Summary
- Overview of Beijing South Railway Station
- Traveling From Downtown Beijing to Beijing South Railway Station
- Train Ticket Buying Guide for Beijing South Railway Station
- Getting From Beijing South Railway Station to Beijing Capital International Airport
- Reaching Tian’anmen Square From Beijing South Railway Station
- Beijing South Railway Station Services and Amenities
- FAQ
Overview of Beijing South Railway Station
Address: No. 12 Chezhan Road, Fengtai District, Beijing
Best Arrival Time: 1 Hour before Train Departure
Chinese Name: 北京南站
Chinces Pinyin: Bei Jing Nan Zhan Name on the Train Ticket: Beijingnan（北京南）
Train Ticket Booking: Click Here to Purchase Tickets
Traveling From the Downtown Beijing to Beijing South Railway Station
1.Metro
From the city centre, the simplest way to get to and from the South Station is by Beijing's subway, Line 4 serving Xidan and Caishikou stations for example and a twenty-minute ride south; all in all trains travel every few minutes at a cost of four yuan each time, moreover the platforms are directly beneath the rail concourse meaning you can climb off your bullet-train and into it from an underground metro station without ever once seeing daylight.
2. City Bus
Plus a few public buses (No. 106, No. 381) rattle eastward from Qianmen and Tian'anmen Square to the station's east plaza in about half an hour for two yuan with stops every few blocks for window-level views of hutong life; however, during rush hour the trip can double as passengers elbow out seats on board so unless you're travelling light it's better to have small change ready.
3. Taxi
City cabs ply every major street and will zip the six km from Wangfujing to the station in fifteen minutes on a good day. Owing to traffic lights, along the Second Ring can slow that trip up to half an hour; meter fare starts at thirteen yuan and typically settles around thirty, plus a three-yuan fuel surcharge but there's no beating door-to-door convenience for travelers dragging suitcases or heavy shopping loads.
4. Ride-hailing Services
With ride-hailing services like DiDi (or Meituan), you'll be able to call a comfortable sedan or even a seven-seat SUV from your hotel's doorstep, complete with real-time tracking and payment apps that sidestep the language barrier.
You're likely to pay 25–35RMB for this same crosstown hop, surge pricing is still relatively rare outside peak holidays, and many drivers also phone ahead to confirm which pick-up pillar they'll see you next to, leaving you in peace while the city glides by through tinted glass.
Train Ticket Buying Guide for Beijing South Railway Station
1.Online Purchase
Just simply open the sky-blue 12306 app and select a train before paying with Alipay or WeChat, swipe ID at turquoise-trimmed entry gates and drop immediately to platform.
The default has been electronic ticketing on nearly every departure since 2019, so no paper ones will change hands; the barcode on your phone and the chip in your passport should be all you need.
For foreign visitors who booked through an international agent or OTA, the process is even more relaxed: just hold on to the confirmation code message from Trip.com or Ctrip, punch it into either an auto-ticketer or the “Internet Collection” window and that very same blue ticket pops out with no surcharge.
Once you possess any sort of ticket, access to the platforms is a five-minute glide: security scan, your name on an ID card, escalator down to where the bullet noses are seated before the echo of your announcement has even died.
2. Offline Purchase
If you can't get on board without a physical slip, there are four clusters of gleaming white automat in the corners of the lofty ticket hall below, their touch-screens to English and their scanners open for passports, Mainland Travel Permits or foreign-resident IDs.
Tap destination and departure time, select a seat on the pastel-colored seat map that pops up, insert your cash or tap your phone and in three seconds the unit will spit out a blue magnetic ticket; they'll do the same for refunds or changes of plans while you're still in the building.
Twelve human counters in a pleased crescent are still open for passengers with complex multi-leg itineraries to explain, for parents purchasing children's tickets which don't contain an ID number or for securing the precious few sleeper berths that remain un-digitalized: queues work out at ten-fifteen minutes at peak times and an instant after lunch.
Getting From Beijing South Railway Station to Beijing Capital International Airport
1.Metro
It offers the most cost-efficient and reliable way of travelling. Although a direct subway doesn't exist, the transfer is straightforward — from Beijing South Station: Line 4 to Xuanwumen Station (first), then Line 2 bound for Dongzhimen before hopping on either Airport Express line to Terminals. The whole trip takes about 52 minutes and will cost you around 29 RMB, which is cheaper than any available for avoiding road traffic.
2. Airport Bus
The Airport Bus is the easiest and most direct option. There's a fast shuttle service from Beijing South Station to the airport terminals (T2 and T3).
Buses leave every two hours, and the trip takes roughly 70 to 90 minutes and costs about 30 RMB. Better to look at the newest schedule (official updates use exact departure times from the train station, like 6:00 or 7:30).
3. Taxi
With heavy luggage or a group, and for the fastest and least hassle-free route, hop in a taxi. The distance is about 36 km and travel time as short as 30 min or up to 40 depending on traffic. Usually cost between 130 RMB, and straight to your door.
4. Ride-hailing Services
Like using a taxi, taking ride-hail services (like those transacted via DiDi or other mobile apps) will bring comparable convenience and time of departure at about 30 minutes. These services can sometimes be reserved in advance as a "town car," and rates tend to run around 110. This is a great option for those looking for private car service that's more personal or prearranged.
Reaching Tian'anmen Square From Beijing South Railway Station
1.Metro
The subway is reliable and an affordable options. Line 4 to Xidan Station; transfer to Line 1 to Tian'anmen West/East Station. It takes about 40-50 minutes, costs roughly 5 yuan and avoids traffic jams, though, for novices, transfers may take some time to comprehend.
2. Taxi
Taxis are some time-saving services for emergency usages. It's 8 km, the trip takes 20-30 minutes and costs between 35 RMB (and up, depending on surcharges). They are available outside the station exit, but can be caught in the rush hour traffic.
3. Ride-hailing Services
Book on an app like Didi; the fare (35-50 yuan) and time (20-30 minutes) are similar to taxis. A good choice for multiples with luggage; prices are clearly estimated in advance.
Beijing South Railway Station Services and Amenities
1.Ticket Counter
It is located on the second floor waiting hall. Its services, including ticket sales, changes and refunds, are available 24 hours a day.
Payment methods supportable include cash, Alipay, WeChat and credit card. Necessary documents include passport or other identity.
2. Baggage Storage
There is a baggage lockers’ area on the second floor. However, the number of lockers is small and is often full. You can also choose manual storage, which is on the B1 floor, open 6 a.m.-12 p.m.
Small items are 10 RMB per day; Medium packages charge for 15 RMB per day; Large boxes are 25 RMB per day; And the extra large luggage are 40 RMB per day. There is no hard limit on maximum storage time, but enough for several days to be picked up.
FAQ
1.Can I spend the night in Beijing South Railway Station?
Yes, you can, but it is not recommendable. There are still some shops open in the evening and, as Beijing South is located in the city center, you can easily find hotels not too far away that are cheap and close to it.
2. What should I do if I lost something in the Station?
You may register at a lost and found office or ask station personnel for the location of registration.
3. What languages are spoken by the staff at Beijing South Railway Station?
The workers at Beijing South Railway Station speak Mandarin. As an international metropolis, Beijing also has some staff who can speak basic English at information desks and major service points. For non-Chinese speaking travelers, English signs and information is available in major sections of the station.
4. Can I catch the train which is before the ticket time?
No, you must travel on the train mentioned in your ticket. Checking of ticket means verifying some information, and no entry without the corresponding ticket.
