How to take subway in Beijing

63 thoughts on “How to take subway in Beijing”

1. I will be staying at the Park Plaza Beijing Wangfujing at 97 Jinbao Street, Dongcheng, Beijing 100005 from March 26 – 30. I would like to utilize the subway and bus system as much as possible. How much is the Beijing bus IC card or “yikatong”. Where can I get the latest subway and bus maps and schedules? I will be joining a tour group but will be going to some places on my own. Please help me get to the following places:
   1. Days Inn Fobidden City Hotel, No. 1, Nanwanzi By Street, Dongcheng District
   2. Panjiayuan Market
   3. South Cathedral (St. Mary’s Church)
   4. North Cathedral and Bei Hai Park
   5. St. Michael’s Church and Legation Quarter
   6. Lama Temple
   7. Olympic Green
   I would appreciate any assistance that will facilitate my visiting these places and thus make my visit even more pleasant.
   Thank you.

2. 1. About IC Card or Yikatong
   1) Par value RMB100.00 + RMB20.00 deposit
   2) When you leave Beijing or don’t want to use the card anymore, you can return it to places which are appointed by Beijing Municipal Administration and Communications Card Co. Ltd. Then they will refund you RMB20.00 if your card is not damaged.
   3) You could refill the bus IC card from over 700 places – the ticket counters at Beijing subway stations, railway stations, most post offices, big supermarkets and so on.

   2. Where to get a subway maps and bus maps
   1) You may get them at Beijing airport or your hotel in Beijing
   2) Check the Beijing Subway Official Site: http://www.ebeijing.gov.cn/feature_2/Subway_Tour/
   3) Check the Beijing Bus Official Site: http://www.bjbus.com/home/index.php

   3. Get around ( it is better to use subway, buses are too complicated even for the locals)
   1) Lama Temple: take subway 5
   2) Olympic Green ( see http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/beijing-travel/how-to-visit-birds-nest-and-water-cube/ )
   3) Days Inn Fobidden City Hotel( 20 -30 minutes walk from your hotel, ask your hotel for help, the walking route). It is next to Tiananmen Square.
   Tips for Visiting Tiananmen Square http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/beijing-travel/tips-for-visiting-tiananmen-square/
   4) Panjiayuan Market is in the southwest of Beijing ( see http://www.tour-beijing.com/travel_blog/shopping/panjiayuan_flea_market.php )
   5) South Cathedral (St. Mary’s Church): Walk south from Qianmen Street ( see Qianmen Street http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/beijing-travel/beijing-attractions-tips/qianmen-street-a-famous-pedestrian-street-in-beijing/
   6) Bei Hai Park ( you can walk to the southern gate of Beihi Park, 20-30 minutes, ask help from your hotel)
   7) North Cathedral: next to the northen gate of Beihai Park.
   8. St. Michael’s Church and Legation Quarter ( 20 – 30 minutes walk from your hotel, ask your hotel for help, the walking route)

3. I’ll arrive at Beijing international airport around 4pm, April 4. I plan to transfer to Line 2 at Dongzhimen from Airport Express Train. Do I have to come up to ground to transfer to Subway line 2 or I can transfer interiorly without coming up to the ground?

   Also how long does it take to travel by subway line 2 from Dongzhimen to Beijing railway station?

   And how long does it take to walk from Station 10 (Beijing railway station) to the entrance to the building of Beijing railway station? Thanks

4. I will be staying at the Ruierwai hotel near west rly station Beijing Wangfujing from about 3 to 6/7 June . I would like to utilize the subway . I will be joining a tour group but will be going to some places on my own. Please help me get to the following places:
   1. Days Inn Fobidden City
   2. Panjiayuan Market
   3. Lama Temple
   4. Olympic Green
   5. other places that can be of interest
   I would appreciate any assistance that will facilitate my visiting these places and thus make my visit even more pleasant.
   Thank you.

