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Trains to and from Beijing - Info and Tickets

Trains to and from Beijing

Beijing is a national rail hub in China, with key stations linking the city to destinations across the country. Beijing South (北京南站) is a primary high-speed terminal and the terminus for the Beijing–Shanghai High-Speed Railway, handling G- and D-category services to cities such as Shanghai and Nanjing. Beijing West (北京西站) handles long-distance conventional and high-speed services to southwestern and western cities including Chengdu, Chongqing and Kunming. Beijing Railway Station (北京站), located near the city center, carries conventional long-distance services to eastern and northeastern routes. Beijing North (北京北站) serves the suburban S2 line to Badaling (Great Wall) and related regional services. Beijing Fengtai (丰台站), reopened in 2022, operates high-speed services on several north–south corridors. G, D and C high-speed trains and conventional Z/T/K services operate from these stations, and both Beijing Capital Airport and Beijing Daxing Airport are connected by dedicated Airport Express subway lines.

Visiting Beijing

Beijing is the capital of the People’s Republic of China and contains several UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Forbidden City (Palace Museum) is located in central Beijing, directly north of Tiananmen Square. The Temple of Heaven and the Summer Palace are other heritage sites that attract visitors. Sections of the Great Wall near the city include Badaling and Mutianyu; Badaling is north of Beijing and is served by suburban rail (S2) and road links, while Mutianyu is in Huairou District. Beijing has multiple main train stations: Beijing South (Beijingnan) is the primary hub for high-speed and bullet train (G and D) services; Beijing West (Beijingxi) handles long-distance and some high-speed services; Beijing Railway Station serves conventional routes and some intercity trains. There are multiple daily high-speed services connecting Beijing with Shanghai, Xi’an, Tianjin, Guangzhou and other cities; travelers can buy train tickets online or at the train station and obtain tickets to nearby destinations by regional services. Book trains from and to Beijing online at Rail Monsters.

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Book Train Tickets to and from Beijing Online – Options, Tips, and Reservations

Types of Train Tickets Available

Ticket categories include high-speed services (G, D, C), intercity links, and conventional express trains (Z, T, K) with seat and sleeper options (business class, first class, second class, soft sleeper, hard sleeper, hard seat); Train prices vary by train type and class, and options cover regular tickets, cheap tickets and discount tickets; online reservation lets you choose train times, seat class and specific train stations.

Buying Train Tickets Online

Beijing is served by multiple major railway hubs — Beijing South, Beijing West, Beijing Railway Station and Beijing North — and China Railway (including CRH high-speed services) operates both high-speed and conventional trains; passengers can purchase train tickets online to and from Beijing on the Rail Monsters website, use Online reservation services to Book your tickets, or collect paper tickets at station ticket counters.

Tips for Online Reservations

Verify passport or national ID details before confirming departure dates; check availability early for peak travel periods such as Chinese New Year and National Day when regular tickets and cheap tickets sell quickly; refunds and exchanges follow China Railway rules and are subject to time limits shown on your online reservation; present the same ID used to Book your tickets when collecting paper tickets at ticket counters; use Online reservation services to compare Train prices and seat options. With the Rail Monsters iOS and Android apps...

Popular Train Routes from and to Beijing

Beijing serves as a major hub for rail travel in China, connecting to key destinations across the country. The Beijing to Shanghai route, covering approximately 1,318 kilometers, is one of the busiest and takes around 4 hours and 18 minutes via high-speed G trains between Beijing South and Shanghai Hongqiao. Another popular journey is Beijing to Tianjin, which spans about 117 kilometers and takes roughly 30 minutes via high-speed intercity services. Trains also frequently run from Beijing to regional hubs like Guangzhou (approximately 2,298 kilometers, about 8 hours and 20 minutes to Guangzhou South), Xi'an (approximately 1,216 kilometers, about 4 hours and 30 minutes to Xi'an North), and Harbin (approximately 1,249 kilometers, about 6 hours and 40 minutes to Harbin West).

Beijing to Shanghai

Travel from Beijing to Shanghai by China Railway high-speed G-train and visit The Bund (Zhongshan East 1st Rd) and Shanghai Tower in Lujiazui.

