The Great Wall of China is undoubtedly the must-do activity on any trip to Beijing. Every year, millions of visitors flock to this wonder of the world, which stretches for over 21,000 km across northern China.
The good news? Getting to the Great Wall has never been easier! High-speed trains, budget-friendly public buses, comfortable tourist shuttles, or private cars... there are plenty of options, and each has its own advantages depending on your budget, time, and travel style!
In this comprehensive guide, Trip.com brings you the best ways to travel between Beijing and the main sections of the Great Wall (Badaling and Mutianyu), with all the practical info you need for an easy comparison: prices, journey times, departure points, pros and cons!
Which Great Wall Section Should You Visit from Beijing?
Before we talk about transport, you first need to decide which section to visit – because, let’s face it, the Great Wall is absolutely massive! Beijing gives you access to several different sections, each with its own unique character and specific transport options.
Badaling: the most accessible, but also the most touristy
Badaling is undoubtedly the most famous section of the Great Wall. Here’s a summary of everything you need to know:
- Distance from Beijing: 70 km (1–1.5 hours)
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Crowd levels: Very high
Badaling is the most visited section of the Great Wall. Perfectly restored and equipped with all the modern amenities you could need (including cable cars, toilets, and restaurants), it’s easily accessible by high-speed train in just 20–30 minutes.
The only downside? The crowds, particularly at weekends and during Chinese public holidays.
Mutianyu: fewer crowds and even better scenery
Here’s a quick summary of what you need to know about Mutianyu:
- Distance from Beijing: 73 km (1.5-2 hours)
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Crowd levels: Moderate to high
Mutianyu is often considered the best section for international visitors. Beautifully restored and offering breathtaking views, it’s less crowded than Badaling and features a star attraction: a 1.5 km toboggan ride down! It’s our number one recommendation if you have the time.
The Other, Less-Trodden Sections
- Juyongguan (50 km): a historic fortress with easy access, perfect for avoiding the crowds.
- Simatai (120 km): the only section open at night with stunning illuminations
- Jinshanling (130 km): a hiker's paradise, wild section
How to Get to Badaling Great Wall from Beijing
🚄 Beijing to Badaling: The High-Speed Train ⚡
From Beijing to Badaling, taking the high-speed train is undoubtedly the most popular and quickest option. You can hop on at Beijing North Railway Station or Qinghe Railway Station to reach Badaling Great Wall Station in just 20 to 30 minutes, depending on your departure station.
Badaling Great Wall Station is an ultra-modern station carved deep into the mountain, which opened in 2019. Once you exit the station, it’s just a 10-minute walk to the entrance of the Badaling tourist area.
Here’s a quick look at the journey times and prices for each departure station:
Departure station | Journey time | Metro access | Nearby areas |
Beijing North Railway Station | Just 26-30 minutes | Lines 2 or 4 (Xizhimen Station) | Central Beijing, Xicheng District |
Qinghe Railway Station | 20-23 mins | Line 13 (Qinghe Station) | North Beijing, Haidian District |
🎟️ Train ticket information
High-speed train tickets are available for adults (aged 14 and over) and children (aged 6-13), with several seating options to choose from: Second Class, First Class, and Business Class.
Here are the approximate prices in pounds (£) for the different ticket classes:
Departure station | Second Class | First Class | Business class |
Beijing North Railway Station | ~£2.30 | ~£3.60 | ~£6.80 |
Qinghe Railway Station | ~£1.75 | ~£2.80 | ~£5.20 |
The ticket prices shown are based on 2026 rates. Child tickets are roughly half the price of an adult 2nd-class ticket.
📌Trip.com's Top Tip for Departure Day:
- Arrive 30 minutes before departure to clear security;
- Please bring your passport (mandatory);
- Head through security (luggage is scanned just like at the airport);
- Find your platform on the display screens;
- Hop on the train (punctual departures).
🚌 From Beijing to Badaling: the 877 bus (the budget-friendly choice)
Bus 877 is the top pick for budget-conscious travellers (perfect for young people, couples, and solo adventurers). For less than £1.75 (yes, really!), you can reach Badaling from central Beijing. The journey takes between 1.5 and 2.5 hours, depending on the traffic.
Starting point: Beitucheng Bus Station
How to get there:
- Hop on Metro Line 2 to Jishuitan Station (积水潭站).
- Head out through Exit A2
- Walk for 5 minutes to Beitucheng Bus Station
- Look for the bus 877 stop (keep an eye out for the signs in English for "Badaling Great Wall").
Opening times and prices
- First departure: around 6:30 am
- Last departure: around 12:00
- Frequency: every 30 minutes (more frequent in the morning)
- Journey time: 1 hour 30 minutes without traffic, or 2 to 2.5 hours during peak times.
