Beijing Airport Arrival Guide: Flights, Transport & Nearby Hotels

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By tinafa

October 29, 2026

Beijing Airport Arrival Guide: Flights, Transport & Nearby Hotels

Beijing is served by two major international airports: Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) in Shunyi District, about 32 km northeast of downtown, and Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) in Daxing District, around 46 km south.

PEK is the city’s primary hub with three busy terminals handling heavy domestic and international traffic, while PKX, opened in 2019, features a futuristic “starfish” design and was built to ease congestion. Together, they form Beijing’s key global aviation gateway for travelers worldwide.

Where Is Beijing Airport Located?

Beijing Airport Map Overview

🛫Beijing Capital International (PEK) Airport map

  • 📍 Location: approximately 30 kilometers (approximately 19 miles) from the city center in Beijing's Shunyi District
  • 🚗 Transportation: Airport Express, taxis, airport buses, or online services provide convenient access to the city core.
  • 🧭 Suggested for: increased tourism, proximity to downtown, convenient access to main hotel districts, and downtown
Airport at Beijing Capital International (PEK) map

Image from Wikipedia

🛫 Daxing International Airport in Beijing (PKX)

  • 📍 Location: approximately 50 kilometers (approximately 31 miles) from the city center, at the intersection of Daxing and Guangyang districts in Langfang, Beijing
  • 🚄 Transportation: You can take a taxi or an airport bus, or you can take a high-speed train that runs straight to Beijing West Railway Station (approximately 30 minutes).
  • 🧭 Suggested for: passengers who like the modern airport amenities and greater space, whether they are traveling to other local cities or on long-haul flights abroad
Daxing International Airport in Beijing (PKX)

Image from chinaairlinetravel

How to Get Downtown Quickly (PEK vs. PKX)?

Is it Daxing or Capital? With all of your airport transfer options, this quick and easy guide will help you avoid getting stuck at the airport and get to Beijing city.

Beijing Airport to City Transfer Comparison Table

OptionFrom PEK (Capital Airport)From PKX (Daxing Airport)Notes

🚇 Train

Airport Express → 20 mins → ~$3.50

High-speed train → 30 mins → ~$4.00

Fast & reliable

🚌 Airport Shuttle Bus

60–90 mins → ~$2.80–$4.20

90–120 mins → ~$4.20–$5.50

Cheap but slower

🚖 Taxi

~40 mins → $14–$21

~60–90 mins → $21–$28

Door-to-door comfort

🚗 Ride-hailing

Didi/Meituan → ~40 mins → $12–$18

Didi/Meituan → ~60–90 mins → $18–$25

App-based, often slightly cheaper

💵 Price Range in USD

$2.80 – $21

$4.00 – $28

Budget to premium options

🧳 Recommended for…

Most tourists, hotel areas nearby

Budget flyers, tech-savvy travelers

PEK is closer to popular tourist zones

Grab the cheapest flights to Beijing and book one of the best Beijing hotels now!

How to Get from Beijing Daxing Airport (PEX) to Downtown

Wondering how to get into the city after landing at Beijing Capital International Airport? Whether you're on a tight budget, pressed for time, or simply want a comfortable journey, here are four easy and convenient methods to get to downtown Beijing!

🛫 Beijing Capital Airport (PEK) → City: 4 Transfer Options at a Glance

OptionTimeCost (USD)Best ForNotes

🚇 Airport Express

~20 minutes

~$3.50

Fast travel, solo tourists

Connects to subway at Dongzhimen & Sanyuanqiao

🚌 Shuttle Bus

60–90 minutes

~$2.80–$4.20

Budget travelers, hotel drop-offs

Multiple lines to city landmarks

🚖 Taxi

~40 minutes

~$14–$21

Families, late-night arrivals

Metered, safe, direct

📱Ride-Hailing

~40 minutes

~$12–$18

App users, flexible riders

Use Didi or Meituan via mobile

🛫 Airport Express & Subway Map of Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)

This map illustrates the connections between the Beijing Subway and the Airport Express, as well as the routes from T2/T3 to downtown transfer hubs including Dongzhimen and Sanyuanqiao.

