a Didi, taxi or bus for the last leg.

How do I get from Luoyang Airport to the city?

Take a taxi or Didi, which takes about 30–40 min and costs ~¥40–60. An airport shuttle bus also runs to the city and ends near Luoyang Station.

Last verified 31 October 2026. Sources: [1] chinafortravelers.com, [2] wanderinchina.com, [3] chinafortravelers.com, [4] wanderinchina.com, [5] chinahighlights.com. Rules, fares and booking windows change often — confirm on official channels before you travel.