Starting June 15, the Beijing subway system supports contactless tap-and-go payments with cards issued by JCB and American Express, making it the world’s first urban rail network to fully accept all five major card networks — UnionPay, Mastercard, Visa, JCB, and American Express.
The service upgrade covers all 29 lines and 523 stations of the Beijing metro, plus the S2 suburban line, enabling seamless entry at any gate, at any time.
This move aims to boost convenience for international travelers. At 3 p.m. today, Nick, a tourist from Canada, was thrilled to discover he could tap in with his existing Amex card at Caofang Station on the Daxing Airport Express.
“If I had to use cash to buy subway tickets, it’d be a hassle. Now I can just tap my Amex card — it’s much easier,” he said.
The system also allows foreign cardholders to buy or add tickets at self-service machines, reducing language barriers and improving accessibility.
According to Zhang Li, director at Beijing Rail Transit Command Center, signage has been added to guide international riders. Following the rollout of Mastercard and Visa support in September 2024, this latest expansion brings full coverage for all five global card brands.
Since the service launched last year, cards from over 130 countries and regions have been used in the Beijing metro. Officials say more payment options and traveler-friendly upgrades are on the way.
