Beijing Transportation

The capital Beijing is the transportation hub of northern China, also boasts the cheapest public transportation in China. The subway fare is CNY2 regardless the distance and transfers between lines and it costs only CNY0.4 for city bus if you use a transportation smart card. Beijing Capital Airport operates flights from major cities in China and abroad while the trains and long-distance buses connect Beijing with anywhere in the country.

Subways and buses take tourists to any destination and attractions in the city and taxi is also very convenient. With a transportation smart card, one can take the city buses cheaper. In some tourist areas, people can rent a bicycle or ride a rickshaw.
 

It is very convenient to take a taxi in Beijing and most taxi drivers can speak some English The flag fall is CNY10 for the first three kilometers and CNY2 for subsequent every kilometer between 3km to15km. The charge rises to CNY3 per kilometer beyond 15 km. From 23:00 to 05:00 the flag fall is RMB11 for the first three kilometers, and CNY2.4 for subsequent every kilometer between 3km to15km, while CNY3.4 per kilometer for a journey over 15 kilometers. There is CNY2 gas surcharge on all trips.

 Beijing Capital International Airport

Beijing Capital International Airport is 26 km northeast from city center. It is China's busiest and largest international airport with three terminals - T1, T2 and T3. There is free shuttle bus between the terminals.

The airport operates international flights from/to major cities in all continents except sub-Saharan Africa and sub-USA America as well as domestic flights from/to every provincial capital and another over 40 cities in China.
 

 Airport Transportation
 

Airport Express Subway: The line serves the airport from T3 to T2/T1 and then takes passengers to Dongzhimen via Sanyuanqiao. The whole journey takes half an hour and the fare is CNY25. Hours: T2: 06:35–23:00, T3: 06:20–22:50, Dongzhimen: 06:00–22:00.

Airport Shuttle Bus: Twelve shuttle bus routes connect the airport with different locations in Beijing such as Fangzhuang, Xidan, Beijing Railway Station, Gongzhufen, Zhongguancun, Beijing West Railway Station, Nanyuan Airport and others. The fare for one-trip is CNY16 per person. There are also inter-city shuttle buses to Tianjin (CNY80), Tanggu (CNY90), Qinhuangdao (CNY140), Langfang (CNY40), Baoding (CNY90) and Tangshan (CNY80).

Taxi: Many people use taxis to reach town from the airport. The journey takes about 45 minutes and the cost is about CNY80-120.
 

 Beijing Nanyuan Ariport
 

Beijing Nanyuan Airport 18 kilometers south from downtown receives flights to more than 50 domestic cities such as Guangzhou, Xian, Sanya, Hangzhou, Chengdu, Changsha, Chongqing, Wuxi, Dalian, Hohhot, Harbin, Changchun, Lanzhou, Yinchuan, Lianyungang, Zhangjiajie, Shenyang, Foshan, Fuzhou, Jiamusi and Urumqi. The shuttle bus to the Nanyuan Airport leaves Xidan Aviation Building at 6:10AM, 7:00AM, 9:00AM, 11:00AM, 1:00PM, 2:00PM and 3:00PM. The bus fare is CNY16 and a taxi from this airport to downtown cost about CNY40.

 Get In
 

The over 20 long distance bus stations in Beijing offers buses linking Beijing with many cities in China. You can go to the bus station located on the edge of the city in the direction you want to travel. However, it is more expensive than train.
 

 Get around
 

The public bus system in Beijing is cheap and convenient which covers the entire city. Most bus fares are CNY1 (CNY0.4 by a transportation smart card). Buses usually operate from 05:30am to 11:00pm. The night lines of 201~215 serve from 23:00 to the next 04:30 or 05:00.

Buses No, 919, 877 and 880 at Deshengmen Bus Station can take you to the Badaling Great Wall. 

 Get in
 

Beijing has several railway stations which connect the city with most cities in China.

Beijing Railway Station is in downtown area, only 2.5 km from Tiananmen Square. You can get here by Subway Line 2. There are trains to domestic cities such as Changchun, Chengde, Dalian, Fuzhou, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Harbin, Hefei, Jilin, Nanjing, Qiqihar, Shanghai, Shenyang, Suzhou, Tianjin, and Yangzhou. International trains for Mongolia (Ulaanbaatar), Russia, and North Korea also leave from here.

Beijing West Railway Station is near the 3rd West Ring Road and operates trains to Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Wuhan, Xian, Chengdu, Changsha, Xiamen, Guilin, Hohhot, Jinan, Urumqi and Tibet. Subway Line 9 and many public buses can take you here.

Beijing South Railway Station outside the Yongdingmen Gate mainly serves high-speed trains to Tianjin, Tanggu, Jinan, Qingdao, and Shanghai. Subway Line 4 and public buses No. 72, 529, 652, T5, T8 and 540 can take you here.

Beijing North Railway Station near Xizhimen mainly operates trains to Hohhot, Manzhouli, Tongliao and the S2 Line to Badaling Great Wall. The station is served by subway Line 2, Line 4 and Line 13.
 

 Get around - Subway
 

The Beijing Subway, clearly marked in English for travelers, has become the most convenient way to get around the city. At present, there are 14 subway lines plus one airport express line in operation. The fare is CNY2 regardless the distance and transfers between lines. Transfers between lines are permitted except the Airport Express which requires a separate ticket.
 

 Subway to Tourist Attractions
 

Line 1 passes the Forbidden City, Tian'anmen Square and Wangfujing. Line 2 serves Lama Temple and Beijing Railway Station. Line 4 serves Beihai Park, Beijing University and Beijing South Station. Line 8 serves the Olympic Stadium. Line 10 is useful to Sanlitun. 

Beijing has been well known for the number of bicycles for a long time and it is possible to cycle to most parts of the city. Many places in Beijing, such as hotels, scenic spots and universities offer bicycle rental services on an hourly basis. It’s a good idea to ride a bicycle along Chang'an Avenue or in the Shichahai area which is well-known traditional Hutongs.
 

 Rickshaw

Rickshaw is an excellent way to experience old Beijing culture and Hutongs. In Shichahai area, the rickshaw travel in Hutongs has become a highlight. You can bargain with the rickshaw pullers before aboard for an exact price. Generally, the two and half hours’ tour costs CNY200 per person with a professional tour guide.