Beijing has two international airports — Capital Airport (PEK, closest to the city) and the newer Daxing Airport (PKX, to the south). Getting into the city efficiently depends on which airport you land at, where in Beijing you’re staying and what time of day you arrive.
Beijing Capital Airport (PEK) → City Center
Option 1: Airport Express Train (Fastest, Most Reliable)
Route: Capital Airport T3 → T2 → Sanyuanqiao (Line 10) → Dongzhimen (Lines 2 and 13)
Journey time: 16 minutes to Sanyuanqiao; 30 minutes to Dongzhimen
Cost: ¥25 flat fare regardless of destination
Operating hours: 06:22–23:13 from Terminal 3; last train back to airport from Dongzhimen at 22:50
Payment: Cash (¥25 notes/coins), card at ticket machines, Alipay, WeChat Pay
Frequency: Every 10 minutes
From Sanyuanqiao: Transfer to Line 10 metro (wide coverage of east and north Beijing — Guomao, Sihui, Jintai Lu)
From Dongzhimen: Transfer to Line 2 (Jianguomen, Chongwenmen, Beijing South Station) or Line 13 (Wudaokou, Xizhimen area)
Limitation: Only serves two interchange stations; if your hotel is far from Lines 2, 10 or 13, you’ll need another metro line connection.
Luggage: The Airport Express has dedicated luggage space at carriage ends and overhead racks. No luggage restriction.
Option 2: Metro Line 15 (New Option from T3)
Since 2023, Line 15 (Yanfang Line extension) provides an alternative connection from the airport to the northeast city districts (望京 Wangjing area and beyond). Check current connectivity before departure as extensions are ongoing.
Option 3: Taxi (Door-to-Door Convenience)
Available at: Exit arrivals hall → follow yellow “Taxi” signs to the metered taxi queue. Do NOT go with anyone who approaches you inside the terminal offering “taxi” — these are unlicensed.
Journey time to city center: 40–60 minutes in normal traffic; 60–90 minutes in rush hour
Cost estimates (meter + expressway toll):
- To Dongcheng/Wangfujing: ¥80–100
- To Chaoyang (CBD area): ¥70–90
- To Xicheng (hutong area near Bell Tower): ¥100–120
- To Haidian (university area): ¥110–140
Expressway toll: ¥10–15 is added to the fare; paid by passenger
Note: Always confirm the meter is on (“请打表” qǐng dǎ biǎo). Metered taxis are green-colored Beijing taxis.
Option 4: Didi (Recommended for Late Night or Hotel Pickup)
Order a Didi Express from the designated ride-hailing pickup zone (follow signs in arrivals hall; separate from taxi rank). Prices are similar to metered taxis but slightly lower (10–15% typically). App-based communication avoids language issues.
Late night advantage: At 02:00, Didi is available when taxis may be scarce.
Wait times: 5–20 minutes depending on time of day and terminal position.
Option 5: Airport Shuttle Buses
Beijing Capital Airport operates 16 shuttle bus routes to different districts. Tickets: ¥25–35. Journey: 60–100 minutes.
Best routes for tourists:
- Route 3: Airport → Dongzhimen → Beijing International Hotel → Beijing Railway Station (Beijing Zhan). Useful for hutong area hotels.
- Route 4: Airport → Wangjing → CBD (Guomao) → Sanlitun area.
- Route 5: Airport → East Third Ring → East Second Ring → Xizhimen.
Buses run every 30 minutes. The downside: can be delayed in traffic and don’t deliver exactly to your hotel.
Beijing Daxing Airport (PKX) → City Center
Option 1: Daxing Airport Express Line (Fastest)
Route: Daxing Airport → Xingyi → Caoqiao (Line 10 and upcoming Line 19 extension)
Journey time: Daxing Airport to Caoqiao: approximately 20 minutes
Cost: ¥35 one way
Operating hours: 06:32 – 23:12
Frequency: Every 10 minutes
From Caoqiao: Connect to Line 10, which serves north, east and west Beijing comprehensively.
Option 2: Taxi / Didi from Daxing
Journey time: Daxing is south of the city. To the CBD or central areas: 45–70 minutes in normal traffic; up to 90 minutes in peak rush hour.
Cost to city center: ¥80–140 including expressway toll
Important: Daxing Airport is further from the city center than Capital Airport. Factor this into your hotel choice if arriving at PKX.
Which Airport and Transport for Common Destinations
| Hotel Location | PEK Best Option | PKX Best Option |
|---|---|---|
| Wangfujing / Tiananmen | Taxi (¥90) or Airport Express + Line 1 | Taxi (¥110) |
| Sanlitun / CBD | Airport Express + Line 10 (¥25+¥4) | Daxing Express + Line 10 |
| Hutong area (Drum Tower) | Airport Express → Dongzhimen → Line 2 | Taxi or Didi |
| Haidian (universities) | Taxi or Bus Route 4 | Daxing Express + Line 10 to Xizhi Men |
| Near West Railway Station | Taxi (¥120) or Airport Express + Line 9 | Daxing Express → Line 9 |
Tips for Smooth Airport Arrivals
SIM card first: Before exiting arrivals, buy a Chinese SIM card at the mobile operator counters (China Mobile, Unicom, Telecom). This enables Didi, Maps and payment apps. Takes 15 minutes; costs ¥50–200 for a tourist SIM.
Cash: Withdraw from Bank of China ATM in arrivals (excellent rate, English interface). Get ¥500–800 to start.
Luggage storage: If arriving very early and your hotel check-in isn’t until afternoon, Capital Airport has luggage storage in both T2 and T3 departure halls (¥30–50/item for 24 hours).
Weather app: Download Moji Weather before arrival to check Beijing’s air quality and weather for your stay.
Keep your baggage claim receipt: Some airport taxis ask to verify it matches your bag — the receipt from the baggage carousel.
The Beijing airport system is well-organized and signposted in English throughout. The Airport Express is genuinely the best option for the first visit — fast, cheap, reliable, and the stations at Sanyuanqiao and Dongzhimen put you directly on the metro network for onward travel anywhere in the city.