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:
 

Air

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.
 

Beijing Airport
Capital Airport

Capital Airport

 Terminal 1      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
 Intercity Bus to Tianjin, Hebei & Inner Mongolia
 

 
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 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……
 

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, 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 1Line 2Line 3 (not open yet), Line 4Line 5Line 6Line 7Line 8Line 9Line 10Line 11Line 13Line 14Line 15Line 16Line 17Line 19Batong LineDaxing LineChangping LineYizhuang LineFangshan LineYanfang LineLine S1Capital Airport ExpressDaxing Airport Express (New Airport Line), Xijiao Line (Western Suburban Line), Yizhuang T1 Line

 Subway Maps
 

Beijing TransportationOver 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

Rickshaw of Hutong TourRickshaw 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.
 

- Last updated on May. 09, 2022 -
Questions & Answers on Beijing Transportation
Asked by CVSANEVA from ZAMBIA | Apr. 14, 2022 14:34Reply
Guangzhou to Zambia by sea how long does it take
Answers (1)
Answered by Coco | Apr. 22, 2022 02:39
00Reply


There is no passenger ship from Guangzhou to Zambia.
Asked by Park Chan Woo from REPUBLIC OF KOREA | Jan. 10, 2021 21:40Reply
From Beijing To Ulaanbaatar
Hello I have a question about the train from Beijing to Ulaanbatar
We are planning to go Mongolia by train

Is the K3 or K23 still available now?
Answers (1)
Answered by Gwendolyn | Jan. 12, 2021 18:47
00Reply


Sorry, I didn't find the latest information. Maybe the train is still suspended because of the virus situation.
Asked by Wilson Law from CANADA | Dec. 18, 2019 21:26Reply
Making Connection Flight from Terminal 3 to Terminal 1 at Beijing Capital Airport
I am flying Air China from Hong Kong and will arrive at terminal 3 in Peking Airport, then I have to make a connection flight from terminal 3 to terminal 1 to catch the All Nippon Airway to Osaka. What direction i have to follow and how much time should I allow? Looking at the airport map, terminal 1 and terminal 3 are in a different building, do I have to catch shuttle bus or train to reach there?
Answers (3)
Answered by Sally from AUSTRALIA | Dec. 22, 2019 22:09
00Reply


Follow the signs in the airport and you can take terminal shuttle bus line 1 from T3 to T1. It takes around 30 minutes.
Answered by Wilson Law from CANADA | Dec. 23, 2019 18:22
00Reply


Do I have to go through the Custom at Terminal 3 to catch the line 1 bus and again to go through the Custom and security at terminal 1 in order to go to the boarding gate? As in North America, we are making the connecting flight within the secure area, we don't have to get out and check back in the security to make connection. Thanks for the help.
Answered by Liz from SINGAPORE | Dec. 24, 2019 17:52
00Reply


You need to claim your luggage after landing and take terminal shuttle bus to T1, then go through custom to take next flight.
Asked by SKIPPERSUN | Dec. 16, 2019 22:29Reply
I planned a flight from Vladivostok, through Beijing, to Indonesia.
The flight from Vladivostok to Beijing starts at 23:30 on 02.22.20, arrival in Beijing Terminal 3 at 00:10 (about) 02/23/20. Departure from Beijing Terminal 2! at 02:30, so there is only about 2 hours difference between flights, different terminals T3 - T2, no luggage only hand luggage, no visa, all tickets are on hand. The question is - do I have time for the flight, is there any quick way to move between T3 - T2, is there any transit corridor for me when I check in China???
Tnx
Answers (1)
Answered by Suzy from MALAYSIA | Dec. 19, 2019 17:14
00Reply


As I know, passengers need at least 160 min to transfer from T3 to T2. I'm afraid you can't catch your next flight if it is not a connecting flight.
Asked by Thana from SINGAPORE | Dec. 12, 2019 17:01Reply
Yikatong refund are Beijing railway station
Hi,
Understand yikatong cannot be used in Shanghai. I need to buy another subway card there. Can I get refund of the yikatong cards at Beijing railway station? If yes, where exactly can I get the refund? What is the process of returning the cards? Thanks
Answers (1)
Answered by Kira from SINGAPORE | Dec. 15, 2019 23:41
00Reply


You can return your card at Main Railway Station of metro line 2, not in it. You need to keep your card clean and intact so you can get your refund.
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