Beijing Capital International Airport: Transport, Facilities & Travel Tips

Flying to Beijing for the first time? Please always double-check your IATA Airport Code: PEK stands for Beijing Capital International Airport, but PKX is Beijing Daxing International Airport. They are two different airports.

Beijing Capital International Airport is in the northeast of urban Beijing. From the airport to the city centre of Beijing, it usually takes 40-70 mins, and it will be longer when in congestion. You have various modes of transport to choose: Airport Express, taxi, DiDi (an online car-requesting app in China), and airport buses. Currently, the airport terminals in use are mainly T2 and T3.

Content Preview

• Terminal Layout in Beijing Capital International Airport
• Arrival & Departure at Beijing Capital International Airport
• How to Get to Central Beijing from Beijing Capital International Airport?
• How to Get to Palace Museum, The Great Wall, and Train Station?
• Beijing Capital Airport Transfers: How Long Does It Take to Transfer Flights? Can You Leave the Airport During a Layover?
• Overnight Stays, Dining, Payment & Tips

Beijing Capital International Airport at a Glance

• Chinese Name: 北京首都国际机场
• IATA Airport Code: PEK
• Location: northeast of urban Beijing
• Main Terminals: T1, T2, T3
• Distance to Tiananmen Square: about 30 km

Don’t mix up PEK and PKX!

PEK = Beijing Capital International Airport

PKX = Beijing Daxing International Airport

When booking an airport transfer service, or a hotel pick-up/drop-off service, make sure that you’ve clarified to the driver which airport you are arriving at: PEK or PKX, and also tell them about your terminal number and flight number instead of just telling them ‘Beijing Airport’.

Terminal Layout in Beijing Capital International Airport

Beijing Capital International Airport is huge, and going to the wrong terminal can waste a lot of time or even affect your flight. Please check your E-ticket, boarding pass, and confirm the terminal with your airline, as terminal assignments may change.

Terminal 2 serves both domestic flights and international flights.

Terminal 2: Key Floor Information

• L3: restaurants & shops
• L2 (Departure Level): Check-in Hall, Security Inspection, Baggage drop-off, customs, VIP Lounge
• L1 (Arrival Level): Baggage Claim, ATMs etc.
• B1: Baggage Conveyance, Dining Area, Rest Lounge with Hourly Rates

Terminal 3 is larger. It is divided into multiple sections such as T3-C, T3-D, T3-E. Some airlines may require you to check in at T3-C and then go to T3-E for boarding. Please also check the gate number on your boarding pass rather than just going to ‘Terminal 3’.

Terminal 3: Key Floor Information

• L4: Check-in Hall (Check-in, Baggage Check-in, Restaurants)
• L3: Domestic Departures (Security Inspection at this level)
• L2: Arrival Hall (Pickup, Baggage Claim, Passenger MRT Platform)
• L1: Baggage Handling/Remote Boarding Gates

Terminal 1 is the smallest. Currently it only serves HNA-affiliated domestic airlines such as Hainan Airlines, Beijing Capital Airlines, and Tianjin Airlines.

Terminal 1: Key Floor Information

• L2: Check-in Counter, Security Inspection, VIP Lounge;
• L1: Arrival Exit, Remote Boarding Gates
• B1: Baggage Conveyance

Free Terminal Shuttle Between T2 and T3

You can take the free Terminal shuttle bus if you arrive at the wrong terminal or you need to transfer between terminals for a connecting flight. Follow the signs for “Terminal Shuttle.” and allow enough time for the shuttle ride, walking, waiting, check-in procedures, and security checks.

So, when making a connection at PEK, always check the terminal information for both your arriving and departing flights as well as your layover time.

Suggestion: Save a copy of the Beijing Capital International Airport map, including the Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 layouts, on your phone in advance. This is especially useful for travelers who may not have internet access immediately after arriving in China.

Arrival & Departure at Beijing Capital International Airport

The steps after your arrival at PEK are not complex. Prepare your passport, any required entry documents, and your hotel information. Decide your preferred modes of transport in advance. Follow the signs in English and Chinese at the airport, and you can easily find your way to the right place.

International Arrival Process at PEK

Usual Process:

Deplane → Immigration Inspection → Baggage Claim → Customs → Arrivals Hall → Internet and Payment Setup → City Centre

After getting to the Arrival Hall, avoid drivers who approach you offering a ride. Official taxis and airport transfer services are available only at designated areas. You can use the free Wi-Fi at the airport to set up your mobile internet, then choose your preferred mode of transportation: the Airport Express, taxi, DiDi (a ride-hailing app), or airport transfer.

The T3 International Arrivals Area also has a Beijing Service Station for foreign tourists, which can provide assistance and information on services such as cash withdrawal with foreign bank cards, currency exchange, SIM cards, and travel-related services.

When Should I Arrive at the Airport before Departure?

