Beijing has two airports: PEK and PKX.
If you're looking for the easiest and most straightforward way to reach downtown Beijing, here's the quick answer:
- With light luggage, the subway (Airport Express Line) offers the best balance of price and convenience.
- With heavy luggage or after a long flight, taking a taxi is the easiest and most stress-free option.
Below, we'll also compare airport buses, trains, and private transfers so you can choose what fits your situation.
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- Which Airport is Closer to Downtown Beijing?
- 1. By Subway
- 2. By Bullet Train
- 3. By Airport Shuttle Bus
- 4. By Taxi
- 5. By Private Transfer Service
Which Airport is Closer to Downtown Beijing?
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) is closer to the city center, located in the northeastern Shunyi District, about 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) from downtown.
Most international flights will land in PEK. T2 mainly serves domestic flights, while T3 mainly serves international flights.
Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) is situated in the southern Daxing District, approximately 46 kilometers (28.6 miles) from downtown.
PKX mainly serves domestic flights, with a few international ones. It has only one terminal.
If you book our private tour, we will provide private transfer and a tour guide. Welcome to tell us your needs.
If I can fly to both PEK and PKX, which should I choose?
- From New York and Rome: Direct flights to PEK, but not to PKX.
- From London and Singapore: Both PEK and PKX have direct flights. We recommend PEK due to more direct flights and better arrival times.
- From Kuala Lumpur: Both PEK and PKX have direct flights. We recommend PKX as it offers an additional 10 AM arrival flight, and flights arriving at PKX are cheaper when arrival times are the same.
- From Ottawa: Neither PEK nor PKX has direct flights. We recommend PEK, as it requires only one transfer, while PKX requires two. Alternatively, you could depart from Vancouver or Toronto, both of which offer direct flights to PEK, but not to PKX.
1. By Subway: Economical and Efficient
It is the most economical and efficient option compared to other transportation methods, unaffected by traffic jams.
Sometimes, it could also be inconvenient if you have a lot of luggage. The environment might be crowded and seats are not guaranteed.
SubwayFrom Capital Airport:
You could take the Captial Airport Express Line from either T2 or T3 to get to Dongzhimen Station within 30 minutes. And there, you could transfer to other subway lines to your destinations, such as Line 2 and Line 1 to Tiananmen East Station. The total travel time is about 1.5 hours.
- Operating hours: 06:22 - 22:52, every 12 minutes
- Fare: 25 RMB
From Daxing Airport:
The Daxing Airport Express Line takes 20 minutes to Caoqiao Station. From there, you could transfer to other subway lines such as Line 10 and Line 1 to Tiananmen East Station. The entire journey takes about 1.5 hours.
- Operating hours: 05:58 - 22:58 (extended to 23:30 on Sundays), every 10 minutes
- Fare: 35 RMB (Standard), 50 RMB (Business)
Tips: Lines 1, 4, and 10 are often crowded during rush hours (7-9 AM and 5-7 PM), and road traffic can slow down significantly as well. I've experienced the evening rush around 6:30-7 PM, when traffic added about 30 minutes to the journey, turning a normal 1-hour trip into 1.5 hours or even longer by taxi.
If you take the subway during rush hours, expect an additional 10-20 minutes if the trains are overcrowded and you have to wait for the next one — or even the one after that.
2. By Bullet Train: Economical and Comfortable
Compared to the subway, bullet trains offer wider and softer seats, bigger luggage space, and an overall quieter and more comfortable experience.
Only Daxing Airport offers this option; Capital Airport does not.
Daxing Airport bullet trainFrom Daxing Airport:
You could take a bullet train from Daxing Airport to Beijing West Station, about 30 minutes. Then you could transfer to a subway or a taxi to Tiananmen or your destination. It would take a total of about 2 hours.
There are 23 train services daily, with plenty of tickets available. You could collect your luggage and then buy your ticket after arriving at Daxing Airport.
