Beijing Train Stations: Where and How to Take a Train?

Every day, hundreds of thousands of travellers pass through Beijing's railway network, which includes several major passenger stations, some of which are among the busiest in the world!

While the city has multiple railway stations, the most important ones for travellers today include Beijing South, Beijing West, Beijing Railway Station, Beijing Chaoyang, and Beijing Fengtai.

These stations serve different routes rather than being strictly divided by geographic direction. For instance, Beijing South mainly handles high-speed services to cities such as Shanghai and Tianjin, while Beijing West operates both conventional and high-speed trains to western and southern regions. Meanwhile, Beijing Chaoyang has become a key hub for high-speed services to north-eastern China.

To help you make the most of your journey, Trip.com offers a comprehensive guide to Beijing's main railway stations.

Main Train Stations in Beijing

📌 Click the itinerary link in the table to book your ticket now!

Now, let's take a closer look at the key railway stations you won't want to miss for your travels and adventures in Beijing.

Beijing South Railway Station – 北京南站

Opened in 2008 for the Olympic Games, Beijing South Railway Station was designed from the very beginning as a temple to high-speed travel. A

With over 100,000 passengers passing through every day, this station is exclusively dedicated to G and D trains—the fastest on the Chinese network. Its circular glass and steel roof is a nod to the nearby Temple of Heaven, and its halls, bathed in natural light, make it one of the most pleasant stations in all of China.

If you're heading to Shanghai, Tianjin or Nanjing, this is where it all begins!

How do I get there?

How to book your tickets?

For this station or any others in Beijing, you have three options:

• Book on Trip.com (Recommended ✅): The easiest way to book tickets online. Book in a few clicks and get an e-ticket linked to your passport. Available in English and other languages, and supports credit card or PayPal payment. Book in 3 minutes, get your ticket in 10 minutes. Just scan your passport to board the train.
• Via the 12306 app: This is China's official railway platform. It now has an English interface, so it's easier to use. However, you may need to wait 3–5 days for identity verification before you can buy tickets. Once set up, it works well.
• At the on-site ticket counters: Go to the ticket office at the station (usually on level B1, follow station signs). At larger stations, you can usually find a counter for international travellers with English-speaking staff. Bring your passport, choose your train, and pay at the counter. It's best to allow extra time, especially during busy periods.

How to take the train?

Taking the train from Beijing South Railway Station, or indeed either of the city's other two main stations, couldn't be easier!

• Please arrive 45 to 60 minutes before departure (earlier during busy periods);
• Go through identity verification and security checks at the entrance (passport required, luggage X-rayed);
• Head to the waiting area and check the departure screens for your train and boarding gate;
• Proceed through the ticket gates when boarding starts (usually 15–30 minutes before departure; passport required);
• • Foreign passport holders: use the Manual Channel and show your passport to staff.
  • Foreign Permanent Residence ID card holders: use self-service or manual channels.
• Follow the signs to your platform and find your carriage and seat.

For a more detailed step-by-step guide, please see below.

Services available at the station

Just like most train stations, you'll find plenty of services and shops on-site to make your journey that little bit easier:

• 🍜 Dining: International fast-food chains (KFC, McDonald's, Starbucks) and Chinese speciality restaurants are dotted across levels B1 and 2.
• 🛍️ Shops: pharmacy, newsagent, souvenirs and regional snacks
• 🧳 Luggage storage: available on level B1 (~15–20 CNY/day)
• 🚿 Showers: available in the VIP area (~30 CNY per 30-minute session)
• 📶 Wi-Fi: enjoy free connectivity throughout the station
• 🏧 ATM: cash machines are available on levels B1 and 1

VIP Lounge (First Class Waiting Room)

The First Class Lounge at the South Railway Station (一等候车室) welcomes passengers holding a First Class or Business Class ticket. Second Class travellers can also enjoy access for a fee of 50 CNY (~£6).

Once there, you'll find ultra-comfortable armchairs, self-service hot drinks, snacks, USB ports, high-speed Wi-Fi, and, of course, peace and quiet!

Main routes from Beijing South

Beijing West Railway Station – 北京西站

Opened in 1996, Beijing West Railway Station is the colossal gateway to China's interior.

