Beijing Metro Guide: Map, Prices & Smart Tips

The Beijing metro is usually the fastest way to move around China’s capital, especially if you are visiting the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Qianmen, Wangfujing, the Summer Palace, Olympic Park, Universal Beijing Resort, or Beijing’s railway stations. It is clean, safe, affordable, and far more predictable than road traffic. But for first-time foreign travelers, the system can feel huge: many lines, long transfer corridors, airport express fares, mobile payments, and station names that look similar at a quick glance.

This guide explains how to read the map, ticket prices, useful lines, airport and high-speed rail connections, and practical riding tips. If you prefer a smoother trip with private transfers, an English-speaking guide, and a route planned around your hotel and pace, FOYO China Trip can also help design custom China tours for your Beijing stay.

Beijing metro map

The first rule is simple: do not judge distance by the map only. The Beijing metro map is designed for clarity, not real geography. Two stations may look close on the map but require a long walk above ground, while another “far-looking” route may be fast because the transfer is easy.

For sightseeing, focus on these core areas: Line 1 for Tiananmen and Wangfujing, Line 2 for Qianmen and Dongzhimen, Line 4 for the Summer Palace and Beijing South Railway Station, Line 5 for Temple of Heaven East Gate and Lama Temple, Line 6 and Line 8 for hutongs and Nanluoguxiang, Line 7 for Beijing West Railway Station and Universal Beijing Resort, and airport express lines for PEK and PKX.

Here is a Beijing subway map for travelers.

Lines, Hours, Ticket Prices & Transfers

Beijing uses distance-based fares for most subway lines: CNY 3 within 6 km, CNY 4 for 6–12 km, CNY 5 for 12–22 km, CNY 6 for 22–32 km, and CNY 1 more for every additional 20 km beyond 32 km. Capital Airport Express has a fixed CNY 25 fare, while Daxing Airport Express uses separate airport-line pricing.

Exact first and last trains vary by station and direction, so the table below uses practical travel-planning windows. For late-night flights or dinner plans, always check the station board before relying on the last train. Station-specific first and last train times should be checked before travel, especially for airport transfers and long-distance connections.

Line	Main route	Typical first–last train	Fare	Key transfer stations	Useful sights / stops
Line 1–Batong	Pingguoyuan–Universal Resort	05:00–23:30	Standard	Xidan, Dongdan, Jianguomen, Guomao, Sihui	Tiananmen, Wangfujing, Universal Beijing Resort family tour
Line 2	Inner-city loop	05:00–23:30	Standard	Xizhimen, Fuxingmen, Qianmen, Dongzhimen, Yonghegong	Qianmen, Lama Temple, Houhai
Line 3	Dongsi Shitiao–Dongbabei	05:30–23:00	Standard	Dongsi Shitiao, Chaoyang Park, Dongbabei	Workers’ Stadium, Chaoyang Park area
Line 4	Anheqiao North–Gongyi Xiqiao	05:00–22:45	Standard	Xizhimen, Xidan, Xuanwumen, Beijing South	Summer Palace, Yuanmingyuan, National Library
Daxing Line	Gongyi Xiqiao–Tiangongyuan	05:00–22:45	Standard	Gongyi Xiqiao	Daxing district, through-service with Line 4
Line 5	Songjiazhuang–Tiantongyuan North	05:00–23:10	Standard	Songjiazhuang, Chongwenmen, Dongdan, Yonghegong	Temple of Heaven East Gate, Lama Temple
Line 6	Jin’anqiao–Luyang	05:00–23:30	Standard	Ping’anli, Nanluoguxiang, Dongsi, Chaoyangmen	Beijing hutongs, Beihai North
Line 7	Beijing West Railway Station–Universal Resort	05:00–23:30	Standard	Beijing West, Caishikou, Ciqikou, Shuangjing	Beijing West Railway Station, Universal Beijing Resort
Line 8	Zhuxinzhuang–Yinghai	05:00–23:00	Standard	Olympic Park, Gulou Dajie, Nanluoguxiang, Qianmen	Olympic Park, Shichahai, Qianmen
Line 9	National Library–Guogongzhuang	05:00–23:00	Standard	National Library, Baishiqiao South, Liuliqiao	Military Museum, Beijing West Railway Station access
Line 10	Loop line	04:50–23:30	Standard	Sanyuanqiao, Guomao, Songjiazhuang, Caoqiao, Bagou	CBD, Sanlitun area, 798 transfer by taxi
Line 11	Moshikou–Xinshougang	05:00–22:30	Standard	Jin’anqiao	Shougang Park
Line 12	Sijiqingqiao–Dongbabei	05:00–23:00	Standard	Suzhouqiao, Dazhongsi, Dongbabei	798 Art District nearby
Line 13	Xizhimen–Dongzhimen	05:00–23:00	Standard	Xizhimen, Wudaokou, Xierqi, Huoying, Dongzhimen	Wudaokou, north Beijing transfer route
Line 14	Zhangguozhuang–Shan’gezhuang	04:55–00:00	Standard	Beijing South, Shilihe, Dawanglu, Jintai Lu, Wangjing	Chaoyang Park, CBD, Wangjing
Line 15	Qinghua Donglu Xikou–Fengbo	05:00–23:00	Standard	Olympic Green, Wangjing, Datunlu East	Olympic Park, university area
Line 16	Bei’anhe–Yushuzhuang	05:00–23:00	Standard	Xiyuan, National Library, Xiju, Fengtai Railway Station	Summer Palace, Haidian
Line 17	Future Science City North–Jiahuihu	05:00–23:00	Standard	Tiantongyuan East, Wangjing West, Workers’ Stadium, Shilihe	Sanlitun, Panjiayuan area
Line 18	Malianwa–Tiantongyuan East	05:00–23:00	Standard	Malianwa, Huilongguan Dongdajie, Tiantongyuan, Tiantongyuan East	North Beijing commuter corridor
Line 19	Mudanyuan–Xingong	05:00–23:00	Standard	Ping’anli, Taipingqiao, Caoqiao, Xingong	Niujie food area, Daxing Airport transfer
Changping Line	Changping Xishankou–Xitucheng	05:00–23:00	Standard	Xierqi, Qinghe, Zhuxinzhuang, Xitucheng	Ming Tombs transfer area
Fangshan Line	Dongguantou Nan–Yancun East	05:00–22:30	Standard	Guogongzhuang, Shoujingmao	Fangshan suburbs
Yanfang Line	Yancun East–Yanshan	05:00–22:30	Standard	Yancun East	Local Fangshan travel
Yizhuang Line	Songjiazhuang–Yizhuang Railway Station	05:00–23:00	Standard	Songjiazhuang	Yizhuang business area
Capital Airport Express	Beixinqiao–T3–T2	06:00–23:10	CNY 25	Beixinqiao, Dongzhimen, Sanyuanqiao	PEK airport, Lama Temple nearby
Daxing Airport Express	Caoqiao–Daxing Airport	06:00–23:00	Special fare	Caoqiao	PKX airport
S1 Line	Jin’anqiao–Shichang	05:00–23:00	Standard	Jin’anqiao	Mentougou mountain area
Xijiao Line	Bagou–Fragrant Hills	05:30–23:00	Separate tram-style fare	Bagou	Fragrant Hills, Botanical Garden
Yizhuang T1	Quzhuang–Dinghaiyuan	06:00–22:00	Separate tram-style fare	Rongchang Dongjie area	Yizhuang New Town

