Beijing Transportation Guide
Beijing has China’s largest railway hub and a developed expressway network
Beijing‘s transportation system mainly consists of the Beijing subway, buses, taxis, ride-hailing services, and shared bicycles/electric bikes, all of which create a convenient network for residents and tourists.
Beijing Airport
Beijing Capital International Airport (北京首都国际机场)
Located in Shunyi District, northeastern Beijing, the airport is about 25 kilometers (15 miles) from the city center. The airport offers a comprehensive transportation system, including subway, buses, and taxis, to reach the city. It has three terminals: Terminal 1 (T1), Terminal 2 (T2), and Terminal 3 (T3).
- Taking the Subway to the City Center:
You can take the subway from either the “Terminal 2” station or the “Terminal 3” station, both located within the airport, to travel directly to the city center. Key stops include Beixinqiao Station(北新桥地铁站), Dongzhimen Station(东直门地铁站), and Sanyuanqiao Station(三元桥地铁站), all situated within Beijing’s urban area. The subway operates from around 6:35 AM to 11:10 PM. The journey to the city center takes approximately 40 minutes, and the fare is about 25 RMB (approximately 3.5 USD).
Taking the Airport Bus to the City Center:
Travelers can catch a city bus on the 1st floor (1F) of the arrival area in Terminal 3. Be sure to distinguish between city buses (green) and intercity buses (red) by checking the signs. City buses provide convenient connections to various key locations in the city.
For those arriving at Beijing Capital International Airport late at night, there are dedicated night bus services operating from 9:00 PM to 4:00 AM. These buses stop at several important locations, including Sanyuanqiao(三元桥) and Dongzhimen(东直门) in the city center, offering a convenient nighttime transportation option. The journey typically takes 1 to 2 hours, and fares range from 20 to 55 RMB (approximately 3 to 8 USD).Taking a Taxi to the City Center:
Both Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 at Beijing Capital International Airport have taxi dispatch stations that operate 24 hours a day. The starting fare for a taxi is 14 RMB (approximately 2 USD), with an additional charge of 2.3 RMB (approximately 0.33 USD) per kilometer. During nighttime hours (11:00 PM to 5:00 AM), there is a 20% surcharge on the per-kilometer rate. Additionally, extra charges may apply for traffic delays or waiting times exceeding 5 minutes, depending on the time of day. The journey to the city center typically takes between 45 minutes and 1.5 hours, with an approximate cost of around 100 RMB (approximately 14 USD).
Beijing Daxing International Airport (北京大兴国际机场)
Beijing Daxing International Airport is located in the more distant outskirts of Beijing, approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the city center. To facilitate travelers, the airport offers various transportation options, including airport buses, the Daxing Airport Express subway line, and trains. The terminal’s design is modern and futuristic, featuring a “five-finger” layout that resembles a five-petaled flower. The maximum walking distance from the departure level to the farthest boarding gate is only 600 meters (about 2,000 feet), which takes around 8 minutes on foot.
- Taking the Subway to the City Center:
You can take the Daxing Airport Express Line from the B1 level of the airport, which will take you to Caoqiao Station(草桥站) on Line S10. From Caoqiao Station, you can transfer to Line 10, Line 14, or Line 7 to reach various destinations in Beijing’s city center.
Taking the Airport Bus to the City Center:
Airport express buses and public bus stops are located on the B1 level of the airport. You can take direct buses to various locations in the city center, including Beijing Station, Wangfujing, and Beijing West Railway Station.
Beijing High-Speed Train Station
Beijing South Railway Station (北京南站)
Beijing South Railway Station is located in Fengtai District, approximately 5.91 kilometers (about 3.7 miles) from the city center. It is the largest train station in Beijing in terms of area and has the highest number of train departures and arrivals.
- Taking the Subway to the City Center:
Beijing South Railway Station is connected to the subway network via Line 4 and Line 14, making it easy for travelers to quickly reach other areas of the city.
Taking the Bus to the City Center:
Beijing South Railway Station has bus stops at both the South Plaza and North Plaza. Several bus routes connect the station to major areas of the city, including but not limited to Bus 665, Bus 414, and Bus 343.Taking a Taxi to the City Center:
Travelers can easily catch a taxi without leaving the station, which greatly enhances efficiency. Beijing South Railway Station has three taxi dispatch stations: one at the East Underground Parking Lot, one at the West Underground Parking Lot, and one at the North Plaza hub.
