Beijing Subway Guide: Lines, Map, How to Use, Tickets, Tips

As the capital of China, Beijing is a huge metropolis encompassing everything from historical landmarks and ancient imperial gardens to modern urban landscapes and cutting-edge commercial centers. Given the city’s large size and diverse range of attractions, traveling around Beijing can seem challenging for many people, especially foreign tourists. Fortunately, the highly developed and extensive subway network has helped a lot in easing your Beijing travel. The dense and well-connected Beijing subway lines allow visitors to reach nearly all major attractions efficiently and conveniently.

In this article, we will introduce you to everything to know about Beijing subway, including its main subway lines, updated metro map, operating time and fares, and practical tips on how to use Beijing subway.

Overview of Beijing Subway

Opened on January 15, 1971, Beijing Subway, or Beijing Metro, boasts the earliest and largest urban rail transit network in China. As of December 2023, the total length of the Beijing subway network has reached 836 kilometers, ranking as one of the longest in the world. It currently has 27 subway lines in operation, serving 490 stations, including 83 interchange stations.

These subway lines can be divided into rapid lines (around 100-120 km/h), metro lines (common subway lines, around 50-80 km/h), suburban rail lines (around 50-80 km/h), and airport lines (up to 160 km/h), ensuring easy connection between districts within the city and its outskirts. And the announcements are in both Chinese and English to make them easily accessible to visitors from around the world.

Beijing Subway Lines in Operation 2025

Currently, Beijing metro lines in operation include Line 1, Line 2, Line 4, Line 5, Line 6, Line 7, Line 8, Line 9, Line 10, Line 11, Line 13, Line 14, Line 15, Line 16, Line 17, Line 19, the Changping Line, Yizhuang Line, Fangshan Line, S1 Line, Yanfang Line, Daxing Airport Express, Capital Airport Line, etc.

Beijing Subway Map 2025

Popular Subway Lines for Tourists

Subway Line 1: Gucheng ↔ Universal Beijing Resort

Length: 52.7 km
Main Stops: Gongzhufen, Tiananmenxi, Tiananmendong, Wangfujing
Time for the First Train and Last Train: Gucheng (04:57-22:51); Universal Beijing Resort (05:10-22:55).
Ticket Price:CNY 3-7

Subway Line 4: Anheqiaobei ↔ Tiangongyuan

Length: 50 km
Main Stops: Yuanmingyuan, Beijing Zoo, Xizhimen, Xidan, Beijing South Railway Station,
Time for the First Train and Last Train: Anheqiaobei (05:00-22:20); Tiangongyuan (5:30-22:38).
Ticket Price: CNY 3-7

Subway Line 5: Tiantongyuanbei ↔ Songjiazhuang

Length:6 km
Main Stops: Temple of Heaven East Gate, Beixinqiao, Lama Temple.
Time for the First Train and Last Train: Tiantongyuanbei (5:00-22:48); Songjiazhuang (5:20-23:10).
Ticket Price: CNY 3-6

Subway Line 6: Jinanqiao ↔ Lucheng

Length: 1 km
Main Stops: Beihaibei ( Shichahai), Nanluoguxiang, Tongzhou Beiguan
Time for the First Train and Last Train: Jinanqiao (5:08-22:25); Lucheng (4:52-22:50).
Ticket Price: CNY 3-8

Subway Line 9: National Library ↔ Guogongzhuang

Length: 5 km
Main Stops: National Library, Beijing West Railway Station, China Military Museum
Time for the First Train and Last Train: National Library (5:39-23:19); Guogongzhuang (5:00-22:40).
Ticket Price:CNY 3-5

Subway Line 10: cricle line with Bagou as terminal

Length:1 km
Main Stops:Bagou (near Summer Palace), Beitucheng (connecting Line 8 for Olymic Park), Guomao (CBD), Panjiayuan (Antique Market), Beijing Fengtai Railway Station.
Time for the First Train and Last Train:4:49-22:44
Ticket Price: CNY 3-6

Daxing Airport Express: Beijing Daxing International Airport ↔ Caoqiao

Length: 36 km (about 30 mins for a single trip)
Main Stops: Daxing Airport, Daxing Xincheng, Caoqiao (connecting Line 10).
Time for the First Train and Last Train: Caoqiao (06:00-22:30); Daxing Airport (06:00-23:00 or 23:30 on Sundays)
Ticket Price:CNY 35

