Getting Around Beijing: Subway, Taxis and DiDi

The Beijing subway is the easiest way to get around the city: about 30 lines and over 900 km of track, bilingual signs, and fares from CNY 3 (about US$0.45) a ride. As of November 2026 you can simply tap a contactless Visa, Mastercard, JCB, American Express or UnionPay card at the gates. For door-to-door trips, use a taxi or DiDi.

The Beijing subway at a glance

Beijing’s network carried about 9.8 million trips a day on average in 2025. Signs and station names are in Chinese plus pinyin or English. You’ll see words like “Zhan” (station) on some lines rather than an English translation, so it helps to know the pinyin name of your stop. Ticket machines have an English button, though counter staff may not speak English.

A few connections worth knowing: the Capital Airport Express ends at Beixinqiao (Line 5) and also stops at Dongzhimen (Lines 2 and 13) and Sanyuanqiao (Lines 10 and 12), and Line 4 runs to Beigongmen for the Summer Palace. Beijing South railway station is on Lines 4 and 14, and Beijing West on Lines 7 and 9.

Fares

Fares depend on distance, as of November 2026:

The two airport express lines have their own fares: a flat CNY 25 on the Capital Airport Express and CNY 35 from Daxing Airport to Caoqiao in a standard car. You can stay inside the paid area for up to four hours on one trip before an overtime fare applies, which only matters if you get very lost.

Tapping in with a foreign card

Since 13 September 2024, overseas-issued Visa and Mastercard cards work contactless at the fare gates, with no ticket and no app needed. Since 15 June 2025, overseas JCB cards and American Express cards work too. All five networks, UnionPay included, are accepted on every line, including both airport express lines and Suburban Line S2, at all gates and during all operating hours. Four things to know:

• Tap the same card or the same device at the entry gate and the exit gate.
• A physical card and a phone with that card linked count as different payment methods, so don’t mix them on one trip.
• Phones and watches with a linked card work just like the card.
• For card problems, contact the bank that issued your card. The rail passenger hotline, 010-96123, answers in Chinese.

Other ways to pay

Beijing’s English-language government portal recommends the Metro QR code inside Alipay for foreign visitors, using a foreign bank card linked to the app. Alipay and WeChat Pay both accept Visa, Mastercard and other foreign cards. Ticket machines take coins of CNY 1, notes from CNY 5 to 50, WeChat, Alipay and bank cards. The BEIJING PASS, a card for foreign visitors sold in the international arrival areas of both airports, also works on public transport and at some attractions and shops.

Unlimited-ride electronic passes cost CNY 20 for one day, CNY 30 for two, CNY 40 for three, CNY 70 for five and CNY 90 for seven, bought through apps such as Yitongxing. They don’t cover the airport express lines. With most city rides at CNY 3–6, a pass only pays off if you ride a lot.

Security, hours and busy times

Every station entrance has a security check, and bags go through an X-ray machine, so allow a few extra minutes. Trains run roughly from 5am to 11pm; first and last trains vary by line and station, and some lines run later, so check the last train for your stop before a late dinner. Morning rush hour is 7–9am and evening rush hour 5–7pm. Lines 1, 4, 10 and 13 are the busiest at those times, so plan sightseeing rides for mid-morning and early afternoon.

Taxis

Beijing had around 60,000 licensed taxis at the end of 2023, most of them electric. The meter starts at CNY 13 (about US$2) for the first 3 km, then CNY 2.3 per km, as of November 2026. Extras to know about:

• On one-way trips, the per-km rate rises by half for the distance beyond 15 km, which affects airport and Great Wall rides.
• A night surcharge applies from 11pm to 5am.
• In slow traffic below 12 km/h, waiting time is added to the fare, and it adds up faster in rush hours.
• Road and bridge tolls are paid by the passenger, and a small fuel surcharge may apply.
• Booking a taxi in advance adds a fee of CNY 5–6.

