Beijing to Tianjin by Train
By China Rail Guide Updated 2026-05-29 Fares verified May 2026 against China Railway (12306)
- Fastest
- 30m
- Distance
- 120 km
- Trains/day
- 100+
- From
- $8
The Beijing–Tianjin intercity was China’s first high-speed line and still runs like a metro between the two cities: over 100 trains a day cover the 120 km in about half an hour. C-trains depart Beijing South for Tianjin throughout the day.
At a glance
- Fastest trains take about 30 minutes; most run 30–40 minutes.
- Over 100 daily departures from Beijing South — turn up and go.
- Main service: Beijing South (北京南) → Tianjin (天津); some G-trains run to Tianjin South (天津南).
- Second Class is fine for the short ride.
Fastest, or cheapest?
This route runs more than one type of train — here's the trade-off:
| Train type | Fastest | From | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| C — Intercity | 30m | ¥54.5 / $8 | Fastest & most frequent |
| K — Slow train | ~1h 30m | ¥19.5 / $3 | Cheapest (basic seats) |
Fares by class
High-speed (G/C) seat classes on the main service:
| Class | Price (CNY) | Approx. (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Second Class | ¥54.5 | $8 |
| First Class | ¥88 | $12 |
| Business Class | ¥174 | $25 |
Official China Railway (12306) fares for the Beijing South–Tianjin intercity. G-trains to Tianjin South cost a little more.
Stations & train types
Trains depart from Beijing South and arrive at Tianjin or Tianjin South. Direct trains run this route.
- C — Intercity (short hops)
- G — High-speed (up to 350 km/h)
Train or flight from Beijing to Tianjin?
A flight looks quicker on paper, but China's domestic flights ask you to arrive about 2 hours early, and airports sit well outside the city. High-speed trains leave from a central station with quick security. Most trains take 30–40 min (fastest non-stop 30m). Counting the whole door-to-door trip:
| 🚄 High-speed train | ✈️ Flight | |
|---|---|---|
| On board / in the air | 30m | ~50m |
| Getting there & through | + ~30m (central station, fast security) | + 2h arrive early, + ~1h30m to/from airports |
| Realistic door-to-door | ~1h | ~4h 20m |
Flight time is estimated from route distance; airport arrival and transfer times are typical for China domestic travel.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the train from Beijing to Tianjin?
About 30 minutes on the fastest C-trains; 30 to 40 minutes for most services.
How much is a Beijing to Tianjin train ticket?
Second Class is about ¥54.5 (~$8), First Class ¥88, and Business Class ¥174 on the Beijing South–Tianjin intercity. These are official China Railway (12306) fares.
Which stations do Beijing–Tianjin trains use?
Intercity C-trains run from Beijing South to Tianjin main station; some G-trains use Tianjin South. Both are on the metro.
Schedule and fares reflect China Railway (12306) official services, last verified 2026-05 against live booking data. Times and prices can change — confirm when you book.