Beijing South Railway Station Guide 2026: Train, Tickets, Facilities & More

About Beijing Train Station

Beijing, the capital of China, is served by five main railway stations: Beijing Railway Station, Beijing South Railway Station, Beijing West Railway Station, Beijing East Railway Station, and Changping North Railway Station. Among these, Beijing South Railway Station is the largest and busiest.

How to Book Train Tickets to/from Beijing?

Booking train tickets in Beijing can be done conveniently online or offline. Here’s a detailed guide to both methods.

Booking Train Tickets on Trip.com

Trip.com is a popular online travel platform, known for its user-friendly interface and special discounts such as a 3% off coupon for train bookings. Here’s how to book your tickets step-by-step:

• Log In and Search:
• • Visit the Trip.com website or open the Trip.com app.
  • Log in to your account. If you don’t have one, you can easily sign up.
  • Input your departure city (e.g., Beijing), destination, and travel date in the search bar. If the city isn't listed, manually type it in.

• Select Your Train:
• • Browse through the available trains and select the one that suits your schedule.
  • Choose your seat class (second class, first class, or business class).
• Enter Passenger Details:
• • Fill in the necessary passenger information, including names, email address, and contact phone number.
  • Ensure all details are correct to avoid issues during ticket collection.

• Choose Seat Preference:
• • If available, select your preferred seat type (window, aisle, or middle). Options may include seats labeled A, B, C, D, F.
• Apply Coupon Code:
• • Before proceeding to payment, apply the 3% off coupon code if available.
• Make Payment:
• • Select a payment method. Trip.com accepts various options including international credit/debit cards, PayPal, WeChat Pay, and Alipay.
  • Complete the payment to finalize your booking.
• Receive Confirmation:
• • After successful payment, you will receive a confirmation email with your e-ticket details. Keep this information handy for ticket collection and travel.

Source from baijiahao

Buying Tickets Offline

If you prefer to buy tickets offline, you can do so at the railway station or through authorized ticketing agents. Here’s how:

• Visit the Railway Station:
• • Go to any major railway station in Beijing, such as Beijing South Railway Station.
  • Look for the ticket office, often indicated by signs in both Chinese and English.
• Prepare Your Documents:
• • Bring your passport or ID card. Ensure you have a copy of your travel itinerary or know the specific train details you wish to book.
• Fill Out a Booking Form:
• • At the ticket office, you may need to fill out a booking form with details of your travel such as departure, destination, and preferred train times.
• Choose Your Train and Seat:
• • Inform the ticketing agent of your preferences for train times and seat class. They will check availability and offer you options.
• Make Payment:
• • Pay for your ticket at the counter. Payments can typically be made in cash (RMB) or via local payment methods like WeChat Pay or Alipay.
• Collect Your Ticket:
• • After payment, you will receive a paper ticket. Ensure all the details are correct before leaving the counter.
• Check Train Information:
• • Double-check the departure time, platform, and train number on your ticket to avoid any confusion on the day of travel.

High-Speed Train Route of Beijing Train Stations

Beijing South Railway Station is renowned for its high-speed Fuxing trains, capable of reaching speeds of 350 km/h. This makes it an essential departure point for rapid connections to various major cities across China, including Shanghai, Hangzhou, Nanjing, and more.

From Beijing South Railway Station, travelers can reach Shanghai in just over four hours on G and D trains, which run frequently throughout the day. The station also offers quick routes to other significant cities such as Hangzhou, Nanjing, and Tianjin.

Additionally, Beijing West Railway Station provides high-speed services to cities like Xi'an, Chengdu, and Guangzhou, enhancing the connectivity for travelers heading to southern and western China.

Beijing Train Station: 6 Train Types

Beijing's major train stations, including Beijing South Railway Station, Beijing West Railway Station, and Beijing Railway Station, serve various types of high-speed (G, D, C) and conventional (Z, T, K) trains. The primary train types are G, D, and C trains, each designed for specific routes and service levels.

• Beijing South Railway Station: Primarily serves high-speed trains (G, D) to destinations like Shanghai, Hangzhou, Guangzhou, and Tianjin.
• Beijing West Railway Station: Serves a mix of high-speed (G, D) and some conventional trains (T, K), with routes to Xi'an, Chengdu, Chongqing, and Guangzhou.
• Beijing Railway Station: Handles a variety of trains, including high-speed (D) and conventional trains (Z, T, K), with routes to destinations like Harbin, Shenzhen, and Qingdao.
• Beijing North Railway Station: Primarily serves high-speed (G, D) and some conventional trains to destinations in northern China.
• Beijing East Railway Station: Mainly a freight station, but it also handles a few passenger services, particularly conventional trains.

