Beijing was the first Chinese city to be equipped with a subway station in 1971. By the end of 2020, Beijing subway had had 24 subway lines in operation, 428 subway stations, and covered a total route length of 727 kilometers.
Quick Facts about the Beijing Subway
The Beijing Subway is the world's second-largest subway system by route and length, following the Shanghai Metro.
By the end of 2019, the Beijing Subway has been equipped with automatic ticket machines that can scan smartphones for payment.
Subway logo: The Beijing Subway logo, located at subway access points, is a white ‘G' with a ‘B' inside it on a square blue background.
Beijing Subway Tickets Price
Downtown Subway Prices
The prices of Beijing subway tickets are based on distance traveled, starting from 3 yuan for the first 6 kilometers (4 miles) except the Airport Express. After 6 km, the price increases by 1 yuan for each further 6 km until the trip distance reaches 30 km(20 miles).So, a 40-km(25-mile) trip would also cost 7 yuan.
Airport Express Subway Ticket Prices
The Capital Airport Express ticket price is fixed at 25 yuan per ride. The prices of Daxing Airport Express are divided into different classes. The ordinary class price varies with distance from 10 yuan to 35 yuan and the business class price is fixed at 50 yuan per ride.
How to Buy the Tickets
In Beijing, most passengers pay for their tickets by Transportation Smart Card (Yikatong). Passengers can buy the card or tickets at ticket counters or vending machines in every station. If you are going to stay in Beijing for a long time, the Smart Card is much better for your transit in Beijing. Since 2017, single-trip tickets can be purchased with a mobile phone app.
Notes
The subway tickets are valid for only one day.
Children shorter than 1.3 meters (4.3 feet) cannot take a subway train alone.
Children below 1.3 meters (4.3 feet) travel for free when accompanied by an adult.
