Beijing has two international airports, and your Beijing airport transfer plan depends entirely on which one you land at.
Here’s how the four main options compare at each airport, so you can pick the fastest or cheapest route before you land.
- Both PEK and PKX have a dedicated Airport Express train: ¥25 flat from PEK, around ¥35 from PKX to Caoqiao.
- Daxing (PKX) is about 46 km from downtown, nearly double Capital Airport’s (PEK) roughly 25 km, so allow more time and budget.
- Taxis cost about ¥100-140 from PEK versus around ¥220 from PKX, and both add a 20% surcharge overnight.
- Shuttle buses are the budget option at both airports, running ¥20-60 depending on your destination.
- A dedicated shuttle bus connects PEK and PKX directly a few times a day for ¥35-55, useful if you’re transferring between the two (no official duration is published, so build in buffer time).
Beijing’s two airports at a glance
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) is the older, closer airport, about 25 km northeast of the city center.
Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX), which opened in 2019, sits roughly 46 km south of downtown and handles a growing share of both domestic and international flights.
Check your boarding pass or e-ticket carefully, since the two airports are on opposite sides of the city and a taxi between them takes over an hour.
Before you land, it’s worth confirming whether your passport qualifies for China’s visa-free entry policies, and filling in the China Digital Arrival Card ahead of time so immigration goes smoothly at either airport.
Beijing airport transfer options compared
Every option below is a real, current route, not a fixed-price tout in the arrivals hall. Here’s how the Airport Express, subway, taxi, and shuttle bus stack up at each airport.
Beijing Capital Airport (PEK) to city center, in detail
PEK has three terminals, but only Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 have their own Airport Express station. Terminal 1 travelers need the free inter-terminal shuttle bus first.
PEK Airport Express
The Capital Airport Express train links Terminal 3 and Terminal 2 with Sanyuanqiao, Dongzhimen, and Beixinqiao downtown. The flat fare is ¥25 per journey no matter how far you travel, and trains run roughly every 10 minutes from about 6:00 am to 10:30 pm.
- Dongzhimen connects to Metro Line 2 and Line 13.
- Sanyuanqiao connects to Metro Line 10 and Line 19.
- Beixinqiao connects to Metro Line 5.
Subway from PEK
Riding the Airport Express to Dongzhimen or Sanyuanqiao and then transferring onto the regular Beijing Subway network is the cheapest rail route into a specific neighborhood. Expect around ¥3-6 in extra metro fare and 15-20 extra minutes, for a total of roughly ¥28-31 and 45-50 minutes door to door.
Taxi and ride-hailing from PEK
Metered taxis to central districts like Chaoyang, Dongcheng, or Haidian typically run ¥100-140 and take 45-60 minutes depending on traffic. The meter starts at ¥13 for the first 3 km, then adds roughly ¥2.30 per km plus an airport-expressway toll of about ¥10.
Fares rise about 20% between 11 pm and 5 am. Ride-hailing apps such as DiDi offer an English interface and cashless payment, and are a solid alternative to the taxi rank.
Shuttle bus from PEK
Nine shuttle bus lines run from PEK to downtown areas and outer districts, with fares between ¥20 and ¥30 for most city routes (up to ¥80 for longer runs like Badaling Great Wall). Buses depart roughly every 30-60 minutes depending on the line, with ticket booths outside Gate 11 at Terminal 2 and Gate 7 at Terminal 3.
Beijing Daxing Airport (PKX) to city center, in detail
Daxing is a single unified terminal building, so there’s no need to guess which terminal your rail or bus option departs from.
PKX Airport Express
The Daxing Airport Express (New Airport Line) runs nonstop between the airport and Caoqiao Station in about 19-22 minutes, reaching speeds of 160 km/h. Unlike PEK’s flat fare, this line prices by distance: ¥10 for under 20 km, ¥25 for 20-30 km, and ¥35 for over 30 km. The Caoqiao-airport trip covers around 40 km, so it falls in the top band at ¥35.
Caoqiao Station connects to Metro Line 10 and Line 19, and trains run roughly every 9-10 minutes from about 5:40 am to 11 pm.
Subway from PKX
Continuing past Caoqiao onto the regular subway network gets you closer to a specific downtown district for a bit more time and money. Sources put the combined Airport Express and Line 19 journey at around ¥39 total and roughly 32 minutes to reach the edge of central Beijing.
