Getting Around Beijing

🚇 Getting Around Beijing

Beijing is vast — the city covers 16,400 square kilometers and has 8 ring roads. Getting around efficiently requires understanding the metro system and Didi (ride-hailing). Walking is only practical within specific neighborhoods.

The Beijing Metro

The Beijing Metro is one of the busiest and longest in the world — 27 lines, 800+ stations, and a network that connects every corner of the city. It's fast, air-conditioned, and the cheapest way to get around.

Key lines for tourists:

• Line 1 — Tiananmen West, Wangfujing, Dongdan
• Line 2 — circular line past Qianmen, Chongwenmen, Xizhimen
• Line 4 — Beijing Railway Station, Summer Palace, Olympic Park
• Line 5 — Temple of Heaven (Tiantan East)
• Line 8 — Olympic Park (Bird's Nest)
• Airport Express Line — connects to both airports

Metro tips:

• Download the Beijing Subway app or use your phone's transit card function in Alipay
• Get a Beijing Transportation Card (一卡通, yīqiātōng) at any metro station. ¥20 deposit. Works on metro, buses, and some taxis.
• Or use Alipay transit — add Beijing to your city card in Alipay
• Rush hour (8–9 AM, 6–7 PM) is brutal — avoid if possible
• Signs are in Chinese and English — you'll be fine

Metro costs: ¥3–10 per trip depending on distance

Didi (DiDi) — Ride Hailing

Didi works in Beijing exactly as in Shanghai. Download the app, add your payment method, and enter your destination in English.

Beijing-specific Didi tips:

• Didi is particularly useful for reaching sights outside the city center (Summer Palace, Great Wall, Ming Tombs)
• During rush hour, Didi pricing surges — wait 20 minutes if possible
• Some drivers don't speak English — show them Chinese characters of your destination

Costs:

• Within central Beijing: ¥25–70
• To Summer Palace: ¥60–100
• To Badaling/ Mutianyu (Great Wall): ¥150–300

Taxi

Beijing taxis are plentiful and honest. Starting fare ¥13 (including 3 km).

Tips:

• Always get a receipt (发票, fāpiào) — essential for lost item recovery
• Download an offline map before getting in — your phone GPS may lag in central Beijing
• Most taxi drivers don't speak English — have your destination in Chinese characters ready

Bus

Beijing's bus system is comprehensive and extremely cheap (¥2 flat for most routes). But it's complex for non-Chinese speakers.

When to use buses:

• To the Summer Palace (line 374 or 563)
• To the Ming Tombs (line 872 from Changping)
• Late night when the metro has closed

Download the app:

• Beijing Bus App (北京公交) — English interface, real-time arrivals

Getting to/from Airports

Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK / 北京首都国际机场)

Most international flights arrive here.

• Airport Express Metro Line → ¥25, 40 min to city center (Dongzhimen, Sihui)
• Didi → ¥100–180, 45–90 min depending on traffic
• Taxi → ¥120–200, 60–90 min

Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX / 北京大兴国际机场)

Mainly for domestic and some international routes (especially Air China).

• Daxing Airport Express Metro → ¥50, 40 min to Caoqiao (connects to Line 10 and 19)
• Didi → ¥150–250, 60–90 min

Intercity Train Stations

Beijing has 5 main stations:

• Beijing Railway Station (北京站) — near Forbidden City, metro Lines 1/2
• Beijing West Railway Station (北京西站) — high-speed to Xi'an, Guangzhou, etc.
• Beijing South Railway Station (北京南站) — high-speed to Shanghai, Hangzhou
• Beijing North Railway Station (北京北站) — to the Great Wall (Juyongguan)
• Beijing Qinghe Railway Station (清河站) — high-speed to Ulaanbaatar

To the Great Wall

Cost Summary

Last updated: 2026-06-05 · Written by Bobby, living in Chengdu since 2023

Bobby

Living in Chengdu since 2023. Writes about practical China travel from firsthand experience. About me →