- Cash fare: 12 CNY (£1.30)
Return bus from Badaling:
- Last departure: Around 4:30 pm – 5:00 pm
⚠️ Don't miss the last bus!
📌 Trip.com's top tips:
- Aim to arrive at the station before 8 am to secure a seat and beat the rush.
- At the weekend, the bus can be full as early as 7:30 am.
- Make sure to bring some change if you're paying in cash.
- Finally, pick up a Beijing transport card to save 50%!
🚍 From Beijing to Badaling: The Tourist Bus
Tourist buses offer a fantastic balance between price and comfort. They usually depart from Qianmen (near Tiananmen Square) and drop you off right at the entrance to Badaling.
Practical information you need to know
- The starting point: Qianmen (前门), accessible via metro line 2.
- Return fare: 80-100 CNY (£9–£11)
- Departures: typically 7:00 am, 8:00 am, 9:00 am
- Return times: 15:00, 16:00, 17:00 (from Badaling)
- Duration: 1.5–2 hours, depending on traffic
Included services
- ✅ English-speaking guide on board
- ✅ Comfortable seats and air conditioning
- ✅ Dedicated luggage space
- ✅ Historical insights along the way
- ✅ Pick-up and drop-off at the same points
⚠️ Watch out for scams: some "tourist" buses include forced shopping stops. Be sure to check for "no shopping stops" when booking, and book through Trip.com to avoid any nasty surprises.
🚕 From Beijing to Badaling: Taxi or Private Car
If your budget allows, a taxi or private car is the ultimate premium choice for maximum comfort and flexibility.
Standard taxis
Estimated prices (varying by time):
- Badaling return trip: 500-800 CNY (£54–£87)
- Duration: 1–1.5 hours
Here's how:
- Ask your hotel reception to call a taxi;
- Negotiate the price in advance (including waiting time on-site);
- Arrange a return time (4-5 hours after arrival);
- Make sure the driver understands they need to wait for you;
- Ask for their phone number.
💡 Trip.com Top Tip: Here’s the address in Chinese to show your driver or enter into the app: 八达岭长城 (Badaling Changcheng)
Private car with driver
Vehicle type | Capacity | Price | Services included |
Standard car | 1-4 passengers | 890-990 CNY (£97–£107) | English-speaking driver, bottled water, and 4-5 hours of waiting time. |
SUV | 5-7 passengers | 1,290-1,490 CNY (£140–£162) | English-speaking driver, child seats, WiFi |
- The perks: total flexibility, door-to-door convenience and a comfortable ride. In short, it’s ideal for groups (splitting the cost makes it great value for 3–4 people).
- The downsides: it's quite pricey for solo travellers and you might get caught in traffic.
Best Way to Get to Badaling Great Wall from Beijing
Your Transport Choices | Duration | Price | Perks | Drawbacks |
High-speed train | Just 20-30 minutes | £2–£4 | The fastest, most comfortable, and always punctual. | Tickets to book in advance |
Bus 877 | 1h30-2h30 | £0.70–£1 | Great value, frequent departures | It can get quite lively, and you might encounter some traffic. |
Sightseeing bus | 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours | £9 return | Comfortable, on-board guide, no changes | More expensive than the public bus |
Taxi/Private car | A delightful 1 to 1.5 hours | £57–£113 return | Flexible, door-to-door, and perfect for groups | A bit pricey and prone to traffic jams. |
Organised tour | Day | £28–£78 | All-inclusive, stress-free, expert guides | Less flexibility and fixed schedules |
🏞️ How to Get to Mutianyu Great Wall from Beijing
Unlike Badaling, you can't reach Mutianyu by high-speed train. The only ways to get there from Beijing are:
- By direct tourist bus (recommended);
- By public bus 916 + H23 (economical but a long journey);
- By taxi/private car;
- Via an organised tour.
Let’s dive into the details of each one!
🏞️ From Beijing to Mutianyu: The direct tourist bus
For the most convenient way to get from Beijing to Mutianyu, the direct tourist bus is definitely your best bet. Simply hop on at Dongzhimen or Qianmen to reach Mutianyu directly in about 1.5 to 2 hours, leaving you with a generous 5 hours on-site to explore and truly make the most of your visit.
Starting points
Dongzhimen
- Metro access: Lines 2 and 13, Dongzhimen station
- Departure times: 8:00 am and 10:00 am
- Return time: 4:00 pm (from Mutianyu)
Qianmen
- Metro access: Line 2, Qianmen station
- Similar schedules across airlines
Prices
- Return fare: 80-140 CNY (£9–£15)
- Duration: 1.5–2 hours, depending on traffic
- Recommended visit time: 5 hours
What's included:
- ✅ Return transport
- ✅ English-speaking guide on board
- ✅ Direct bus with no shopping stops
- ✅ Travel insurance
🚌 From Beijing to Mutianyu: the public bus (the least convenient option)
For travellers on a tight budget, using a combination of public buses is a viable option, though it does require a bit of patience and a good sense of direction.
