2026 Complete Guide to the Beijing Subway: Fares, Card Payments, and Money-Saving Tips (Including a Special Section for Foreign Visitors)

When visiting Beijing, you’re bound to use the city’s subway system. Beijing’s subway system is likely one of the largest and busiest in the world, but don’t worry—figuring out how to buy tickets and calculate fares is actually quite simple.

This guide will help you get a clear understanding of fares, discounts, and ticket purchasing methods all at once.

Key Information at a Glance

Item	Price/Rules
Base Fare	3 yuan (within 6 km)
Credit Card Payments	✅Accepts Visa, Mastercard, JCB, and American Express (direct swiping)
Airport Line	Fixed rate of 25 yuan (billed separately)
One-Day Pass	20 yuan for unlimited rides (regular subway)
Free for Children	Free for children under 1.3 meters (must be accompanied by an adult)
Overtime Fee	An additional fee applies for entering and exiting the same station or exceeding 4 hours

Fare Structure: Pay-per-kilometer system—the farther you go, the better the value

In 2026, the Beijing Subway will continue to use a pay-per-kilometer fare system. You don’t need to memorize the fare for each line; all you need to know is that the fare is determined by the actual distance traveled from the station where you enter to the station where you exit. There are no additional charges for transfers.

Fare Brackets

• 3 yuan — Within 6 kilometers (e.g., from Wangfujing to East Tiananmen)
• 4 yuan — 6–12 kilometers (e.g., from East Tiananmen to the Olympic Park)
• 5 yuan — 12–22 kilometers (e.g., from Terminal 3 near Capital Airport to Dongzhimen)
• 6 yuan — 22–32 km
• Over 32 km — 1 yuan added for every 20 km, with no upper limit

> Examples:

• East Tiananmen → Sanlitun (approx. 8 km) → Fare: 4 yuan  
• Dongzhimen → Universal Studios (approx. 25 km) → Fare: 6 yuan

⚠️ Note: The Capital Airport Line has a separate fare structure; regardless of distance, the fare is a flat 25 yuan. Although the Daxing Airport Line is partially separate, most transfer stations have been integrated into the standard fare network. Only the express train cars traveling to and from the airport require a separate ticket (generally not used for tourism).

⏱️ Time Limit Policy: You may stay within the station for up to 4 hours from the time you tap your card to enter until you exit. If you exceed 4 hours, you must pay the full one-way fare (currently about 12 yuan). This is more than enough time for a normal visit, but please do not linger in the subway station for too long.

How do children get free admission? Are there discounts for seniors?

Free Admission for Children (Under 1.3 Meters)

Children 1.3 meters tall or shorter are admitted free of charge. The condition is that they must be accompanied by an adult (one adult may accompany multiple children eligible for free admission).

Tip for passing through the turnstiles: Have the child walk through first, and the adult should follow behind and swipe their card. The turnstile will not close once it detects the child has passed through, so you can proceed with confidence.

> Note: Only height is considered; age is not a factor. Children taller than 1.3 meters must purchase an adult ticket.

Senior Citizen Discounts: Not Quite What You Might Expect

The Beijing Subway does not offer free rides to seniors aged 60 or 65 and older. While other Chinese cities (such as Shanghai and Guangzhou) may have such policies, the Beijing Subway charges all passengers a flat rate based on distance traveled.

So what discounts are available for seniors?  

• Seniors aged 60 and older can ride city buses for free with a Senior and Disabled Persons Assistance Card (Note: This does not apply to the subway).  
• Some municipal parks and scenic spots offer discounted admission for seniors, but these discounts do not apply to the subway.

Groups eligible for truly free subway rides (must present a valid ID to obtain a benefit ticket):  

Active-duty military personnel, Armed Police, disabled veterans, retired military officers, firefighters, blind individuals (may bring one companion), disabled police officers, retired cadres, and individuals recognized for acts of bravery, among others.

> If you are an ordinary elderly foreign tourist (not holding any of the special statuses listed above), please purchase a ticket as usual.

What Foreign Tourists Care About Most: How to Pay?

This is the most important part of the entire article. The good news is: you don’t need to download any local Chinese apps, buy physical cards, or even exchange money for change.

