Every day, hundreds of thousands of travellers pass through Beijing's railway stations. In fact, some of them are among the busiest in the world!
The Chinese capital boasts 12 railway stations, but just three are enough to cover 90% of the destinations travellers need: the South Station for the greater East, the West Station for the country's interior, and the Central Station for the north-east.
To help you make the most of your trip, Trip.com has put together 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!
Train station | Location | Highlights | Main routes |
Beijing South Railway Station | Fengtai | Largest rail hub, with departures to the east and south | Beijing–Shanghai, Beijing–Tianjin, Beijing–Jinan, Beijing–Nanjing, Beijing–Suzhou |
Beijing West Railway Station | Fengtai | Specialising in the south-west and the west | Beijing–Xi'an, Beijing–Chengdu, Beijing–Guangzhou, Beijing–Lanzhou, Beijing–Hong Kong |
Beijing Railway Station | Dongcheng | Former central station, connections to the north-east | Beijing–Harbin, Beijing–Shenyang, Beijing–Qinhuangdao, Beijing–Dalian |
Beijing North Railway Station | Xicheng | Quick access to the Great Wall | Beijing–Badaling, Beijing–Zhangjiakou, Beijing–Chongli |
Qinghe Railway Station | Haidian | A modern hub for winter sports | Beijing–Badaling, Beijing–Zhangjiakou, Beijing–Datong |
Beijing Fengtai Railway Station | Fengtai | New high-capacity station | Beijing–Guangzhou, Beijing–Shenzhen, Beijing–Changsha |
Beijing Tongzhou Railway Station | Tongzhou | Serves the east of Beijing and Hebei | Beijing–Qinhuangdao, Beijing–Tangshan, Beijing–Caofeidian |
Beijing Changping Railway Station | Changping | Handy for the north-west | Beijing–Zhangjiakou, Beijing–Hohhot, Beijing–Baotou |
Beijing Miyun Railway Station | Miyun | Getting to Northern Hebei | Beijing–Chengde, Beijing–Shanhaiguan, Beijing–Tongliao |
Beijing Huairou Railway Station | Huairou | Perfect for mountainous areas | Beijing–Harbin, Beijing–Dalian |
Badaling Great Wall Railway Station | Yanqing | Direct access to the Great Wall | Beijing–Zhangjiakou, Beijing–Ulanqab |
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?
Transport Mode | Travel time from the city centre (Tiananmen) | Estimated price |
Metro Line 4 | 15–20 mins | ~4 CNY (~£0.43) |
Metro Line 14 | 20–25 mins | ~4 CNY (~£0.43) |
Taxi | 20–35 mins | ~50–80 CNY (~£5–£9) |
From PEK Airport | ~1hr 10mins (Airport Express → Line 4) | ~35 CNY (~£4) |
How to book your tickets?
For this station or any others in Beijing, you have three options:
- On Trip.com (recommended ✅): book online in just a few clicks, and get an e-ticket on your phone or collect it in person at the kiosks using your passport.
- Via the 12306 app: the official ticketing platform for Chinese railways. It’s a handy solution, though it’s only available in Chinese.
- At the on-site ticket counters: head to level B1, where you'll find a dedicated counter for international travellers and English-speaking staff (do allow a little extra time if you're arriving during peak hours).
How to catch your train?
Catching your 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;
- Head through security at the entrance (X-raying your luggage and checking your passport);
- Collect your physical ticket from the self-service kiosks on level B1 using your passport if required;
- Head through the ticket barriers to the platforms (have your ticket and passport ready);
- Make yourself comfortable in the waiting area for your train (platform gates open 15 minutes before departure);
- Boarding is upon presentation of your ticket at the carriage entrance.
