Beijing’s urban subway system has set a global precedent by becoming the first in the world to offer full network-wide compatibility with the five major international card payment systems: UnionPay, Mastercard, Visa, JCB, and American Express. Starting this Sunday, travelers holding overseas-issued JCB and American Express cards can now enjoy seamless, contactless “tap-and-go” access and ticket purchases across the entire subway network.
This latest upgrade applies to all 29 operational lines, 523 stations, and suburban routes—including two airport express lines—allowing passengers to simply tap their cards at turnstiles for instant entry. There’s no need to purchase tickets in advance or download a mobile app, significantly improving convenience for international visitors.
In addition to contactless entry, foreign cardholders can also use self-service ticket vending machines to buy single-journey tickets for themselves and their travel companions. The software on these machines has been updated to support payments via the newly added card types, without requiring any hardware changes. This ensures a smooth and fully integrated payment experience across all travel scenarios.
For those who may exceed the valid distance or time limit with a single-journey ticket, the system now allows adjustments to be made directly at self-service machines using overseas-issued bank cards. This feature helps minimize language barriers and further enhances the overall travel experience.
This milestone follows the earlier integration of Mastercard and Visa support in September 2023. Since launching the first-ever overseas-issued bank card tap-and-go service on the Chinese mainland on September 13, 2024, Beijing’s subway system has successfully processed payments from cardholders in over 130 countries and regions—with zero complaints to date. This achievement highlights the city’s commitment to creating an inclusive, user-friendly transportation environment for both residents and international guests.