Its imposing silhouette—a 15-storey structure topped with a traditional pagoda—can be seen for miles around, standing in striking contrast to the rest of the cityscape. With 300,000 travellers passing through daily during peak periods, it's one of the busiest railway stations on the planet.

It provides long-distance connections to Xi'an, Chengdu, Kunming and the south, as well as a direct link to Hong Kong West Kowloon.

How do I get there?

Services available at the station

Here too, you'll find plenty of services and shops available if you arrive at the station early or are just passing through:

• 🍜 Dining: A vast food court on level 2, featuring everything from international chains to hot-pot restaurants and regional Chinese cuisine.
• 🛍️ Shops: pharmacy, bookshop/newsagent, snack bars and souvenir shops
• 🧳 Luggage storage: on levels 1 and 2 (~15–20 CNY/day)
• 📶 Wi-Fi: free throughout the station
• 🏧 ATM: cash machines available in every main hall
• 👶 Family area: a nursing room and a children's play area on level 2

VIP Lounge (First Class Waiting Room)

Each concourse at the West Station features its own VIP lounge, which first and business class passengers can access simply by showing their ticket.

Other travellers can access it for around 50 CNY (~£5).

Key routes from Beijing West

Beijing Railway Station – 北京站

It may not be the biggest or the most modern, but Beijing Railway Station is undoubtedly the one most steeped in history.

Built in 1959 for the 10th anniversary of the People's Republic, it is one of the ten great architectural works commissioned by Mao Zedong to mark the occasion.

Today, it primarily serves conventional trains (Z, T, K) heading towards north-east China and Manchuria. Its central location—just a few minutes' walk from Wangfujing and 3 km from the Forbidden City—makes it the most convenient station for tourists staying in the heart of Beijing.

How do I get there?

Services available at the station

For Beijing Railway Station, most station services are, of course, available.

• 🍜 Dining: Northern Chinese cuisine restaurants (dumplings, noodles), snack bars, and takeaway spots
• 🧳 Luggage storage: main hall (~15 CNY/day) — super handy if you want to explore the city centre before you head off!
• 📶 Wi-Fi: free throughout the station
• 🏧 ATMs: you'll find cash machines at the main entrance and in the central hall
• 📍 A tourist hotspot: the station is just a 10-minute walk from the Wangfujing shopping street and 3 km from the Forbidden City.

VIP Lounge (First Class Waiting Room)

While a bit more understated than the lounges at the South or West stations, the Central Station's VIP waiting room still offers plenty of perks. You'll find comfortable armchairs, hot drinks, power sockets, and guaranteed peace and quiet, far away from the hustle and bustle of the main concourse.

The lounge is open to first and business class passengers, or available for other travellers to access for a fee (approx. 40 CNY).

Main routes from Beijing Railway Station

Top Tips for Train Travel from Beijing

💡 Book as soon as your dates are set

Tickets go on sale 15 days before departure (including the day of purchase). On popular routes like Beijing–Shanghai or Beijing–Xi’an, second-class seats can sell out within hours during peak periods (Golden Week, Chinese New Year, summer holidays). Booking via Trip.com takes less than 5 minutes.

💡 Don't mix up your train stations

Each Beijing station serves specific destinations. For example, trains to Xi'an leave from Beijing West, not Beijing South. Always double-check the full name of your departure and arrival stations on your ticket.

💡 Allow plenty of time for security checks

Expect luggage X-rays and passport checks at station entrances. You’ll also show your passport/ticket again before reaching the platform. Arrive 45–60 minutes early (add extra time for Beijing West).

💡 Your passport is your golden ticket

No paper tickets needed anymore. Use your passport (original only) to enter stations, pass checks, and board—no need to collect a physical ticket. Keep it easily accessible.

💡 Choose the right train series

G-trains (high-speed) and conventional Z, T, and K trains differ in speed, price, and sometimes even their departure station in Beijing. A G-train from Beijing to Xi'an takes 4–4.5h from the West Station, while a K-train for the same journey can take over 10 hours. Be sure to check the letter at the beginning of your train number when booking!

💡 Get your connectivity sorted before you head into the halls

Some underground areas in Beijing's major railway stations have limited 4G coverage. Download your maps for offline use and remember to get a China eSIM to stay connected throughout your journey.

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