Comprehensive Guide to Beijing South Railway Station

Hello, I’m Alex Chen, a Chinese traveler who loves independent travel. I enjoy exploring remote corners around the world, especially in China, where I always find hidden beautiful places. In this article, I’ll share a comprehensive guide to Beijing South Railway Station, covering how to get there, ticketing information, and station facilities, aiming to make your use of Beijing South Station more convenient and comfortable. I’m eager to share tips on how to travel independently on a budget in China, hoping my experiences can help make your travels enjoyable!

---

---

Overview of Beijing South Railway Station

• Address: No. 12 Chezhan Road, Fengtai District, Beijing
• Recommended arrival time before train departure: 1 hour
• Name in Chinese: 北京南站
• Pinyin: Bei Jing Nan Zhan
• Name on train ticket: 北京南Beijingnan
• Ticket Purchase: Click here to buy tickets

---

Best Ways to Reach Beijing South Station from the City Center

It is recommended to take the subway during the day as traffic in Beijing can be congested, and the subway helps avoid traffic jams. For those with more luggage, ride-hailing services are recommended; remember to enter the station from the east entrance for quicker access.

How to Take the Subway from Beijing City Center to Beijing South Station?

• Subway lines: Line 4, Line 14
• Drop-off location: Beijing South Station
• Operating hours: 5:00 AM – 10:20 PM
• Cost: 4 RMB
• Travel time: 40 minutes

How to Take a Taxi or Ride-Hailing Service from Beijing City Center to Beijing South Station?

You can use Alipay or DiDi for hailing a taxi.

• Drop-off location: East entrance of Beijing South Station
• Cost: 30 RMB
• Travel time: 25 minutes

---

Ticketing Guide

How to Purchase Train Tickets

• Online ticketing:
  • Platforms:
    • Official website/APP (China Railway Railway12306)
    • Third-party online booking platforms, recommended for their user-friendly interface compared to the official site with the same prices as the official website. Click here to purchase tickets.
  • Station name for ticketing: 北京南Beijingnan
• Ticket counters: Tickets can be purchased using cash, Alipay, WeChat, or credit cards.

• Ticket machines: Purchase tickets using Alipay or WeChat. Note that not all machines accept non-mainland China passports; if your current machine does not offer a “Passport” option, try another machine.

• Ticketing time: Tickets for all trains in China can be purchased up to 15 days in advance, both online and at the station.
• Train operating company: All trains in China are operated directly by the government, with no private companies involved.

---

What Type of Train Ticket to Choose?

Types of Trains

• High-Speed Trains (Gao Tie): Known for their efficiency and speed, reaching up to 350 km/h. The high-speed rail network covers most major cities in China. They offer a superior experience but at a higher price, suitable for first-time train travelers.
• Regular Trains: Slower and more economical compared to high-speed trains, suitable for travelers not in a hurry to reach their destination quickly. Some regular trains offer sleeper cars, ideal for budget travelers on long journeys.

Levels of Seating

• High-Speed Trains:
  • Second-class: The most popular seating choice among travelers.
  • First-class: More spacious and comfortable than second-class, at a higher price.
  • Business-class: The most luxurious seating option on high-speed trains, priced the highest. It offers free snacks, meals (on some routes), priority boarding, access to exclusive lounges, and seats that fully recline, similar to business-class configurations and services on airplanes.

• Regular Trains:
  • Hard Seat: The most common choice for short-distance travelers.
  • Soft Seat: More comfortable than hard seats, at a higher price. These seats are padded, offering more space, suitable for medium to short journeys.
  • Hard Sleeper: Divided into upper, middle, and lower berths, these are firm berths suitable for long-distance or overnight travel.
  • Soft Sleeper: More comfortable and spacious than hard sleepers, usually with just four berths per compartment, offering better privacy and security. Ideal for long-distance or overnight travel.
  • Standing Ticket: The cheapest option, but without a fixed seat, requiring standing throughout the journey. It is generally not recommended unless no other tickets are available.

---

Ticket Changes and Refunds

Ticket Change Policy

• Change conditions:
  • Most train tickets allow for changes.
  • Each ticket can only be changed once.
• Change fees:
  • More than 48 hours before departure: Free changes.
  • Within 24-48 hours before departure: A fee of 5% of the ticket price.
  • Less than 24 hours before departure: A fee of 15% of the ticket price.
  • After departure: A fee of 40% of the ticket price.
• How to change a ticket:
  • Online: Log into the purchasing platform, select the “Change” option, and follow the prompts.
  • In-person: Bring the booking documents and ticket to the train station ticket counter to make changes.

Refund Policy

• Refund conditions: Most trains allow for ticket refunds.
• Refund fees:
  • More than 8 days before departure: Free refunds.
  • Between 48 hours and 8 days before departure: A fee of 5% of the ticket price.
  • Within 24-48 hours before departure: A fee of 10% of the ticket price.
  • Less than 24 hours before departure: A fee of 20% of the ticket price.
  • After departure: No refunds.
• How to refund a ticket:
  • Online: Log into the purchasing platform, select the “Refund” option, and follow the prompts.
  • In-person: Bring the booking documents and ticket to the train station ticket counter to process the refund.

---

Riding Guide

Pre-boarding Preparations

• Documents: Passport and any other booking documents.
• Need to print a physical ticket or purchase record: Not necessary, but you can print it as a souvenir.
• Recommended arrival time at the station: It is recommended to arrive at the station 1 hour before the train departs.
• Punctuality of trains: Trains in China are very punctual, rarely departing early or being delayed, so please do not be late.

Security Check Procedure

• Security process: All luggage must go through security.
• Common luggage rules:
  • Knives are not permitted.
  • Items over 150ml in volume such as hair dye, hair spray, and insecticides are not allowed.
  • Strollers are permitted.

