Beijing, a bustling metropolis, faces significant traffic challenges with a diverse range of transportation modes. In 2024, the primary mode of transportation is by car, followed by trains and walking, reflecting the city's dynamic urban landscape.

Average Commute Times

The average commute involves 17.55 minutes of driving and 7.14 minutes of walking, covering a distance of 14.95 km.
  • Bus - Bus commuters spend 27.78 minutes on the bus and 9.44 minutes walking, with a total distance of 7.5 km.
  • Car - Car users drive for 47.16 minutes and walk for 3.03 minutes, covering 23.50 km.
  • Train - Train commuters spend 33.55 minutes on the train and 10.85 minutes walking, traveling 16.11 km.
  • Walking - Walking commuters spend 14.83 minutes walking and cover a distance of 3.23 km.
Traffic Breakdown
Car
36%
Train
22%
Walking
13%
Bus
10%
Bicycle
9%
Home
4%
Motorcycle
4%
Tram
1%
Seasonal Trends

Traffic congestion tends to worsen during the winter months due to adverse weather conditions. Summer sees a slight reduction in traffic as many residents leave the city for vacations.

Commuter Pain Points

Long waiting times for buses and trains during peak hours frustrate commuters. Traffic jams are a common issue, especially in central business districts.

Best Travel Times

Traveling before 7 AM or after 8 PM can help avoid the worst of the traffic congestion. Midday travel between 11 AM and 1 PM is generally smoother.

Event Impacts

Major public events like national holidays and festivals can significantly disrupt traffic patterns. Sporting events and concerts often lead to localized congestion around venues.

Sustainability Efforts

Beijing is investing in expanding its subway network to reduce reliance on cars. The city promotes electric vehicles and has implemented bike-sharing programs to encourage sustainable transport.

Ride-Sharing Impact

Ride-sharing services have eased some congestion by reducing the number of private cars on the road. However, they also contribute to traffic during peak times due to increased vehicle circulation.

Traffic Rankings

Beijing ranks 1st on the Traffic rankings in China. The Traffic Index for China combines user-contributed data on commute times, traffic dissatisfaction, CO2 emissions, and traffic system inefficiencies in China, to provide insights into overall traffic conditions.

Worst to BestUpdated: Dec, 2024

Traffic Data

The following traffic data has been gathered from 90 user contributions.
Overall average travel
Distance
9.3 miles
Walking
7.1 mins
Waiting
2.2 mins
Driving Car
17.5 mins
Bus / Trolley
3.4 mins
Bicycle
1.9 mins
Motorcycle
1.5 mins
Train
8.5 mins
Tram
0.9 mins
Other
0.6 mins
Total:
43.6 mins
Average when primarily using Bus
Distance
4.7 miles
Walking
9.4 mins
Waiting
6.6 mins
Bus / Trolley
27.8 mins
Train
2.2 mins
Total:
46.0 mins
Average when primarily using Car
Distance
14.6 miles
Walking
3.0 mins
Driving Car
47.2 mins
Total:
50.2 mins
Average when primarily using Train
Distance
10.0 miles
Walking
10.8 mins
Waiting
5.6 mins
Bus / Trolley
2.3 mins
Train
33.5 mins
Tram
0.8 mins
Other
2.4 mins
Total:
55.4 mins
Average when primarily using Walking
Distance
2.0 miles
Walking
14.8 mins
Waiting
1.0 mins
Bicycle
0.8 mins
Motorcycle
0.0 mins
Train
3.4 mins
Total:
20.1 mins
Beijing Traffic

"Key Takeaways"

Increasing the efficiency of public transport could alleviate road congestion and reduce commute times.

Encouraging the use of bicycles and walking can contribute to lower CO2 emissions and healthier lifestyles.

Key Indexes

Emissions

Beijing's CO2 emissions index is notably high at 5245.16, reflecting significant environmental impacts.

Efforts to reduce emissions are crucial as the city continues to grow.

Time

The average time index is 43.59, indicating substantial time spent commuting.

Traffic congestion contributes to longer travel times, especially during peak hours.

Inefficiency

The inefficiency index stands at 192.27, highlighting areas for improvement in traffic management.

Optimizing traffic flow could significantly reduce inefficiencies.