Beijing South Railway Station Facilities

Layout of Beijing South Railway Station

Source from sina

Facilities of Beijing South Railway Station

Beijing South Railway Station is equipped with a wide range of modern facilities designed to enhance the comfort and convenience of passengers. Here are the key facilities available at the station:

• Spacious Waiting Areas: Ample seating is provided with clear signage and information boards that display real-time train schedules.
• Ticket Counters and Vending Machines: These are located throughout the station to facilitate the purchase, collection, and changes of tickets​.
• Baggage Handling Services: Options for luggage storage and porter services are available to assist with heavy bags)​.
• Restrooms and Accessibility Features: The station offers clean and modern restrooms, including facilities for passengers with disabilities such as barrier-free toilets and elevators​​.
• Refreshment Facilities: A variety of dining options are available, including fast food stalls, restaurants, coffee shops, and snack bars​.
• Information Desks: Staffed to provide assistance with travel inquiries, directions, and other passenger needs​​.
• Free Wi-Fi: Available throughout the station to keep passengers connected​​.
• ATM Machines and Currency Exchange: These are conveniently located for financial transactions.
• Lost and Found: A dedicated counter is available to help passengers retrieve lost items​​.
• Medical Assistance: First aid stations and emergency medical services are provided for any health-related issues​.
• Car Parking and Taxi Stands: Ample parking spaces and designated taxi areas are available to facilitate easy drop-off and pick-up​.

Beijing South Railway Station Transportation

Source from chinadiscovery

Here is how to get around Beijing using the subway, bus, and taxi services.

By Subway

Beijing’s subway system is one of the most extensive and efficient in the world, providing a fast and reliable way to travel across the city. Here are some key lines and their routes to popular destinations:

• Line 1: Runs east-west, connecting major attractions such as Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City (Tiananmen East Station), and Wangfujing shopping street.
• Line 2: The loop line encircles central Beijing, connecting with many other lines and providing access to Beijing Railway Station.
• Line 4: Runs north-south, connecting the Summer Palace (Beigongmen Station) and Beijing South Railway Station.
• Line 5: Another north-south line, connecting Lama Temple (Yonghegong Lama Temple Station) and Temple of Heaven (Tiantandongmen Station).
• Line 6: Runs parallel to Line 1 but further north, connecting with Line 2 and providing access to Nanluoguxiang, a popular cultural street.
• Line 8: Runs through central Beijing, connecting with Line 6 at Nanluoguxiang and providing access to Olympic Park (Olympic Sports Center Station).
• Line 10: A large loop line that intersects with nearly every other line, providing extensive connectivity across Beijing.

Popular Routes:

• To Tiananmen Square: Take Line 1 to Tiananmen East or Tiananmen West stations.
• To the Forbidden City: Take Line 1 to Tiananmen East Station.
• To Wangfujing: Take Line 1 to Wangfujing Station.
• To Beijing Capital International Airport: Take the Airport Express from Dongzhimen Station (connected via Lines 2 and 13).

Source from travelchinaguide

By Bus

Beijing’s bus system complements the subway, covering areas not easily accessible by train. Here are some specific lines to key destinations:

• Bus 1: Runs along Chang’an Avenue, connecting major landmarks including Tiananmen Square and Xidan shopping district.
• Bus 2: A loop route around the second ring road, useful for getting around central Beijing.
• Bus 52: Connects Beijing West Railway Station to Tiananmen Square and Dongzhimen.
• Bus 82: Runs from Yonghegong Lama Temple to Qianmen, passing through Wangfujing and Tiananmen Square.
• Bus 103: Runs from Beijing Railway Station to the Beijing Zoo.
• Bus 106: Connects Beijing South Railway Station with Dongzhimen, passing through many central areas.
• Airport Shuttle Bus: Several lines run from Beijing Capital International Airport to various parts of the city, including Beijing Railway Station and Zhongguancun.

Source from travelchinaguide

Popular Routes:

• To Tiananmen Square: Take Bus 1 or Bus 52.
• To the Forbidden City: Take Bus 1 or Bus 2 to Tiananmen East.
• To Wangfujing: Take Bus 103 from Beijing Railway Station.
• To the Summer Palace: Take Bus 320 or 307.

By Taxi

Taxis are a convenient way to travel in Beijing, especially for destinations not well-served by public transport. Here’s an updated price table for taxi services in Beijing:

Train Stations in Beijing

Beijing is home to several major train stations, each serving different routes and train types. Below is a table of each station, their major train types, and routes.

Beijing South Railway Station (北京南站)

Beijing South Railway Station is the largest and busiest train station in Beijing. It primarily serves high-speed G, D, and C trains, making it a key hub for rapid travel across China. Major routes include destinations like Shanghai, Tianjin, Nanjing, and Hangzhou. The station’s modern facilities and extensive amenities provide a comfortable travel experience.

Beijing West Railway Station (北京西站)

Beijing West Railway Station serves both high-speed and conventional trains, including G, D, Z, T, and K trains. It connects Beijing to western and southern China with major routes to cities like Xi'an, Chengdu, Chongqing, and Guangzhou. The station is known for its large size and heavy passenger traffic.

Beijing Railway Station (北京站)

Beijing Railway Station is one of the oldest and most centrally located stations in Beijing. It serves a variety of train types including D, Z, T, and K trains. Major routes include destinations such as Harbin, Shenzhen, Shanghai, and Urumqi. The station is a key point for long-distance conventional train travel.

Beijing North Railway Station (北京北站)

Beijing North Railway Station primarily serves high-speed and conventional trains, focusing on routes to northern China. Major destinations include Zhangjiakou and Datong. The station has recently been renovated to accommodate the increased passenger flow and modern train services.

Beijing East Railway Station (北京东站)

Beijing East Railway Station is smaller compared to other major stations and primarily handles conventional trains, including T and K trains. It connects Beijing to nearby destinations such as Qinhuangdao, Chengde, and Shanhaiguan.