On a map, Line 13's route is shaped like an inverted U that arcs north of the city and connects residential suburbs in Haidian, Changping, and Chaoyang Districts with the 2nd Ring Road and Line 2 at Xizhimen and Dongzhimen.

With the exception of Dongzhimen and a tunnel between Xi'erqi and Longze, all of Line 13's tracks and stations are located on the surface or elevated above ground.

In addition, Line 13 offers later night trains from either terminus that travel half of the full route.

From Xizhimen in Xicheng District, Line 13 heads north, running alongside the Beijing-Baotou Railway into Haidian.

After three stops in the bustling university district -- Dazhong Si, Zhichun Lu (transfer to Line 10), and Wudaokou—Line 13 leaves the 5th Ring Road and enters the suburbs of northern Haidian.

It enters Chaoyang District at Lishuiqiao (transfer to Line 5) and curls southwest after Beiyuan onto the Beijing-Chengde Expressway.

After entering the 3rd Ring Road at Guangximen, the line runs straight south, along the remnants of the eastern earthen wall to Liufang.