Beijing Transportation Smart Card

Beijing Transportation Smart Card is valid for nearly all means of transportation in the city, including city buses, subway, the Airport Express Train, S2 trains, taxis, and public bicycles. There are two types of Beijing Transportation Smart Card, Beijing Yikatong Card and Beijing Hutong Card (former Jingjinji Interconnection Card) marked with "China T-Union". 

 
Smart Card
Smart Card

Yikatong Card

Yikatong Card can not only be used to take buses, taxis, subways and express lines in Beijing, but also widely used for payments at over 40 P+R parking lots, gas stations, supermarkets, convenience stores, fast food restaurants, municipal bill payment, welfare lottery, vending machines and many other fields. 

 

Hutong Card

Hutong Card can be used to take public transportation in Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei and other over 300 cities in the country. You can travel in popular cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Xi’an, Guilin, Chongqing, Kunming, Sanya, Chengdu and so on with just one card. 

 

List of Supported Cities

 
Provinces, Autonomous Region, municipalities Supported Cities
Beijing Beijing buses & subways
Tianjin Tianjin buses & subways
Hebei Shijiazhuang, Tangshan, Qinhuangdao, Handan, Xingtai, Baoding, Zhangjiakou, Chengde, Cangzhou, Langfang, Hengshui
Shanxi Taiyuan, Datong, Yangquan, Changzhi, Jincheng, Shuozhou, Jinzhong, Yuncheng, Xinzhou, Linfen, Lvliang
Inner Mongolia Hohhot, Baotou, Wuhai, Erdos, Xilin Gol Meng
Liaoning Shenyang, Dalian, Anshan, Fushun, Benxi, Dandong, Jinzhou, Yingkou, Fengxin, Liaoyang, Panjin, Tieling, Chaoyang, Huludao
Jilin Changchun, Jilin, Siping, Liaoyuan, Tonghua, Baihsan, Songyuan, Baicheng, Yanbian Chaoxianzu (Korean) Autonomous Prefecture
Heilongjiang Harbin, Qiqihar, Jixi, Hegang, Shuangyashan, Daqing, Yichun, Jiamusi, Qitaihe, Mudanjiang, Heihe, Suihua
Shanghai Shanghai buses, metros & ferries
Jiangsu Nanjing, Wuxi, Xuzhou, Changzhou, Suzhou, Nantong, Lianyungang, Huai’an, Yancheng, Yanghzou, Zhenjiang, Taizhou, Suqian
Zhejiang Hangzhou, Wenzhou, Ningbo, Jiaxing, Huzhou, Shaoxing, Jinhua, Quzhou, Taizhou
Anhui Hefei, Wuhu, Bengbu, Huainan, Ma’anshan, Huaibei, Tongling, Anqing, Huangshan, Chuzhou, Fuyang, Suzhou, Liu’an, Haozhou, Chizhou. Xuancheng
Fujian Fuzhou, Xiamen, Putian, Sanming, Quanzhou, Zhangzhou, Nanping, Longyan, Ningde, Pingtan
Jiangxi Nanchang, Jingdezhen, Pingxiang,Jiujiang, Xinyu, Yingtan, Ganzhou, Jian, Yichun, Fuzhou, Shangrao
Shandong Jinan, Qingdao, Zaozhuang, Dongying, Yantai, Weifang, Jining, Taian, Weihai, Rizhao, Linyi, Dezhou, Liaocheng, Binzhou, Heze
Henan Zhengzhou, Xuchang, Kaifeng, Luoyang, Pingdingshan, Anyang, Hebi, Xinxiang, Jiaozuo, Puyang, Luohe, Sanmenxia, Nanyang, Shangqiu, Xinyang, Zhoukou, Zhumadian, Jiyuan
Hubei Wuhan, Huangshi, Shiyan, Yichang, Xiangyang, Ezhou, Jinmen, Xiaogan, Jinzhou, Huanggang, Xianning, Suizhou, Enshi
Hunan Changsha, Zhuzhou, Xiangtan, Hengyang, Shaoyang, Yueyang, Changde, Zhangjiajie, Yiyang, Bangzhou, Yongzou, Huaihua, Loudi, Xiangxi
Guangdong Guangzhou, Foshan, Shenzhen, Dongguan, Shaoguan, Zhuhai, Shantou, Jiangmen, Zhanjiang, Maoming, Zhaoqing, Huizhou, Meizhou, Shanwei, Heyuan, Yangjiang, Qingyuan, Zhongshan, Chaozhou, Jieyang, Yunfu
Guangxi Nanning, Liuzhou, Guilin, Wuzhou, Beihai, Fangchenggang, Qinzhou, Guigang, Yulin, Baise, Hehzou, Hechi, Laibin, Chongzuo
Hainan Haikou, Sanya, Danzhou
Chongqing Chongqing buses and rail transit
Sichuan Chengdu, Zigong, Panzhihua, Luzhou, Deyang, Minayang, Guangyuan, Suining, Neijiang, Leshan, Nanchong, Meishan, Yibin, Guang’an, Dazhou, Ya’an, Bazhong, Ziyang, Aba, Ganzi, Liangshan
Yunnan Kunming, Qujing, Yuxi, Baoshan, Shaotong, Lijiang, Puer, Lincang, Xhuxiong, Hehong, Wenshan, Dehong, Nvjiang, Deqing
Shaanxi Xi'an, Tongchuan, Baoji, Xianyang, Weinan, Yan’an, Hanzhong, Yulin, Ankang, Shangluo, Yangling, Xixian New Area
Gansu Lanzhou, Jinchang, Baiyin, Weiwu, Zhangye, Pingliang, Jiuquan, Qingyang, Longnan
Qinghai Xining, Haidong, Huangnan, Yushu, Haixi
Ningxia Yinchuan, Shizuishan, Wuzhong, Guyuan
Xinjiang Urumqi, Hami, Altay Prefecture
 

