1. Airports

  • Capital Airport (PEK): Closer to downtown (20km), connected by Airport Express (¥25).
  • Daxing Airport (PKX): Farther (47km), but with high-speed rail to South Station (¥35).

2. Trains

  • Major stations: Beijing Station, South Station, West Station (all with metro links).
  • High-speed rail: Best for intercity travel (e.g., Shanghai in 4.5hrs).

3. Public Transport

Option Cost Hours Pros
Subway ¥3-7 (by distance) 5:00-23:00 Fastest; avoids traffic
Bus ¥1-2 5:00-23:30 Covers areas without metro
Taxi ¥14起步 + ¥2.3/km 24⁄7 Convenient but expensive
Bike ¥1.5/30min 24⁄7 Eco-friendly; short trips

4. Key Tips

  • Use “Beijing Metro” app for real-time updates.
  • Avoid shared bikes in Tiananmen area (restricted).
  • Alipay/WeChat Pay for cashless transit.

Comparison Chart: Best Options by Scenario

Scenario Recommended Cost (¥) Time
Airport to downtown Airport Express 25-35 30-60min
Cross-city sightseeing Subway 3-7 10-40min
Late-night travel Didi (ride-hail) 50+ Varies
Hutong exploration Bike 1.5/hr Flexible