How to get from Beijing to Great Wall (Badaling)

From central Beijing, the easiest ways to reach the Badaling Great Wall are the high-speed train (fastest and most predictable), direct tourist shuttle/bus transfers (simplest for first-timers), the public 877 bus (cheapest), or a private car/taxi for door-to-door convenience. Most travelers should plan 1–2 hours each way depending on traffic and departure point, plus time for entry, shuttle/cable car, and walking on the wall.

At A Glance (Beijing to Great Wall – Badaling)

Which Option or Route Should You Choose?

• Fastest / Most Reliable Timing: Option #1 (High-Speed Train) — best if you want to avoid Beijing traffic and maximize time on the wall.
• Cheapest / Most Economical: Option #3 (Public Bus 877) — lowest out-of-pocket cost, but slower and more crowded.
• Easiest for First-Timers: Option #2 (Round-Trip Tourist Shuttle/Transfer Bus) — straightforward with fewer transport decisions.
• Best for Families / Groups / Big Luggage: Option #4 (Private Car / Taxi) — door-to-door and flexible return time.
• Best if arriving in Beijing the same day: Option #4 from airport/hotel, or Option #2 if you want a bundled transfer/ticket experience.

How to Book and Practical Tips

• Book train + attraction separately: train seats on 12306 (official China Railway) or via 12Go; attraction tickets/cable car on Klook, GetYourGuide, or Trip.com.
• Carry your passport: ID checks are common for train travel and attraction entry in China.
• Go early: Morning departures reduce crowds and increase your odds of better train seats and smoother photos on the wall.
• Weather matters: Badaling is colder/windier than central Beijing in winter; bring layers, sun protection, and water year-round.
• Luggage strategy: For a day trip before check-in/after check-out, consider leaving bags in Beijing and traveling light; you can compare luggage storage options on Radical Storage.
• Payment tip: Many local transport services rely on Chinese payment apps; pre-booked tickets/transfers can reduce payment friction for international travelers.
• Avoid unofficial solicitors: Around stations and tourist pickup points, only board clearly marked buses/tours or use app bookings.

🚄 Option #1 — High-Speed Train (Fastest, Best for Most DIY Travelers)

Fastest Traffic-free Need separate attraction booking

• Overview: Take a high-speed train from Beijing North or Qinghe to Badaling Great Wall Station (or nearby Badaling/Badalingchangcheng listings depending on platform naming), then continue by shuttle/walk/taxi to the scenic area entrance.
• How to book (with price): Search and book on 12306 China Railway (official); third-party comparison/booking options include 12Go train listings and Trip.com China trains. Typical fares are often around CNY 20–40+ one-way depending on train and class.
• Attraction tickets: Book Badaling entry/cable car separately via Klook, GetYourGuide, or Trip.com. The Beijing government ticketing page for Badaling Great Wall is also useful for official info.
• Pros: Fast, avoids road congestion, comfortable. Cons: Fixed departure times; still need last-mile transfer and separate attraction entry planning.

Step-by-step: High-Speed Train to Badaling

1. Choose your departure station: Beijing North (central-ish, convenient for many travelers) or Qinghe (good if staying in north/northwest Beijing).
2. Search trains on 12306 (official) using your travel date and passport details.
3. Book your Badaling Great Wall attraction ticket (and optional cable car/ropeway) in advance using Klook, GetYourGuide, or Trip.com.
4. Arrive at the station early (passport/security checks can take time), then board the train to the Badaling area.
5. At arrival, follow signs/official shuttle instructions to the scenic area entrance; allow extra time for queues during weekends and holidays.
6. Return by train or, if you want flexibility, arrange a one-way car back to Beijing via GetTransfer or a local ride option where available.

Getting to the main embarking points (Beijing North / Qinghe)

• Beijing North Railway Station: Usually easiest by subway/taxi from central districts such as Xizhimen, Shichahai, or the Forbidden City area.
• Qinghe Railway Station: Better for travelers staying in north Beijing; taxi/ride-hailing can save time if carrying winter clothing or camera gear.
• Airport arrivals: If going to Badaling on arrival day, a private transfer from PEK/PKX to your hotel (or directly to the wall) can be booked via Welcome Pickups or GetTransfer before switching to rail the next day.
• Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap

🚌 Option #2 — Round-Trip Tourist Shuttle / Transfer Bus (Most Convenient for First-Timers)

Easy logistics Often bundled Traffic-dependent

• Overview: Book a round-trip transfer or guided transport from central Beijing to Badaling. Some products include entry tickets, cable car, or a fixed return time.
• How to book (with price): Compare bus transfer/day trip options on GetYourGuide, Klook, and Trip.com. Expect roughly CNY 80–220+ depending on whether entry/cable car/guide is included.
• Pros: Minimal planning, easy for solo travelers, helpful if local payment/app setup is inconvenient. Cons: Fixed departure/return windows; less flexibility than rail or private car.

Step-by-step: Tourist shuttle / transfer bus

1. Choose whether you want transport-only or a bundled ticket + transport package.
2. Check pickup point, departure time, inclusions, and return time before booking on GetYourGuide or Klook.
3. Bring your passport and booking QR/voucher (some providers issue a confirmation first, then final ticket details later).
4. Arrive at the meeting point early; late arrivals can miss the bus and lose the booking.
5. At Badaling, confirm your return bus location/time immediately so you do not waste time searching after the visit.
6. If you prefer extra flexibility, book one-way transfer out and return independently by train.

