Beijing Airport Arrival Guide: Flights, Transport & Nearby Hotels

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By tinafa

June 13, 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

$70–$100

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)

$80–$110

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
47409 reviews
5/5
A wonderful guide who speaks Russian fluently, everything was perfectly organized, everything was clear, everything was fast, without delays, we were 100% satisfied
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5/5
Hello. It's worth a look, but it's best to go on a weekday.
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5/5
I was worried about getting to the meeting place in the morning, but it was easy to find and I found it right away. I handed over the last four digits of my phone number and my passport to check in. The bus departed on schedule. On the bus, there was an explanation about the Great Wall, and we had to decide our own route and how to go up and down the wall. I was planning to take the cable car to Tower 14, head towards Tower 23, and come back down from Tower 6 using the slide, but since it was a public holiday, the guide recommended taking the cable car back from Tower 14 as well, so I bought a round-trip cable car ticket. There was no ticket; it was linked to my passport. As the guide explained, I took the shuttle bus to the cable car station and went up to the Great Wall. I reached the top of the Great Wall around 10:30. I walked towards Tower 23. Up to Tower 19, it was crowded, but the path was relatively easy to walk. After passing Tower 19, it became a steep staircase, and it felt more like mountain climbing. It took about two hours to reach Tower 20. The steep stairs continued beyond Tower 20, so we decided to turn back. The return trip to Tower 14 took about an hour. Our bus back was at 3 PM, so we still had some time and decided to head towards Tower 6 from Tower 14. This path was relatively easy to walk, and we made it to Tower 10. If you're not confident in your physical fitness, I think it's better to aim for Tower 6 from the start. We returned to Tower 14 from Tower 10 and took the cable car. The guide on the bus was right to recommend the round-trip cable car. The area below the Great Wall is a tourist area and there were no inconveniences. You might regret going to the Great Wall if you're expecting a hike, but it's an experience to see historical structures and walk along it, so I think it's worth going at least once.
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5/5
It's been great, the tour guide has been very nice.
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5/5
Very informative and comfortable, the tour guide was quite friendly.
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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
5669 reviews
5/5
A magnificent place, beautiful gardens, more or less crowded, but it doesn't bother you. A must-see in the Chinese capital. If you're lucky, Chinese children will come up to you to ask a few questions and might even give you a gift.
review picture
5/5
Nice park, especially on a warm Beijing day.
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5/5
An imposing structure of striking beauty and quality of finish. The temple building rises above a vast park and is situated on a three-tiered circular pedestal. From the moment you enter the park, you'll notice this marvel of ancient Chinese engineering. The park is very large; you could spend half a day wandering around. Also on the grounds is an echo wall that actually works—come and see for yourself—and a second round three-tiered pedestal—a pyramid, but without the building.
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5/5
The ticket price does not include entry to the Temple of Heaven. To enter, you need to purchase an additional ticket for 20 yuan per person, or you can buy it from the staff at the entrance using WeChat scanning.
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5/5
A great place, perfect for a walk even in the heat!
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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
7432 reviews
5/5
The Summer Palace is very large, and with limited time, we could only visit the key parts. Fortunately, this tour included a guide, Mr. Sun, who was very professional and made it easy for us to understand the Summer Palace. It was definitely worth it!
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5/5
Spectacular!
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5/5
Very large and beautiful territory, huge lake, beautiful architecture.
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5/5
It’s a very good place to visit
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5/5
The scholar said that Director Li provided detailed explanations and took great care of the group members! Highly recommended.
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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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