How to Get from Beijing to Badaling Great Wall: 5 Best Ways

I've lost count—seriously, no idea anymore. But every single time I take travelers to the Great Wall, the first real headache is: how the hell do we get there? Beijing is huge, Badaling is 70km away, and the online advice is a mess of outdated info.

So here's the deal. I'm a Beijing-based guide who's done this route maybe 200+ times. I know exactly which train will be too crowded to breathe, which bus driver will drop you at the wrong gate, and which taxi will bleed your wallet dry. Let me save you the hassle.

Why This Matters More Than You Think

Badaling is the most visited section of the Great Wall. It's also the most touristy. If you arrive at the wrong time or via the wrong method, you'll spend your day queuing instead of walking the wall. I've seen people show up at 11 am and wait 2 hours just to buy a ticket. Ridiculous.

But if you nail the transport, you can be on the wall before the crowds, catch the morning light, and be back in Beijing for a late lunch. Let's break down every option, with prices, times, and the ugly truths.

5 Ways to Get from Beijing to Badaling Great Wall

1. S2 Train (The Scenic Route – My Favorite)

The S2 line is a suburban train that leaves from Beijing North Station (Xizhimen area). It's cheap, relatively comfortable, and offers some nice countryside views. But there's a catch.

• Price: 6 RMB (under $1) – one of the cheapest train rides you'll ever take.
• Duration: About 80 minutes.
• Schedule: Runs roughly 6:30 am to 9:30 pm, but only about 6-8 trains per day. Check 12306.cn or the station notice board for exact times—they change seasonally.
• How to buy: You can use your card (Beijing transportation card) to tap in, or buy a paper ticket at the station. No reservation needed—just show up.
• The ugly truth: The train can be insanely crowded on weekends and holidays. I've been packed like sardines. Also, the station is a bit far from the wall—you'll need to either walk (20 min uphill) or take a free shuttle bus (runs irregularly) or a paid buggy (15 RMB).
• My tip: Take the very first train (around 6:30 am). You'll arrive before the bus crowds. Bring a book—the wait on the return can be long.

2. Bus 877 (Direct Express – Cheap & Easy)

This is the direct bus from Deshengmen area (near Jishuitan subway station). It's a frequent, no-stop service to Badaling. Many tourists use this.

• Price: 12 RMB (about $1.70) one-way. Pay with Beijing bus card or cash (exact change only).
• Duration: About 1 hour 15 minutes, depending on traffic.
• Schedule: First bus around 6:00 am, last bus from Badaling back around 4:30 pm. Runs about every 30 minutes.
• Where to board: Look for the dedicated 877 bus stop at Deshengmen Arrow Tower. There will be people shouting “Badaling! Badaling!”—just ignore touts trying to sell you overpriced tours.
• The ugly truth: On peak days, the queue can stretch 200 meters. Also, the bus drops you at the main entrance, which means you'll walk through the commercial plaza before reaching the ticket gate. And if you leave after 3 pm, you'll hit Beijing's evening traffic.

3. Private Car / Taxi (Flexible but Expensive)

If you're in a group of 3-4 people, a private car can be economical and super convenient. You can leave anytime, stop wherever you want.

• Price: 400-600 RMB round trip (negotiate before you get in). Using a ride-hailing app like Didi is safer—expect 350-500 RMB one-way, surge pricing possible.
• Duration: 1.5 to 2 hours each way (traffic is unpredictable).
• Where to get one: Anywhere in central Beijing—just order on Didi. English-friendly interface available in the app.
• My tip: Ask the driver to drop you at the “Great Wall entrance near the cable car” (guide in Chinese: “坐缆车的入口”). That saves you a long uphill walk. Also, agree on a waiting time and location for the return trip—I often tell drivers to pick me up at the same spot at a set time.
• Warning: Many taxis refuse the long-distance trip unless you pay extra. Always use Didi and share your ride details with someone.

4. Group Tour (Zero Planning, But Rigid)

Countless Beijing travel agencies offer one-day Badaling tours. Prices vary wildly—from 100 RMB (bus only) to 500 RMB (including cable car and lunch).

• Convenience: They pick you up from your hotel, handle tickets, and drop you back. Perfect if you don't want to think.
• The ugly truth: You'll be herded like cattle. The tour stops at a “jade shop” or “tea house” for 45 minutes—total waste. And you have to follow their schedule: typically 8:30 am departure, return by 5 pm, which means you're on the wall exactly during the worst crowds (10 am to 2 pm).
• If you must: Choose a tour that says “no shopping stops” and check reviews on Trip.com or Klook. Also, ask if they use the cable car to skip the long staircase.

5. Self-Drive (Rental Car – Only for the Brave)

Renting a car in Beijing is possible (you need an international driver's permit + Chinese license translation), but I don't recommend it unless you're used to Chinese traffic.

• Cost: Rental ~300-500 RMB per day, plus tolls (30 RMB round trip) and parking (20 RMB).
• Route: Take the G6 Jingzang Expressway, exit at Badaling. Google Maps works, but Apple Maps may be better.
• The catch: Beijing's traffic jams are legendary. On weekends, the expressway near Badaling becomes a parking lot. Also, parking at Badaling is a nightmare—lots fill up by 9 am.

Quick Comparison

Ticket Booking Nightmare (And How to Survive It)

Here's the part that frustrates every foreigner: you must book your Great Wall ticket in advance. And the official booking platform is a WeChat mini-program entirely in Chinese. No English option. International credit cards? Nope—only WeChat Pay or Alipay.

So what do you do?

• Option A: Ask your hotel concierge or tour guide to book for you. I do this for my clients all the time.
• Option B: Use a third-party platform like Trip.com or Klook. They add a small fee (~10 RMB) but you can pay by credit card. Just note that the name on the ticket must match your passport—keep it handy.
• Option C: Show up at the ticket office, but only do this if you're arriving before 8:30 am on a weekday. After that, the line is brutal.

Ticket price: 40 RMB for adults (peak season April-Oct), 35 RMB (off-peak). Cable car round trip is 140 RMB extra (save your knees if you're not up for steep stairs).

When to Go (Timing is Everything)

Most tourists hit the wall between 10 am and 2 pm. It's a sea of selfie sticks. I always tell my clients: arrive by 8:00 am.

Here's a sample ideal timeline:

• 6:30 am: Take the first S2 train from Beijing North or the first bus 877 from Deshengmen.
• 8:00 am: Arrive, walk straight to the ticket gate (no queue).
• 8:15 am: Start climbing. The wall is quiet, light is golden. You'll have entire sections to yourself.
• 11:00 am: The crowds start pouring in. This is your signal to head down.
• 12:00 pm: Catch the bus back or grab lunch at the nearby food court (overpriced, but convenient).

Frequently Asked Questions