Beijing Transportation

Beijing is the most important transportation hub in mainland China in air, rail and road transportation: China’s largest airport is located here; it is the biggest rail hub of the country; many national roads and expressways radiate out here. Its urban area also has well appointed transport system. However, as a metropolis in a densely populated country, transportation in the city’s urban area is a bit crowded, especially during rush hours (around 08:00 and 18:00). During these time periods, traffic jams are common and may cause significant delays. If possible, avoid taking buses/taxis at this time of a day as it may drain your limited vacation time. The local government has carried out many measures to relieve traffic pressure, including encouraging traveling by public transport tools, allocating car registration by a license-plate lottery system, and controlling traffic by odd-even license plates, etc.

Air

There are two passenger airports in Beijing: Capital International Airport in the northeast of the city, about 25 kilometers (about 16 miles) from Tiananmen Square and Daxing Airport, about 53 kilometers (33 miles) south of Beijing city center. They both serve domestic and international flights; so double confirm which airport you are going to use, especially when departing from the city. Both the airports can be easily reached by airport shuttle bus, express subway train and taxi. There are also long-distance buses connecting the airports with nearby cities like Langfang and Baoding. 
 

Beijing Airport
Capital Airport

 Terminal 2
 Terminal 3Transfer in T3
  - Facilities & Services of T3
  - 5 Things to Do
  - Airport Maps

Airport Express Train
 Airport Shuttle Bus to Downtown
 Community Bus to Shunyi
 

It is the center of China’s railway net, which has trains to most of cities of the country. The main railway lines here include Jingjiu Railway from Beijing to Kowloon in Hong Kong, Jinghu Railway to Shanghai, Jingguang Railway to Guangzhou and Jingha Railway to Harbin, etc. In recent years, the inter-city railway to Tianjin, the high speed rails to Shanghai and Guangzhou have also been built, by which passengers can get to Tianjin from the capital city in about half an hour, to Shanghai in about 4.5 hours and to Guangzhou in 8 hours. Passengers to / from the city are now served by about 800 trains at four railway stations:
 

Beijing Railway Station
Beijing Railway Station 
Beijing Train
Bullet Train Locomotive

As one of the busiest long-distance bus transport hubs, Beijing has 8 coach stations operating buses to neighboring cities like Tianjin, Zhangjiakou ... There are ten major ones in downtown, including Liuliqiao Passenger Transportation Junction, Zhaogongkou Bus Station, Sihui Bus Station ……
 

Transportation to Major Destinations

 How to Travel between Beijing and ShanghaiTrain vs. Plane

 How to Travel between Beijing and Guangzhou: Train vs. Plane

 How to Travel between Beijing and Xi'anTrain vs. Plane

 How to Travel between Beijing and Hong KongTrain vs. Flight

 

Transportation to Other Cities

Beijing Subway
 Subway Station

In 1971, the first subway line of this city was put into use, making it the first China city having subway. At present, 29 subway lines have been in operation, including two airport express lines and two tram lines. Due to the frequent traffic jams, the subway is the most time-saving transport means especially during rush hours.

Check out each subway line to know its route and schedule to better plan your trip.
Line 1Line 2Line 3 (not open yet), Line 4Line 5Line 6Line 7Line 8Line 9Line 10Line 11Line 13Line 14Line 15Line 16Line 17Line 19Daxing LineChangping LineYizhuang LineFangshan LineYanfang LineLine S1Capital Airport ExpressDaxing Airport Express (New Airport Line), Xijiao Line (Western Suburban Line), Yizhuang T1 Line

 Subway Maps
 

Beijing Transportation

Over 1,200 bus routes are running in Beijing, including regular downtown lines, suburban lines, night lines and intercity lines. Payment by both cash and the Transportation Smart Card can be accepted.
  Bus / Subway Search
 Hub of Tour Dispatch: offering tourist buses to major attractions in and around the city, like Deshengmen Bus Station.
 Sightseeing Bus: 4 Dangdang bus lines & 3 city sightseeing bus lines to Tiananmen Square and Summer Palace
 Beijing Tourist Bus: 12 special lines and 5 holiday lines
 

About 67,000 taxis are in operation in Beijing to serve the public with the flag-down rate of CNY13 for the first 3km (2mi). The drivers would charge by meter for downtown travels, and ask for flat rates for long-distance trips. An 8-hour taxi rental with a driver may cost CNY500-800. The cost from Capital Airport to Badaling Great Wall is CNY600-800 for a round trip.
 

