Explore Beijing / The S2 Commuter Train to Badaling: Tickets, Seats, and Whether It Beats the Bus
The S2 Commuter Train to Badaling: Tickets, Seats, and Whether It Beats the Bus
The S2 commuter train is the budget traveler's classic route to the Great Wall at Badaling — but tickets can't be bought online and seats sell out. Here's how it works and when to skip it.
5 min read · KOULING's Beijing Travel Guide
For years, the S2 commuter train was the insider's way to reach Badaling: a slow, scenic ride out of northern Beijing for the price of a subway trip. It still runs, and it's still cheap — but it has quirks that catch first-time visitors off guard, most famously that you cannot buy tickets online or with a transit card. Here's everything you need to know, plus an honest comparison with the bus and the newer high-speed rail option.
How the S2 Works
The S2 is a suburban commuter service, not a tourist train. It departs from Huangtudian station in Beijing's northern Changping district (note: the original starting point, Beijing North / Xizhimen, has been closed to S2 service in recent years — confirm the current departure station before you go). The ride to Badaling takes roughly 70–90 minutes through mountain scenery. The catch: tickets are sold only at the station on the day of travel, first come first served, from staffed windows. There is no online booking, no seat reservation, and no QR-code entry — you need a physical ticket [verify before travel].
Ticket price — Historically around CNY 6 (~US$1) one way, one of the cheapest train fares in Beijing. Confirm the current fare at the window [verify before travel].
Buying tickets — Station windows only, same day. Bring cash in CNY — mobile payment at ticket windows may not accept foreign apps [verify before travel].
Peak days — Chinese national holidays and summer weekends sell out. Arrive at least 60–90 minutes before departure [verify before travel].
Getting to the Departure Station
The main complication for visitors is that the S2 doesn't leave from central Beijing. From downtown, take the subway toward Changping — you can ride Line 8 or the Changping Line and transfer (confirm the current connection and exit for Huangtudian station, as station layouts change). Budget 60–75 minutes from central hotels to the platform, so an early start is essential if you want a seat and a full day at the Wall.
From central Beijing — Allow roughly 1–1.5 hours door to platform; a taxi or ride-hail from central Beijing costs roughly CNY 60–100 (~US$8–14) depending on traffic [verify before travel].
Return trip — Trains back to the city fill up in the afternoon; know the last departure time or plan a bus/ride-hail fallback [verify before travel].
Badaling Great Wall (S2 arrival)
The train stops at Badaling station, a scenic, somewhat remote platform a walk and shuttle ride below the Wall's entrance. From there you can climb either the north or south sections of the restored Wall — the north side is the famous postcard stretch with steeper climbs.
Metro
S2 train from Huangtudian station (confirm current departure point and connections) [verify before travel]
Opening hours
Wall generally opens roughly 06:30–16:30, seasonal [verify before travel]
Tickets
Wall entry around CNY 35–40 (~US$5–6) in low season; book online with passport [verify before travel]
How long
Half day to full day
Badaling High-Speed Rail Alternative (Qinghe Station)
Since the Beijing–Zhangjiakou HSR opened, many visitors skip the S2 entirely: a high-speed train from Qinghe station in northern Beijing reaches Badaling in about 25–30 minutes, with bookable seats via the official 12306 app or Trip.com. Fares are higher (roughly CNY 20–30 / ~US$3–5 each way) and passports are needed for booking and entry [verify before travel].
Metro
Qinghe station, reachable by subway (confirm current line) [verify before travel]
Opening hours
Trains run through the day; earliest departures around 07:00 [verify before travel]
Tickets
Roughly CNY 20–30 (~US$3–5) one way; book online in advance [verify before travel]
How long
About 25–30 minutes on board
The Bus Alternative (877 from Deshengmen)
The public bus 877 from Deshengmen in central Beijing runs direct to Badaling for around CNY 12 (~US$2) one way, in about 1.5–2 hours depending on traffic. It's slower than the train but leaves from downtown, uses standard payment, and doesn't sell out the way train tickets do — though it can queue long on holiday weekends [verify before travel].
Metro
Deshengmen bus hub near Jishuitan / Deshengmen area (confirm exact stop and subway exit) [verify before travel]
Opening hours
Roughly 06:00–12:30 outbound; return buses from Badaling until late afternoon [verify before travel]
Tickets
Around CNY 12 (~US$2); pay by card, cash, or transit code [verify before travel]
How long
1.5–2 hours each way
Train vs. Bus vs. HSR: Which Should You Take?
Choose the S2 train if… — You're on a tight budget, traveling on a quiet weekday, and enjoy a scenic ride. It's the cheapest route (~CNY 6 / ~US$1) but the riskiest if you're on a schedule — no reservations, no online tickets [verify before travel].
Choose the high-speed rail if… — You want certainty and speed. Bookable in advance in English via Trip.com or the 12306 system, ~25–30 minutes to Badaling, modest cost [verify before travel].
Choose the bus if… — You're staying downtown and want simplicity — no transfers to distant stations, easy payment. Accept 1.5–2 hours each way and possible queues [verify before travel].
Universal advice — Whatever you take, go early. Badaling gets crowded by mid-morning, and the cable car and entrance lines lengthen quickly. Bring water, sun protection, and your passport for entry [verify before travel].