- Operating hours: 6:41-20:56, every 36 minutes on average
- Fare: 30 RMB (second class), 48 RMB (first class)
3. By Airport Shuttle Bus: Wide Coverage
The airport shuttle bus has many routes to the city center and can also go to nearby cities such as Tianjin. You can ask the staff at the airport bus ticket office about your destination and they will tell you which line to take.
The airport bus departs at fixed intervals (every 30 to 60 minutes). It takes approximately 1-1.5 hours to reach the city center.
During rush hours, weekends, and holidays, traffic congestion may occur. If you're in a hurry, it's advisable to avoid using the airport shuttle bus at these times.
Shuttle busFrom Capital Airport:
In T2: you could find the ticket office on the first floor (Gate 11).
In T3: you could find the ticket office on the first floor (Gate 1).
- Operating hours: 5:00-23:00, 23:15-1:30
- Fare: 20 RMB - 55 RMB
From Daxing Airport:
The ticket office is on the first floor (Gate 20).
- Operating hours: 8:15-23:15; at night, only at 23:35 and 5:00
- Fare: 30 RMB - 45 RMB
4. By Taxi: Direct to Destination But Expensive
If you want a quick rest, prefer privacy, or are unfamiliar with Beijing's transportation system, you could take a taxi.
If you arrive late at night or early in the morning when other transportation is not running, taking a taxi is the best option.
You could head straight to your hotel without any transfers, making it ideal for families with children and elderly members.
TaxiHowever, taxis can be expensive, and traffic jams are common during peak hours. During holidays, you might have to wait a long time to get a taxi.
How to avoid illegal taxis:
- Head to the designated taxi area (follow the airport signs) to catch a cab and don't trust drivers waving at you from other areas.
- Official taxis will always use the meter; avoid those that don't or offer a flat rate.
If you can download the E-hailing app (such as Didi) in advance and make online payments, then using a ride-hailing service could also be a good option. Usually, the price of a ride-hailing service is about 30% to 40% cheaper than a taxi.
However, sometimes you need to communicate with the driver about the exact location. If you don't speak Chinese, this can be quite confusing.
From Capital Airport:
To Tiananmen, the daytime fare is about 80 RMB. From 23:00 to 5:00 the next day, the mileage unit price will increase by 20%, totaling around 100 RMB. The journey typically takes about 1 hour.
- At T2, the pickup area is outside Gates 5-9 on the first floor in the middle lane.
- At T3, the pickup area is on B1.
From Daxing Airport:
During the day, the fare to Tiananmen is approximately 120 RMB. From 23:00 to 5:00 the next day, the rate per mile increases by 20%, bringing the total to around 150 RMB. The trip usually takes about 1.5 hours.
- The pickup area is near Gate 18 on the first floor, or you can enter through Gate 14 on the second floor, then take the right-side escalator down to the first-floor taxi waiting area.
Tips:
- These prices represent the predicted range. Sometimes, due to factors such as traffic congestion, the price may fluctuate.
- If you want to save money, you can take the airport express to a station near your destination and then take a taxi. This option might also help you avoid traffic on the first part of the journey.
5. By Private Transfer Service: Personalized Comfort
If you want a stress-free arrival without worrying about routes, handling luggage, or communicating with unfamiliar drivers, especially if you arrive at night or travel with a big family or lots of luggage, choose our private transfer service.
We offer a variety of vehicles to suit your needs, such as 7-seater and 9-seater options. Our experienced drivers ensure a smooth and comfortable ride, with clean vehicles and no rush, unlike a taxi.
Our spacious and comfortable 7-seater carOur English-speaking guide will monitor your flight information and wait for you at the exit with a name sign. They'll assist with luggage and immigration, ensuring your Beijing journey starts effortlessly the moment you land.
Our guide will wait for you with a hand signOr are you just looking to explore Beijing during your airport layover? Private transfers are the best way to maximize your time and ensure a timely return to the airport.
Just contact us and book a Beijing tour in advance. Transfers are included in our professional tour services, and the tours are quite affordable.