Beijing's Two Airports, Capital PEK vs Daxing PKX: Where to Land?

Beijing has two airports

Search for flights to Beijing and you will see two airports: Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) and Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX). A search for just 'Beijing' can mix both in the results, so always check whether your ticket says PEK or PKX before you book.

Both airports have an airport express line that connects to the city subway. What differs is where you change to the subway, and the time and fare. This article compares the ways into town using only what our Beijing guide covers.

This article does not cover the exact location of each airport, the distance to the city or terminal facilities. Check each airport's official website for those.

• Full Beijing travel guide →

Capital (PEK): Capital Airport Express to Dongzhimen

The Capital Airport Express runs from Terminal 3 and Terminal 2 of Beijing Capital International Airport via Sanyuanqiao and Dongzhimen to Beixinqiao. Each of these stations connects to the city subway.

It takes about 20-30 minutes and costs about 25 yuan. Check operating hours and the exact fare with the official source.

After you get off, you will change to the subway for the station nearest your hotel. Look at your hotel's subway line in advance and decide whether to change at Sanyuanqiao, Dongzhimen or Beixinqiao, so you spend less time working it out at the airport.

Daxing (PKX): Daxing Airport Express to Caoqiao

The Daxing Airport Express links Beijing Daxing International Airport to Caoqiao and the city subway. The airport express leg takes about 20-40 minutes and costs about 35 yuan.

You change to the subway after the airport express, so allow about an hour to the center including transfers. The fare is a little higher than the Capital Airport Express (about 25 yuan).

Check operating hours and the exact fare with the official source.

Taxis and ride-hailing apps

Take a taxi only from the official taxi rank and make sure the meter runs. Expect about 40-70 minutes and about 100-200 yuan. Our guide does not split this time and fare by airport, so treat it as a rough range.

Showing your driver the hotel address in Chinese makes things easier. Save your hotel's Chinese address on your phone before you land.

Ride-hailing can also be booked inside Alipay, so you don't need to explain your destination verbally.

Where you stay and subway transfers

Whichever airport you land at, you change from the airport express to the city subway. So start with the subway station nearest your hotel. Our guide does not say which airport is easier for which area, so use a map app to check the route from the transfer stations (Sanyuanqiao, Dongzhimen and Beixinqiao for Capital; Caoqiao for Daxing) to your hotel.

Beijing's subway is a huge network with cheap fares and English signs. Every station has a bag check, so allow extra time if you have large luggage.

• Wangfujing / Dongcheng: first visit, sightseeing base. Close to the Forbidden City and Tiananmen; always busy
• Qianmen / Dashilar: old Beijing feel. Historic shopping streets south of Tiananmen Square, near the Temple of Heaven
• Houhai / Nanluoguxiang: hutongs, evening strolls. Lakeside and courtyard guesthouses in the alleys; can be noisy at night
• Sanlitun / Chaoyang: modern city, nightlife. Near the embassy district; farther from the historic sites

At a glance

Choose by the airport on your ticket and where you are staying. All times and fares below are approximate.

• Capital (PEK) rail: Capital Airport Express, T3 and T2 → Sanyuanqiao, Dongzhimen → Beixinqiao, subway transfer at each station; about 20-30 min, about 25 yuan
• Daxing (PKX) rail: Daxing Airport Express, airport → Caoqiao → city subway; about 20-40 min, about 35 yuan; about an hour to the center including transfers
• Taxi: official taxi rank, make sure the meter runs; about 40-70 min, about 100-200 yuan (our guide does not split this by airport)
• Ride-hailing app: can also be booked inside Alipay; no need to explain your destination verbally
• Between the two airports: not covered by our guide; check the official source

Checking your ticket and a first-day checklist

Your outbound and return flights may use different airports. On your departure day, check again the day before whether your ticket says PEK or PKX. If you are connecting in Beijing to a flight that uses the other airport, you will have to travel between them; our guide does not cover how or how long it takes, so check each airport's official website and leave plenty of time.

If your flight lands late at night, check the airport express operating hours with the official source in advance. Our guide does not list operating hours.

• Connection: some foreign apps and services may be restricted in China. Sort out roaming, an eSIM or similar and a Chinese map app such as Amap or Baidu Maps before you go
• Payment: mobile payment dominates. Foreigners can link international cards to Alipay and WeChat Pay; set them up and verify before you arrive
• Transit: the transit QR code inside Alipay or WeChat Pay works on the subway and buses, and single tickets can also be bought with cash
• Security checks: at subway stations and sights. Don't carry lighters or knives
• Sight bookings: the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the National Museum and other major sights require advance real-name booking; carry your passport
• Entry and visas: visa rules change often, so check the latest policy with an official source before you travel

• Incheon → Beijing (Capital) flights →

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