Taxi and ride-hailing from PKX
A metered taxi into central Beijing costs around ¥220 including tolls, and takes 60-90 minutes depending on traffic, since Daxing sits well south of the city. The same citywide meter rates apply as at PEK: ¥13 for the first 3 km, then about ¥2.30 per km, rising 20% overnight.
DiDi and other ride-hailing apps are available in the arrivals hall and work the same way as at Capital Airport.
Shuttle bus from PKX
Nine downtown shuttle bus lines (plus two intercity routes to Hebei Province) connect Daxing to downtown points including Beijing Railway Station, with fares ranging ¥25-60 depending on the route.
Buses run about every 30 minutes and take roughly 80 minutes to reach the city center, departing from Gate 20 on the first floor.
Connecting between PEK and Daxing airport
If your itinerary has you landing at one Beijing airport and departing from the other, don’t rely on a downtown taxi loop.
A dedicated airport-to-airport shuttle bus runs directly between PEK and PKX roughly three times a day, departing Daxing around 13:30, 16:00, and 18:30, with return departures from PEK around 09:30, 12:00, and 15:00.
The fare is ¥35-55 one way depending on the route. No official travel duration is published, so build in extra buffer time and check the current timetable against your connection time before relying on it.
Tips for a smooth Beijing airport transfer
- Ignore anyone in the arrivals hall waving a laminated card and quoting a flat fare – walk past to the official taxi rank or bus counter instead.
- Beijing has gone largely cashless, so a contactless foreign credit card or a mobile wallet works for the Airport Express, taxis, and most buses.
- Airport Express ticket machines and shuttle bus counters accept ID-based purchases, so keep your passport handy.
- Build in extra time at Daxing (PKX) specifically, since its distance from downtown makes it more exposed to traffic delays than Capital Airport (PEK).
Ready to book your Beijing trip
Once your transfer is sorted, lock in your travel dates. Compare flights on Wego and browse hotels in Beijing, and pick a place to stay near Dongzhimen or Sanlitun if you want the shortest possible ride from either airport’s rail line.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the fastest way from Beijing Capital Airport (PEK) to the city center?
The PEK Airport Express is fastest for most travelers, reaching Dongzhimen in about 25-30 minutes for a flat ¥25 fare. It beats a taxi whenever traffic is heavy, and it runs every 10 minutes until about 10:30 pm.
What’s the fastest way from Beijing Daxing Airport (PKX) to the city center?
The Daxing Airport Express to Caoqiao Station is the quickest option, taking about 19-22 minutes for around ¥35. From Caoqiao, a quick metro transfer on Line 10 or Line 19 gets you into a specific downtown district.
How much does a taxi cost from a Beijing airport to downtown?
Expect roughly ¥100-140 from Capital Airport (PEK) and around ¥220 from Daxing Airport (PKX), since Daxing is nearly twice as far from downtown. Both airports add a 20% surcharge on fares between 11 pm and 5 am.
Can I transfer directly between PEK and Daxing Airport?
Yes. A dedicated airport-to-airport shuttle bus runs between the two roughly three times a day (around 13:30, 16:00, and 18:30 from Daxing), for ¥35-55 depending on the route. No official duration is published, so build in buffer time and check the current timetable since it’s not a frequent service.
Do I need a visa to enter Beijing?
It depends on your nationality, since China has expanded visa-free entry to a growing list of countries. Check the current visa-free list and fill out the Digital Arrival Card before you fly so immigration at either airport goes quickly.
Sources
- Beijing Municipal Government – About Subway Fares
- Beijing Municipal Government – PKX Airport to City
- Travel China Guide – Beijing Capital Airport Express Train
- Travel China Guide – Beijing Daxing Airport Express (New Airport Line)
- Travel China Guide – Beijing Capital Airport Shuttle Bus
- Travel China Guide – Beijing Daxing Airport Shuttle Bus
- China Highlights – Beijing Airport to City Center: 5 Options, Prices & How to Choose
- Wikipedia – Daxing Airport Express
- Travel China Guide – Beijing Taxi, Cab Fare, How to Hail a Taxi
- Daxing PKX Airport – Airport Taxis, Options & Prices
- Daxing PKX Airport – Shuttles & Buses, Lines, Timetables & Tickets
Disclaimer: We’ve worked hard to make sure the information in this article is as accurate and up to date as possible at the time of publishing. Travel details such as prices, schedules, visa rules, and entry requirements can change at short notice, so it remains your responsibility to verify the current details with official sources before you book or travel. Wego accepts no liability for any loss or inconvenience arising from the use of this content.
