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.

 You can use the following search bar to find schedules on flights, trains and city buses:
 

There are two passenger airports in Beijing: Capital International Airport in 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. Most of the domestic and international flights arrive at and depart from the capital international airport, the reputed “First Door of China”.  It is the largest, busiest, most important modern airport in China as well as the first and only airport in Asia-Pacific area equipped with two control towers, three terminals and three runways. Currently, over 90 airlines operate about 1,400 flights to / from 223 destinations at home and abroad here. The airport can be easily reached by airport shuttle bus, express subway train and taxi.
 Note:  Nanyuan Airport is closed now.
 

Capital Airport

 Terminal 1      Terminal 2
 Terminal 3 - Transfer in T3, 
  - Facilities & Services of T3
  - 5 Things to Do
  - Airport Maps

Airport Express Train
 Airport Shuttle Bus to Downtown
 Community Bus to Shunyi
 Intercity Bus to Tianjin, Hebei & Inner Mongolia
 

 

Beijing Railway Station

Bullet Train Locomotive

As one of the busiest long-distance bus transport hubs, Beijing has 20 coach stations operating buses to Tianjin, Zhangjiakou, Xi'an, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Harbin and Suzhou. There are ten major ones in downtown, including Liuliqiao Passenger Transportation Junction, Bawangfen Long-distance Bus Station, Lianhuachi Bus Station, Dongzhimen Long-Distance Bus Station……
 

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

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

 How to Travel between Beijing and Xi'an: Train vs. Plane

 How to Travel between Beijing and Hong Kong: Train vs. Flight

 

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, 27 subway lines have been in operation, including two airport express lines and two tram lines. Due to the frequent traffic jams, 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 1, Line 2, Line 3 (not open yet), Line 4, Line 5, Line 6, Line 7, Line 8, Line 9, Line 10, Line 11, Line 13, Line 14, Line 15, Line 16, Line 17, Line 19, Batong Line, Daxing Line, Changping Line, Yizhuang Line, Fangshan Line, Yanfang Line, Line S1, Capital Airport Express, Daxing Airport Express (New Airport Line), Xijiao Line (Western Suburban Line), Yizhuang T1 Line

 Subway Maps
 

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: Dangdang trolley bus & city sightseeing bus to Tiananmen Square and Summer Palace; tourist bus to Badaling Great Wall and Ming Tombs.
 

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 rate for long-distance trips. An 8-hour taxi rental with driver may cost CNY500-800. The cost from Capital Airport to Badaling Great Wall is CNY500-600 for a round trip.

 Recommended Tour offered by TravelChinaGuide.com:
 Beijing Mini Group Day Tour
to Forbidden City & Great Wall: 1 - 6 People, No Shopping
 

86,000 public bicycles at the docking stations and 2.35 million dockless sharing bikes are good supplement to the mass transit of Beijing city buses and subways. The public bikes can be rented by everyone who is between 18-65 years old and over 1.3m (4ft) with the Transportation Smart Card.
 

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. They give you detailed explanations on the history and culture of the Hutongs and some even speak fluent English.

Professional tour guides speaking English, Japanese and other foreign languages are also available in the Hutongs. For self-guided travelers, it takes 20-30min for a simple rickshaw experience and costs CNY20-30 per person. If a puller asks for tips, CNY5-10 would be proper. To explore more of the city by rickshaw accompanied by a professional guide, it takes around 2.5h and the charge is CNY200-250 per person. Sometimes the rates are higher than taxi rates, especially during holidays. Therefore, it is recommended to bargain for an exact price prior to boarding.
 

It can be used by everyone without registration on all subway lines, city buses, taxis, Airport Express Train, S2 trains to Badaling Great Wall, and public bicycles. Some dedicated supermarkets, restaurants, parks, and department stores also accept the payment with the card. One can buy and top up it at the Customer Service Centers of all subway stations.
 

Named Jingjinji Card for short, the transportation card works for dedicated city buses in Beijing, including all routes departing from the Railway Stations, and Dang-dang Sightseeing Bus Line 1 & Line 2, public buses in Tianjin Binhai New Area and Wuqing District, and all buses in cities of Hebei Province like Shijiazhuang, Zhangjiakou, Qinghuangdao and Xingtai.