Beijing Traffic - How to Take a Subway, Bus, or Taxi in Beijing?

Beijing, as the capital of China, is also a transportation hub in China. You can arrive at any of the main attractions in Beijing using the convenient transportation. However, you might be frustrated with the city’s traffic jams. How do you choose the best type Beijing transportation? Should you opt for taking the subway, a taxi, or a bus? Read the information below to help you decide.

 

How to Escape Traffic Jams in Beijing?

The most frustrating thing about traveling in Beijing is the traffic jams. Whether you are in a hurry to do an activity or want to have dinner with your family, you have to waste a long time traveling. How can you escape the traffic jams?

  • Know the traffic jam durations: 6:30am to 9am, 4pm to 7pm
  • Avoid the rush hours: 8am and 6pm
  • Choose the subway or ride a bicycle: The subway and bicycles are convenient modes of transport when you are hurry to get somewhere and don't want to worry about being held up in a traffic jam. You can control your time perfectly.

Subway — No Traffic Jams, Efficient, and Wide Coverage

Beijing Subway Beijing Subway Map

The subway is the main form of transportation in Beijing, especially during the peak traffic periods. There are almost 20 subway lines and hundreds of stations in Beijing, which cover all areas of major regions within Beijing. More information for Beijing Subway

Features

There are no traffic jams, it’s efficient, and there’s a wide coverage, but it may be crowded during peak traffic periods.

Cost

  • Up to and including 6 kilometers: 3 yuan
  • 7 to 12 kilometers: 4 yuan
  • 13 to 22 kilometers: 5 yuan
  • 23 to 32 kilometers: 6 yuan
  • 33 kilometers upwards: 1 yuan extra per 20 kilometers

How to Take the Subway in Beijing?

  • Prepare some change in advance, such as 1 yuan, 5 yuan, 10 yuan, or 20 yuan.
  • Find the ticket machine. Choose your subway line, such as line 1 or line 2. Then select the number of passengers.
  • Pay for your tickets. Put your cash into the machine.
  • Take your ticket.
  • Pass through the security check. If you are carrying any drinks, you may be asked to drink a mouthful of each one.
  • Find the entrance to the subway line, such as line 1 or line 2.
  • Ensure you are going in the right direction. Each subway line has two directions so ensure you have picked the right direction.
  • Pay attention to the notices. You can check your direction of travel again.
  • Go out of the station and withdraw your single subway card.
  • Find the map of the exits. If you can't decide on the right or best exit, you can refer to the map or ask others for help.

Distribution of the Main Attractions in Beijing

  • Subway line 1: Tian’anmen Square and the Forbidden City (Tian’anmen Square West Station or Tian’anmen Square East Station), Wangfujing Shopping Center (Wangfujing Station)
  • Subway line 2: the Bell Drum Tower (Gulou Dajie Station), Shichahai (Gulou Dajie Station), the Lama Temple, Guozijian, and the Beijing Confucius Temple (Yonghegong Station), Qianmen Street (Qianmen Station)
  • Subway line 4: the Summer Palace (Beigongmen Station), Yuanmingyuan Ruins Park and Tsinghua University (Yuanmingyuan Park Station), Beijing Zoo (Beijing Zoo Station)
  • Subway line 5: the Temple of Heaven (Tiantandongmen Station)
  • Subway line 6: Beihai Park (Beihai North Station), Nanluogu Lane (Nanluoguxiang Station)
  • Subway line 8: the Bird's Nest and the Water Cube (the Olympic Sports Center subway station)
  • Subway line 16: the Ming Tombs (the Ming Tombs scenic spot station)

Taxi — Direct, Efficient, and Convenient

Beijing taxi Beijing Taxi

Compared with taking the subway, taking a taxi is more convenient because you can catch one almost anywhere and whenever you want.

Features

Taxis are direct, efficient, and convenient. You can take a taxi to any destination at any time, but it's more expensive than the subway or a bus.

Cost

  • Starting price: 13 yuan up to and including 3 kilometers; 2.3 yuan per extra kilometer
  • Fuel surcharge: 1 yuan
  • Night (11pm to 5am): 13 yuan up to and including 3 kilometers; 2.76 yuan per extra kilometer
  • Peak traffic period: During the peak traffic period in the morning or at night, the cost to travel 2 kilometers is added every 5 minutes. During other waiting times, the cost to travel 1 kilometer is added every 5 minutes.
  • No-occupancy surcharge: For a one-way trip that’s over 15 kilometers, there is an extra 50% charge per kilometer.

How to Take a Taxi in Beijing?

  • When you are walking along the road: Wave your hands to the driver — if he has seen you and his car is empty, he will stop in front of you.
  • When you at the airport or a railway station: Before you go out of the station or airport, you can see the taxi sign. Just follow it you will find the area where taxis are waiting.

Precautions for Taking a Taxi in Beijing

  1. Take an Official Taxi

An unofficial taxi may cause issues, such as being more expensive, being unable to find the correct destination, or being unable to ensure your safety. Features of an official taxi:

  • The body of most taxis look "fancy" and a few taxis are black.
  • The taxi brand is displayed on top of the taxi.
  • The plate number starts with "京B".
  • Official taxi drivers won't try to tout passengers.
  • Official taxi drivers can provide formal invoices.
  1. Avoid Taking a Detour

Before you take a taxi, try to confirm your distance and cost according to your map or app. Confirm these details again with your driver before departure so that you can avoid any traps. If your driver deliberately detours, you have the right to ask him to drive a direct way. If he doesn’t listen to you, you can take note of his plate number and taxi company so that you can make a complaint by telephone.

