Beijing PASS in other cities

Question

I have a Beijing PASS transport card and it says you can use it at cities all over China but it doesn’t state which ones. Does anyone know where I can find a list? I presume I just top it up like I would in any metro in Beijing? Thanks!

Answer

The Beijing PASS, often referred to as the “Beijing Transportation Smart Card” or “Yikatong,” is primarily intended for use within Beijing’s public transportation system, including the subway, buses, and some affiliated services. While some promotional materials suggest that it may work in other cities, the reality is that interoperability is limited and usually depends on the local transit system’s agreements.

Here’s what you need to know:

There is no official comprehensive list of cities where the Beijing PASS can be used outside Beijing. The “other cities” coverage is limited and often refers to pilot programs in selected cities that have adopted compatible smart card standards, but it is not nationwide.
Most major Chinese cities, such as Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Xi’an, and Chengdu, have their own transit cards. These cards are generally not automatically compatible with Beijing PASS unless specifically stated.
For topping up, the card can be recharged at metro stations, convenience stores, and certain mobile apps in Beijing. Outside Beijing, top-up options are typically unavailable unless you are in a city officially supporting cross-city usage.

Practical suggestions:

If you plan to travel to another city, it’s safer to purchase the local city’s transport card for convenience.
Some apps, like Alipay or WeChat Pay, allow you to link your Beijing PASS for travel payments in select cities, but this is not universal.
Always check the local metro or bus system website for information on whether they accept Beijing PASS before relying on it outside Beijing.

In short, while the card may work in a few select cities that have agreements with Beijing’s transit system, most travelers will need separate local transport cards when visiting other Chinese cities.

Beijing PASS in other cities

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