Beijing Airports to City Center: PEK vs PKX, Every Option Compared

First, the fact that surprises most first-time visitors: Beijing has two major international airports, and they are not close to each other. Capital International (PEK) sits about 25 km northeast of the city center; Daxing (PKX) is about 46 km south. Checking which airport your flight lands at — before you book a hotel — is the single easiest way to save an hour a day.

All prices and times below are reference figures. Information current as of October 2026 — always confirm details via official channels before you travel.

From Capital Airport (PEK)

Airport Express train — the default choice. Runs from T2 and T3 to Sanyuanqiao and Dongzhimen (where it connects into subway Lines 2, 10, 13 and the capital airport express), continuing to Beixinqiao. Journey time is around 20–30 minutes; the fare is roughly ¥25. Trains run through the evening but check the last departure if you land late. From Dongzhimen you are one transfer from the Forbidden City area.

Taxi or ride-hail. Roughly ¥100–150 to central districts, 40–60 minutes depending on traffic. Meters are standard in official taxis — insist on it or use the ride-hail app where the price is locked before you get in.

Airport shuttle buses. Multiple routes cover major districts, railway stations and the other airport at low fares (roughly ¥20–40). Slower than the train but useful if your hotel sits directly on a route and you have heavy luggage.

Best for: most solo travelers and couples. Train to Dongzhimen, then metro or a short taxi for the last leg.

From Daxing Airport (PKX)

Daxing Airport Express — fast and futuristic. The line connects the terminal (B1 level) to Caoqiao station in about 20 minutes, where you can transfer to Line 10 and Line 19. Fare around ¥35. Caoqiao is not the city center, but Line 19 is a fast north–south artery.

Intercity rail — the hidden advantage. Daxing sits on the Beijing–Xiong'an intercity line: direct trains reach Beijing West station in about 28 minutes. If your hotel is near a railway hub, this can beat the metro. Buy via the official 12306 app or at the station (foreign passports are supported on 12306 for registration; some payment flows are easier through Trip.com).

Taxi or ride-hail. Roughly ¥180–240 and around an hour to central Beijing. For a family of three or four with suitcases, the convenience may justify it; for one or two people, take the train.

Shuttle buses and night lines. Routes cover Beijing station, Beijing South, Beijing Chaoyang, the Capital Airport and more, with three night routes serving Zhongguancun, Beijing South and the Agricultural Exhibition Center area — handy for very late arrivals.

Best for: travelers whose flights are cheaper into PKX, or those continuing south by rail. Accept the longer transfer; build it into your plan rather than fighting it.

Which airport should you book into?

  • Pure Beijing city trip: PEK is closer to the classic sites and saves time both ways.
  • Price-sensitive or long-haul international: PKX often has better fares; the extra 30–45 minutes is the trade.
  • Beijing + another city by rail: PKX's intercity links can flip the calculation.

Late arrivals and the details that bite

  1. The last trains leave earlier than your flight might land. If you touch down after ~23:00, assume taxi/ride-hail or shuttle. Daxing's night shuttle routes exist precisely for this.
  2. The metro gates accept foreign contactless cards (Visa/Mastercard/JCB/Amex/UnionPay) — including airport lines — so you can ride the express train on your normal card. See our metro guide for details.
  3. Official taxi ranks only. Follow the signs, queue, and take the metered car. Ignore anyone soliciting fares inside the terminal; "black cabs" overcharge and there is no recourse.
  4. Screenshot your hotel's name in Chinese characters before you land — it turns a 5-minute conversation with a driver into a 5-second one.
  5. Ride-hailing pickup zones at both airports are in designated areas of the parking structures; the app pins them, but allow 10 minutes to walk there.

Practical notes

  • Cost (per person): express trains ¥25–35; shuttle ¥20–40; taxi per car ¥100–240 depending on airport and destination.
  • Time: train 20–30 min to the metro network; taxi 40–70 min to central districts.
  • Booking: no booking needed for trains/metro; use official taxi queues or the DiDi app.
  • Late arrival: after ~23:00, plan taxi or night shuttle; check each airport's official site for last-train times.
  • Confirmation: fares and schedules change; check the Beijing Subway official channels and the airports' official websites close to travel.