If you have ridden the public bus system in Beijing, you may have noticed the different bus fares and prices that riders actually pay. From 0.4, 1, and 2 RMB, we will explain this to you and more below.

Public bus fares in Beijing are among the most inexpensive in all of China. Besides already being affordable, there are discounted fares available to all riders. The most common bus fare for most bus lines in Beijing is 1 RMB, so we’ll begin here. Most bus routes within the city will average several dozen stops and the standard fare, whether you take it for a few stops or ride all the way to the terminal, is still 1 RMB. For riders who use the prepaid IC card for buses and subways, they are entitled to a 60% discount, resulting in a 0.4 RMB fare. Students who commute by bus may apply for a student IC card, entitling them to an 80% discount, resulting in a 0.2 RMB fare. These aforementioned bus fares are for standard bus routes within Beijing.

Next, there are different type of buscoaches that have different bus fares. Bus routes serving far away locales with many stops may have 2 RMB bus fares. Again, riders with an IC card are entitled to a discounted fare. Some of these buses with farther routes may use bus coaches with many comfortable seats, resulting in the higher fare. Also in the summer, buses with air conditioning will have double-priced fares, usually at 2 RMB. Again, riders with an IC card are entitled to a discounted fare as mentioned earlier. If you are interested in taking a long-distance bus to somewhere outside of the city center, perhaps to the suburbs and scenic spots like the Great Wall orMing Tombs, bus fares will be considerably higher, calculating the fare by the distance. Example bus fares to the Badaling section of the Great Wall are 12 RMB, or 4.8 RMB with an IC card.