Getting to the main embarking points (Downtown pickup / meeting point)

• Meeting points vary: Common areas include central Beijing near subway-accessible zones or designated hotels.
• Use your booking voucher details: Double-check exact pickup landmark and contact method the night before departure.
• Hotel choice tip: Staying centrally can make early departures easier; compare districts and stays on Booking.com Beijing hotels.
• Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap

💸 Option #3 — Public Bus 877 from Deshengmen (Cheapest)

Lowest cost Direct route Can be crowded

• Overview: Take the direct 877 bus from Deshengmen to the Badaling Great Wall area. This is a classic budget route used by independent travelers.
• How to pay / cost: Budget around CNY 12 cash (rates/payment methods can vary). If you do not want to navigate the public bus stop, consider a pre-booked round-trip transfer on GetYourGuide instead.
• Pros: Very cheap, straightforward route, no train-ticket competition. Cons: Road traffic, queues at peak times, fewer comfort guarantees than rail or private car.

Step-by-step: Public Bus 877

1. Travel to Deshengmen early in the morning (earlier is better to reduce crowding and traffic delays).
2. Find the correctly marked 877 bus for Badaling and confirm the destination before boarding.
3. Pay the fare (cash/transit payment options vary) and keep an eye on your belongings in queues.
4. At Badaling, follow signs to the scenic area entrance and use your pre-booked entry ticket (or buy on-site if available, but advance booking is safer on peak days).
5. For the return, note the exact bus boarding point/time window as soon as you arrive.
6. If queues are long in the afternoon, consider returning by train as a backup if available.

Getting to the main embarking points (Deshengmen)

• By subway + walk: Deshengmen is reachable from central Beijing; allow extra walking time to find the correct bus queue area.
• By taxi/ride-hailing: Useful for early departures or if you are staying far from a subway line.
• Backup idea: If the public bus looks too crowded, switch to a same-day transfer/tour booking on GetYourGuide or train via 12Go.
• Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap

🚕 Option #4 — Private Car / Taxi / Ride-Hailing (Door-to-Door, Flexible)

Door-to-door Best for groups Most expensive

• Overview: Hire a private car, take a metered taxi, or use ride-hailing for a direct trip from your hotel (or airport) to Badaling. Best when splitting costs with 2–6 travelers.
• How to book (with price): Pre-book private transfers through Welcome Pickups (Beijing) or GetTransfer (Beijing). Day-trip prices vary widely by vehicle type, waiting time, and whether tolls/parking are included, but a rough range is CNY 400–1,200+.
• Ride-hailing alternative: DiDi is the main ride-hailing app in China (availability and foreign card/app setup can vary). It can work well for city legs and sometimes for the outbound journey, but return availability at peak times may be less predictable than a pre-booked driver.
• Pros: Most comfortable and flexible, ideal with kids/elders. Cons: Traffic risk and highest cost.

Step-by-step: Private car / taxi / ride-hailing

1. Decide whether you want one-way (outbound only) or round-trip with waiting time (best for remote pickup reliability).
2. Compare vehicle quotes and inclusions on Welcome Pickups and GetTransfer.
3. Confirm pickup address in Chinese/English, passenger count, luggage, and desired return time.
4. Book Badaling entry/cable car separately if your transfer does not include them (Klook / GetYourGuide / Trip.com).
5. For airport arrivals, you can also compare Booking.com stays first and travel to Badaling the next morning to avoid fatigue and heavy traffic windows.

Getting to the main embarking points (Your hotel / airport / station)

• Hotel pickup: The easiest setup—share your exact hotel name and pin/drop-off point with the driver in advance.
• Airport pickup (PEK/PKX): Good for travelers with luggage or families; book ahead to avoid negotiating on arrival.
• Return planning: Ask the driver to confirm a specific pickup point at Badaling because the scenic area has multiple entrances/parking areas.
• Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap

FAQ (Beijing to Great Wall – Badaling)

What’s the easiest way to get from Beijing to Badaling Great Wall?
For most first-time travelers, a round-trip tourist shuttle/transfer bus is the simplest. If you prefer independent travel and want the fastest transit time, choose the high-speed train.

What’s the fastest way?
Usually the high-speed train, because it avoids Beijing road traffic. You still need extra time for station security and the last-mile connection at Badaling.

What’s the cheapest way?
The public Bus 877 from Deshengmen is typically the lowest-cost option.

Can I do Badaling as a half-day trip?
Yes, but a full day is more comfortable, especially if you plan to use cable cars, visit viewpoints on both sides, or travel during weekends/holidays.

Do I need to book Badaling tickets in advance?
It is strongly recommended, especially on weekends, holidays, and peak seasons. You can use the Beijing government attraction ticketing page for official info and book through major platforms such as Klook or Trip.com.

Is a private car worth it?
Yes if you are a family/group, traveling with children/elderly, or want flexible timing. Split across multiple passengers, private transfer costs can be reasonable.

Can I use ride-hailing in Beijing for this trip?
Yes, DiDi is the main option in China. For guaranteed long-distance round trips, many travelers still prefer a pre-booked driver via Welcome Pickups or GetTransfer.

What should I wear?
Comfortable walking shoes with grip, layers for wind/temperature changes, and sun protection. Badaling has stairs, slopes, and can be significantly cooler than central Beijing.

Where should I stay if I want an early start?
Stay in central or north Beijing near your departure point (or near a rail station if taking the train). Compare options on Booking.com Beijing hotels.

This guide was researched and written by Jacob, and it was last updated on June 15, 2026. 0 people found this post useful.

Found this post useful? Give it a thumbs up or share it with someone below. Contact us if you want to help improve this post or if you found an error.




0 likes