300,000 dockless sharing bikes run by DiDi Bike, Hello Bike and Meituan Bike are good supplements to the mass transit of Beijing city buses and subways. Internet access and mobile apps are a must to use these dockless bikes and they accept online payment by Apple Pay, Wechat Pay or Alipay.
 

Rickshaw

Rickshaw of Hutong Tour

Rickshaw is a traditional form of transport. Nowadays, modern rickshaw travel is an excellent way to experience old Beijing culture and Hutongs (alleyways). After paying a negotiated fare, the rickshaw pullers will take you through the narrow lanes. Tourists can find the rickshaws at attractions like Nanluoguxiang, Shichahai and Houhai. The price is CNY100-200 depending on the duration and sometimes the extra service fee is charged. It is recommended to bargain for an exact price before boarding.
 

There are two types of Beijing smart transportation cards, Beijing Yikatong Card and Beijing Hutong Card with “China T-Union”that can be used in over 300 cities in China. Users can take their passports and go to the customer service centers of subway stations to apply for a deposit card. To top up the physical card, users can go to the service centers and self-service machines at subway stations. 

- Last updated on Jan. 18, 2024 by Kate Liu -
Questions & Answers on Beijing Transportation
Asked by Silvia from SLOVAKIA | Feb. 06, 2024 04:42Reply
Bus/metro ticket
What is the best way to pay for the bus/metro ticket? Is it possible to pay with european visa, or is better cash? And what about Yikatong?
Thank you
Answers (1)
Answered by Harry | Feb. 06, 2024 19:05
00Reply


Yikatong is undoubtedly the best way. However, if you just stay in Beijing for a short time, cash is also good.
Asked by Fe from USA | Jan. 07, 2024 16:50Reply
Knitting needles on Cathay Pacific
Cathay Pacific. From JFK to Hong Kong to Bangkok.
Can I take knitting needles as part of my carry on
Answers (1)
Answered by Maria | Jan. 07, 2024 18:38
00Reply


Generally, there is no problem of wooden knitting needles but I'm not sure about metal ones.
Asked by Kristie Ho from MALAYSIA | Dec. 07, 2023 14:42Reply
Elevators or escalators at Zhangzilonglu Station on Line 5
Hi, are there elevators or escalators going up and down at Zhangzilonglu Station on Line 5?
Answers (1)
Answered by Jessica | Dec. 07, 2023 23:38
00Reply


Yes, there are.
Asked by MRS LYNA from MALAYSIA | Oct. 15, 2023 21:16Reply
subway Line to Beijing Scitech Premium Outlet
Royard Hotel Beijing to Beijing Scitech Premium Outlet Mall by subway Line ? where to stop?
Answers (1)
Answered by Jessica | Oct. 16, 2023 23:01
00Reply


Is it Beijing Ron Yard Hotel? If yes, you can take Metro Line 6 to Nanluogu Xiang and transfer to Metro Line to Aolinpike Gongyuan (Olympic Park) Station and then transfer to Metro Line 15 to Maquanying. Get out of the Exit B and walk about 200m to the hotel.
Asked by PotatoHead from GUATEMALA | Oct. 14, 2023 10:42Reply
Why would anyone want to visit China these days?
Question says it all
Answers (1)
Answered by David | Oct. 16, 2023 01:27
00Reply


Well, maybe China offers a lot of travel options.
Ask a Question
Question Summary (100 characters)
Details (optional) (2,000 characters)
NameCountryEmail