Beijing Metro Guide (2026): Lines, Airports & Getting Around

Beijing’s metro is the fastest, cheapest way to get around a city that’s much bigger than it looks on a map — and once you know a handful of lines plus the two airport trains, it’s genuinely easy.

This guide covers the lines you’ll actually use, how to reach both airports, the high-speed rail stations, the closest stops to the top sights, and how to pay — with or without a ticket machine.

The lines you’ll actually use

Beijing’s network has more than 20 lines as of 2026, but sightseeing mostly comes down to a few:

• Line 1 runs east–west through the center — Tiananmen East, Tiananmen West and Wangfujing are on it.
• Line 2 is the loop line around the old city, stopping at Beijing railway station and near the Temple of Heaven.
• Line 4 runs north–south and is handy for Beijing South station, the Summer Palace area and the northwest.
• Line 10 is the big ring line that connects most of the network — you’ll transfer onto it more than you expect.
• Line 13 and the airport branches serve the north and the airports.

Transfers are well signposted, and every station name appears in Chinese and pinyin. A typical cross-city ride takes 30–40 minutes, and ordinary fares are distance-based — usually a few yuan for rides around the core. For the wider picture of how Chinese metros work, see our China metro guide.

Getting to and from the airports

Beijing has two main airports, and each has its own dedicated rail line:

• Beijing Capital Airport (PEK) — the Capital Airport Express leaves from Dongzhimen (Line 2 and Line 13) or Beixinqiao and takes roughly 20–30 minutes to the terminals. It’s a dedicated service with a higher fare than the ordinary metro.
• Beijing Daxing Airport (PKX) — the Daxing Airport Express starts at Caoqiao on Line 10 (and Line 19) and reaches the airport in roughly 20 minutes depending on where you board. It’s also a premium-priced airport line.

Both airport trains are comfortable and luggage-friendly, but your bags still pass through the security check at the station entrance — leave an extra 10–15 minutes over what you’d normally allow.

High-speed rail stations

The metro connects Beijing’s main rail stations to the rest of the city:

• Beijing South — the main terminus for high-speed trains to Shanghai and many eastern cities. It sits on Line 4 and Line 14.
• Beijing West — the main hub for trains to Xi’an and western China, on Line 7 and Line 9.
• Beijing railway station — the old central station on Line 2, mostly for slower and regional services.
• Beijing North — on Line 4 and Line 13, and the practical jumping-off point for the S2 train toward the Great Wall’s Badaling section.

If you’re arriving by high-speed rail, the metro from these stations is almost always the cheapest way to reach your hotel, and it runs late enough for most arrivals.

Closest stops to the top sights

• Forbidden City — Tiananmen East or Tiananmen West (both Line 1) are the closest; you’ll clear the security check to enter the plaza area. See our Beijing destination guide for entry and ticket planning.
• Tiananmen Square — the same two stations as above.
• Temple of Heaven — Tiantandongmen on Line 5, or the south gate via Line 8.
• Summer Palace — Xiyuan on Line 4, then a short walk or bus to the east gate.
• Wangfujing — Line 1, for the shopping street and the hutong lanes nearby.
• Hutongs — Shichahai or Nanluoguxiang on Line 8.

The Great Wall: no metro

The Great Wall is not reachable by metro — it lies well outside the urban rail network. Realistic options are a tourist bus, a private car or a day tour; the Badaling section can also be reached by the S2 rail line from the Huangtudian area, though the schedule is irregular and subject to change. Budget a full day, and check current services before you go.

Buying tickets and scanning through

Two ways to ride:

1. Ticket vending machines — at every station, accepting cash and QR payment (Alipay or WeChat Pay). Select your destination or line, pay, and keep the single-journey token or card to scan out at the exit gate.
2. QR entry — the faster way for most visitors. In Alipay, open the transport section (出行), select the Beijing metro QR, scan at the gate, ride, and scan again to exit; the fare is deducted automatically. This needs Alipay set up with a payment method — see our payments guide to prepare before you arrive.

One phone can cover the whole city, and the same QR works at every station.

Practical tips

• Security checks at every station entrance — bags go through an X-ray machine, and water bottles are sometimes tested. Allow a minute or two extra.
• Peak hours on weekdays, roughly 7:30–9:30 am and 5:30–7:30 pm, are very crowded — avoid traveling with luggage then.
• English appears on every sign, and announcements are bilingual on most lines, so navigation is straightforward even if you read no Chinese.
• Last trains leave central stations around 10:30–11:30 pm depending on the line — check if you’ll be out late.
• Keep your passport handy; some station services and ticket queries may ask for it.

Last updated: August 2026. Metro lines and fares change — confirm before you go.