The Beijing Subway is usually the most predictable way to move between central districts, but the useful details are not the line count. A visitor needs the correct station exit, a payment method that works, a current route and enough transfer time. Airport lines follow separate fare rules, so they should be checked as their own journey.
This guide reflects official fare and payment information reviewed on August 30, 2026. The network changes, and the official Beijing Subway map remains the action-time source for lines and station names.
Beijing Subway fares
The 2025 Beijing urban rail ticket rules set distance-based fares for the ordinary network, excluding the Capital Airport Line, Daxing Airport Line and tram lines. The published scale is:
| Distance | Fare |
|---|---|
| Up to 6 km | RMB 3 |
| More than 6 km to 12 km | RMB 4 |
| More than 12 km to 22 km | RMB 5 |
| More than 22 km to 32 km | RMB 6 |
| Beyond 32 km | RMB 1 for each additional 20 km |
Use the official route planner for the actual trip. Airport express services and special products have separate prices and conditions; do not apply the ordinary table to them.
Payment options for foreign visitors
Official Beijing guidance says foreign bank-card contactless payment was introduced across the subway network from September 13, 2024, including supported Visa and Mastercard cards at gates and ticket machines. The 2025 ticket rules also list bank cards, including eligible overseas cards, among accepted ticket media.
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Issuer approval, contactless capability and card condition still matter. Carry a backup instead of testing the only usable card during a rush-hour transfer. Other options include a single-journey ticket, eligible transit cards such as BEIJING PASS, and supported electronic tickets or mobile transit products.
If using Alipay for other parts of the trip, the Alipay guide for foreign visitors covers account setup. Do not assume that adding a bank card automatically activates every transport product.
How to ride step by step
1. Plan to the station exit
Search the destination in Chinese and note the line, direction, transfer station and exit letter. A correct station with the wrong exit can add a long surface walk beside large roads or compounds.
2. Enter and pass security
Follow the signs for the chosen line. Stations screen bags before the fare gates. Keep bottles and electronics accessible if staff ask to inspect them, and follow current instructions rather than comparing the process with an airport.
3. Use one payment medium consistently
Tap or scan at entry and use the same card, device or ticket at exit. Do not switch between a physical card and its phone wallet version mid-journey unless the system specifically treats them as the same credential.
4. Confirm direction by the terminal station
Platforms show the direction using a terminal station name. Compare the next few stops on the platform diagram instead of relying only on compass direction.
5. Transfer before following the exit signs
Large interchange stations can involve long corridors. Follow the coloured line and platform signs until the final line; exit signs are for leaving the paid area.
Airport lines need a separate check
Beijing has different rail links for Capital Airport (PEK) and Daxing Airport (PKX). Confirm the airport, terminal and operating hours from the current official source before choosing rail. The ordinary metro fare table above does not cover the airport express lines.
Rail can be efficient when it operates at the arrival time and the hotel has a convenient connection. A taxi or app-based car may be simpler with heavy luggage, a late arrival or a group, depending on current conditions. The Beijing airport-to-city guide compares the complete transfer rather than assuming one option always wins.
Route planning for major sights
Place names can refer to a large complex rather than one gate. For the Forbidden City and Tiananmen area, timed-entry and security arrangements matter as much as the nearest station. For hutongs or parks, two exits from the same station may support very different walking routes.
Save the Chinese destination name, entrance and reservation time. The where-to-stay in Beijing guide helps choose a base that reduces repeated cross-city trips.
The subway does not run directly onto the Great Wall. Each section requires onward transport. Use a section-specific guide instead of following a generic map pin.
Rush hours, bags and etiquette
Crowding varies by line, station, event and day. If the itinerary allows, avoid forcing large luggage through the network at the busiest commuting periods. Stand to the side of doors, let passengers exit first and move away from the doorway after boarding.
Keep bags controlled, use headphones and avoid blocking escalators or transfer corridors while checking a phone. On a crowded platform, wait for the next train if boarding would be unsafe. Staff directions override general tips in this article.
Common mistakes
- using a network screenshot that predates a new line or station change;
- choosing a route without checking the destination exit;
- tapping in with one card and trying to exit with another;
- treating airport-line fares as ordinary metro fares;
- planning a connection at the wrong Beijing railway station;
- assuming the last train time is identical on every line and platform;
- relying on mobile data without an offline station name.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum Beijing Subway fare?
The current ordinary-network rule starts at RMB 3 for journeys up to 6 kilometres. Airport lines and trams are excluded from that fare table.
Can foreign visitors tap a Visa or Mastercard?
Official Beijing guidance says supported foreign bank cards can be used for ticket purchase and direct gate entry. The card and issuer must support the transaction, so keep a backup.
Are Beijing Subway signs available in English?
Roman-letter station names and English information are common, but coverage and translations vary. Train number, Chinese station name and line colour are useful backups.
Does the subway go to both Beijing airports?
Separate rail services connect the city with Capital Airport and Daxing Airport. Check the correct airport, terminal, hours and separate fare before travel.
How do I find the right exit?
Match the exit letter to the destination’s current map or official directions before reaching the concourse. Do not choose the first visible exit from the platform.
Takeaway
The Beijing Subway becomes simple when four items are fixed: current route, correct exit, one working payment method and enough transfer time. Use the ordinary fare table only for the network it covers, treat airport lines separately, and keep Chinese station names offline.
Image credits
- Featured image: Interior of a Beijing Subway Line 19 train. Photo by 颐园居, via Wikimedia Commons. — CC BY-SA 4.0.
- First inline image: Fare gates at Yuyuantan Park East Gate Station. Photo by N509FZ, via Wikimedia Commons. — CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Second inline image: Interior of a Beijing Daxing Airport Express train. Photo by Tyg728, via Wikimedia Commons. — CC BY-SA 4.0.
