All the ways to get from Beijing Capital (PEK) and Beijing Daxing (PKX) airports into the city — metro, express train, taxi and private transfer.
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.
The older and closer of the two, about 25 km north-east of the centre. Three terminals (T2, T3 for most international flights).
Opened in 2019, roughly 46 km south of the centre. Striking building, longer transfer.
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.
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.
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.