Beijing’s metro is one of the world’s most extensive subway systems — 27 lines, over 490 stations, and connections to virtually every major attraction in the city. Once you understand the system, it’s the fastest, cheapest, and most stress-free way to get around the capital.
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The Basics: Fares, Hours and Network
Fare structure
Beijing Metro uses a distance-based fare system:
- ¥3 for journeys up to 6km
- ¥4 for 6–12km
- ¥5 for 12–22km
- ¥6 for 22–32km
- Add ¥1 per additional 20km beyond that
In practice: most tourist-zone journeys cost ¥3–¥5. Getting from the airport to central Beijing (Airport Express + metro) costs ¥30–¥40 in total.
Operating hours
Most lines: 5:00am – 11:00pm (last train varies by direction and line).
Friday and Saturday nights: some popular lines extend to midnight.
Check the specific line’s schedule in the Amap app or on the station information boards.
Frequency
During peak hours: trains run every 2–3 minutes on main lines. Off-peak: every 4–8 minutes. Late evening: spacing extends to 8–12 minutes.
How to Pay
Option 1: QR Code (Recommended for Tourists)
The easiest method for foreigners.
- Open Alipay → search “北京地铁” or “Yitongxing” in the search bar
- Open the Beijing Metro mini-program (亿通行)
- Register with your phone number (international numbers accepted)
- Link your Alipay International Balance
- At the station: show the QR code on the screen → scan at the gate
Alternatively: the Yitongxing (亿通行) standalone app handles Beijing metro QR payments and can be linked to Alipay directly.
Option 2: Physical IC Card (交通一卡通)
The Beijing Transit IC Card works on metro, buses, and some trams:
- Purchase at station service windows or customer service offices (¥20 deposit + your starting balance)
- Top up at station machines or service counters
- Tap and go at every gate
- Benefit: 10% discount on metro fares over ¥100/month
For stays of 5+ days with heavy metro use, the transit card pays for itself quickly.
Option 3: Single-Journey Ticket
Available from ticket machines at every station. Select your destination station, pay cash or use Alipay/WeChat Pay. Collect a magnetic card that you use to enter and exit.
Less convenient than QR or card but available as a last resort.
The Most Important Lines for Tourists
Line 1 (East–West Corridor)
Runs the length of Chang’an Avenue — Beijing’s central axis. Key stops:
- Tiananmen East (天安门东): Tiananmen Square (east side), National Museum
- Tiananmen West (天安门西): Tiananmen Square (west side), entrance to the Forbidden City
- Xidan (西单): major shopping district
- Fuxingmen (复兴门): transfer to Line 2
Line 2 (Ring Line / Circle)
The inner ring line following the route of the old Ming Dynasty city wall. Key stops:
- Qianmen (前门): South of Tiananmen Square; Dazhalan historic shopping street
- Chongwenmen (崇文门): Legation Quarter area
- Beijing Station (北京站): main conventional railway station
- Lama Temple (雍和宫): Yonghe Temple (transfer to Line 5)
Line 8 (Central–North Corridor)
- Olympic Park (奥林匹克公园): Bird’s Nest, Water Cube
- Gulou Dajie (鼓楼大街): hutong neighbourhood; Drum Tower, Bell Tower (short walk)
- Nanluoguxiang (南锣鼓巷): most famous hutong alley for tourists
Line 6
- Dongsi (东四): hutong area
- Nanluoguxiang (南锣鼓巷): another access point for the hutong area
- Chaoyangmen (朝阳门): east side commercial district
Line 13 (North Ring)
- Wudaokou (五道口): university district, international restaurants, expat community
Airport Express
A separate express line (not included in standard metro fares):
- Beijing Capital Airport (T2, T3) ↔ Dongzhimen station: 30 minutes, ¥25
- Dongzhimen connects to Lines 2 and 13
- Trains run every 10 minutes from approximately 6am to 11pm
Note: Beijing Daxing International Airport uses a separate Express Line (大兴机场线) connecting to Caoqiao station (Line 10) and Yizhuang Line.
Getting to Great Wall from the Metro
The Great Wall sections accessible by public transport:
Badaling (most popular, most crowded):
- Metro to Xizhimen (Line 2, 4, or 13)
- Bus 877 or 879 directly to Badaling (~70 minutes, ¥12)
- Or: Metro to Huangtudian on Line S2 suburban train to Badaling (scenic but slower)
Mutianyu (recommended, less crowded, most facilities):
- Metro to Line 2 Dongzhimen → Bus 916 to Huairou North → transfer to special tourist bus
- Or: hire a driver from Wangfujing or Dongzhimen area (negotiate ¥300–¥500 round trip)
Jiankou (wild, unreconstructed):
- Metro + bus from Dongzhimen; remote access requires significant hiking
- Easier via organised tour or private driver
Tips for Navigating Beijing Metro
Download Amap offline maps first
The Amap metro function shows transfer information, estimated travel times, and can plan multi-line routes with exact walking distances between platforms.
Rush hour (avoid if possible)
Weekday peak: 7:30–9:30am and 5:30–8:30pm. Lines 1, 4, 5, and 10 become extremely crowded. If your schedule is flexible, travelling between 9:30am and 5pm is significantly more comfortable.
Luggage
Large backpacks and suitcases are permitted but can be awkward in crowded carriages. During rush hour, transfer to escalators and wider corridors before gates.
Security
All Beijing metro stations have airport-style security scanners — bag goes through the X-ray conveyor, you walk through a metal detector arch. Have bags open and easily accessible. Liquids are generally fine (no 100ml rule); sharp items are checked.
Accessibility
Beijing Metro has elevator access at most stations (look for the accessibility symbol on the station map or signs). Some older stations on Lines 1 and 2 have limited elevator coverage. Stations announce stops in both Chinese and English on most lines.
Last updated: May 2026 · Beijing Metro is continuously expanding. Check the official Beijing Metro website or Yitongxing app for the latest line maps.