How to use the Yikatong card on the Beijing Subway — buying, loading, fares, and Alipay/WeChat Pay alternatives for visitors in 2026.
How to Get the Yikatong Card
Buy at any Beijing Subway station service centre (人工售票窗口). ¥20 deposit (refundable) + load minimum ¥10. Machines dispense the card. Alipay and WeChat Pay QR code payment available at most turnstiles without a card.
Yikatong Card Benefits
- Works on Beijing Subway, all buses, and some intercity transport in Beijing.
- ¥20 deposit refundable at service centres when leaving.
- No need to queue for a ticket every journey — tap and go.
- Discounts available on buses when also using Yikatong.
- Can be topped up at subway machines, banks, and the Yikatong app.
Fare Reference (CNY)
Payment methods: Yikatong card (一卡通) · Alipay · WeChat Pay · UnionPay contactless · Paper ticket (ticket machines).
💡 The Yikatong card (¥20 deposit + loaded credit) gives the same distance-based fare as paper tickets but is faster at gates. Alipay and WeChat Pay now work at most turnstiles — convenient for visitors with a Chinese payment app.
| Journey | Off-Peak (CNY) | Peak (CNY) |
|---|---|---|
| Base fare (0–6 km) | ¥3 | ¥3 |
| 6–12 km | ¥4 | ¥4 |
| 12–22 km | ¥5 | ¥5 |
| 22–32 km | ¥6 | ¥6 |
| Airport Express flat fare | ¥35 | ¥35 |
| Daxing Airport Express | ¥35 | ¥35 |
Peak hours: No peak surcharge — flat distance-based fares at all times.
Yikatong Card vs Single-Journey Ticket
| Yikatong Card | Single-Journey Token / Ticket | |
|---|---|---|
| Fare benefit | Works on Beijing Subway, all buses, and some intercity transport in Beijing. | Standard full fare |
| Queue time | Tap and go — no queue | Buy at machine each time |
| Initial cost | ¥20 | Journey cost only |
| Works on all lines | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Best for | Anyone staying 2+ days | Single one-off journey |
Tips for Using the Yikatong Card
- Always tap in AND tap out at every fare gate — tapping out is required to correctly calculate the fare.
- Keep the card topped up before travel to avoid holding up queues at entry gates.
- The Yikatong Card works for the airport connection — see the airport guide.
- If you lose the card, contact Beijing Mass Transit Railway Operation Corp. (BJMTR) — some systems allow balance transfer to a new card.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a refund on my Yikatong card?
Return to any Beijing Subway service centre (or authorized banks). Present the card and any ID — ¥20 deposit and remaining credit are refunded in cash. The process is straightforward and takes a few minutes.
Can I use Apple Pay or Google Pay on the subway?
Apple Pay (linked to a UnionPay card) works at many Beijing Subway turnstiles. Google Pay has very limited acceptance in China. UnionPay contactless is the most widely supported foreign payment method. Alipay with a foreign-linked account is increasingly accepted.
Is Yikatong the same as Beijing Transit Card?
Yes — Yikatong (一卡通) is the official name for Beijing's rechargeable transit IC card, also called Beijing Transit Card. There are different versions (standard, NFC phone version) but they all work the same way on the subway.
Does Yikatong work in other Chinese cities?
Yikatong is primarily for Beijing. However, under national IC card interoperability agreements, it may work on metro systems in some other Chinese cities (Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen). Check the Yikatong website for current cross-city acceptance.
See also: Beijing Subway ticket prices · Airport connection · Full Beijing Subway guide
Source: Beijing Mass Transit Railway Operation Corp. (BJMTR). Fares and card terms subject to change — verify before travel.