✅Option 1: Tap Your Bank Card (Highly Recommended)

Starting in 2025, all turnstiles on the Beijing Subway will fully support contactless payments with international bank cards. Cards from the following networks can be tapped directly to pass through the turnstiles:

• Visa
• Mastercard
• JCB
• American Express

How to use it?  

Locate the contactless payment area on the turnstile (usually marked with a Wi-Fi signal icon), tap your bank card against it, and wait for the “beep” sound—the gate will open. Repeat the same action when exiting. The system will automatically calculate the fare and deduct the amount.

> Note: You must use the same bank card for both entry and exit. Do not use Card A to enter and Card B to exit.

 ✅Option 2: Mobile Payment (Apple Pay / Google Pay)

If you’ve already added your bank card to Apple Pay or Google Pay, you can simply tap your phone against the turnstile—it works just like swiping a physical card.

✅Method 3: Alipay / WeChat / Yitongxing App

If you have registered for Alipay or WeChat Pay within China and linked an international credit card, you can find the “Ride Code” feature in the app and scan the code to pass through the gate. However, please note:  

• Some international cards may not be successfully linked.  
• Generally speaking, swiping a physical bank card is more reliable.

✅Option 4: BEIJING PASS Card (Physical Prepaid Card)

You can purchase the green BEIJING PASS card at service centers in airports and major subway stations. It’s similar to London’s Oyster card or New York’s MetroCard. Once topped up, you can use it on subways and buses. However, since you can already use a bank card, this card isn’t strictly necessary.

❌Option 5: Cash (Not Recommended)

Every station has ticket vending machines and staffed ticket windows that accept 5-yuan and 10-yuan bills as well as 1-yuan coins. However, you’ll need to have exact change on hand, and you’ll have to wait in line each time, which is less efficient. Unless there are special circumstances, using a bank card is more convenient.

Multi-Ride Passes: Unlimited Rides for Visitors

If you plan to visit several attractions in a single day or if your round-trip journey is long, a multi-ride pass is a great value.

Ticket Type	Price	Details
1-Day Pass	20 yuan	Unlimited rides within 24 hours
2-Day Pass	30 yuan	Unlimited rides within 48 hours
3-Day Pass	40 yuan	Unlimited rides within 72 hours
5-Day Pass	70 yuan	Unlimited rides within 120 hours
7-Day Pass	90 yuan	Unlimited rides within 168 hours

⚠Note: Passes are not valid on the Capital Airport Line.

When is the best time to buy a pass?

• If you plan to visit Universal Studios in a single day (about 50 km round trip from downtown, with a one-way fare of about 6–7 yuan, or 12–14 yuan round trip), plus two other attractions, the 20-yuan one-day pass will easily pay for itself.  
• If you plan to transfer more than three times in a single day, we also recommend purchasing a one-day pass.

How to purchase?

Purchase an electronic pass via the “Yitongxing” app or the mini-programs on Alipay or WeChat, then scan the QR code to enter the station.

Save More with Frequent Use: Monthly Cumulative Discounts

If you’re staying in Beijing for more than a week, keep an eye out for this hidden perk: When using the same IC card or ride code, if your cumulative fare within a month reaches:

• 100 yuan or more → 20% off subsequent fares  
• 150 yuan or more → 50% off subsequent rides
• 400 yuan or more → No further discounts (maximum monthly discount per person is 400 yuan)

The total is reset and recalculated on the 1st of each month. Ideal for travelers on intensive, in-depth tours.

Stacked Discounts: Enter designated pilot stations before 7:00 AM on weekdays to receive a 50% discount immediately, which can be combined with the cumulative discount.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Safety Reminders and Practical Tips

• When passing through the turnstiles: Do not follow closely behind the person in front of you, as the turnstile will detect this and close. Wait until the person in front has completely passed through before swiping your card.
• Rush Hour: Passenger traffic is extremely heavy on weekdays from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. We recommend avoiding these times. If you must travel during rush hour, try to minimize the amount of large luggage you bring.
• Lost Items: Contact station staff or call the Beijing Subway Service Hotline at 010-96165 (English service available).
• Emergency Assistance: Each train car is equipped with an emergency call button; press it in case of an emergency.

Save this guide and review it before you go. If you encounter any difficulties at a subway station, feel free to ask staff in blue uniforms for help, or call the Beijing Subway Service Hotline at 010-96165.

We wish you a smooth and enjoyable trip in Beijing!