Route
Beijing to TianjinTianjin to Beijing: take the train or fly?
Tianjin is about half an hour from Beijing on the intercity train, with a departure every few minutes all day. It makes an easy day trip, and it's a common first stop for anyone arriving by cruise ship at the coast.
Beijing 北京
Beijing South
Tianjin 天津
Tianjin Railway Station
- 2nd class
- from ¥55 ≈ $8
- business to ¥340
- Departures
- ~200/day
- 06:00–23:15
- Train types
- C · G
- Flight
- no flights — too short
It's 120 km and about half an hour; there's no flight and there never will be. Book Beijing South to Tianjin Railway Station, the central one by the Hai River and the old Italian quarter — not Tianjin West or the far-out Tianjin South.
Should you take the train or fly?
Take the train. It’s 120 km, about half an hour on the intercity C-trains, and one leaves Beijing South every few minutes from early morning until past 23:00. Second class is roughly ¥55, and outside public holidays you can turn up and buy a ticket for the next departure.
There is no flight between Beijing and Tianjin, and no reason to want one — this was the first purpose-built high-speed line in China precisely because the two cities work as a pair.
Stations, tickets and what to expect
Which stations. Almost all trains use Beijing South (Beijingnan), a hub on metro lines 4 and 14. At the other end, aim for Tianjin Railway Station (Tianjinzhan) — the central one, walkable to the Hai River, the Italian Style Street and the “Tianjin Eye” Ferris wheel, and on metro lines 2, 3 and 9. Some trains stop at Tianjin West (Tianjinxi) instead, which is also on the metro; a few go only as far as Tianjin South (Tianjinnan), which is well outside town. Check the arrival station on your ticket before you book.
Booking. Trip.com or the 12306 app, with your passport as the ID type; it’s an electronic ticket, so scan your passport at the gate. Second class is fine for half an hour. Prices and timetables shift a little through the year — confirm on 12306 or Trip.com when you book.
Arriving by cruise. Ships dock at Tianjin International Cruise Home Port in Binhai, about an hour by taxi or shuttle from central Tianjin; from there the intercity train is the fastest way on to Beijing.
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FAQ
Common questions
How long is the train from Beijing to Tianjin?
About 30 minutes on most intercity C-trains, and as little as roughly 21 minutes on the fastest. Slower services that add stops take 40–60 minutes. Well over 200 trains run each day.
How much does it cost?
Second class is about ¥55 (range roughly ¥26–107 depending on the train and how far along the line it runs). First class is around ¥95, and a business seat can reach about ¥340. One of the cheapest intercity trips in China.
Which stations does it use?
Most trains run Beijing South (Beijingnan) to Tianjin Railway Station (Tianjinzhan), the central station next to the Hai River, the Italian Style Street and the Ferris wheel. Some services call at Tianjin West (Tianjinxi) instead, and a few run to the distant Tianjin South — check the name on your ticket.
Is Tianjin worth a day trip from Beijing?
Yes, for a change of pace: the Five Great Avenues of 1920s villas, the riverfront, the Italian quarter and the Porcelain House. Leave after breakfast and you're back in Beijing for dinner.
Should I fly?
No. It's 120 km — the train is finished before you'd have cleared airport security, and there's no scheduled air service between the two.
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