5. 1. Days Inn Fobidden City is just to the east of Tiananmen Square, take subway 1 and get off at the stop of Tiananmen East
   2. Panjiayuan Market is in the southwest of Beijing ( see http://www.tour-beijing.com/travel_blog/shopping/panjiayuan_flea_market.php ) , take a taxi, no subway
   3. Lama Temple is itself a subway hub, you take subway 2, and 5 and get off at the stop of Lama temple.
   4. Olympic Green (see http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/beijing-travel/how-to-visit-birds-nest-and-water-cube/ )
   5. Please visit http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/beijing-travel/ for more information.

   have a nice trip in beijing!

6. Yes, you can interchange and don’t need to come up to ground. Dongzhimen – Beijing Railway Station subway ride about 20minutes. 5-10 minute walk from (Beijing railway station) to the entrance to the building of Beijing railway station.

7. No, you don’ have to book a private car or van since normally there are some taxis waiting outside the cruise hall. One taxi basically can hold two large suitcases and two persons. The taxi ride cost is sometimes not set, you may have to bargain with them.

8. How can I use the subway to get to the Badaling Wall area?

9. No subway from downtown to Badaling Great Wall. But you can a train from Beijing north railway station to Badaling. Please visit http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/beijing-travel/how-to-visit-great-wall-by-train-visit-badaling-great-wall-by-train/ for more information.

10. Hi, how can I go from Beijing international airport to tianmen square and pearl market by subway?
    Thank you,
    Adriana

11. Take airport express train from airport to its final station of Dongzhimen (东直门), then interchange for subway line 2 and get off at the station of Jianguomen (建国门). From the station of Jianguomen (建国门), you again interchange for Subway line 1.

    Take subway line 1 for just one station in the east of Jianguomen Station is Yonganli (永安里) . You get off at Yonganlign Station and exit from Exit A, where the famous Silk Market is located (pearls, jades, clothes…everthing!).

    Take subway line 1 for just 3 stations in the west of Jianguomen Station is Tiananmen East (天安门东）. You get off at Tiananmen East and exit from Exit D, where the Tiananmen Square is located .

    Please check the subway map of Beijing at http://www.tour-beijing.com/subway/bj_subway.jpg

12. Hi, we will be arriving past midnight in Beijing airport. I plan to take a bus going to the city center. My booked hotel is at Shatan Houjie, Dongcheng District (60meters east of Jingshan Park). What’s your best advise since i don’t want to take a cab from the airport to save some cash. 🙂 Thanks!

13. Hello Vanessa,

    It seems that you have to take a taxi to Shatan Hotel since no shuttle buses nor subway are available past midnight. Better making money than saving money ( just a joking). Have a nice trip in Beijing!

14. Staying at Somerset Zhongguancun, Zhong Jie Hai Dian District arriving March 28th at 11:15pm beijing airport. How far is it to my hotel.
    please tell me subway guide for all beijing city tour spots.

15. Hello Glena,

    Beijing Capital Airport is about 33km to the east of Somerset Zhongguancun.

    As for the major attractions along the Beijing subway lines, please click each subway line at the page of http://www.tour-beijing.com/subway/ . Have a good stay in Beijing.

16. Hi,

    We will be arriving early Friday morning in Beijing and will be staying in Park Plaza Hotel Wangfujing. How much is taxi cost to hotel? Or is it easier and cheaper to take subway.

    We intend to visit Forbidden city, Tiannemen square, summer palace and Great Wall of china. And also go to yuyuantan park. Can we do all these in 3 days plus some shopping as well. We are not booked on any tour. We plan to use the subway and train services to take us to all these places.

    Are we overly ambitious or is it possible to do so?

    Thanks!

17. Hello Lina,

    The taxi ride from the capital airport to Park Plaza Hotel Wangfujing: around 30km, aprrox. RMB 100. We sugggest you take a taxi instead of using subway since there is no direct subway line to your hotel and also too time-consuming.

    Very good travel plan! It is possible to visi all the listed places in three days by using public transportation – bus and subway and train. Have a nice stay in Beijing!

18. Can you please tell me how to make train and subway transfer to go PEK airport to Redwall Hotel Beijing
    31号 Shatan N St
    Dongcheng, Beijing, China
    中国美术馆(地铁8号线 规划中)
    Where do I make currency exchange when I arrive?
    Thank you

19. Hello Tiffany Ting，

    No subway lines passy by Redwall Hotel. You’d better take a taxi from airport to Redwall Hotel, about 28km and taxi fare RMB100.
    You can either exchange your money at the banks in the airport or your hotel. No private money exchanges, all the same rates for the money exchanges.