Beijing West Railway Station (北京西站)
Beijing West Railway Station is located in Fengtai District, approximately 13 kilometers (about 8 miles) from the city center.
- Taking the Subway to the City Center:
Beijing West Railway Station is an interchange station for Beijing Subway Line 7 and Line 9.
Taking the Bus to the City Center:
The South Plaza Bus Hub is located at the South Plaza of Beijing West Railway Station. It features 6 platforms and can accommodate 12 bus routes simultaneously, designed to handle peak transfer demands of up to 50,000 passengers per day. The underground level of this hub includes bus transfer passages and a transfer hall, directly connected to the West Station passenger arrival hall, facilitating quick and convenient transfers for passengers.Taking a Taxi to the City Center:
Beijing West Railway Station has taxi services available at both the North Plaza and South Plaza. After exiting the station, you can find taxi pick-up stations located outside the station or wait for a taxi on the pedestrian paths on either side of the exit. It’s recommended to use a ride-hailing app to book a taxi in advance, which can help you avoid long wait times during peak periods.
Beijing North Railway Station (北京北站)
Beijing North Railway Station is located in Xicheng District, approximately 15 kilometers (about 9 miles) from the city center.
- Taking the Subway to the City Center:
Beijing North Railway Station is served by several subway lines: Line 2, Line 4, and Line 13.
Taking the Bus to the City Center:
Beijing North Railway Station is surrounded by several bus stops. The station itself has a bus terminal offering multiple routes, including Bus 145, Bus 375, Bus 438, and Bus 632. These routes connect to various key locations in Beijing, making it convenient for passengers to transfer to other lines to reach their destinations.Taking a Taxi to the City Center:
The taxi queue area at Beijing North Railway Station is located in the B2 level of the West Ring Plaza underground parking lot, in the D6-D8 parking zones. After exiting the station, passengers can take the elevator or walk down to the B2 level, then turn left to reach the taxi queue area.
Beijing Chaoyang Railway Station (北京朝阳站)
Beijing Chaoyang Railway Station is located in Chaoyang District, Beijing, approximately 30 kilometers (about 19 miles) from the city center.
- Taking the Subway to the City Center:
Beijing Chaoyang Railway Station is served by Subway Line 3 and Subway Line 10.
Taking the Bus to the City Center:
The bus stops are located at the East Plaza of Beijing Chaoyang Railway Station. Passengers can use these bus services to travel to or from the station.Taking a Taxi to the City Center:
Beijing Chaoyang Railway Station has a taxi waiting area located on the South Underground B1 level. Passengers can follow the directional signs within the station to reach the taxi queue area.
Beijing Public Buses
As of the end of 2023, Beijing’s public bus system includes 23,400 electric buses and operates 1,285 regular bus routes.
Beijing’s bus fare system is based on distance and time. The fare structure is as follows:
For trips up to 10 kilometers (about 6.2 miles), the fare is 2 RMB (approximately 0.28 USD).
For each additional 5 kilometers (about 3.1 miles) beyond the initial 10 kilometers, an extra 1 RMB (approximately 0.14 USD) is charged.
Beijing Taxis
Hailing a Taxi on the Street: This is the traditional method where you can wave down a taxi when you see one available on the road. This approach can be time-consuming as you need to wait at a suitable location.
Taxi Fare Structure:
Starting Fare: 13 RMB (approximately 1.81 USD) for the first 3 kilometers (about 1.9 miles).
Basic Fare: 2.3 RMB (approximately 0.32 USD) per additional kilometer (about 0.6 miles).
Using Ride-Hailing Apps: You can download the ride-hailing app “Didi” on your smartphone. These apps allow you to book a ride online and get picked up at a scheduled time and location.
For Didi Express (Didi’s standard service), the starting fare is generally between 11 RMB and 17 RMB (approximately 1.54 to 2.38 USD). The fare for the distance traveled is added at a rate of 6 to 9 RMB (approximately 0.83 to 1.24 USD) per kilometer. Prices may vary slightly during peak hours and nighttime.
Shared Bikes
Since 2016, Beijing has become one of the earliest and largest cities in China to adopt shared bikes. As of now, the city boasts approximately 1 million shared bikes. Users can rent shared bikes directly through WeChat or by downloading the app of the respective bike-sharing service provider.
Pricing:
Base Fare: 1.5 RMB (approximately 0.21 USD) for the first 30 minutes.
Subsequent Charges: 1.5 RMB (approximately 0.21 USD) for every additional 30 minutes. If the usage time is less than 30 minutes, the charge is still for a full 30-minute period.
