Beijing Transport Guide: Airport to City and Getting Around

Two Airports, Two Transfer Systems

Beijing receives international and domestic flights at two airports. Capital International Airport sits to the northeast in Shunyi District, about 25 kilometres from Tiananmen. Daxing International Airport lies to the south in Daxing District, roughly 46 kilometres from the centre. The distance difference is large, so confirm which airport your ticket names before planning the first hour of your trip.

Each airport has its own express rail line, bus network and taxi rank. Fares, journey times and operating hours differ. The good news is that both systems are easy to use without Chinese, because signage, ticket machines and announcements are bilingual and the routes are short and linear.

Allow buffer time on arrival. Immigration, baggage and the walk to the train can take 45 to 90 minutes at busy periods. If you have a hotel check-in deadline or a same-day sightseeing booking, plan the transfer as a separate block rather than squeezing it between activities.

Late arrivals need a different plan. Express trains stop before midnight, while airport buses run later and taxis run all night. Check the last departure time for your arrival date before you fly, and keep a taxi budget in reserve in case the flight is delayed.

• Capital Airport: northeast, about 25 km from the centre
• Daxing Airport: south, about 46 km from the centre
• Both have express rail, airport buses and 24-hour taxi service
• Allow 45 to 90 minutes for immigration and baggage

Capital Airport to the City

Capital Airport has three terminals, with T2 and T3 handling most passenger traffic. The airport express is the simplest option for travellers with light luggage. It runs from the terminal stations through Sanyuanqiao to Dongzhimen, where the subway network opens up in several directions.

Airport express

The fare is 25 CNY one way. From T3 the ride to Dongzhimen takes about 20 minutes; from T2 it takes about 30 minutes. T2 service starts at 6:35 and ends at 23:10, while T3 starts at 6:20 and ends at 22:50. Change at Sanyuanqiao for Line 10, or at Dongzhimen for Line 2 and Line 13.

Tickets are sold at self-service machines and staffed counters inside the station, and mobile payment is accepted. Trains are frequent and luggage racks are available, though the cars can be full during the morning and evening peaks. For a hotel near Dongzhimen or Sanyuanqiao, this is the fastest reliable choice.

Airport buses

Several bus routes link the terminals with different parts of the city, including Xidan, Beijing Railway Station and Zhongguancun. Fares run from 20 to 30 CNY depending on the route, and journeys take about 60 to 90 minutes according to traffic. The first departures are around 7:00 and the last around 1:00 the following day.

Buy tickets at the sales desk on the arrivals level. Buses suit travellers with several suitcases whose hotel sits near a stop, because there is no need to carry bags through subway stairs. The trade-off is unpredictability: a traffic jam on the ring road can double the journey.

Taxi and ride-hailing

A taxi to the city centre costs about 100 to 150 CNY including the expressway fee, and takes 40 to 70 minutes depending on traffic. The rank is outside the arrivals level. Ride-hailing apps such as DiDi also work, with designated pickup points in each terminal.

Avoid the 17:00 to 19:00 window if you can, when commuter traffic slows the ring roads and both the fare and the time increase. If your flight lands in that period, the express train is usually faster and cheaper than sitting in a car.

Daxing Airport to the City

Daxing International Airport opened in 2019, so its transport facilities are newer and more spacious. The terminal is large, and the walk from baggage claim to the rail station is longer than at Capital Airport. Follow the rail signs rather than exiting to the road, because the station is integrated into the terminal.

Daxing airport express

The express runs from Daxing Airport to Caoqiao station. A standard seat costs 35 CNY and a business seat 50 CNY. Journey time is about 19 minutes at a top speed of 160 kilometres per hour. Caoqiao connects to Line 10 and Line 19.

Service starts at 6:00 and ends at 22:30 in both directions. The line is fast and punctual, and it is the most convenient way into the city from Daxing for most travellers. From Caoqiao, Line 19 reaches central stations quickly, while Line 10 circles the city and connects to most other lines.