Airport Express & Subway Map of Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)

Image from chinaairlinetravel

How to Get from Beijing Daxing Airport (PKX) to Downtown

Have you just touched down at PKX, Beijing Daxing International Airport? Despite being distant from the city, this brand-new mega-airport is surprisingly efficient and well-connected. The best ways to get to central Beijing are as follows:

🛫 Beijing Daxing Airport (PKX) to City – Transfer Options

OptionTimeCost (USD)Best ForNotes

🚄 High-Speed Train

~30 minutes

~$4.00

Fast travelers, business trips

Direct to Beijing West Station; connects with subway lines

🚌 Shuttle Bus

90–120 minutes

~$4.20–$5.50

Budget travelers

Direct routes to key areas like Beijing Station, Xidan

🚖 Taxi

60–90 minutes

~$21–$28

Families, luggage-heavy travelers

Metered fare, door-to-door, traffic may vary

📱 Ride-Hailing

60–90 minutes

~$18–$25

Tech-savvy, flexible options

Use Didi or Meituan; rates vary by time & demand

🛬 Transportation Map of Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX)

Map of the Airport Bus Network. There are 9-11 bus lines that go straight from the airport to Tongzhou, Yizhuang, and key downtown terminals (such as Beijing, West, and South Railway terminals).

Transportation Map of Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX)
Image from chinaairlinetravel
Grab the cheapest flights to Beijing and book one of the best Beijing hotels now!

🏨 Best Hotels Close to Beijing Airports (PKX & PEK)

Here are the best hotels close to Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) and Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX), whether you're arriving late, have an early flight, or simply need a place to stay in between connections:

✈️ Near Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)

Near Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)

Cordis, Beijing Capital Airport

a five-star hotel featuring 24-hour restaurants, large accommodations, and a complimentary airport shuttle. Perfect for business travelers or anyone looking for a comfortable place to stay near the airport.

Crowne Plaza Beijing International Airport

Large rooms, a gym, and free shuttle service are features of this dependable IHG hotel. Ideal for families and overnight stays.

CITIC Hotel Beijing Airport

Reasonably priced with good amenities. provides fast access to terminals and free transfers.

Hotel NameDistance to TerminalPrice Range (USD)Highlights

Cordis Beijing Capital Airport

5 min (free shuttle)

$120–$160

luxury, 24/7 dining, spacious rooms

Crowne Plaza Beijing Intl. Airport

10 min (free shuttle)

$100–$140

IHG brand, large rooms, family-friendly

CITIC Hotel Beijing Airport

Walkable / shuttle

From ~$63.75 per night

practical, affordable, free shuttle

Grab the cheapest flights to Beijing and book one of the best Beijing hotels now!

🛫 Near Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX)

Near Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX)


Mumian Beijing Daxing International Airport

A spa, gym, and even a flying simulator are all features of this contemporary, tech-savvy hotel! Outstanding in terms of comfort and unusual experiences.

Hilton Garden Inn Beijing Daxing International Airport

Budget-friendly, recently constructed hotel with business-friendly amenities and shuttle service. excellent value for tourists from other countries.

Hotel NameDistance to TerminalPrice Range (USD)Highlights

Mumian Hotel at Daxing Airport

5 min walk (connected)

$120–$150

design hotel, spa, tech-forward amenities

Hilton Garden Inn Daxing Airport

10 min drive (with shuttle)

~$62–$78

New build, great for business, good value

Grab the cheapest flights to Beijing and book one of the best Beijing hotels now!

Travel Shortlist: From Beijing Capital Airport to the Best Attractions

🏯 Forbidden City

Forbidden City

Visiting Beijing for the first time? The Forbidden City is a must-see; it is the center of Chinese history. There are huge courtyards, gilded roofs, and a sense of royalty everywhere.

  • 📍Ideally situated in the heart of the city.
  • 🚆 Taking the Airport Express from the airport, changing to Line 2, and getting off at Qianmen Station is simple.
  • 🕒 Approximately one hour was spent traveling.

💡 Tip: To gain entry, make your online ticket reservation in advance and remember to bring your passport!

