How to Get from Beijing to Badaling Great Wall by Train & Public Transport (2026)

Quick Answer

Take the high-speed train from Beijing North or Qinghe Station to Badaling Great Wall Station — just 20–30 minutes, ¥25–30 for a second-class seat — then walk about 400 meters to the wall entrance. Trains run frequently from early morning until late evening. The budget alternative is Bus 877 from Deshengmen (¥12, 70–90 minutes), but weekend traffic on the G6 expressway can double the journey time.

Badaling (八达岭长城) is the most famous and most visited section of the Great Wall, located about 60 km northwest of central Beijing in Yanqing District. It was the first section restored and opened to tourists in 1957 and receives roughly 8–10 million visitors per year.

Compare Your Options

Option 1 — High-Speed Train (Recommended)

The Beijing–Zhangjiakou high-speed railway, opened in late 2019, stops at Badaling Great Wall Station (八达岭长城站) — a purpose-built station carved 102 meters into the mountainside directly beneath the scenic area.

Step-by-step

1. Get to Beijing North Station (北京北站) or Qinghe Station (清河站).

   • Beijing North is at Xizhimen, served by Metro Lines 2, 4, and 13 (Exit A1).
   • Qinghe Station is served by Metro Lines 13 and Changping Line.

2. Buy your ticket. Book in advance through the 12306 app, Trip.com, or at station ticket machines. Second-class seats cost ¥25–30 depending on the train and departure station. You will need your passport for booking and boarding.

3. Board the high-speed train to Badaling Great Wall Station. Trains run daily from approximately 06:40 to 21:00+, with departures every 15–30 minutes during peak times. The journey takes just 20–30 minutes.

   [!TIP] Book a train departing before 08:30 to beat both the ticket queues and the worst of the crowds. Popular early choices include trains around 07:00–08:00.

4. Exit Badaling Great Wall Station and walk to the entrance. The station exit leads directly toward the scenic area. Follow the signs for about 400 meters (5–8 minutes on foot) to the ticket check and cable car area. No shuttle bus is needed from the HSR station.

High-speed train details

[!IMPORTANT] Do not confuse Badaling Great Wall Station (八达岭长城站) — the high-speed rail station built right at the scenic area — with the older Badaling Station (八达岭站) on the S2 suburban line. They are separate stations about 1 km apart.

Option 2 — Bus 877 (Cheapest Direct)

Bus 877 is a dedicated tourist express that runs from central Beijing directly to the Badaling front-mountain parking lot.

Step-by-step

1. Get to Deshengmen (德胜门). Take Metro Line 2 to Jishuitan Station (积水潭站), Exit B2, then walk north about 5 minutes to the Deshengmen Arrow Tower bus terminal. Bus 877 also picks up at Beitucheng Station (北土城站) on Metro Lines 8 and 10.

2. Look for the official Bus 877. The bus is red and white with a clearly marked "877" sign. Board at the official queue area — ignore touts who approach you offering "express" or "direct" services for ¥100+.

3. Pay the fare. The one-way fare is ¥12 in cash (exact change preferred). If you have a Beijing Yikatong card or use the Yitongxing/Beijing Bus app QR code, the fare is discounted to about ¥4.8.

4. Ride to Badaling. The bus uses the G6 expressway and takes 70–90 minutes without traffic. On weekends and Chinese public holidays, the journey can stretch to 2–3 hours due to congestion.

5. At Badaling, transfer to the free shuttle. Bus 877 terminates at the front-mountain parking lot (前山停车场). From there, a free scenic-area shuttle bus takes you to the main ticket gate and cable car stations. The walk alone is about 15–20 minutes.

Bus 877 schedule

[!WARNING] Bus 877 only departs from Beijing in the morning (before noon). If you miss the last outbound bus, you must take the train or a taxi. Likewise, the last return bus is in the late afternoon — do not miss it.

Option 3 — Suburban Rail S2 (Scenic Budget Ride)

The S2 line (北京市郊铁路S2线) runs from Huangtudian Station (黄土店站) — a short walk from Huoying Station (霍营站) on Metro Lines 8 and 13 (Exit G4) — through the Changping countryside to Badaling Station (八达岭站).