How to Reach Popular Beijing Attractions

For the Forbidden City and Tiananmen area, take Line 1 to Tiananmen East or Tiananmen West, or Line 2 and Line 8 to Qianmen if you want to start from the south side. A classic first-day route is Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, Jingshan Park, and a hutong walk. For a guided version with better pacing and storytelling, see our Beijing classic one-day tour.

For Temple of Heaven, use Line 5 and get off at Tiantan Dongmen, which is usually the easiest entrance for visitors. For the Summer Palace, Line 4 to Beigongmen is the most convenient choice. For hutongs, Shichahai, Nanluoguxiang, and Houhai, Lines 6 and 8 are useful, but be careful with weekends: the short distance on the map can turn into slow walking through crowds.

For the Great Wall, the subway only takes you part of the way. Mutianyu and Badaling are outside the urban metro network. Many travelers combine subway, bus, taxi, or train, but families and senior travelers usually save time with private car service. Useful planning guide: Great Wall of China near Beijing. Tour packages including Beijing: Beijing tours.

Airports and High-Speed Rail by Subway

Beijing Capital International Airport is connected by Capital Airport Express. You can transfer at Dongzhimen, Sanyuanqiao, or Beixinqiao. This is reliable when traffic is heavy, but not always ideal if you have large luggage, children, or a late-night arrival.

Beijing Daxing International Airport is connected by Daxing Airport Express, usually via Caoqiao. It is fast, but the final hotel transfer may still require another subway line or taxi. Useful planning guide: Beijing airports guide.

For high-speed rail, the most important stations are Beijing South, Beijing West, Beijing Fengtai, Beijing Chaoyang, Beijing North, and Qinghe. Subway access is good, but the walking distance inside large stations can be longer than expected. Arrive early, especially for Beijing South and Beijing West. Useful planning guide: Beijing high-speed rail stations.

Beijing metro Ticket Booking Tips

For foreign travelers, the easiest options are Alipay metro QR code, a single-journey ticket from machines or counters, Beijing Pass, or tap-to-ride with supported overseas bank cards. In practice, Alipay is often the most convenient choice if you already use it for meals, taxis, convenience stores, and attraction payments during your China trip.

The most practical long-tail answer is this: how to buy Beijing metro tickets as a foreigner? Set up Alipay before your trip, bind your international bank card, switch the app language to English if needed, and activate the metro ride code under Transport. Once your QR code is ready, you can scan in and out at most stations without buying paper tickets each time.

For travelers who do not want to depend on apps, Beijing Pass is another option. It works like a transport card and can be topped up at selected counters or machines. Some travelers can also use supported overseas bank cards for tap-to-ride, but it is still better to prepare one backup method before arrival.

Still, the subway is not always the best choice. During rush hour, big transfers such as Xizhimen, Dongzhimen, Guomao, Songjiazhuang, and Beijing West Railway Station can be tiring. With children, seniors, or large luggage, a private car plus English-speaking guide may save more than time — it saves energy for the actual sightseeing. For help planning a smooth Beijing stay, contact us.

Useful travel guide for you: how to use metro in China as a foreign traveler.

Recommended Beijing Tour Ideas

For first-time visitors, the safest plan is not to use the subway for every single movement. Use it where it is efficient, then switch to private transfers for long-distance or time-sensitive days.

A strong 3-day Beijing plan could look like this: Day 1, Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Jingshan Park, and hutongs; Day 2, Mutianyu Great Wall with private car; Day 3, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, and local food. Families can add Universal Beijing Resort, while culture lovers may enjoy a Qing Dynasty costume experience or deeper hutong exploration.

For a broader trip, Beijing also works well with Xi’an, Chengdu, Shanghai, or Guilin. If you want the Beijing metro to support your trip rather than control it, FOYO China Trip can combine subway-friendly city touring, private transfers, English-speaking guides, hotel advice, attraction booking, food stops, and realistic timing into one route.

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