Steps to Boarding

1. Check the ticket purchase record to confirm train information, car, and seat number.
2. Look at the large screens for train information to locate the ticket gate.
3. Wait for ticket checking: Pay attention to announcements.
   • Ticket gate opening time: 10-15 minutes before train departure.
   • Ensure the train number matches the one on your ticket before checking, to avoid boarding the wrong train.
4. Begin ticket checking: Scan your documents to enter the waiting platform.
5. Board the train: Proceed to the platform, you can see the car number outside the train, enter the car, and then find your seat according to the seat number.
   • If it’s close to departure time, you may also enter through the nearest car as all cars are interconnected.

Travel Tips

• If purchasing tickets on-site, confirm the train departure time and ticket availability in advance, and arrive at the station at least 1.5 hours before the train departs.
• Peak hours: During morning and evening peak hours (7:00-9:00, 17:00-19:00), it takes longer to reach the station.

---

Best Ways from Beijing South Station to Beijing Capital International Airport

To reach Beijing Capital International Airport, the subway is recommended during the day as it avoids the heavy traffic. For those with more luggage, airport buses are also a good option due to their frequent services.

Subway

• Subway lines: Line 14 + Line 5 + Capital Airport Line
• Drop-off location: Terminal 2 of Capital Airport
• Operating hours: 5:56 AM – 10:26 PM
• Cost: 29 RMB
• Travel time: 1 hour and 20 minutes

Airport Bus

• Route: Airport bus service from Beijing South Station
• Boarding location: South Square of Beijing South Station
• Operating hours: Fixed departure times: 06:00, 07:30, 09:00, 10:30, 11:30, 13:00, 14:30, 15:30, 16:30, 18:00, 19:30, 20:30
• Cost: 30 RMB
• Travel time: 1 hour and 30 minutes

Taxi or Ride-Hailing Service

• Boarding locations: East and West areas have designated pick-up points.
• Drop-off location: Depending on the terminal and whether it’s an international or domestic departure.
• Cost: 130 RMB
• Travel time: 50 minutes

---

Best Ways from Beijing South Station to Beijing Daxing International Airport

To reach Beijing Daxing International Airport, taking the subway is recommended during the day to avoid traffic. For those with more luggage, a ride-hailing service is advised.

Subway

• Subway lines: Line 14 + Line 19 + Beijing Daxing International Airport Line
• Drop-off location: Daxing Airport
• Operating hours: 5:41 AM – 10:30 PM
• Cost: 38 RMB
• Travel time: 40 minutes

Taxi or Ride-Hailing Service

• Boarding locations: East and West areas have designated pick-up points.
• Drop-off location: Depending on the terminal and whether it’s an international or domestic departure.
• Cost: 110 RMB
• Travel time: 40 minutes

---

Best Ways from Beijing South Station to Beijing City Center

Taking the subway is recommended during the day as it’s close to the city center and avoids traffic jams.

Subway

• Subway lines: Line 4, Line 14
• Operating hours: 5:00 AM – 10:20 PM
• Cost: 4 RMB
• Travel time: 35 minutes

Taxi or Ride-Hailing Service

• Boarding locations: East and West areas have designated pick-up points.
• Cost: 30 RMB
• Travel time: 30 minutes

---

Recommended Hotels Near Beijing South Station

Ji Hotel (Beijing South Station Subway Station Branch)

• Reason for recommendation: Chain brand, decent environment, only a 10-minute walk from Beijing South Station.
• Address: No. 2 Building, Kaiyangli Street, Fengtai District, Beijing
• Price: 700 RMB
• Booking link: Click to book

Super 8 Hotel (Beijing South Station Xingfu Road Branch)

• Reason for recommendation: Also a chain brand, located just across from Beijing South Station, within a 10-minute walk.
• Address: 2nd Floor, Building 2, Area 7, Kaiyangli Community, Fengtai District, Beijing
• Price: 400 RMB
• Booking link: Click to book

---

Guide Inside Beijing South Station

Ticket Office Location

• Location: 2nd floor waiting hall
• Services available: Ticket sales, changes, and refunds
• Operating hours: 24 hours
• Payment methods supported: Cash, Alipay, WeChat, credit cards.
• Required documents: Passport or other identification

---

Luggage Storage Locations

• Locations:
  • Lockers: 2nd floor, but the number of lockers is limited and they are usually full.
  • Manual storage: B1 floor
• Operating hours: 6:00 AM – 12:00 AM
• Prices:
  • Small items: 10 RMB/day
  • Medium items: 15 RMB/day
  • Large items: 25 RMB/day
  • Extra-large items: 40 RMB/day
• Maximum storage duration: No limit, can be stored for multiple days.

---

FAQ

Can you stay overnight at Beijing South Station?

It is possible to stay overnight, but it is not recommended. There are still shops open at night, but since Beijing South Station is located in the city center, it is possible to find nearby hotels that are inexpensive and close.

Does Beijing South Station have free Wi-Fi?

No.

What to do if you lose something at Beijing South Station?

You can go to the lost and found office to register, and you can consult station staff for the registration location.

What languages do the staff at Beijing South Station speak?

The staff at Beijing South Station primarily communicate in Mandarin. Given that Beijing is an international metropolis, some staff may also speak basic English, especially at information desks and major service points. For non-Chinese speaking passengers, the station is usually equipped with English signs and offers English services in important information areas.

Can you board an earlier train than the one you have purchased a ticket for, such as the train before your scheduled departure?

No, you can only board the train specified on your ticket. Ticket checking involves verification of information, and without the corresponding ticket, you cannot enter.