Use This App and Official Account to Check Subway Timetables

If you’ve ridden along Line 1 or the Batong Line, which cut east to west across the city, you might have noticed a recent change in times for the last trains, with eastbound trains pushed back to 12.30am and, in some cases, 1.12am on weekends. There’s a catch though – it’s only to a handful of stations.

While you can generally catch a glimpse of these updated schedules while you’re waiting for the train – they’re often posted along the entry gates for trains – it’s a bit cumbersome to check it in each station you go to. That’s where an app and a mini-program come in.

The first is simply called 北京地铁 Běijīng Dìtiě. It’s pretty easy to search for this one in the app store, and it’s also pretty handy in a few ways. For instance, besides checking timetables, you can use it to plan a route and even check if trains are delayed.

In order to get around to checking timetables – our original purpose – just click on a section that reads “line enquiry” (线路查询 xiànlù cháxún) and you’ll be directed to a Beijing subway map.

From there, click on a station and a prompt asking if it’s your starting point or destination will pop up. Click on “details” (详情 xiángqíng) and you’ll be taken to another page showing the schedule for that particular station. At the top, there will be a blue button which reads “check train timetable” (查看列车时刻表 chákàn lièchē shíkèbiǎo).

From here, you’ll be able to check timetables for weekdays and weekends. Keep in mind, though, that you’re gonna need to check station by station, so it’s best to check stops you know you’ll be headed to and from over the weekend.

The app isn’t without its issues, though. For one, it’s hard to navigate if you can’t read Chinese, and the map function sometimes won’t alternate back once it’s been switched to English – which means you won’t be able to view timetables at all.

For an alternative, try a WeChat official account called 北京本地宝 Běijīng Běndìbǎo. Once followed, just type in 地铁时刻表 dìtiě shíkèbiǎo and you’ll receive a list of subway lines.

Simply click onto one and another message will pop up. Then, click 首末车时间 shǒumò chē shíjiān and you’ll be able to see a full schedule for the entire line. Note that times are split by days of the week, and on the top you can search timetables for different lines.

Use the app or official account to plan your next weekend accordingly -- so you can know when and where the last train is going from and won't miss a trip back home.

READ: Make Commuting Easier with this Customizable Bus Route Mini-Program

Images: Alexander Schimmeck (via Unsplash), WeChat user Jake, The Beijingers