Airport buses

Bus routes from Daxing cover several city directions, including Beijing Railway Station, Xidan and Zhongguancun. Fares range from 20 to 40 CNY, with journeys of about 60 to 120 minutes depending on the route, the destination and traffic. Operating hours vary by line, so check the specific route board on the arrivals level.

Buses are useful if your hotel is close to a stop and you are carrying more than one bag. They are less useful if you are staying near a subway station on Line 19, where the express train will be faster and more predictable.

Taxi and ride-hailing

A taxi from Daxing to the centre costs about 150 to 200 CNY including expressway fees and takes 50 to 90 minutes. The distance is nearly double that of Capital Airport, so the fare is higher and traffic has more opportunity to intervene. Ride-hailing works from designated points, and the app price is usually close to the meter.

For a family with children and luggage, a pre-booked transfer can be worth the extra cost, because the driver meets you inside the arrivals hall and the fare is fixed. For a solo traveller with a backpack, the express train is hard to beat.

Comparing City Transport Modes

Beijing's urban transport is extensive and inexpensive. The subway is the backbone, buses fill the gaps, taxis offer door-to-door comfort and shared bikes cover the last kilometre. Most visitors use a combination rather than a single mode, and the choice usually comes down to distance, time of day and luggage.

Subway

The network has 27 lines covering the main sights and transport hubs. Fares start at 3 CNY for 6 kilometres and rise by distance to a maximum of about 10 CNY. Trains run from roughly 5:00 or 6:00 in the morning to 22:30 or 23:30 at night, depending on the line.

Payment works with the Yikatong card, mobile NFC or the Yitongxing app QR code. The subway is punctual, unaffected by traffic and easy to navigate with bilingual signs. Its weaknesses are crowding at peak hours and long walking transfers at some interchange stations, where a change can involve several minutes underground.

Buses

Buses reach areas the subway does not serve and run frequently on major corridors. The base fare is 2 CNY, and a Yikatong card halves it to 1 CNY. Payment accepts the card, mobile NFC or cash, though cash is not returned as change, so keep small notes.

Buses are cheap and widespread, but they are exposed to congestion and arrival times are less predictable than trains. Some routes become crowded in the peaks. For short hops along a major street, a bus can be more convenient than walking to a subway entrance and back up again.

Taxi and ride-hailing

Taxis start at 13 CNY for the first 3 kilometres and then charge about 2.3 CNY per kilometre. From 23:00 to 5:00 a 20 percent night surcharge applies. Ride-hailing platforms such as DiDi are widely used and prices are similar or slightly lower than the meter.

Taxis offer door-to-door comfort and are useful after a long museum day. Their weakness is peak-hour congestion and the difficulty of finding one in the rain. If you use ride-hailing, set the pickup point at a landmark rather than a street address, since large sites have several gates.

Shared bikes

Meituan Bike and HelloBike are the main operators, with rides costing about 1.5 to 3 CNY per 30 minutes. Unlock through the app by scanning the code on the frame. Bikes suit short trips of 1 to 3 kilometres and connections between nearby sights.

Ride on the designated lane, follow traffic signals and park only in marked areas. The hutong districts are pleasant by bike, but the lanes are narrow and pedestrians are everywhere, so keep speed low. Avoid riding on the ring roads, where bicycles are not permitted.

Choosing and Using a Travel Card

The Yikatong card is the simplest way to pay across subway and bus. Buy it at a staffed window or self-service machine in any subway station for a 20 CNY deposit, then top up at machines or counters. The card also works in some convenience stores and taxis.

Discounts are meaningful for longer stays. Subway spending above 100 CNY per month earns a 20 percent discount, and spending above 150 CNY earns 50 percent off subsequent rides. Bus fares are halved at all times. The discounts reset each month, which suits travellers staying more than a few days.