Ticket Discount for Card Holders

 Buses: 50% off in downtown area, 20% off outside downtown area
 Subways: 
20% off for the rides when the total expenditure is CNY100-150;
50% off for the rides when the total expenditure is CNY150-400;
No discount for rides when the total expenditure is over CNY400.
 Note: The cumulative record of the expenditures is cleared at the end of each natural month and will be re-cumulated in the next natural month.
 

Where to get one and top up

The way to get and top up the two kinds of cards is mostly the same. It will be pretty convenient to use an e-card when you have a phone number of China’s mainland and a WeChat, Alipay or Apple Pay account, if you don’t, it is advised to apply for a physical one at the service centers by following the guide below.
 

Get a physical card 

Users can take their passports and go to the customer service centers of subway stations to apply for a deposit card. A refundable deposit of CNY20 is needed and no less than CNY20 for the first top-up. 

To top up the physical card, users can go to the service centers and self-service machines at subway stations. The card balance should be less than CNY1,000. 
 

Get an e-card online 

Download “北京一卡通”(Beijing Yikatong) APP and apply for a card without any deposit or service fee. Users can top up online with Apple Pay, Alipay and WeChat Pay.
 

How to Use the Card

 Bus: Swipe the card or your phones when boarding the bus. If the door for disembarking has a card reader, it is necessary to swipe again when exiting the bus.
 Subway: Swipe when entering and exiting the subway station. 
 S2 Train to Badaling Great Wall: swipe when entering and exiting the railway station
 Taxi: swipe on the card reader near the taximeter. 
 
Check-in Counter
Subway Check-in Counter
Exit
Exit of Subway
 

How to Return the Card

 Return an e-card
Users can refund their cards online through the app. The card balance will be refunded to the accounts within 5 weekdays.

 Return a physical card
Card holders can go to the service centers to return the card. 
 Note: The card balance should not be more than CNY200 when returning the card.

The following are some picked service centers where passengers can apply for, top up and return a card there.
 

Service Centers

Location Service Hours

Yikatong Dongzhimen Service Center

Dongzhimen Transportation Hub, Dongcheng District 8:30-19:30

Yikatong Xidan Service Center

No.45, Inside Fuxingmen, Xicheng District 8:30-19:30

Daxing Airport Subway Station of Daxing Airport Express Line

Daxing Airport Subway Station The same as the subway line

Xinfadi Subway Station of Line 19

Xinfadi Subway Station The same as the subway line

Jishuitan Subway Station of Line 19

 Jishuitan Subway Station The same as the subway line

Washousi Subway Station of Line 16

Washousi Subway Station The same as the subway line
Jingtai Subway Station of Line 14 Jingtai Subway Station The same as the subway line
Wangjing Subway Station of Line 14  Wangjing Subway Station The same as the subway line
Haidian Hangzhuang Subway Station of Line 4 Haidian Hangzhuang Subway Station The same as the subway line
East Andingmen East Andingmen Bus Stop
(Bus No. 328)
7:00-19:00
Wuluju Wuluju Bus Station 7:00-19:00
South Liuliqiao South Liuliqiao Bus Station 7:00-19:00
- Last updated on Sep. 19, 2023 by Gabby Li -
Questions & Answers on Beijing Transportation Smart Card
Asked by Galina from ISRAEL | Aug. 13, 2023 02:25Reply
T-union card
my route is Beijing-Xi'an-Zhangjiajie-Fenghuang-Guilin-Hong Kong. Except Hong Kong, I can use T-union card. Where can I drop it off in Guilin?
Answers (2)
Answered by Fiona | Aug. 14, 2023 02:49
00Reply


