Qingdao Metro Line 8's southern section officially opens tomorrow, completing the full line. This brings the city's operating metro network to 8 lines, covering 365 kilometers with 176 stations, including 17 interchange stations. Once the entire Line 8 is operational, passengers can travel from May Fourth Square to Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport without any transfers, with the fastest journey taking under 40 minutes.
Seven new stations strengthen the main city network
The southern section of Line 8 runs from north to south along Zhoukou Road, Nanchang Road, and Shandong Road, linking Licang District, Shibei District, and Shinan District. Seven stations are opening: Qingdao North Railway Station, Yanjiashan, Xiaoshuiqinggou, Dashan, Xiwujiacun, Aokemaqiao, and May Fourth Square. At Qingdao North Railway Station, passengers can transfer to Lines 1 and 3, with seamless connections to the national railway station. Xiwujiacun connects to Line 4, while Aokemaqiao will eventually link to Line 5. May Fourth Square offers transfers to Lines 2 and 3, with the scenic Fushan Bay right at the station exit.
40 minutes from Fushan Bay to the airport
With the full line opening, regular trains on Line 8 depart from May Fourth Square toward Jiaozhou North Station starting at 06:10 with the last train at 22:15. In the opposite direction, trains leave Jiaozhou North Station at 05:45, with the final departure at 22:00. Passengers boarding at May Fourth Square can ride directly to Jiaodong Airport Station. To better coordinate with aviation and rail traffic, Line 8 operates express trains that reduce travel time by optimizing stop patterns. These express services only stop at May Fourth Square, Xiwujiacun, Qingdao North Railway Station, Jiaodong Airport, and Jiaozhou North Station. During the peak tourist season, three morning express trains depart from May Fourth Square at 05:07, 05:22, and 05:42, helping early-flight passengers reach the airport quickly. Five evening express trains leave Jiaodong Airport Station at 21:42, 22:02, 22:25, 22:45, and 23:15, with the first two also stopping at Aokemaqiao Station to make late-arrival transfers more convenient. On express trains, the full journey from May Fourth Square to Jiaodong Airport Station takes about 40 minutes, offering a direct connection from the seaside to the airport. Since express trains only stop at designated stations, passengers should arrive early, and specific schedules are available via the Qingdao Metro app and station announcements. At Qingdao North Railway Station, metro, national rail, bus, and long-distance coach services all converge. At Jiaodong Airport Station, passengers step directly into the airport's comprehensive transport hub, where check-in counters are immediately accessible.
Faster travel, lower fares
Qingdao Metro charges by distance, with a base fare of 2 yuan covering the first 5 kilometers, calculated via the shortest route between stations. With the southern section opening, the network gains several new shortest paths, meaning fares between certain stations are actually dropping by 1 yuan rather than rising. Examples of adjusted fares include: May Fourth Square to Xiwujiacun, down from 3 yuan to 2 yuan; Haiboqiao (Haisi Medical) to May Fourth Square, from 3 yuan to 2 yuan; Shuiqinggou to Fushansuo, from 4 yuan to 3 yuan; Xiaocunzhuang to Maidao, from 4 yuan to 3 yuan; Qingdao North Railway Station to Gaoxiong Road, from 5 yuan to 4 yuan; Liuting to May Fourth Square, from 6 yuan to 5 yuan; and Qingdao Central Legal Services (Yan'erdao Road) to Hongdao Railway Station, from 7 yuan to 6 yuan. Full fare details can be checked on the Qingdao Metro official website or app. The northern section crosses mountains and sea, bridging the airport and the bay, while the southern section extends toward the coast, weaving a denser underground network through the main city. With the entire line now connected, the integrated airport-high-speed rail-metro system runs more smoothly, adding stronger north-south rail capacity in the eastern city area and tightening connections between the northern shore districts and the central city. Along the new route, Dashan Station sits near Jindingshan Park, Aokemaqiao Station runs through the core commercial district, and May Fourth Square Station opens directly onto Fushan Bay and the Olympic Sailing Center. Visitors can follow the "Take the Metro to Explore Qingdao" route, enjoying unique scenery at every stop while soaking in the city's mountains, sea, and local life. From the airport to the coast, Line 8 ties together landscapes and communities. Qingdao Metro remains committed to "smooth journeys and happiness," refining services so every passenger travels with greater ease and warmth.