Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) to Beijing
The Capital Airport Express subway line runs from Terminals 2 and 3 to Dongzhimen and Sanyuanqiao in about 20–30 minutes, connecting with the city metro. Taxis from the official rank take about 40–60 minutes.
Beijing has two major international airports; check which one is on your ticket.
Best for most people: Capital Airport Express. It is fast, avoids the busy airport expressway and links to Lines 2, 10 and 13 of the metro.
All the options
| How | Time | How often | Price* | Hours | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| train Capital Airport Express subway line from Terminals 3 and 2 to Sanyuanqiao (Line 10) and Dongzhimen (Lines 2 and 13) | about 20–30 min to Dongzhimen | every 10–15 min | about ¥25 | about 06:30–23:00; check last departures | Terminal 1 passengers walk to Terminal 2. Pay by ticket machine, transit QR code or contactless card where accepted. |
| bus Airport shuttle buses from each terminal to central districts and major hotels | about 45–90 min | every 15–30 min on main routes | about ¥20–30 | early morning to late evening, some routes later | Routes and stops are shown at the bus ticket counters in Arrivals. |
| taxi Official taxi rank outside Arrivals (follow the signs and join the queue) | about 40–60 min, longer in traffic | about ¥100–150 to the centre, plus expressway tolls | 24 h | Metered; refuse drivers who approach you inside the terminal. | |
| ride-hailing DiDi, with pick-up at the designated area | about 40–60 min | similar to or cheaper than a taxi | 24 h | The DiDi app and the Alipay mini-program have English options. |
*Approximate 2026 prices and times. Services change: check the operator before you fly, especially for late arrivals.
Sort it before you land
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Other airports
- Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX), about 45 km south of the centre, linked by the Daxing Airport Express subway line to Caoqiao (metro Line 10) in about 20 minutes
Tips
- Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay before you travel; both now accept many foreign cards and are used everywhere, including for metro QR codes.
- Have your hotel address written in Chinese for the taxi driver.
- Allow extra time at rush hour on the Airport Expressway and the Third and Fourth Ring Roads.
- If you land at Daxing, the Daxing Airport Express line is the quickest way in; taxis there take about an hour.
Common questions
How much is a taxi from Beijing Capital Airport to the city?
Expect about ¥100–150 to central Beijing, including the expressway toll, depending on traffic and your exact destination. Use the official taxi rank outside Arrivals and make sure the meter is on. Show the driver your hotel address in Chinese. The trip takes about 40–60 minutes.
Does the Airport Express run at night in Beijing?
No. The Capital Airport Express runs from about 06:30 until about 23:00; check last departures. Some airport shuttle bus routes run later, and taxis are available 24 hours from the official rank. DiDi ride-hailing is another option at night. Taxis queue at the rank day and night.
How do I pay for transport at Beijing Airport?
Alipay and WeChat Pay are the easiest: both accept many foreign cards and can generate metro QR codes. Ticket machines for the Airport Express also take cash, and taxis accept cash and mobile payment. International contactless cards are accepted at some machines but not everywhere.
What if I land at Daxing Airport instead?
Daxing (PKX) is south of the city. The Daxing Airport Express subway line runs to Caoqiao in about 20 minutes, where you connect with Line 10, then continue across the city. A taxi from Daxing to central Beijing takes about an hour and costs more than from Capital Airport.
Compiled by TonyPlan from airport and transport-operator information and travel knowledge; updated 2026-10-05. Anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.