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
Destination | Duration | 2nd Class Price | Book |
Shanghai Hongqiao | ~4h 30m | From 553 CNY (~£60) | |
Tianjin | ~30 mins | From 58 CNY (~£6) | |
Nanjing South | ~3h 30m | From 357 CNY (~£38) | |
Hangzhou East | ~4h 45m | From 490 CNY (~£52) | |
Qingdao | ~3h 50m | From 319 CNY (~£34) |
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24/7 Ticketing · 3-Minute Booking · E-Tickets
| Route | Duration | Book online |
|---|---|---|
| Beijing South to Shanghai Hongqiao | 4h 18m | Book Ticket |
| Beijing South to Tianjin | 30m | Book Ticket |
| Beijing South to Jinan | 1h 22m | Book Ticket |
| Beijing South to Qingdao | 3h 01m | Book Ticket |
| Beijing South to Nanjing South | 3h 13m | Book Ticket |
| Beijing South to Hangzhou East | 4h 17m | Book Ticket |
| Beijing South to Fuzhou | 7h 53m | Book Ticket |
| Beijing South to Xiamen North | 11h 00m | Book Ticket |
| Route | Duration | Book online |
|---|---|---|
| Shanghai Hongqiao to Beijing South | 4h 24m | Book Ticket |
| Nanjing South to Beijing South | 3h 16m | Book Ticket |
| Shenzhen North to Beijing South | 8h 22m | Book Ticket |
| Guangzhou to Beijing South | 7h 33m | Book Ticket |
| Tianjin to Beijing South | 30m | Book Ticket |
| Jinan to Beijing South | 1h 23m | Book Ticket |
| Qingdao to Beijing South | 3h 05m | Book Ticket |
| Hefei South to Beijing South | 3h 37m | Book Ticket |
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?
Transport Mode | Travel time from the city centre (Tiananmen) | Estimated price |
Metro Line 7 | 20–25 mins | ~4 CNY (~£0.43) |
Metro Line 9 | 20–25 mins | ~4 CNY (~£0.43) |
Taxi | 25–40 mins | ~60–100 CNY (~£7–£11) |
From PKX (Daxing) Airport | ~1hr (Line 19 → Line 9) | ~39 CNY (~£4) |
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
Destination | Duration | 2nd Class Price | Book |
Xi'an North | ~4.5–5 hours | From 436 CNY (~£47) | |
Chengdu East | ~7h 30m | From 590 CNY (~£65) | |
Guangzhou South | ~8 hrs | From 862 CNY (~£94) | |
Hong Kong West Kowloon | ~9 hrs | From 1,077 CNY (~£116) | |
Guilin North | ~11h | From 730 CNY (~£77) |
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?
Transport Mode | Travel time from the city centre (Tiananmen) | Estimated price |
Metro Line 2 | 5–10 mins | ~3 CNY (~£0.35) |
Taxi | 10–20 mins | ~25–40 CNY (~£2.50–£4.50) |
From PEK Airport | ~1hr (Airport Express → Line 2) | ~28 CNY (~£3.00) |
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
Destination | Duration | Train type | Book |
Shenyang North | ~5–6 hrs | Z and T trains | |
Harbin | ~8h – 9h | T and Z trains | |
Dalian | ~7:30 am | T-Trains | |
Changchun | ~6h | Z Trains | |
Mudanjiang | ~10 hrs | Night Train Z |
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Top Tips for Train Travel from Beijing
💡 Book as soon as your dates are set
Tickets go on sale 30 days before departure. On popular routes like Beijing–Shanghai or Beijing–Xi'an, the best second-class seats can sell out in just a few hours during peak travel periods (Golden Week, Chinese New Year, summer holidays). Booking with Trip.com takes less than 5 minutes.
💡 Don't mix up your train stations
In Beijing, each railway station serves its own specific set of destinations. A ticket to Xi'an, for example, will depart from the West Railway Station, not the South. Always double-check the full name of both your departure and arrival stations on your ticket.
💡 Allow plenty of time for security checks
At the entrance to each station, your luggage will go through an X-ray scan and your passport will be checked. You'll then need to go through another ticket and passport check before accessing the platform. We recommend arriving 45 minutes to an hour before your departure (allow a little extra time for the West Station).
💡 Your passport is your golden ticket
In China, you'll need your passport to enter the train station, collect your ticket, and access the platform. Keep it in an easily accessible pocket!
💡 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 hours and 30 minutes 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.
FAQ – Taking the Train from Beijing Stations
Which Beijing train station should I use for Shanghai?
Beijing South is the best choice. High-speed G-trains run every 15–30 minutes, with a journey time of around 4.5 hours.Which station should I use for trains to Xi'an?
Beijing West is the main station for Xi'an. High-speed trains take around 4.5–5 hours, with several departures daily.Can I buy train tickets in Beijing without speaking Chinese?
Yes. Main stations have English-speaking ticket counters, but the easiest option is booking via the Trip.com app and using your passport for entry.How much is the high-speed train from Beijing to Shanghai?
Second class tickets start from around CNY 553 (£60), while first class is about CNY 933 (£100), with a journey time of around 4.5 hours.Which Beijing station is closest to major attractions?
Beijing Railway Station is the most convenient, about 1.9 miles (3 km) from the Forbidden City and just a short metro ride from Tiananmen Square.