Beijing Airports to the City: Capital & Daxing (2026 Guide)
How to get from Beijing Capital (PEK) and Daxing (PKX) airports into the city — airport express, metro, rail, bus and taxi, with times, prices and what to pick.
Beijing has two international airports and several ways into the city — and picking the right one saves you time and money. Here’s the 2026 breakdown for Capital (PEK) and Daxing (PKX), with times, prices and what to choose.
The two airports
| Capital (PEK) | Daxing (PKX) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance from center | ~25 km | ~46 km |
| Fastest option | Airport Express, ¥25 | Daxing Line, ¥35 |
| Time to center | ~25–30 min | ~50–60 min total |
| Good for | Most international flights | Newer, larger; more domestic |
From Capital Airport (PEK)
- Airport Express (best): the dedicated train to Dongzhimen (change to metro lines 2/13) — about 25 minutes, ¥25, every 15 min from ~6am–11pm. No traffic, reliable.
- Airport bus: ¥24–50, about an hour, with lines to Beijing West/South stations, Qinghe, Tongzhou and more. Several lines now run 24 hours or until 2am (2026).
- Taxi / ride-hailing: ¥100–200, 40–70 min depending on traffic. Best for groups or heavy bags.
From Daxing Airport (PKX)
- Daxing Airport Line (best): to Caoqiao station in 19–25 minutes, ¥35 (¥50 business class), where you change to metro lines 10/19 — about 50–60 minutes door to door. Pay with Alipay/WeChat transit codes, a BEIJING PASS card, or ticket machines.
- Beijing–Xiong’an intercity rail: to Beijing West — ¥17–30, ~30 min, less crowded than the metro, and you arrive near the city’s western core.
- Airport bus: ¥25–50, 60–90 min, nine routes covering Beijing station, Zhongguancun, Yizhuang and more.
- Taxi / ride-hailing: ¥150–250, 40–70 min. PKX’s app has an official shared-ride option that’s cheaper if you’re alone.
Which should you choose?
| Situation | Pick |
|---|---|
| One person, first time, daytime | Airport Express / Daxing Line |
| Family or heavy luggage | Taxi or booked transfer |
| Late-night arrival | 24h airport bus (or taxi) |
| Budget | Airport bus (PEK) / rail (PKX) |
Practical tips
- Use official channels only — the official taxi ranks, the express trains, or licensed ride-hailing. Ignore anyone who approaches you inside the terminal.
- Set up payment first: Alipay transit codes cover the airport express, metro and buses — see our payments guide.
- Know your hotel area: most stays cluster around Wangfujing, Qianmen or the CBD — see where to stay in Beijing. Dongzhimen is the transfer point for the Airport Express.
- Returning to the airport: leave extra time, especially for PKX — budget an hour or more to the city.
- General metro help: our Beijing metro guide covers the system.
Where this fits
Beijing is the first stop on the 7-day, 10-day and two-week routes. Get in smoothly and you’re set for the city itself — see the Beijing guide.
Fares and times as of August 2026, based on official Beijing transport announcements — confirm current schedules on the airport or operator sites before you travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Beijing airport will I fly into?
Both PEK and PKX serve international routes. Most international airlines use Capital (PEK); Daxing (PKX) also has international routes plus many domestic ones. Check your ticket — the two are an hour apart, so plan transfers accordingly.
What's the fastest way from Capital Airport (PEK) to the city?
The Airport Express train — about 25 minutes and ¥25 to Dongzhimen station, where you change to metro lines 2 or 13. It runs every ~15 minutes from about 6am to 11pm and never gets stuck in traffic.
How do I get from Daxing Airport (PKX) to the city?
The Daxing Airport Line is fastest — about 19–25 minutes and ¥35 (¥50 business) to Caoqiao, then the metro. The Beijing–Xiong'an intercity rail to Beijing West is another good option (¥17–30, ~30 min, less crowded). See the [Beijing guide](https://chinotrips.com/beijing/) for your hotel area.
Should I take a taxi from the airport?
A taxi or ride-hailing to the city runs ¥100–200 from PEK and ¥150–250 from PKX, taking 40–70 minutes depending on traffic. Worth it for families or heavy luggage; for one person the train is cheaper and just as fast.
Do airport buses run late at night?
Yes — as of 2026 several airport bus lines run 24 hours or until 2am, including PEK's Xizhan line and PKX's Beijing station line. Bus fares are ¥24–50 and take about an hour. Use the official airport bus platform or counters, never touts.