20. Hi,
    I’m planning to traveling in china, my htl @ Days in Beijing, from wang fu jing how to go to beijing south railway cause we have to take bullet train to shanghai
    Your advise will be appreciated

    Tks.
    Rgds,
    Nila Indonesia

21. Hello Nila,

    Beijing South Railway Station is about 10km from Days Inn Wangfujing. You may take a taxi directly from your hotel to South Railway Station, taxi fare about RMB30.

22. We are arriving in Beijing at 1.15AM. there are 8 of us. Is there taxi/van available from airport to hotel at this hour and how much they charge. We are staying at Beijing Hyde Hotel, Shijia Hutong

23. Hello Melissa,

    Yes, there are still taxis available in the small hours. Basically it costs about RMB 120 – 140 from the airport to yuour Beijing Hyde Hotel. One taxi can hold 4 persons. You need 2 or 3 taxis depending on your number of suitcases you are going to carry.

24. I stay at Novotel Xianqial Beijing & the closest subway is Chongwenmen station. How do I get to Summer palace from here? Thanks.

25. Hello Christine,

    You just take subway line 2 from Chongwenmen Station and get off at the station of Xizhimen (西直门) and interchange for subway line 4 and get off at the station of Beigongmen (北宫门), exit from Exit D and walk westward to reach the Beigongmen Gate to the Summer Palace.

    For Summer Palace Travel Tips, please visit http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/beijing-travel/tips-for-visiting-summer-palace/

26. Arriving Beijing PEK on air china Sept 7 4.30 pm, staying at Double tree Hilton 168 Guang An Men Wai Ave Xi Cheng,
    pl advise cheapest transportant, if we take air port express- where to get down or/change for hotel.
    secondly which subway line close to our hotel , to use next three days to see the different attraction and way back to hotel and finally to airport on 1oth sept afternoon

27. Hi VJ,

    You may use either airport shuttle bus or subway (express train) to reach your hotel. But there are neither direct airport shuttle bus lines nor direct subway lines bringing you to Double tree Hilton, you have to use interchanges or connections involved as stated below:

    1. Subway (express train) + Public Bus
    Take airport express train directly from Beijing capital airport and get off at its final stop of Dongzhimen (东直门), then interchange for subway line 2 (loop line ) to the south and west direction, and get off at the 9th stop of Changchunjie (长椿街) and exit from Exit A2. Then walk north for about 50m at the north of the Changchunjie Crossroad, you take Bus No.38 to the south direction and get off at the 5th stop of Daguanying (达官营站), then walk (to the south,then east) for about 200m, you reach your hotel.

    2. Airport bus + Public Bus
    First take airport bus No.07: Capital Airport – Beijing West Train Station and get off at the final stop of Beijing West Railway Station. Then take the public bus No.122 from the south square of Beijing West Railway Station to the east direction and get off at the third stop of Daguanying (达官营站), then walk (to the south,then east) for about 200m, you reach your hotel.

    If you want to use subway to travel the major attractions in Beijing, you may use the subway line 2 then interchange for other subway lines. Use the Bus No. 38 to reach subway line 2 from your hotel.

    Beijing capital airport – Double tree Hilton taxi ride: approx.RMB 130（38km)

    The links below may be useful for you:

    Beijing airport shuttle buses
    http://www.tour-beijing.com/beijing_airport_shuttle_bus/

    Beijing airport express train
    http://www.tour-beijing.com/travel_blog/beijing_china_sightseeing/beijing_airport_express_train.php

    Beijing subway map
    http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/Beijing-Subway.png

    How to take subway in Beijing
    http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/beijing-travel/beijing-tour-reviews/how-to-take-subway-in-beijing/

28. hi, I’ll be going to Beijing for a few days after my trip from Hokkaido, therefore I’ll be traveling with few luggages, I would like to check if Beijing subway are with escalators? And what are the places of interest you could recommend. Many thanks, Kristy from Singapore

29. Hello kristy,

    Some subway stations have escalators, some only have escalatoers going up and you have to walk down.

