Beijing Transport - How to get to Beijing and get around

Beijing, China's capital city, has a highly developed public transport system for people traveling to and getting around the city. The fastest way to get to Beijing is by air or high-speed train- depending on which city you come from, and the most reliable way to travel in the town is by subway. For foreign tourists visiting Beijing for the first time, taking a taxi is the most convenient way, but during rush hours, traffic jams are serious.

Next, let's explore Beijing's transportation with detailed information and maps.

Traveling to Beijing by Air

There are two passenger airports in Beijing, both providing domestic and international flights. You can easily find direct flights to Beijing traveling from major cities in China and other countries, such as Shanghai, Hong Kong, London, Boston, Tokyo, Bangkok, and more.

Beijing Capital International Airport

Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) is one of the largest and busiest airports in the world and plays the main role in the air transportation of Beijing. It is located in the Shunyi District, about 25 kilometers (16 miles) northeast of central Beijing.

Airport shuttle buses run from Beijing Capital International Airport to Beijing Railway Station, Beijing West Railway Station, Xidan commercial district, Wangfujing shopping street, etc. The prices vary, depending on the place you get off, ranging from 20 to 30 RMB per person.

Beijing Daxing Airport

Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) is a new airport officially put into use on September 25, 2019. It falls on the boundary of Beijing City and Hebei Province, 46 kilometers (29 miles) south of Tiananmen Square.

It is the first airport which has a terminal building with high-speed train and subway stations underground. Travelers can travel from Daxing Airport to central Beijing by subway, intercity railway, airport bus, or taxi.

Traveling to Beijing by Train

Beijing is the center of China’s railway network and connects to most cities in the country. There are 4 major railway stations in Beijing: Beijing, Beijing West, Beijing South, and Beijing North.

Here’s a location map of railway stations in Beijing:

Beijing Railway Station provides international trains to or from Pyongyang, Ulan Bator, and Moscow.

Beijing West Railway Station is the only railway station in Beijing that is eligible for overseas travelers to apply for the 144-hour visa-free transit.

Bullet/high-speed trains usually arrive at and depart from Beijing West and Beijing South, by which travelers can reach Beijing from Tianjin in 30 minutes, from Shanghai or Xi’an in 4.5 hours.

Click Beijing Railway Stations to learn more relevant information.

Traveling from Beijing to Tianjin, Shanghai, Xi’an or HK

Here’s a schedule for direct flights and bullet trains from Beijing to Tianjin, Shanghai, Xi’an, and Hong Kong for reference.

Getting Around Beijing

Beijing's public transport system is well-developed. You can take a subway, bus, taxi, or even a rickshaw to travel around the city. The quickest and cheapest way to travel around Beijing is by Beijing subway.

By Subway

The Beijing Subway has been put into operation 27 lines. Operation times vary for the different metro lines but most of the lines run from 5:00 to 23:26 every day. Subway lines 1 and 2 are the most useful for tourists because they can take you to many must-see attractions in Beijing, such as the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and the Lama Temple. 

Traveling by metro is the most flexible and convenient way in Beijing. It is crowded but punctual- you don’t need to worry about the traffic jams during rush hour.

By Bus

There are more than 1,000 public bus routes in Beijing to take you everywhere in the city. Generally, public buses run from 5:30 to 23:00 every day, but times may vary for different routes.

The ticket is usually 1 RMB for a bus without air conditioning and 2 RMB for an air-conditioned bus. During rush hour, when people come and go to work, buses can get crammed.

By Taxi

The price of taking a taxi in Beijing goes from 13 RMB, followed by another 2.3 CNY for each kilometer after the first 3 km. Besides, the cost goes up 20% at night. The charge from Capital Airport to Tiananmen Square by taxi is about 110 CNY.

By Rickshaw

Rickshaws are another option to explore this ancient city. They are popular around the Hutongs, making it a special cultural experience. The fare is higher than that of a taxi and it is suggested to tip the rider if the service has been good.

Our Half Day Hutong Pedicab Tour includes an enjoyable rickshaw journey through Beijing’s traditional narrow alleys!

How to Get to the Airports/Train Stations in Beijing

Traveling from central Beijing to the Beijing Capital International Airport and the Beijing Daxing International Airport. will take more than an hour by car. 

• To Beijing Capital International Airport: the Airport Express, the Airport Bus, or taxi.
• To Beijing Daxing International Airport: the subway, the Jingxiong Intercity Railway, the Airport Bus, or taxi.

The train stations in Beijing are generally located within the city area, you can reach the train stations using public transportation methods such as the subway, bus, or taxi. You can also choose to book our private pick-up service, which is the most convenient and worry-free method, contact us to inquire and book your private pick-up service.

Traveling Beijing with Us

Even though the transportation system in Beijing is well-developed, the most efficient and hassle-free way to explore this big city is to take a private tour with a private driver, who knows how to avoid waiting in lines and get you to the destination in the least time.

By doing so, you can maximize your sightseeing time and control your own travel pace, without needing to navigate. Please feel free to share your tour ideas. Perhaps one of our best Beijing tours will interest you:

• 3-Days Night Tour on the Unrestored Wild Great Wall
• 4-Days Beijing Essence and In-depth Forbidden City Tour
• 8-Days Classic China TourSide Trips from Beijing

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