How to Get to the Badaling Great Wall: Train vs. Bus

The Badaling Great Wall can be reached by high-speed train, bus 877, tourist bus, and S2 train. This page primarily focuses on presenting the basic information, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of these public transport modes of transport, enabling you to select the most appropriate one based on your individual preferences and needs.
 

	High-speed train	Bus 877	Tourist bus	S2 train
Ticket price	CNY16 - 31	CNY12	CNY80	CNY7
Departure Station	Beijing North Railway Station/  Qinghe Railway Station	Deshengmen	Qianmen	Huangtudian Railway Station
Single Journey Time	20 - 60 min	2 - 3 h	1.5 - 2 h	1.5 h
Interval	20 - 50 min	10 - 20 min	15 - 30 min	2 - 3 h
Departure time	06:10 - 20:37	Apr. 1 - Nov. 15: 06:00 - 12:30; Nov. 16 - Mar. 31: 06:30 - 12:30	7:30 - 11:00	08:40 - 18:16
Return time	08:36 - 21:46	Apr. 1 - Nov. 15: 10:30 - 17:00; Nov. 16 - Mar. 31: 11:00 - 16:30	13:00 - 16:00	11:30 - 18:15
Comfort level	☆☆☆☆☆	☆☆☆	☆☆☆☆	☆☆☆☆
Distance from the drop-off point to the Great Wall entrance	950 meters (1,050 yards)	800 meters (900 yards)	500 meters (550 yards)	1,200 meters (1,300 yards)

Detailed Comparison on How to get to the Badaling Great WallRoute 1: Beijing North Railway Station ⇔ Badaling Great Wall Railway Station: 30 - 60 min
Route 2: Qinghe Railway Station ⇔ Badaling Great Wall Railway Station: 20 - 30 min

Seats on the High-speed Train to Badaling

The Badaling Great Wall Railway Station

1. It offers the quickest access to the Badaling Great Wall, with a travel time of merely over 20 minutes from Qinghe Railway Station and over 40 minutes from Beijing North Railway Station.
2. Upon exiting the station, one arrives directly at the foot of the Great Wall. The surrounding amenities are rather convenient, as a cable car can be spotted to the right, and there is also luggage storage available along the way.
3. Each passenger is provided with a comfortable seat and the carriage maintains a quiet environment, ensuring a pleasant riding experience.
 1. The number of trains is relatively limited, and tickets have to be purchased 15 days in advance, yet they are still hard to obtain.
2. Passengers are required to wait for the train in advance.
3. The ticket check at Badaling Great Wall Station stops 12 minutes prior to departure, and it would be highly inconvenient if one misses it.
  1. The ticket fare is economical, costing CNY12 for cash payment and CNY6 when using a bus card.
2. Buses are in sufficient supply, eliminating the necessity of advance ticket purchase and allowing for spontaneous travel.
3. Its proximity to the pulley station facilitates tourists with the elderly and children to conveniently access the Great Wall via the pulley.
 1. The travel time is not guaranteed. Normally, it takes about 2 hours, but it could extend up to 3 hours during traffic congestion, especially on Mondays and holidays.
2. During the tourist season, there is a large influx of people, potentially resulting in long queues.
3. The number of seats on the bus is limited, and many passengers might have to stand throughout the journey to the scenic area, which can be highly exhausting.
  1. The bus frequency is high. Tickets can be purchased either in advance online or on-site. Once the seats are occupied, the bus departs promptly, with minimal queuing required.
2. The tourist bus is staffed with a tour guide who will provide a simple introduction to the Badaling Great Wall and respond to questions on the way.
3. Each passenger is ensured a comfortable seat, and luggage storage services are also provided for added convenience.
4. The drop-off location is in close proximity to the entrance of the Badaling Great Wall.
 1. The ticket price is relatively high, with a round-trip costing CNY80.
2. The travel time is not entirely reliable, typically around 1.5 hours, which can be subject to fluctuations due to traffic conditions and other factors.
3. There is a possibility of encountering crew members engaged in promotional activities, which might cause some inconvenience or disturbance.
  1. The fares are budget-friendly, with a one-way ticket priced at CNY 7. Moreover, mobile payment is accepted, making it as convenient as taking the subway.
2. The scenery along the route is beautiful. In spring, it is renowned as the train traversing the sea of flowers, allowing passengers to relish the charming landscape from within the train. Moreover, the seats are more capacious and comfortable than those in the second-class cabins of high-speed trains.
3. There is no concern about traffic congestion. 
 1. The train services are scarce, and the departure schedules are not fixed, varying between weekdays and weekends, as well as during holidays. The average interval between trains is approximately 2 hours, which can readily disrupt travel itineraries.
2. It adopts a bus-like boarding system without reserved seating. The number of seats is limited, and those who board first secure seats. Often, numerous passengers have to endure standing throughout the entire trip to Badaling, which can be extremely fatiguing.
3. Huangtudian Railway Station is located a considerable distance from the city center, and the journey to the station often takes more than an hour.
4. The train only reaches Badaling Station, which is still a certain distance from the Badaling Great Wall. Passengers need to transfer to a shuttle bus to the Wall.