We recommend that you arrive at the airport 3 hours before international flights and 2 hours before domestic flights. Allow extra time during holidays, summer vacations, and peak travel periods such as the morning and evening rush hours.

Confirm the following three things before leaving your hotel for the airport:

1. PEK or PKX?
2. T2 or T3?
3. Is there a last-minute change of flight schedule or terminals?

Fast-track boarding services are not available to all passengers, so please leave enough time for boarding. The 15-Minute Boarding Service (一刻登机) for some popular flight routes is available under certain conditions but is not offered to every passenger.

Recommended Beijing Tours:

How to Get to Central Beijing from Beijing Capital International Airport?

Airport Express is the convenient option if you travel with light luggage; For families, groups, or travelers with heavy luggage, taking a taxi or chartering a private car is usually more convenient.

Means of Transport	Estimated Cost	Estimated Time	Suitable for
Airport Express	CNY 25	About 30 mins to the interchange in city centre	Solo travelers or two-person groups; travelers with light luggage
Taxi/DiDi	About CNY 95-150	About 40-70+ mins	Families; travelers with heavy luggage
Airport Bus	About CNY 20-55	Depends on routes	Travelers whose hotels are close to bus stops
Private Transfer	Starting from CNY 400 (five-seat vehicle)	Door-to-door service	First-time visitors; families

Airport Express

The Airport Express connects PEK with Beijing’s subway network. You can get off at Sanyuanqiao Station or Dongzhimen Station to transfer to other Beijing metro lines.

Note: The Airport Express does not provide direct access to Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, or most hotels. In most cases, you will need to transfer to other subway lines to reach your final destination.

Beijing Capital Airport Taxi

There will be signs leading you to the taxi waiting areas.

• Terminal 2: Exit from Gate 5 – Gate 9 at Arrival Level/Level 1, and walk to the middle lane to queue up, following the directions shown on the signs.
• Terminal 3: Go down to B1 by following the signs reading ‘Taxi’, enter the designated waiting areas for taxis, and queue up.

We strongly recommend saving the Chinese name and address of your hotel in advance. This is useful because most taxi drivers in Beijing do not speak English.

Beijing Capital Airport DiDi

To make payments more conveniently, you can use DiDi, a ride-hailing app. Foreign travelers can use the English version of DiDi which supports overseas mobile numbers and international bank cards.

You must go to designated areas shown on the app after making your request. Don’t just wait at the exit of the Arrival Hall.

Beijing Capital Airport Shuttle Bus

Some Airport Shuttle Bus routes connect the airport with major transportation hubs such as Beijing West Railway Station and Beijing South Railway Station. Ticket prices vary depending on the destination.

What are the Transport Options if I Land in Beijing Late at Night?

As the Airport Express will be suspended late at night, we recommend taking an official taxi, using DiDi, booking an airport transfer service, or staying in the hotels nearby.

How to Get to Palace Museum, The Great Wall, and Train Station?

If you plan to go directly to attractions or catch a high-speed train after landing, allow more time than the estimate shown on your navigation app. Procedures such as immigration, baggage claim, airport transport, and metro security inspection can all take extra time.

PEK → Forbidden City/Tiananmen Square

We recommend allowing about 1 hour for traveling from the airport to the Forbidden City area. It usually takes around 40 minutes by subway, including transfers and walking. Take the Airport Express to Dongzhimen Station, transfer to Line 2, then interchange to Line 1 at Jianguomen Station. Get off at Tian’anmen East Station, use Exit C or D, and walk across Tian’anmen Square toward the Palace Museum. A taxi may be faster than subway when traffic is light. You can get off around the Donghua Gate or the Xihua Gate of Palace Museum, which is closer to the entrance. The taxi ride usually takes about 1 hour, but travel time can be much longer during heavy traffic.

IMPORTANT: Make sure you have booked your Forbidden City tickets in advance if you plan to visit on the day of arrival.

PEK → The Great Wall

Q: Do I need to go to city centre first in order to visit the Great Wall?

A: No, you don’t have to. Beijing Capital International Airport is located in the northeast of Beijing. If you are going to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, it is usually more efficient to book a private transfer directly from the airport than going to the city centre first and then return.

To get to the Badaling section you can also book a private transfer. Alternatively, you can take the train at Qinghe Station or Beijing North Station after reaching central Beijing.

The Great Wall is a nice choice for the tourists whose layover is more than 10 hours, and who are eligible to enter China.

PEK → Beijing Railway Stations

PEK does not have a high-speed railway station.

So, usually, you need to transfer to one of the railway hubs in Beijing to catch a train to Xi’an, Shanghai, Tianjin etc.

How to Get to Beijing Railway Stations by Metro?