The full route: Metro + Bus 916 + Bus H23
Step 1: Take the metro to Dongzhimen
- Take Line 2 or 13 to Dongzhimen Station
- Exit B, follow "Dongzhimen Traffic Hub"
Step 2: Next, hop on the 916 Express Bus to Huairou
- Hop on the 916 Express bus heading towards Huairou Beidajie (北大街);
- Duration: 1–1.5 hours;
- Price: 10-12 CNY (£1.10–£1.30);
- Frequency: every 10-15 minutes
Step 3: Finally, hop on the H23 bus to Mutianyu
- Get off at Huairou Beidajie;
- Cross the road and look for the H23 bus stop;
- Hop on the bus heading to Mutianyu Roundabout (慕田峪环岛);
- Duration: 40-50 minutes;
- Price: 5 CNY (£0.55).
⚠️ Frequency: every 30-40 minutes only!
Total cost: 15-20 CNY (£1.60–£2.20) per journey
⚠️ This option is best suited for travellers with plenty of time, those on a shoestring budget, or Chinese-speaking adventurers.
Hotels: Save up to 10% (Book online or on H5)
Homes & Apts: Save up to £39 (App-only deal)
Top Hotels in Beijing
5 star
Business travel
Family friendly
🎒 Beijing to Great Wall of China by Organised Tour
If you’d rather not worry about the logistics, organised tours are a fantastic option. Everything is included: transport, an expert guide, entry tickets, and sometimes even lunch.
Types of tours available
The Classic Great Wall Tour
- Price: 35-99 USD (£28–£79 ) per person;
- Included: return transport, an English-speaking guide, entrance tickets, and lunch (on full-day tours);
- Sections visited: Badaling, Mutianyu or Juyongguan;
- Duration: 4-5 hours (half-day) or 8-10 hours (full day).
Great Wall & other sites combo tour
- Price: from 99 USD (£78)
- Popular itineraries: Great Wall + Forbidden City + Tiananmen Square, or Great Wall + Ming Tombs
- Included: all entrance fees, air-conditioned transport, guide, and lunch
Things to check before you book
✔️ "No shopping stops" guaranteed;
✔️ Group size: Small groups (10-15) vs large groups (30-40+);
✔️ Guide language: English;
✔️ What's included: Entry? Cable car? Lunch?;
✔️ Cancellation policy: Free cancellation 24 or 48 hours in advance?;
✔️ Customer reviews: Read the reviews on Trip.com;
Best Way to Get to Mutianyu Great Wall from Beijing
Your Transport Choices | Duration | Price | Perks | Drawbacks |
Direct sightseeing bus | 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours | £9–£16 return | Direct, comfortable, and shopping-free | Limited schedule (2 departures per day) |
Public bus 916 + H23 | 3h | £1.75–£2.20 | Great value | It’s quite a long and complicated journey, with the H23 only running every 30-40 minutes. |
Taxi/Private car | 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours | £67–£166 return | Flexible, door-to-door, comfortable | A bit pricey and prone to traffic jams. |
Organised tour | Day | £30–£86 | All-inclusive, stress-free, expert guides | Less flexibility and fixed groups |
FAQ - Get to to Great Wall of China from Beijing
When should I book train tickets to the Great Wall?
It’s best to book in advance—especially during Chinese public holidays (Chinese New Year, Golden Week 1–7 October) or weekends. You can easily reserve tickets on Trip.com up to 30 days ahead.Badaling or Mutianyu: which Great Wall section should I choose?
Badaling is the easiest to reach (just 20–30 minutes by train) but tends to be crowded. Mutianyu offers better scenery, fewer crowds, and even a fun toboggan ride—it’s our top recommendation. Short on time? Go with Badaling. Have a full day? Mutianyu’s well worth it.What’s the cheapest way to get to the Great Wall from Beijing?
Bus 877 to Badaling is the most budget-friendly (70p–£1.15), but it’s slow and often packed. For Mutianyu, take public bus 916 + H23—it costs just £1.75–£2.20 but takes around 3 hours. For the best value, the high-speed train to Badaling (£1.75–£3.50) is hard to beat.What’s the most comfortable option?
A private transfer is the ultimate in comfort (door-to-door, Wi-Fi, luggage space), but it’s also the priciest (£100–£166 return). For a good balance of comfort and cost, the high-speed train to Badaling or a tourist bus to Mutianyu are both solid choices.Can you visit the Great Wall in winter?
Absolutely! Winter (December to February) means far fewer visitors and stunning snowy landscapes. Just wrap up warm (temperatures can drop to -10°C) and wear non-slip shoes—the steps can get icy.