Refunds are available at designated stations, where the deposit and remaining balance are returned. Keep the card flat and away from phone magnets, and tap once on entry and once on exit. A missed tap can result in a maximum fare charge at the gate.

Mobile NFC is an alternative. Apple Pay, Huawei Pay and Xiaomi Pay can all hold a Beijing transport card, added through the phone wallet. The discounts match the physical card and no deposit is needed. The Yitongxing app is another option for short visits, with QR code entry to the subway and live line information.

• Yikatong: 20 CNY deposit, works on subway, bus and some taxis
• Mobile NFC: same discounts, no physical card
• Yitongxing app: subway QR code only, not accepted on buses
• Subway monthly discount: 20 percent after 100 CNY, 50 percent after 150 CNY
• Bus discount: 50 percent with Yikatong

Connecting the Main Sights

Most headline attractions sit within a few subway stops of each other, which makes independent movement straightforward. The table below gives practical routes and typical costs. Allow extra time at interchanges and remember that the exit number matters, since large stations can have a dozen exits.

• Forbidden City to Temple of Heaven: Line 1 then Line 5, about 25 minutes, 4 CNY
• Forbidden City to Summer Palace: Line 1 then Line 4, about 40 minutes, 5 CNY
• Temple of Heaven to Qianmen: bus or walk, about 20 minutes, 2 CNY or free
• Nanluoguxiang to Shichahai: walk, about 15 minutes, free
• Olympic Park to Wangfujing: Line 8 then Line 1, about 30 minutes, 4 CNY

Walking is often the fastest way between neighbouring sites. The area around Qianmen, Tiananmen and the Forbidden City is compact, and the stroll from Nanluoguxiang to Shichahai passes through some of the most pleasant lanes in the city. Wear comfortable shoes, since stone paving is uneven in the older districts.

Plan museum visits around transport, not the other way round. The National Museum and the Forbidden City are close to Tiananmen East and Tiananmen West stations, but security checks at the square add time. Arrive at the station with a buffer and follow the pedestrian signs rather than the map alone.

When a Chartered Car Makes Sense

A chartered car with a driver costs about 600 to 800 CNY per day including waiting time for a Great Wall trip from the city to Badaling or Mutianyu. For a family of four, that is often close to four subway tickets plus a long bus ride, with far more comfort and no timetable anxiety.

Suburban sights are the clearest case. The Ming Tombs, Fragrant Hills and Tanzhe Temple are poorly served by public transport, and a car saves hours of connections. Families with older guests or young children also benefit, because the vehicle removes stairs, crowds and long walks between platforms.

Business travellers value the predictability. A car waits at the hotel, keeps luggage secure and adapts when a meeting runs late. Multi-stop days across distant districts are another good use, since each hop by subway would otherwise consume 30 to 40 minutes.

For airport transfers with heavy luggage, a pre-booked car can replace the express train and taxi combination. Beijing Wanyou Tianxia International Travel Agency arranges charter vehicles and airport pickups as one reference option for independent travellers. Compare the quoted price with the express fare and a taxi, and confirm the waiting time and luggage space before booking.

Practical Habits for Moving Around

Carry your passport, since some stations and sites require identification. Keep a screenshot of your hotel address in Chinese characters, even though this guide is in English, because drivers and station staff may not read Latin script. A map pin is useful, but the written address resolves most confusion.

Travel light during peak hours. Backpacks are easier than suitcases on escalators, and many museums require bags to pass through scanners. Leave large luggage at the hotel or use a locker at a major station rather than dragging it through galleries.

Watch the clock in the evening. The last express train from either airport leaves before 23:00, and the subway closes between 22:30 and 23:30. If your dinner runs late, check the route home in advance and keep a taxi budget available.

Finally, build slack into every transfer. A 20-minute ride can become 50 minutes in rain or at peak hour, and a missed museum slot is rarely refundable. The most comfortable Beijing trips are not the ones with the tightest schedule but the ones with ten minutes to spare at each gate.