Railway Station	Route	Approx. Time
Beijing Railway Station	Airport Express → Dongzhimen Station (transfer to Line 2) → Beijing Railway Station	About 45 mins
Beijing South Railway Station	Airport Express → Dongzhimen Station (transfer to Line 2) → Xuanwumen Station (transfer to Line 4) → Beijing South Railway Station	About 55 mins
Beijing West Railway Station	Airport Express → Sanyuanqiao Station (transfer to Line 10) → Liuliqiao Station (transfer to Line 9) → Beijing West Railway Station	About 1 hour
Beijing North Railway Station	Airport Express → Dongzhimen Station (transfer to Line 2) → Xizhimen Station	About 50 mins
Beijing Fengtai Railway Station	Airport Express → Sanyuanqiao Station (transfer to Line 10) → Beijing Fengtai Railway Station	About 1 hour
Beijing Chaoyang Railway Station	Airport Express → Sanyuanqiao Station (transfer to Line 12) → Dongbabei Station (transfer to Line 3) → Beijing Chaoyang Railway Station	About 50 mins

Beijing Capital Airport Transfers: How Long Does It Take to Transfer Flights? Can You Leave the Airport During a Layover?

The most common mistake people make about connecting through Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) is that they assume a 3-hour layover is enough:

• whether you have a connecting ticket
• whether your baggage is checked through
• whether you need to clear immigration
• whether you need to change terminals

Generally speaking:

• The simplest situation: Same Terminal + Through Tickets + Through-check Baggage
• International-to-domestic transfers: you need to complete the immigration procedures
• T2 ↔ T3: allow extra time for the transfer.
• Separate Tickets: the most complicated; you need to complete the immigration procedures, claim your baggage, recheck in, and check your baggage again.

Therefore, arrange more time if you have separate tickets.

 

Q: Can I leave Beijing Capital Airport during a layover?

A: Yes, you can. But you must meet China’s entry requirements and make sure you have enough time to return to the airport for your connecting flight.

Eligible foreign tourists may take advantage of China’s 24-hour or 240-hour visa-free transit policy. You need to make sure that you satisfy the requirements of the policies concerning your nationality, eligible ports of entry and exit, onward destination, and confirmed onward ticket.

• Within 6 hours: stay at the airport.
• 6-10 hours: time is limited; don’t make a complicated itinerary.
• 10-15 hours: can take a half-day trip in Beijing.
• 15+ hours: can arrange a tour of the Great Wall or centre of Beijing.

How to Transfer from PEK to PKX?

First things first: They are two different airports, not two terminals of the same airport.

You need to re-calculate the time needed for immigration, baggage claim, airport transfers, recheck-in, and security inspection if you land in PEK and fly from PKX.

Overnight Stays, Dining, Payment & Tips

You don’t need to travel into central Beijing if your plane arrives late at night or departs early the next morning. Hotels, hourly rest lounges, restaurants, baggage storage, currency exchange, and Internet services are offered at PEK and around the airport.

Where to Rest at PEK?

There are hourly rest lounges in T2/T3. But if you prefer a more comfortable overnight stay, you can book a nearby hotel.

• Cordis, Beijing Capital Airport (five stars): A 5-minute walk from T3. You can see planes landing and taking off from the room. It features a heated indoor swimming pool and spa facilities.
• Hilton, Beijing Capital Airport (five stars): Connected to T3 by a covered walkway; free 24-hour airport shuttle.
• Airport YUANHANG International Hotel Beijing (four stars): Free 24-hour airport shuttle (10-minute drive to T2; 15-minute drive to T3; free luggage assistance)

IMPORTANT: If your flight departs early the next morning, it is more convenient to stay at the hotel at or near the airport rather than setting off from your hotel located in the city centre (for example, Wangfujing Street) in the middle of the night.

When to Use a Lounge?

If your layover is longer than 4 hours, you can use Beijing Capital International Airport Lounge. Some lounges offer food, charging points, rest areas and even shower facilities. Please check with the airport or your airline for the latest opening hours, entry requirements, and rates.

Do I Need to Exchange Currency at the Airport?

The airport has currency exchange and ATMs. You can also ask at a Beijing Service counter for assistance with currency exchange.

We don’t recommend exchanging a large amount of cash at the airport. Prepare some CNY cash for emergency use, and use Alipay, WeChat Pay, or international bank card for most payments.

How Do Foreign Tourists Make Payment?

Use cash or mobile payment to buy subway tickets. Some places also support payments by international bank cards. It is especially useful to link your international bank cards to your Alipay or WeChat Pay before taking your trip.

Get Connected to the Internet

You can buy a SIM card in China if you don’t have the international roaming function or an eSIM card. Beijing Service Counter at PEK can assist foreigners with completing certain procedures and buying the local SIM cards.

Why is reconnecting to the Internet so important? Because you’ll need your phone to use your mobile phone to use DiDi, maps, translation function, book tickets for attractions, contact hotels and make mobile payments.

Bonus for Transit Travelers

Tourists who are eligible for China’s 240-hour visa-free transit policy can enjoy free luggage storage services for up to 3 days by showing their passports at the designated luggage service counter at the airport. This bonus is rather beneficial to tourists who plan a tour to Beijing during their long layover.