Capital Airport Express: Terminal 2 ↔ Beixinqiao

Length: 8 km (about 30 mins for a single trip)
Main Stops: Terminal 2, Terminal 3, Sanyuanqiao (connecting Line 10), Dongzhimen (connecting Lines 2 and 13), Beixinqiao (connecting Line 5)
Time for the First Train and Last Train: T2 (6:36-23:10); Beixinqiao (5:56-22:26)
Ticket Price:CNY 25

Other Main Metro Lines in Operation

Line 2: circle line with Xizhimen as terminal; with a total length of 23.1 km; main stations include Qianmen, Beijing Railway Station, Dongzhimen, Lama Temple, etc.
Line 7: Beijing West Railway Station↔ Beijing Universal Resort; total length: 40.3 km; main stations include Beijing West Railway Station, Caishikou (connecting Lines 4 and 7), Shuangjing (connecting Lines 7 and 10), Universal Resort, etc.
Line 8: Zhuxinzhuang ↔ Yinghai; total length: 51.6 km; main stations include Gulou Dajie, Shichahai, Nanluogu Xiang, Wangfujing, Qianmen, etc.
Line 13: Xizhimen ↔ Dongzhimen; total length: 40.5km; main stations include Xizhimen, Qinghe Railway Station, Lishuiqiao (connecting Line 5), Dongzhimen (connecting Line 2, and Capital Airport Express), etc.
Line 14: Zhangguozhuang ↔ Shanggezhuang; total length: 50.8 km; main stations include Xiju (connecting Line 10), Beijing South Railway Station, Chaoyang Park (connecting Line 3), etc.
Line 15: Qinghua Donglu Xikou ↔ Fengbo; total length: 41.4 km; main stations include Olympic Park (connecting Line 8), Wangjing, Shunyi, etc.
Line 16: Bei’anhe ↔ Wanpingcheng; total length: 49.8 km; main stations include Xi Yuan (connecting Line 4), Wanshousi, National Library, Fengtai Railway Station, etc.
Line 17: Weilai Kexuecheng ↔ Jiahuihu; total length: 40.7 km; main stations include Taiyanggong (connecting Line 10), Shilihe, etc.
Line 19: Xingong ↔ Mudanyuan; total length: 20.9 km; main stations include Xingong, Caoqiao (connecting Daxing Airport Express and Line 10), Taipingqiao (connecting Lines 1 and 2), Pinganli (connecting Lines 4 and 6), etc.
Yizhuang Line: Songjiazhuang ↔ Yizhuang Railway Station; total length: 23.3 km; runs through Fengtai District, Chaoyang District, Daxing District, and Tongzhou District, connecting Beijing’s central urban area and Economic-Technological Development Zone.
Fangshan Line: Dongguantou Nan ↔ Yancun Dong; total length: 32 km; runs in a northeast-southwest direction, passing through Fengtai District and Fangshan District.
Yanfang Line: Yancun Dong ↔ Yanshan; total length:14.4 km; runs roughly in an east-west direction, connecting the areas of Liangxiang, Yanshan, and Fangshan Town in Fangshan District.
Line S1: Pingguoyuan ↔ Shichang; total length: 10.2 km; runs in a northeast-southwest direction, traversing across Mentougou and Shijingshan Districts.
Changping Line: Changping Xishankou ↔ Jimenqiao; total length: 43.1 km; main stations include Ming Tombs, Changping, Qinghe Railway Station, Xitucheng (connecting Line 10), etc.
Beijing Modern Tram Xijiao Line: Bagou ↔ Xiangshan; total length: 8.8 km; main stations include Xiangshan Park, National Botanical Garden, Summer Palace, etc.; runs in a east-west direction.
Yizhuang Xincheng Modern Tram T1 Line: Dinghaiyuan ↔ Quzhuang; total length: 13.25 km; runs in a north-south direction, connecting the South, West, Core, and East districts of the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area.

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Beijing Subway Ticket Fares

Beijing’s subway fare is based on the distance traveled and is affordable for local commuters and tourists. The general fares are as below:

CNY 3 for trips within 6 km;
CNY 4 for trips between 6–12 km;
CNY 5 for trips between 12–22 km;
CNY 6 for trips between 22–32 km;
For trips over 32 km, an additional CNY 1 is charged for every 20 km traveled, and the maximum is CNY 10.
Beijing Capital Airport Express and Daxing Airport Express lines are exceptions, costing CNY 25 and CNY 35 separately for a single trip.
Children with a height of 1.3 meters or below can ride the metro for free, but must be accompanied by an adult, and the adult need to pay for their ride.