To hail one on the street, stand away from intersections, since taxis cannot stop within 30 m of one, and never try on a ring road or expressway. Have your destination written in Chinese to show the driver. Tipping taxi drivers is not expected in mainland China; rounding up is up to you.

DiDi ride-hailing

DiDi is China’s main ride-hailing service, and it has an English interface. You can register in the DiDi app with a foreign phone number and pay with an international bank card, or open DiDi inside Alipay or WeChat. Most drivers speak only Chinese, but the in-app chat has auto-translated quick messages. DiDi is set up for app payment, so link a card before your first ride rather than planning to pay cash.

Day trips and the Great Wall

The subway does not reach the Great Wall. Here’s how long the drive takes from central Beijing in normal traffic:

• Mutianyu: about 1.5–2 hours
• Badaling: about 1–1.5 hours, longer at weekends and on holidays
• Ming Tombs: about 1 hour
• Summer Palace: about 40–60 minutes, or take Line 4 to Beigongmen

For Badaling there is also a high-speed train from Qinghe or Beijing North to Badaling Changcheng station, taking 19–40 minutes with second-class fares of CNY 21–31 (about US$3–5). Only a couple of dozen trains a day stop there, so book ahead on 12306.

Private car or subway?

Many visitors mix the two. The subway is quick and cheap for evening trips to dinner or a hutong walk near your hotel. On sightseeing days, a private car with a driver saves the walking between stations and the changes between lines, which matters on a long day at the Summer Palace or the Great Wall. Our private Beijing tours include a car or van with a driver just for your group, and the tours that list it include hotel pick-up and drop-off in central Beijing.

Staying near a subway line makes free time much easier: our where to stay in Beijing guide compares neighborhoods. Arriving soon? See Beijing airport to city center, set up your payment apps with Beijing travel essentials, and plan your days with things to do in Beijing.

Fare and payment rules are from the Beijing government’s subway page and the Beijing urban rail ticket rules.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use my Visa or Mastercard on the Beijing subway?

You can, at every fare gate. Overseas Visa and Mastercard cards have worked contactless since 13 September 2024, and JCB and American Express followed on 15 June 2025. Tap the same card or the same phone in and out; a card and a phone cannot be mixed on one trip.

How much does the Beijing subway cost?

Fares are distance-based: CNY 3 up to 6 km, CNY 4 up to 12 km, CNY 5 up to 22 km and CNY 6 up to 32 km, then CNY 1 more per 20 km, as of November 2026. The airport express lines have separate fares of CNY 25 and CNY 35.

What time does the Beijing subway close?

Trains run roughly from 5am to 11pm. First and last trains vary by line and station, and some lines run later than 11:30pm, so check the last train from your station before a late evening out.

Is the Beijing subway easy for English speakers?

Yes, for getting around. Signs and station names are bilingual, using Chinese plus pinyin or English, and ticket machines have an English button. Counter staff may not speak English, so keep your destination's name written in Chinese and pinyin.

Is there a security check on the Beijing subway?

Every passenger goes through security at the station entrance, and bags are X-rayed. Staff can refuse entry to anyone who declines. Allow a few extra minutes, especially in rush hours, 7–9am and 5–7pm.

Can tourists use DiDi in Beijing?

DiDi has an English interface, can be registered with a foreign phone number and paid with an international bank card, and is also available inside Alipay and WeChat. Most drivers speak only Chinese, but the app's chat offers auto-translated quick messages.

How much is a taxi in Beijing?

The meter starts at CNY 13 for the first 3 km, then CNY 2.3 per km, as of November 2026. A night surcharge applies from 11pm to 5am, slow traffic adds waiting time, and tolls are paid by the passenger. Tipping is not expected.

Is the subway a good way to reach the Great Wall?

The subway does not reach the Great Wall. A car takes about 1.5–2 hours to Mutianyu in normal traffic. For Badaling, high-speed trains run from Qinghe or Beijing North to Badaling Changcheng in 19–40 minutes, but only a couple of dozen a day stop there.

Facts checked: 5 November 2026. Ticket prices, opening hours and entry rules can change; we re-check before every booking.