As I know, it is not available in Guilin, and you'd better confirm it again.
Answered by Galina | Aug. 14, 2023 04:42
00Reply


Available on Guilin urban area bus and some suburb bus routes. Thank you
Asked by Jack from AUSTRALIA | Aug. 11, 2023 18:02Reply
Registration of physical Beijing Yikatong Card
I read somewhere that we need to register/link Beijing Yikatong physical cards to their phone app for it to be usable. Is this still true? It seems impossible to register on the app using a foreign passport (asks for Chinese ID). Not sure how to get a usable Yikatong for foreigners.
Answers (3)
Answered by Diana | Aug. 13, 2023 23:01
00Reply


Generally, you can use the physical card directly without linking to phone app. If you have any questions about it, you can also consult the staff in the metro station.
Answered by Warin | Sep. 19, 2023 02:12
00Reply


I also heard that. It looks like the Yikatong card needs to be verified by ID No. (Chinese citizens) from now on, even the physical card. Does anyone have a clue about it? Or, they operate any other card for tourists, aren't they?
Answered by Nick | Sep. 19, 2023 18:38
00Reply


You can directly buy one at the metro station and no ID card is needed.
Asked by Jene from SINGAPORE | Aug. 05, 2023 21:24Reply
Getting the short stay 15-day card/ E-card
Hi I will be traveling with my family of 5 to China BeiJing, arriving at PEK International Airport T3.
Is there any counter to get the card? Or should I download the App for the e-card?
Does applying for E-card means I have to own a China number before I can apply?
How to pay for the e-card then? (Visa, Mastercard available?)
Answers (3)
Answered by Eric | Aug. 07, 2023 02:30
00Reply


I'm afraid there is no counter for the transportation card at the airport. You may apply for one after arriving at the subway station or download the app. Usually, you need a Wechat account or Alipay account to use the app and pay through either of it. I'm not clear if the Wechat or Alipay accpet Visa or other bank account.

For me, it's more convenient to use app because it requires no deposite and does not need to be refunded.
Answered by Jene | Aug. 07, 2023 22:09
00Reply


I see, thanks for your reply! I shall research more on the payment then.
Does it means that everyone have to download the app? Or can I pay on behalf for my parents using my app?
Answered by Eric | Aug. 08, 2023 18:11
00Reply


Everyone needs to use their own app, because one needs to scan the QR code twice for each trip: one at the entrance and the other at the exit. It does not recognize two scans at the entrance.
Asked by Benibi from FRANCE | Jul. 25, 2023 10:55Reply
Is the Hutong Card still available ? I cant find any informations online about that card
Answers (4)
Answered by Stella | Jul. 25, 2023 23:10
00Reply


Yes, it is still available. You can buy one at major subway stations in Beijing. If your cellphone has NFC, you can also download an e-card to your phone.
Answered by Benibi | Jul. 26, 2023 01:58
00Reply


Thanks ! Where can I find a Hutong e-card ?
Answered by Stella | Jul. 26, 2023 18:04
00Reply


Just download the app and log in, then follow the instructions to learn how to use it. The problem is that it is in Chinese, so you may need help from someone to install it for you.
Answered by katzy | Sep. 21, 2023 04:41
00Reply


Can we buy hutong card at shanghai pudong railway station after arriving to china as a foreignor? I am planning to go to beijing as well, so can I use this hutong card for beijing and shanghai both?
Asked by fernando from ESPAÑA | May. 22, 2023 01:35Reply
Is one card necessary per person?
We are a family of three people who will spend a single day in Beijing; We will arrive at the airport (T3 and what to visit The Forbidden City and the 798 Art Zone. Will we need 3 cards or will one be enough? Thank you.
Answers (1)
Answered by Selena | May. 23, 2023 02:24
00Reply


Generally, 3 cards are needed.
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