    For the highlights in Beijing, please check the link below:

    http://www.tour-beijing.com/top_10_must_see_attractions_in_beijing/

30. Hie…i will be in Beijing from 5th to 12th October.
    We are staying at Hotel Holiday Inn down town 98 Beilishi Rd, Xicheng, Beijing, China ‎

    How do i plan my trip to local attraction in Beijing by using Subway.i have 3 full days for travel

31. Hello vitrag shah,

    Yes, you are able to visit the major attractions in Beijing by taking subway. Your hotel is not far from the Ext A of the Subway Station of Fuchengmen of Subway Line 2 and you can use subway line 2 to interchange for other subway lines to finish your subway travel plan. For how to visit the major attractions in Beijing by subway, please check following travel blogs:

    Yes, you are able to visit the major attractions in Beijing by subway or S train by using your spare time. Please read the following travel tips for visiting the major attractions in Beijing, which may be useful for you.

    1. Top 10 Beijing Tourist Scams
    http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/china-travel/tourist-traps-in-china/top-10-tourist-scams-beijing/

    2. How to visit Tiananmen Square
    http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/beijing-travel/tips-for-visiting-tiananmen-square/

    3. How to visit Forbbiden City
    http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/beijing-travel/forbidden-city-travel-tips-the-palace-museum-travel-tips/

    4. How to visit Temple of Heaven
    http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/beijing-travel/tips-for-visiting-the-temple-of-heaven/

    5. How to visit Summer Palace
    http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/beijing-travel/tips-for-visiting-summer-palace/

    6. How to visit Badaling Great Wall by S Train
    http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/beijing-travel/how-to-visit-great-wall-by-train-visit-badaling-great-wall-by-train/

32. Hi 🙂
    I will stay at Novotel Beijing XinQiao in Chongwen and I have only one day from 09:00 to 18:00 to visit.
    could you please advise me the BEST OF the BESTof plan by using subway,
    where should I go ? and how ? please give direction to use which subway ?
    I have already check your website and learned a lot , thanks for serving such a good way.

33. Helloe Haluk Kizilay,

    Please check the 5-day Beijing independent Travel below for travel information.Have a good time in Beijing.

    http://www.tour-beijing.com/independent-travel/beijing/5_day.php

34. Hi I am gonna stay at beijing International Hotel, what is the nearest subway from that hotel ? Could we reach the hotel by walk or we still need a car to go there

35. If we want to reach King Roast Duck Jianguomen Branch, could we reach the restaurant by walk from jianguomen station or we still need a car to go there ?

36. Hello Clif Dias,

    Just walk from Jianguomen Subway Station. You take the Subway Line 1 or Line 2 and get off at the station of Jianguomen (建国门), exit from the Exit B, then walk under Jianguomen Bridge to get to the hotel called New Otani Chang Fu Gong at the southeast corner of Jianguomen Bridge (建国门桥). King Roast Duck Jianguomen Branch is on a sidewalk with a row of front stores and restaurants to the east of New Otani Chang Fu Gong Hotel. Have a good bite!

37. Hello Clif Dias，

    Just exit from the Exit A of Jianguomen Subway Station and walk to the southern gate of your Beijing International Hotel, just 520m walk. Have a nice stay in Beijing!

38. Hi,

    I’m coming to Beijing on December, 25 till 29th. Arriving at Beijing International Airport. I’m taking an express train. The Springtime Hostel where I’m staying is near the Donsi subway stop. So I have 2 routs that I’m considering, not quite sure which one is better:
    1. Take express train to Dongzhimen and transfer to line 2 then at Lama temple transfer to line 5 arrive at Dongsi (can also transfer to line 6 at Chaoyangmen).
    or
    2. Get off the express train at Sanyuanqiao, transfer to line 10 till Hujialou, and there get on the line 6 till Dongsi. But do I have to go up to the ground to get to Hujialou?

    Which way is more convenient? I would prefer if I don’t have to go up the ground and look for the subway stations for transfer.

