Beijing Subway Guide for Tourists
Metro QR via Alipay Transport; Airport Express from PEK; save stations in Chinese in Amap.
Key takeaway
Beijing metro runs on **Alipay or WeChat Transport QR codes**—set them up **before** you reach the gate. From **PEK**, ride the **Airport Express** to **Dongzhimen**, then transfer on Lines **2 / 10 / 13**. Save hotel and attraction stations in **Chinese** in Amap (Gaode); English-only names slow down staff and drivers. Scan **entry and exit**—fare is distance-based.
Full guide
Airport Express Vs Taxi
| Situation | Prefer |
|---|---|
| Daytime, light bags, QR ready | Airport Express + metro |
| Late flight, heavy bags, dead wallet | Official taxi / Didi with Chinese address |
| PKX (Daxing), not PEK | Different rail path—confirm airport code first |
Step-by-step
- Open Alipay → Transport → Beijing Metro (or the WeChat Transport equivalent) while you still have Wi‑Fi.
- Generate the ride QR; keep the app foregrounded—do not lock the phone mid-scan.
- At the gate, scan in; at your destination, scan out (same QR flow).
- From PEK, follow Airport Express signs after baggage; ride to Dongzhimen, then metro toward your hotel (airport transfer guide).
- Favorite your hotel station and tonight’s dinner stop in Amap in Chinese.
- Avoid 07:30–09:30 and 17:30–19:30 with large luggage—wait 20–30 minutes or take Didi for that hop.
Who this is for
- First-time visitors who will use metro for Forbidden City / hutong days
- Arrivals from PEK who want Airport Express → downtown without a taxi
- Anyone whose Alipay/WeChat wallet works but has never opened Transport QR
What to do next
Beijing metro runs on Alipay or WeChat Transport QR codes—set them up before you reach the gate. From PEK, ride the Airport Express to Dongzhimen, then transfer on Lines 2 / 10 / 13. Save hotel and attraction stations in Chinese in Amap (Gaode); English-only names slow down staff and drivers. Scan entry and exit—fare is distance-based.
How to do it
Enable Beijing Metro Transport QR before arriving at gates
Scan entry and exit for distance fare
Use Airport Express from PEK to Dongzhimen when appropriate
Favorite hotel station in Chinese in Amap
Watch for
First-time QR setup at the gate
English-only station names
Rush-hour Line 1 with large luggage
What may vary
Airport Express hours, gate policies, and crowding vary by line and time.
Backup plan
- Step aside from the gate queue; connect hotel or café Wi‑Fi and refresh Transport QR.
- If wallets fail after landing, fix pay at the hotel first (payment failure Q).
- Use official taxi with meter or Didi with a Chinese hotel card for that segment (taxi guide).
- Keep a small cash buffer for licensed taxis when QR is dead—not for random hallway touts.