How to Get to the Great Wall of China from Beijing

To decide which mode to choose, we should first figure out how far the Great Wall of China is from Beijing. Some of the famous sections of the Great Wall are located in the suburbs of Beijing, and the distance from downtown to popular sections is 60 - 130 kilometers (35 - 80 miles). For easily accessible and well-known Badaling and Mutianyu, direct tourist buses and city buses are available. For the more distant sections like Juyongguan, Jinshanling, Simatai, and Jiankou, taking a guided tour or renting a car is the recommended way to travel.
 The most convenient way to visit the Great Wall is by joining a guided tour. The tour guide will pick you up directly from your hotel, the airport, or the railway station and take you to the Great Wall. This saves you time, eliminates the need to plan transportation, and spares you the trouble of buying Great Wall tickets on your own.

Mutianyu Great Wall, Beijing

 For families or small groups of three or four travelers, renting a car with a driver is the best way to visit the Great Wall of Beijing. This mode offers great comfort. It takes around 2 hours to reach closer sections like Badaling, Mutianyu, and Juyongguan. For more distant areas like Jinshanling, Simatai, and Jiankou, the journey usually takes 2.5 to 3 hours.
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It should be noted that the price of a chartered vehicle is relatively high compared to other means of transportation, usually ranging from CNY 800 to 1,400. Additionally, drivers may not speak English, which can cause communication issues.
 

Our Mutianyu Great Wall Tour Bus

There are direct tourist buses to the Mutianyu and Badaling sections. If you live near the center of Beijing, taking a direct tourist bus is a good option. Please note that tickets need to be purchased online in advance, and there is no English service on the ticket purchase page.
 How to Get to Mutianyu Great Wall from Beijing
How to Get to Badaling Great Wall from Beijing
 Taking city buses to the Great Wall usually requires transfers, and you might get lost during the process. City buses are often crowded, and there's no guarantee of a seat for every passenger. So, for a smooth trip, we don't suggest using city buses.

 

	Guided Tour or Car Rental	Tourist Bus from Beijing Center	City Bus
Mutianyu	1.5 hours	1.5 hours	2.5 hours
Badaling	1.5 hours	1.5 hours	2 hours
Juyonguan	1.5 hours	1.5 hours	2 hours
Simatai	2 hours	2 hours	3.5 hours
Jinshanling	2 hours	2 hours	3.5 hours
Jiankou	2 hours	-	3 hours
Huanghuacheng	2 hours	2 hours	3 hours
Gubeikou	3 hours	-	4 hours

We have detailed and comprehensive introductions to transportation methods on each Great Wall page. If you need, please click the link above to view it.
 How to get to the Great Wall from Beijing Airport?
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How to get to the Great Wall from Hong Kong?
Where is the Great Wall of China located?