  1. Use the Meter

Using the meter can help you avoid any travel traps. A regular taxi must charge according to the taximeter. If your driver refuses to use it, you can make a complaint by telephone.

  1. Personal Belongings

Don't leave any of your belongings behind. It's hard to get them back because the frequency of use for Beijing’s taxis is very high.

  1. Toll Fee

Toll fees are not included in the taxi fare. You need to pay for all additional fees, such as toll fees.

Bus — Wide Coverage, Convenient, and a Special Tourism Line

Beijing bus Beijing Bus

There are many buses in Beijing, covering the entire city, including night buses, sightseeing buses, common buses, and special tourism lines. Some main streets in Beijing have a special lane for buses, so it's more convenient than driving a car or taking a taxi. Essentials

  • Buses run about every 15 minutes and most trips take about 90 minutes.
  • Fares range from 2 yuan to 30 yuan per person, depending on the final destination.
  • Buses 1 to 200 are city buses, buses 201 to 299 are night buses, buses over 300 are outer city buses, and buses over 900 are suburban buses.

How to Take a Bus?

  • Check your destination. You can buy a Beijing map and find your destination on the map or in an app.
  • Plan your bus route. You can refer to the Baidu Map or the Gaode Map in China.
  • Prepare some change in advance. Most buses cost 2 yuan per trip.
  • Find your bus stop. Follow the navigation provided by an app or ask local people to help you find the bus stop.
  • Check the direction. Look at the bus stop and check whether the direction is right or not.
  • Get on the bus.
  • Listen to the notices Don't miss your stop.
  • Get off.

Precautions for Taking a Bus in Beijing

  1. Get On and Get Off

Buses in Beijing are divided into two types: two doors or three doors. If the bus has two doors, you should get on at the front and get off at the back. If the bus has three doors, you should get on using the middle door and get off at the front or at the back.

  1. Prepare to Get Off the Bus in Advance

Before you reach your destination, you should prepare to get off in advance. Sometimes, if there are only a few people who want to get off, the driver won't stop and will continue driving.

  1. Special Seats for Children, the Elderly, Disabled People, or Pregnant Women

There are some special seats at the front of buses for children, elderly people, disabled people, or pregnant women. Try to leave these seats for someone who needs help when there are a lot of people on the bus.

Distribution of the Main Attractions in Beijing

  • The Forbidden City
  •  Take bus 1, 2, 52, 59, 82, 99, 120, or 126, sightseeing bus 1, night bus 1, 2, or 17. Get off at the east side of Tian'anmen Square Station.
  • Tian'anmen Square
  •  Take bus 1, 2, 52, 59, 82, 99, 120, or 126, sightseeing bus 1, or night bus 1, 2, or 17. Get off at the east side of Tian'anmen Square Station.
  • The Temple of Heaven
  •  Take bus 36, 120, or 122. Get off at the Temple of Heaven Station's South Gate.
  • Take bus 2 or 120. Get off at the Temple of Heaven Station's West Gate.
  • Take bus 6, 34, 35, 36, 106, or 111. Get off at the Temple of Heaven Station's North Gate.
  • Take bus 25, 34, 35, 36, 39, 41, 43, 60, 610, 684, 685, 723, or 814. Get off at the Temple of Heaven Station's East Gate.
  • The Great Wall at Mutianyu
  • Go to Dongzhimen Station and take bus 3, 106, 107, 123, 131, 132, 401, 404, 416, 418, 852, 866, 915, 918, or 980.
  • Take bus 916 to Huairou North Avenue Station at a cost of 12 yuan.
  • Transfer to bus H23, H24, H35, or H36 to Mutianyu Roundabout.
  • The Summer Palace
  • These buses travel to the Summer Palace: 303, 330, 331, 332, 346, 375, 432, 438, 469, 498, 508, 539, 563, 579, 584, 594, 601, 608, 664, 696, 697, 712, 718, 726, 732, 801, 808, 817, and 826.
  • The Beijing Temple of Confucius
  • Take bus 13 or 684, and get off at Guozijian Station. Take bus 116 or 117, and get off at Yonghegong Station.
  • The Lama Temple
  •  Take bus 13 or 684, and get off at Imperial College Station.
  • Take bus 116 or 117, and get off at Yonghegong Station.
  • Take bus 2, 18, 44, 62, 606, 800, 858, or 909, and get off at Yonghegong East Bridge Station.
  • Jingshan Park
  • Take bus 111, 124, or 210, and get off at Jingshan East Gate Station.
  • Take bus 101, 103, 109, 124, 202, 211, 609, 614, 619, or 685, and get off at Gugong Station.
  • Take bus 5 or 609, and get off at Xiban Bridge Station.
  • Beijing 2008 Olympic Games sites:
  • Take bus 81, 82, 510, or 607, and get off at Beichenxi Bridge North Station.
  • Take bus 86 and get off at Anxiang North Road East Portal Station.

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