Reviews of Forbiden City
4.9/5
47510 reviews
5/5
Good tour that provides key information from a lot of areas inside the huge forbidden city. The tour guide james was great and gave a lot of interesting facts. He also gave us a few moments to take photos and to take a break. Our tickets included the clock museum and the treasure hall that we visited on our own. It was easy to redeem with just our passport.
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5/5
The place is very beautiful, although there are a lot of people. The Forbidden City itself is huge; we walked for four hours and didn't see everything. We were met by a guide who spoke Russian. Although I expected the tour to be more historical, it was more of an overview. We also stopped by the clock and treasure area. The clock was very impressive, but the treasure was not.
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5/5
The tour wasn't really that interesting. The guide spoke in very broken Russian, half of which was incomprehensible. Throughout the tour, people just kept dropping off and leaving. We were the only ones who made it to the end 😅. The Forbidden City itself is interesting. We did manage to learn a bit about history and China in general. There were a lot of people on the grounds. It only thinned out towards the end, just before the museum closed.
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5/5
A must-see! In my personal ranking of Beijing, this is the best I've seen! It's very atmospheric. I recommend wearing comfortable shoes, as you'll be walking a lot. It's best to come in the morning, just before it opens. After visiting, I was so impressed that I reread everything I could find about Chinese emperors. I also watched the Oscar-winning film "The Last Emperor." Buy tickets in advance. It's not open every day.
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4/5
Certainly a fundamental part of a visit to Beijing, it is more spectacular to see the people's attachment to this place and what they represent than the attraction itself, however mammoth.
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🛕 The Temple of Heaven

Temple of Heaven


Searching for a serene walk that exudes a sense of imperial authority? Emperors used to pray for bountiful harvests at the Temple of Heaven, which is a must-see.

  • 📍 Approximately 35 km from the airport, it is located in Dongcheng District
  • 🚆To get to Tiantan Dongmen Station, simply take the Airport Express, change to Subway Line 5, and get off.
  • 🕒 It takes approximately 1 to 1.2 hours.
  • 🌳 There's a feeling about the large open parks, lovely halls, and tai chi practitioners.

💡 Hint: See the villagers playing traditional instruments, stretching, or dancing in the morning.

Temple of Heaven User Reviews
4.7/5
6047 reviews
5/5
Very nice
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4/5
Nice place to visit
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5/5
I recommend the Temple of Heaven for general development. It's a pleasant stroll through the park. The sites themselves are very crowded. It's impossible to get close to the beautiful spots.
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4/5
There are so many people. If you're not interested in Chinese culture, there's nothing to do there, even if it were free! Don't waste your time!
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5/5
You need to buy a separate ticket to see the Harvest Hall up close; it's more worthwhile to buy the all-inclusive ticket.
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🏞 Summer Palace

Summer Palace

Want to escape the bustle of the city? With its lakes, historic bridges, and serene garden walkways, the Summer Palace is the ideal place to spend a leisurely afternoon.

  • 📍 About 40 kilometers from the airport, it is located in Beijing's northwest.
  • 🚆 Get off at Beigongmen Station after changing to Subway Line 4 from the Airport Express.
  • 🕒 Approximately one to one and a half hours, depending on transfers.

💡 Advice: Rent a boat on Kunming Lake; the sunset views are especially breathtaking!

Summer Palace User Reviews
4.7/5
7360 reviews
5/5
It's beautiful.
review picture
5/5
Friendly and knowledgeable tour guide! Made the whole trip super smooth, fun, and memorable with great local tips. Really grateful for all the guidance! Thank youuu! ☺️ Highly recommend!
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5/5
ง่ายและสะดวกสบายไม่ต้องไปซื้อหน้างาน
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5/5
Nice place to visit for those who travel to Beijing.
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5/5
The Summer Palace in Beijing was one of the highlights of our trip to China. A truly wonderful place, where history, nature, and architecture blend together to create a unique atmosphere. Immaculately maintained gardens, temples, bridges, pagodas, and breathtaking views of Kunming Lake. Every corner offers something special and feels like a step back in time. A place we truly loved and highly recommend to anyone visiting Beijing. A must-see and, in our opinion, one of the city's most beautiful attractions! 🇨🇳
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China Entry Requirements & Things to Prepare

  • 24/240 China Visa-Free Transit: US citizens can enjoy a 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit when traveling through 24 Chinese provinces, provided they hold a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region.
  • China Plug & Power: China plug uses Type A/C/F (220V). Bring a Type A/C adapter (US plugs sometimes work, but bring a universal adapter for safety).
  • Internet Access in China: You need a China VPN for Google/Ins/YT/X, etc. But you can also use a China eSIM with built-in access to overseas apps!

Getting Around & Top Destinations in China

Must-Have Apps in China

FAQs – Beijing Airport Arrival Guide

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