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Beijing to Guangzhou

Travel from Beijing to Guangzhou by G-series high-speed train and visit Canton Tower in Haizhu or Shamian Island in Liwan

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Beijing to Hong Kong

Travel from Beijing to Hong Kong by high-speed train and visit Victoria Peak (Central), Star Ferry at Central Pier, and Tian Tan Buddha (Ngong Ping).

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Beijing to Suzhou

Travel from Beijing to Suzhou by G-series high-speed train and visit the Humble Administrator’s Garden or walk the canals along Pingjiang Road.

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Beijing to Chengdu

Travel from Beijing to Chengdu by G-series HSR and visit Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding (Chenghua) and Jinli Street (Wuhou)

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Beijing to Xi'an

Travel from Beijing to Xi'an by high-speed train and visit the Museum of the Terracotta Army, the Xi'an City Wall and the Bell Tower.

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Beijing to Tianjin

Travel from Beijing to Tianjin by G-series high-speed train and see Tianjin Eye on Yongle Bridge, Ancient Culture Street, and the Five Great Avenues

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Beijing to Wuhan

Travel from Beijing to Wuhan by high-speed train (G) and visit Yellow Crane Tower (Wuchang) or Hubei Provincial Museum (Donghu).

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Train Travel to and from Beijing FAQ and Tips

How do I reach Beijing Capital and Daxing airports by rail?

Beijing Capital Airport is served by the Capital Airport Express between Dongzhimen and Terminal 2/3; the trip from Dongzhimen to the airport takes about 20–25 minutes. Beijing Daxing International Airport is served by the Daxing Airport Express and several metro and regional rail connections; travel time to the airport varies by origin station. Check Rail Monsters or local transit maps for the best transfer route.

Can I buy tickets at the last minute at Beijing stations?

Tickets can be purchased on the day of travel at station ticket counters and ticket machines, subject to availability. During busy travel periods trains often reach capacity and tickets may no longer be available at short notice. For seat availability and to avoid sell-outs, purchase tickets in advance through Rail Monsters.

What are the main train stations in Beijing for long-distance and high-speed services?

Key stations: Beijing South (Beijingnan) — primary hub for high-speed services including Beijing–Shanghai and Beijing–Guangzhou routes; Beijing West (Beijingxi) — major hub for many long-distance services toward the west and southwest; Beijing Railway Station — central station for conventional and regional services; Beijing Chaoyang — handles selected long-distance and overnight services. Each station connects to Beijing’s metro network for onward travel.

What ID is required for buying and boarding trains in Beijing?

Ticket buyers must provide the same valid ID used at purchase when collecting or boarding. Chinese citizens use their national ID; foreign travelers must use their passport. Stations check ID and ticket before entry to waiting areas and before boarding. Tickets purchased at Rail Monsters require passport information for foreign travelers.

Do I need to reserve seats in advance for trains from Beijing?

Most high-speed and long-distance train tickets in China include an assigned seat or berth at the time of purchase. During peak travel periods such as Chinese New Year and National Day Golden Week, trains commonly sell out; tickets should be booked in advance. Tickets and seat assignments are available from Rail Monsters.

What are the main rail connections from Beijing to other Chinese cities?

Major high-speed corridors from Beijing include routes to Shanghai (Beijing–Shanghai HSR), Guangzhou (Beijing–Guangzhou HSR), and regional high-speed links to Tianjin and cities in Hebei, Shandong and Henan. The short Beijing–Tianjin intercity services take around 30–40 minutes. Conventional overnight services connect Beijing with inland and northeastern cities not served by high-speed lines.

What is the fastest way to travel from Beijing to Shanghai by train?

The fastest service runs on the Beijing–Shanghai High-Speed Railway (distance about 1,318 kilometers). The quickest G‑series trains operating between Beijing South and Shanghai Hongqiao take about 4 hours 18 minutes. Tickets for these services can be purchased at Rail Monsters.

How do I select seats or seat classes on trains from Beijing?

High-speed trains use seat classes labeled Business Class, First Class and Second Class; seat assignments appear on the ticket at purchase. Conventional long-distance trains offer soft sleepers, hard sleepers, soft seats and hard seats with berths or seats allocated on the ticket. Where seat selection is available, Rail Monsters displays class and available seat options at booking.

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