Beijing Has Two Airports – Know Which One
Before planning your transfer, check your airport code:
- PEK (Beijing Capital International Airport): Older, closer to city center, 25 km northeast. Most international flights from Asia and some from Europe.
- PKX (Beijing Daxing International Airport): New "starfish" airport, 46 km south. Many long-haul international flights, especially from Europe and Middle East.
Travel time comparison:
| Airport | To City Center | By Express Train | By Taxi |
|---|---|---|---|
| PEK (Capital) | 20-25 km | 20-25 min | 30-60 min |
| PKX (Daxing) | 46 km | 19-30 min | 45-90 min |
Option 1: Airport Express Train (Recommended)
PEK Airport Express (机场快轨)
Route: Terminal 2/3 → Sanyuanqiao → Dongzhimen
- Operating hours: 6:20 AM – 11:30 PM
- Frequency: Every 10 minutes
- Travel time: 20-25 minutes to Dongzhimen
- Price: ¥25 one-way
How to use:
- Follow signs to "Airport Express" (机场快轨) after baggage claim
- Buy ticket at machine (accepts cash, WeChat Pay, Alipay)
- Scan QR code to enter
- Get off at Dongzhimen (东直门) – connects to Lines 2 and 13
- Or transfer at Sanyuanqiao (三元桥) for Line 10
Pro tip: Dongzhimen station has luggage-friendly elevators. From there, you can reach most hotels via subway.
PKX Airport Express (大兴机场线)
Route: Daxing Airport → Caoqiao → Xingong
- Operating hours: 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- Frequency: Every 8-10 minutes
- Travel time: 19 minutes to Caoqiao, 30 min to Xingong
- Price: ¥35 to Caoqiao, ¥40 to Xingong
Key transfer points:
- Caoqiao (草桥): Connects to Line 10, 19 – closest to city center
- Xingong (新宫): Connects to Line 4 – good for south Beijing hotels
Business Class option: ¥50, includes wider seats and priority boarding. Worth it if you have heavy luggage.
Option 2: Taxi (Convenient but Pricey)
From PEK (Capital Airport)
- Official taxi queue: Outside arrivals, follow "Taxi" signs
- Estimated fare: ¥80-150 depending on destination and traffic
- Travel time: 30-60 minutes (traffic dependent)
- Tips:
- Have your hotel address in Chinese – show to driver
- Avoid "black taxis" (unlicensed) – only use official queue
- Extra ¥10 airport surcharge included in meter
From PKX (Daxing Airport)
- Estimated fare: ¥150-250
- Travel time: 45-90 minutes
- Tip: Consider Didi (Chinese Uber) – often cheaper than taxi
Option 3: Didi (Chinese Uber)
Why use Didi:
- Often 20-30% cheaper than taxi
- Price shown upfront – no meter surprises
- Destination entered in app – no language barrier
How to use:
- Download Didi app (滴滴出行) or use Alipay mini-program
- Set pickup location to airport terminal
- Enter hotel address (can search in English)
- Choose car type: Express (cheapest) or Premier (more comfortable)
Estimated prices:
- PEK to city center: ¥60-120
- PKX to city center: ¥120-200
Important: Didi requires a Chinese phone number and payment method (Alipay/WeChat Pay). If you don't have these, use taxi instead.
Option 4: Airport Bus (Budget Option)
From PEK
- Lines: 10+ routes to different parts of Beijing
- Price: ¥16-30
- Operating hours: 5:00 AM – 12:00 AM (varies by line)
- Popular routes:
- Line 1: To Beijing Railway Station (北京站)
- Line 2: To Xidan (西单) – central shopping area
- Line 3: To Beijing South Railway Station (北京南站)
From PKX
- Price: ¥40
- Routes: To major hotels and transport hubs
- Travel time: 60-90 minutes
Tip: Airport buses are slow and can be crowded. Only use if you're on a tight budget or traveling during off-peak hours.
Option 5: Private Transfer (Best for Groups)
If you're traveling with family, have lots of luggage, or arrive late at night:
- Price: ¥200-400 depending on vehicle size
- How to book:
- Trip.com airport transfer
- Your hotel concierge
- Local travel agencies
- Benefits: Driver meets you at arrivals, helps with luggage, direct to hotel
Which Option Should You Choose?
Choose Airport Express If:
- You're staying near a subway station
- You want the fastest, most reliable option
- You're comfortable navigating subway transfers
Choose Taxi/Didi If:
- You have heavy luggage
- Your hotel is not near a subway station
- You're arriving late at night (after 11 PM)
Choose Airport Bus If:
- You're on a tight budget
- You're not in a hurry
Choose Private Transfer If:
- You're a group of 3+ people
- You have lots of luggage
- You want door-to-door service without hassle
Late Night Arrivals (After 11 PM)
Airport Express stops running around 11 PM. Your options:
- Taxi: Available 24/7, but expect longer queues
- Didi: Available, but surge pricing may apply
- Airport bus: Limited night routes, check schedules
- Hotel pickup: Arrange in advance if your hotel offers it
Quick Reference: Beijing Airport Transfer
| Method | PEK Price | PKX Price | Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airport Express | ¥25 | ¥35-40 | 20-30 min | Solo travelers, near subway |
| Taxi | ¥80-150 | ¥150-250 | 30-90 min | Door-to-door, heavy luggage |
| Didi | ¥60-120 | ¥120-200 | 30-90 min | Cheaper than taxi |
| Airport Bus | ¥16-30 | ¥40 | 60-90 min | Budget travelers |
| Private Transfer | ¥200-400 | ¥250-500 | 45-90 min | Groups, families |
Practical Tips
- ✅ Check your airport code (PEK or PKX) before booking transfer
- ✅ Have your hotel address in Chinese ready
- ✅ Download offline maps (Google Maps doesn't work well in China)
- ✅ Keep some cash for taxis (¥100-200)
- ✅ Avoid "black taxis" – only use official taxi queue or Didi
- ✅ For early morning flights, book airport express the night before
Final Thoughts
Getting from Beijing's airports to the city is straightforward once you know your options. For most travelers, the Airport Express is the best balance of speed, cost, and convenience. If you have heavy luggage or arrive late at night, a taxi or Didi is worth t ...(truncated)...