Beijing Subway Guide 2025 - Maps, Tickets, Tips for Foreigners

Beijing's subway is one of the world's largest metro systems with 27 lines and 800+ km of track. It's cheap, fast, and the best way to get around. Here's everything you need to know.

Good News for Tourists

All stations have English signage, announcements are bilingual, and you can pay with international cards via Apple Pay or Alipay.

Basic Information

• Operating Hours: 5:00 AM - 11:00 PM (varies by line)
• Ticket Price: ¥3-10 depending on distance ($0.40-$1.40)
• Frequency: Every 2-5 minutes during peak hours
• WiFi: Free "花生地铁WiFi" in stations (requires Chinese phone)

How to Pay

Option 1: Single Journey Ticket (For Tourists)

1. Find a ticket machine (they have English option)
2. Select "English"
3. Choose your destination station
4. Pay with cash or scan Alipay/WeChat
5. Collect your card token
6. Tap to enter, insert to exit

Option 2: Yikatong Card (Recommended for 3+ Days)

• Prepaid transit card, works on subway + buses
• Buy at subway station service centers
• ¥20 deposit + however much you want to load
• Tap in and out at gates
• Refundable at any station

Option 3: Phone Apps (Most Convenient)

• Alipay/WeChat: Go to "Transport" → "Beijing Subway" → generate QR code
• Beijing Subway App: Official app with English
• Apple Pay: Works at newer gates with Express Transit

Key Lines for Tourists

Line 1 (Red) - Tiananmen & Forbidden City

The most useful line for sightseeing:

• Tiananmen West/East - Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City
• Wangfujing - Shopping street
• Jianguomen - Embassy area

Line 2 (Blue Circle) - Old Beijing

Circles the old city center:

• Qianmen - Traditional shopping street
• Beijing Railway Station - Main train station
• Yonghegong - Lama Temple
• Guloudajie - Drum & Bell Tower

Airport Express

• Capital Airport (PEK): Airport Express to Dongzhimen (¥25, 25 min)
• Daxing Airport (PKX): Daxing Line to city (¥35, 40 min)

Reaching Major Attractions

Attraction	Station	Line
Forbidden City	Tiananmen East	Line 1
Temple of Heaven	Tiantan Dongmen	Line 5
Summer Palace	Beigongmen	Line 4
798 Art District	Wangjing South	Line 14
Olympic Park	Olympic Green	Line 8
Great Wall (Badaling)	-	Take S2 train from Huangtudian

Survival Tips

Security Check

Every station has airport-style security. Put bags through X-ray, walk through detector. It's quick but allow extra time during rush hour.

Rush Hour Warning

Avoid these times if possible:

• Morning: 7:30 AM - 9:30 AM
• Evening: 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Line 1, 2, 4, 5, and 10 are especially crowded. Trains are packed - use other lines if possible.

Following Signs

• Look for English under Chinese characters
• Platform signs show next train direction
• "出口" (chūkǒu) = Exit
• "换乘" (huànchéng) = Transfer

Useful Apps

• Beijing Subway: Official app with route planning
• Baidu Maps: Best for subway navigation in China
• Gaode Maps: Alternative with good subway info

Common Mistakes

• ❌ Eating/drinking on trains (not allowed)
• ❌ Standing on left side of escalators (stand right, walk left)
• ❌ Blocking doors when trains arrive
• ❌ Not having your ticket ready at exit
• ❌ Relying on Google Maps (doesn't work in China)

Related Guides

• Didi Guide - For trips subway can't reach
• Alipay Setup - Pay for subway easily
• 144-Hour Visa Free - Visit Beijing without visa

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Last updated: December 2025