I'm planning to visit Beijing in September and want to know how public transportation fares work. I want to make sure I budget everything properly.

Q: I'm planning to visit Beijing in September and want to know how public transportation fares work. I want to make sure I budget everything properly.

A: Beijing's public transport is affordable and efficient. Buses and subways are fairly cheap, especially with transit cards or apps that offer discounts. Taxis are reasonable but have some surcharges. Shared bikes are great for short trips. Budget around 10–20 yuan ($1.47-2.95) every day for buses and subways, or 30–50 yuan if you include taxis.

•Bus: Fares start at 2 yuan for up to 10 kilometers, then 1 yuan for every additional 5 km. Just tap your transit card or scan a QR code with apps like Beijing Bus, Yitongxing, Beijing Yikatong, or UnionPay for a 50-percent discount in the city and 20 percent in suburban areas.

•Subway: Charges start at 3 yuan for up to 6 km, increasing incrementally — 4 yuan for 6-12 km, 5 yuan for 12-22 km, 6 yuan for 22-32 km, then add 1 yuan for every extra 20 km. Monthly discounts apply: 20 percent off after spending 100 yuan and 50 percent off after 150 yuan, up to a total spend of 400 yuan.

•Taxi: The flag fare is 13 yuan for the first 3 km, then 2.3 yuan per km. Watch for surcharges: waiting times during traffic jams, long distances, late-night rides, and a 1-yuan fuel charge. App-based rides like Didi or AMap may have different rates.

•Shared bikes: Platforms like Meituan, Hellobike and Qingju charge a base fare plus per-minute rates. Prices vary, so check the app for current rates before riding.

(Information updated in July 2026)