    Thanks

39. Hello Aizhan,

    You are smart! Both are workable without going up the ground, just interchange. I have used Choice 1 before,but not Choice 2. Maybe Choice 2 is less crowded. Have a good time in Beijing!

40. Hi, where is the best place to go for local shopping where cheap items for souvenier and stuff to bring home are. My hotel is at Peninsula Wangfujing. Can you also give me directions?

41. Hello Misha,

    Please go to Silk Street Market （ see the No.2 market at the page of http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/beijing-travel/top-10-beijing-markets/ ).

    Walk 450m from your hotel to the Subway Station of Dengshikou (灯市口) of Subway Line 5 and take subway line 5 to the south direction. Get off at the next station of Dongdan (东单), interchange for subway line 1 to the east direction and get off the second station of Yonganli (永安里) and exit from Exit A, you will see the 5-storey market building.

42. Hi,

    I will arrive Beijing Capital Airport at 5am Saturday and would like to go to Beijing Railway station. What is the best way to get there? I need to take a train at 8.30am.

    Thank you

43. Hello Reungyos,

    To catch the train, you’d better to take a taxi from Beijing capital airport directly to Beijing Railway Station.

44. I want to go Zhengzhou from Beijing airport. so what train station should I go and how to take metro at airport? and which station should I get off? 🙂

45. Hi Mehen,

    You should go to Beijing West Railway Station where you can easily the high speed trains ( lots of daily trains) to Zhengzhou ( Zhengzhou East Railway Station ).

    As for the transfer from Beijing airport to Beijing West Railway Station, you may take the airport shuttle bus no.07 which goes directly from Beijing airport to Beijing west railway station. The first bus leaves at 7:20am and the last at 24:00. Bus fare: 24 yuan. Enquiry phone: 010-64573891 / 64594376 / 64594375

46. I will arrive at Beijing airport at 12:15 pm on Nov. 4th. Can you tell me the best way for me to get to Bestay Hotel Express Beijing Railway Station. No 10 Fahua Nan Li, Dongcheng. I would like to get as close as possible using public transit, then use a taxi if needed. Thank you for your time.

47. Hi Gloria,

    I suggest you use taxi,about 100 yuan. If you insist on using public transport, you first take the airport express train and get off at the final station of Dongzhimen, then interchange for Subway line 2 to the south direction, then get off at the station of Chongwenmen where you again interchange for subway line 5 to the south direction and get off at the station of Tiantan ( Temple of Heaven ) and exit B, and walk to your hotel ( 3.5 km ).
    The total cost: 29 yuan.

48. Hello,

    If I stay at:

    Ibis Beijing Dongdaqiao Hotel

    1. Am I able to use the Aiport Express to reach it?

    2. I will mainly be going to the Olympic Green Tennis Center, from my hotel, is Google correct in that it takes around 50 mins to get there one way? Is this a reasonable commute or should I consider a place nearer the Olympic Green, would you be able to recommend an area or a hotel nearer?

49. Hi MeAko,

    1. You may reach your hotel from Beijing airport by Airport Express + subway.

    2. Yes, you can get to the Olympic Green Tennis Center by connected subway lines, very crowded.
    16 km by subway + 1.4km on foot, about one hour and 20 minutes.

    3. Below is my suggested hotel：

    Best Westem OL Stadium Hotel Beijing 北京亚奥国际酒店
    Add： No.1 Datun Road Beishatan Chaoyang District,Beijing

    About half hour walk and 2.5km from Best Westem OL Stadium Hotel to the center.

    http://www.bwolympichotelbj.com/weben/Public/Default.aspx

50. I and my wife will arrive at the Beijing capital airport at 3pm for a 4 days trip and will stay at Howard Johnson Paragon Hotel Beijing.

    Will one of shuttle bus (try to avoid changing in the subway) get us to Beijing Railway Station and how far we have to walk (with 2 luggage) to the hotel or you would suggest that we just take Taxi from the airport instead.

    Can we buy the Yikatong card at the airport and use it on the shuttle buses.

    Would the China Express highways like other western countries have Bus Lane for the shuttle buses use to avoid the traffic jam to and from Beijing airport.

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