It is about 5km from Luoyang Longmen Station to the Grottos. There is a ticket office of the Grottos in the train station. You can buy ticket there and waiting for the free shuttle bus in the sqaure. Or you can take bus 60 to the grottos. If you take a taxi directly, it is about 12RMB. It is about 15km from the Grottos to Luoyang dwntown area. Do not get a nother train back, just take a bus (Bus 81) or taxi. Yes, you should pay entrnave fee to enter the peony gardens. Wangcheng Park王城公园 and Peony Garden 牡丹园are the best places see. Peony flowers in Wangcheng Park come out earlier. So, is you go to Luoyang in around April 10, go there. Later, you can go to the Peony Garden.

Thank you very much Mr John. Very helpful information.

dear Mr. John,
Great information. but something struck me. you said that there is a ticket office to the longmen grottoes at the longmen train station? And that there is a free shuttle from the train station to the grottoes? Just had to be sure what I am reading. Anyway, how do you go to/recognize the free shuttle.
One more information that you may have. Is there a left luggage facility at the longmen train station? If so, do they open 27 hours a day or do they close? A reply is much much appreciated. Thank you very very much!!