• Fare: ¥6–7 (pay with Yikatong card, Alipay transit QR, or cash at the counter)
• Journey time: Approximately 80 minutes
• From Badaling S2 station to the wall: Walk about 10–15 minutes (800 m–1 km) to the entrance

[!NOTE] Since late 2025, S2 service has been reduced due to construction on the southern section (Nankou–Huangtudian) as part of the Northeast Ring Line upgrade. Schedules are limited and change seasonally. Check the latest timetable on the "北京市郊铁路" WeChat official account or 12306 before traveling. The S2 is famous in spring (late March–early April) for passing through a corridor of apricot and peach blossoms near Juyongguan, earning it the nickname "the train to spring."

How to Get Back

• By high-speed train: Trains from Badaling Great Wall Station back to Beijing North/Qinghe run until approximately 21:30–22:00. Check 12306 for exact times on your travel date. This is the most flexible return option.
• By Bus 877: The last return bus departs Badaling at 17:00 in summer and 16:30 in winter. Arrive at the bus parking area at least 20 minutes early, as queues can be long.
• By S2: Return S2 trains are infrequent — verify the timetable when you arrive at Badaling Station. If you miss the last S2, the high-speed train is your backup.
• If you miss all public transport: A DiDi or taxi back to central Beijing costs approximately ¥200–350 depending on your destination and traffic.

[!IMPORTANT] Schedules may change — verify locally before travel. Check return train times on 12306 or at the station when you arrive, and set an alarm for when you need to start heading down.

Chinese Names You May Need

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Going to the wrong railway station. High-speed trains to Badaling Great Wall Station depart from Beijing North (北京北) or Qinghe (清河), not Beijing South, Beijing West, or Beijing Station. Double-check your ticket.

2. Confusing the two Badaling stations. The HSR station is 八达岭长城站 (Badaling Great Wall); the S2 station is 八达岭站 (Badaling). They are about 1 km apart and serve different rail lines.

3. Missing the last Bus 877 back. The return bus leaves at 17:00 (summer) or 16:30 (winter). If you are still on the wall at that time, you will need to take the train or an expensive taxi.

4. Following touts at Deshengmen. Unlicensed drivers and "tour guides" loiter near the bus terminal offering overpriced rides. The official Bus 877 stop has a queue and uniformed staff.

5. Not booking HSR tickets in advance on weekends. High-speed trains to Badaling sell out on Saturday mornings and Chinese public holidays. Book 1–3 days ahead on 12306 or Trip.com.

6. Underestimating the walk from the S2 station. The S2 Badaling Station is about 1 km from the wall entrance — a 10–15 minute walk. The HSR station is much closer (about 400 m).

Before You Go

Badaling Great Wall can become extremely crowded during weekends and Chinese public holidays, especially between 10:00 and 15:00.

Check Badaling Crowd Forecast → /crowd-forecast/badaling-great-wall

Tickets & Reservations

Badaling requires advance real-name reservation, especially on weekends and holidays. Book through the official "长城内外旅游" WeChat mini-program or Trip.com.

Badaling Great Wall Ticket Guide → /tickets/beijing/badaling-great-wall

Still Not Sure How to Get There?

Our local team can help with transport questions, ticket booking, or arranging a guided day trip to Badaling. Get in touch or message us on WhatsApp.

Related Guides

• Beijing Travel Guide — full city guide with itineraries and practical tips
• Beijing to Mutianyu Great Wall by Public Transport — the quieter, more scenic Great Wall section
• Beijing to Jinshanling Great Wall by Public Transport — for hikers and photographers
• 12306 High-Speed Rail Guide — how to book train tickets in China
• How to Use DiDi in China — if you're considering a taxi or ride-hail

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Transport information is based on 12306 train listings, Beijing Public Transport Group schedules, the official Badaling Great Wall website, and TravelChinaGuide (updated August 2026). Schedules and fares may change — verify on 12306 or at the station before travel.

Last verified: August 2026