# Beijing Airport to Your Hotel > All the ways to get from Beijing Capital (PEK) and Beijing Daxing (PKX) airports into the city — metro, express train, taxi and private transfer. _Category: transport · Reading time: 5 min read_ Beijing has two international airports, and they are on opposite sides of the city. Which one you land at determines your route completely — so check your ticket before you start looking at transport. ## Beijing Capital International (PEK) The older and closer of the two, about 25 km north-east of the centre. Three terminals (T2, T3 for most international flights). - **Airport Express train** — Around 20 minutes to Dongzhimen. Cheap and fast. - **Metro** — Line 15 / Airport Line connections into the network. - **Taxi** — CNY 100–130 to the centre, 40–70 minutes depending on traffic. ## Beijing Daxing International (PKX) Opened in 2019, roughly 46 km south of the centre. Striking building, longer transfer. - **Daxing Airport Express** — About 20 minutes to Caoqiao, then transfer to Line 10 / 19. - **Taxi** — CNY 150–200 to central areas, 60–90 minutes. - **Note for southern Beijing** — If you are staying in Fengtai or Daxing districts, PKX is actually closer than PEK. ## The Airport Express: Fares, Tickets and Times Both airports connect to the metro via a dedicated Airport Express line, and it is the option most first-time visitors should try. From PEK, trains leave Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 roughly every 8–10 minutes and take about 20–25 minutes to reach Sanyuanqiao (Line 10) and Dongzhimen (Lines 2 and 13). From Daxing, the Daxing Airport Express runs to Caoqiao in southern Beijing in about 19 minutes, with a stop at Daxing Xincheng. The single fare from PEK is 25 yuan; the Daxing line charges by distance, roughly 35 yuan from the airport to Caoqiao. First and last trains vary — expect service from around 6 a.m. to late evening, but check the Beijing MTR or Beijing Subway site on the day, as timetables shift. Buy single-journey tickets at station machines (cash and mobile payment accepted) or, more simply, tap through the gates with Alipay or WeChat Pay by activating the Ride Beijing / Beijing Subway mini-programme before you travel. Luggage is allowed with no size restriction in practice, though racks are limited at peak times. ## Taxis and Ride-Hailing: What It Actually Costs A metered taxi from PEK to the city centre typically lands between 100 and 140 yuan depending on your destination and traffic; from Daxing, expect 150 to 200 yuan or more given the 46 km distance. Both fares sit far below Western taxi prices, which is why taxis remain popular despite the longer drive. Queues at official PEK ranks (follow the green「Taxi」signs downstairs from arrivals) move reasonably fast; decline any driver soliciting inside the terminal — they are unlicensed and will not use the meter. Insist the meter is switched on and keep the printed receipt, which shows the car number if you leave something behind. A modest fuel surcharge may apply. Ride-hailing via Didi works at both airports: at PEK, follow signs to the designated pickup zones in the parking structures; at Daxing, the dedicated网约车 pickup area is clearly signed. Didi's English interface accepts international cards, making it a viable option if your cash is limited. Late-night surcharges and rush-hour congestion can add 20–40 percent, so budget accordingly. ## Private Transfers and Hotel Pickups: When They Are Worth It A pre-booked private transfer costs roughly 250–400 yuan to PEK and 300–500 yuan to Daxing for a sedan, more for a van. You pay a premium over a taxi, but the driver meets you in arrivals with a name board, tracks your flight, and waits if you are delayed — worth considering after a long-haul overnight arrival or when travelling with small children, elderly relatives or a lot of luggage. Book through your hotel (often the easiest, and the car is usually trustworthy) or platforms like Klook and GetYourGuide, which show the price upfront and accept foreign cards. Two caveats: international booking platforms often charge more than the hotel front desk for the identical service, so compare before paying; and confirm whether the quoted price includes tolls and parking, which can add 20–30 yuan. If you land before 9 a.m. or after 10 p.m., the metro is not running and taxi queues peak — this is exactly when a pre-booked car earns its premium. ## Common Arrival Mistakes and How to Avoid Them - **Assuming both airports are interchangeable** — If your onward flight or train leaves from one airport, check which one you actually land at. Travelling between PEK and PKX takes 90 minutes to two hours by road — a missed-connection risk. - **Choosing the metro with huge luggage** — Airport Express itself is fine, but the line you transfer to (e.g. Line 2 at Dongzhimen) gets very crowded, and station interchanges often have long stairs. With two large suitcases, a taxi is usually the better call. - **Not setting up mobile payment before landing** — Alipay and WeChat Pay both accept foreign cards now, but set them up and verify before departure. Airport Wi-Fi is available but registration screens can be slow; a working payment app makes every subsequent step easier. - **Skipping the SIM/eSIM decision before the airport** — SIM counters at both arrivals halls sell tourist data packages, but they close with the terminal. Buying an eSIM online before departure means you have maps and Didi working the moment you step outside. - **Arriving at a taxi rank without your destination in Chinese** — Most airport taxi drivers speak little English. Screenshot your hotel's Chinese name and address, or show the hotel's map pin on your phone, before joining the queue. ## Arrival tips - **Have your hotel address in Chinese** — Show it to the driver rather than trying to pronounce it. - **Use the official taxi queue** — Ignore anyone approaching you inside the terminal offering a ride. - **Buy a transport card or use QR metro payment** — Saves queuing for single-journey tickets. - **Avoid peak hours if you have luggage** — Metro carriages at 08:00–09:30 are extremely crowded. ## Where to stay **KOULING Hotel Beijing Donggaodi** — 7 min walk to Wufutang Metro Station (Line 8) · 9.4/10 · US$19 View hotel: https://12001.net/hotels/donggaodi/ Landing at Daxing? KOULING Donggaodi is in southern Beijing — around 55 minutes away, which is considerably closer than most city-centre hotels. Rooms start at US$19. --- Source: https://12001.net/guides/airport-to-hotel/ © KOULING Hotels