How to Buy Beijing Subway Tickets: Payment Methods

Beijing Pass (Top recommended for international tourists)

To enhance the travel and daily life experience of international visitors in Beijing, the Beijing municipal government has introduced the Beijing Pass in 2024. It is a multifunctional smart card that can be used to pay for transportation, attraction tickets, and shopping at retail stores. Currently, foreign visitors can purchase the Beijing Pass at 15 key transportation hubs, including Beijing Capital International Airport, Beijing Daxing International Airport, Beijing Railway Station, and Beijing South Railway Station.

Visitors can easily recharge the card at 490 stations across all 27 subway lines in Beijing. Or top up online via the “SilkPass” App. Besides subway lines, some attractions and shops, the card is also usable on buses and taxis.

Purchase Physical Tickets

There are ticket counters inside the metro stations. Visitors can purchase the ticket in cash or via WeChat or Alipay through the ticket agent. Also, they can buy the tickets from automated ticket vending machines. Simply select your destination on the machine’s screen, and insert cash (CNY 1, CNY 5, or CNY 10) or pay via WeChat, Alipay, or bank cards. As of June 1, 2024, 335 stations across 17 lines have installed POS machines accepting foreign bank cards, such as MasterCard.

After purchasing, you will receive a physical subway card. Simply tap your card at the turnstile when entering the subway. When exiting, drop the card into the designated slot for recycling.

Using Alipay for Ticketless Travel

If you have an Alipay app, simply set up subway travel through the “Travel” section of Alipay. You should select “Beijing” as your destination and follow the setup instructions. When entering the subway, open Alipay and scan the travel QR code at the turnstile. When exiting, scan the code again at the exit gate.

Use the Beijing Subway Official “Yitongxing” App (亿通行APP)

By using the Beijing Subway Official “Yitongxing” App, you can enjoy cumulative fare discounts. This app works on any phone, you just need to download it and link a bank card or bind it to Alipay or WeChat. To take a subway ride, you can either scan the QR code at the entry gate to enter or buy a ticket online through the app and collect a physical ticket at the station. Currently, this app is accepted across the entire subway network in Beijing.

Beijing Transportation Card (Ideal for Frequent Travelers)

The Beijing Transportation Card (Yikatong) only works on phones supports NFC (Near Field Communication) functionality, and require a 20 RMB deposit. You can easily apply for and return the card online. With the Yikatong electronic card, you can not only enter the subway without internet connection but also enjoy fare discounts. Currently, this electronic card is accepted on all Beijing subway lines and many bus routes. It is recommended for people who travel to Beijing frequently.

Tips to Use the Beijing Subway

Please note that the subway can be very crowded during rush hours. Avoid these periods if possible. The morning rush hour is from 7:00 to 9:00, and the evening rush hour is usually from 17:00 to 20:00.
Although the operating times for each subway line may vary slightly, typically, the first trains for most lines depart at around 5:00 to 6:00, and the last trains depart at around 22:00 to 23:00.

Use some online maps, such as the Google Map app to plan your journey. These apps can provide some quickest routes for you.
Before entering the subway station, a security check is required for every passenger.
After the security check, you can tap your card or physical ticket or scan your QR code as we mentioned above at the turnstile.
When at the platform, don’t forget to check overhead signs to make sure you are at the waiting area for the correct direction.
At the waiting area, queue up for the train, and let passengers alight before boarding.
During the ride, the announcements are made in both Chinese and English. Listen carefully for your station to avoid passing it.
In the subway car, the name of each station is clearly marked in both Chinese and English, with indicator lights signaling the next stop.
If you need to transfer lines, just follow the signs. The walkways and overhead signs will clearly mark the direction and guide you to your transfer platform.
When exiting the station, check the station maps on the wall to make sure you take the correct exit. Multiple exits are available at most stations.
If you need assistance, don’t hesitate to ask for help at the information desks in stations.
Though free Wi-Fi is not available on most metro lines, mobile data works well to ensure you stay connected.

Overview of Beijing Subway