Beijing Airport Transfers: Rail, Bus and Taxi

Beijing has two major passenger airports. Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) is in northeastern Shunyi District, roughly 30 kilometres from central Beijing; Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) is 46 kilometres south of downtown, at the Beijing–Hebei boundary. Check the airport code on your booking before choosing transport: the airports use different express lines, bus routes and taxi services. (Beijing airports, checked 2026-09-28; Shunyi District, checked 2026-09-28; Daxing Airport, checked 2026-09-28)

From PEK, the Capital Airport Express serves Terminal 3 and Terminal 2, then Sanyuanqiao, Dongzhimen and Beixinqiao. Sanyuanqiao connects with Lines 10 and 12, Dongzhimen with Lines 2 and 13, and Beixinqiao with Line 5. Choose the interchange that leaves the shortest final metro or walking leg to your accommodation. (Capital Airport Express, checked 2026-09-28)

PKX is connected to Caoqiao by the Daxing Airport Express, where passengers can transfer to Beijing Subway Lines 10 and 19. Its bus network is separate from PEK’s and was updated in August 2026: the airport lists nine city routes, including Beijing Railway Station, Tongzhou, Beijing Chaoyang Station, Universal Studios, Zhongguancun Night Route and Agricultural Exhibition Center Night Route. Check the route and stop in the Airport Bus Official Platform before travelling. (Daxing Airport transport guide, checked 2026-09-28; Daxing Airport route update, checked 2026-09-28)

For bulky luggage, compare the final stop rather than the airport line alone. A rail journey still requires terminal walking, an interchange and the last city connection; a bus may stop nearer the accommodation but spends more time on city roads. (PEK transport guide, checked 2026-09-28)

PKX’s Daxing Airport Express takes 19 minutes between Daxing Airport and Caoqiao. That is the airport-rail leg, not a door-to-door hotel journey. Add the walk from the terminal, ticketing, the Line 10 or Line 19 interchange and the onward city trip. (Daxing Airport, checked 2026-09-28)

The Beijing–Xiong’an intercity railway links Beijing West Railway Station and Daxing Airport in around 20 minutes. Use it when Beijing West is your destination or when you are transferring to an intercity train; it is not a substitute for the airport express when your hotel is elsewhere in central Beijing. (Daxing Airport, checked 2026-09-28)

For PEK, the airport operator publishes the Capital Airport Express stations, interchange lines, interval and operating times, but it does not publish one universal airport-to-downtown journey time. Use the Beijing Subway route planner for the exact terminal, interchange and destination. A train to Dongzhimen or Beixinqiao is only the first city leg; the final metro ride and walk remain separate. (Capital Airport Express, checked 2026-09-28; Beijing Subway, checked 2026-09-28)

The official PKX guide publishes around 30 minutes by expressway from the southern Fifth Ring Road to Daxing Airport, not a fixed time from every central neighbourhood. Airport buses likewise have route-specific road journeys. Leave extra time when traffic, luggage or a late hotel check-in matters. (Daxing Airport, checked 2026-09-28; Airport shuttle updates, checked 2026-09-28)

The Capital Airport Express costs CNY 25 one way. This airport-line fare is separate from the ordinary Beijing Subway fare for the onward journey. The Beijing Service counter has ticket machines where travellers can buy airport-express tickets with valid identification; staff can assist. (Capital Airport Express, checked 2026-09-28; PEK transport guide, checked 2026-09-28)

The Caoqiao–Daxing Airport Express uses a separate airport-line fare from the ordinary subway. An available fare table dates to 2019; its current applicability could not be confirmed on a current fare page. Check the station ticket machine or Daxing route enquiry for the fare before travel. (Beijing Subway airport information, checked 2026-09-28)

PEK airport buses display prices by destination stop rather than one universal city fare. Check the route and current ticket price on BCIA’s airport-transport page or at the airport bus counter; the operator says departure data can change and directs passengers to its official platform for current route details. (BCIA airport transportation, checked 2026-09-28)

PKX airport-bus fares depend on the current route and stop. Use the Airport Bus Official Platform mini-program or the ticket counter to check the selected destination; the airport’s April 2026 route notice states that bus fares and schedules can differ by route and that some services were suspended. (Daxing Airport route notice, checked 2026-09-28; Daxing Airport route update, checked 2026-09-28)

PEK’s Capital Airport Express runs at roughly 10-minute intervals. Departures from Terminal 3 are published from 06:22 to 22:52, and Terminal 2 departures from 06:36 to 23:10. In the city direction, departures are listed from Beixinqiao 05:56–22:26, Dongzhimen 06:00–22:30 and Sanyuanqiao 06:04–22:34. Return-direction times are different, so select the direction before travelling. (Capital Airport Express timetable, checked 2026-09-28)

An available Daxing Airport Express schedule PDF dates to 2022; its current applicability could not be confirmed. Follow the current Beijing Subway route enquiry or station display for operating hours, service intervals and the final train. A 2024 Beijing Metro notice lists the Sunday airport-to-Caoqiao last train at 23:30, but confirm the current time on your travel date. (Daxing Airport transport guide, checked 2026-09-28; Sunday service notice, checked 2026-09-28)

Bus schedules are route-specific. The latest municipal update says the PKX–Beijing Railway Station line operates around the clock, with departures as often as every 15 minutes at busy times. PEK’s operator says route, stop and timetable changes follow the airport dispatch station. Use the official mini-program or the airport counter for the exact destination. (Airport shuttle network update, checked 2026-09-28; PEK airport buses, checked 2026-09-28)

Beijing’s April 2026 airport-bus update says the PKX–Fengtai Railway Station line and the PKX–Beijing South Night Line 2 were suspended from April 7. These routes and their old timetables should not be used for current planning. Select an operating destination in the current airport bus platform instead. (Beijing airport-bus route update, checked 2026-09-28)

PEK’s published rail timetable ends late in the evening, so it is not an overnight airport railway. The municipal bus update says the PEK–Beijing West Railway Station line operates 24 hours, while the PEK–Beijing South and PEK–Fengtai lines extend their airport-to-city last departure to 02:00. Confirm the destination line before leaving the terminal; a night bus may stop far from your hotel. (Capital Airport Express, checked 2026-09-28; Airport shuttle network update, checked 2026-09-28)

PKX currently lists two night routes: Zhongguancun Night Route and Agricultural Exhibition Center Night Route. The April 2026 update extended Zhongguancun service to 03:00 with departures every 30 minutes or when full, and the August airport update confirms the two night-route network. Use the route platform for current stops and times. (Daxing Airport route notice, checked 2026-09-28; Daxing Airport route update, checked 2026-09-28)

International and regional arrivals at PKX are eligible for a free ride on six designated bus routes through 31 October 2026. Register with boarding proof at the Beijing Service counter outside international baggage claim, then collect a voucher near Gate 20. The offer runs daily 02:00–23:00, is limited and first-come-first-served, and excludes Fangshan, Yizhuang and Tiantongyuan routes. (PKX free bus campaign, checked 2026-09-28)

A 2024 Beijing Metro notice lists the Sunday Daxing Airport Express last train to Caoqiao at 23:30; its current applicability could not be confirmed, so check the live station timetable for your travel date. PEK’s bus and Airport Express schedules also vary by route and direction. Confirm the operating terminal, last departure and onward city connection for the travel date. (Sunday Daxing Airport Express notice, checked 2026-09-28; PEK Capital Airport Express, checked 2026-09-28)

At PEK, use the marked taxi ranks: Terminal 2 outside doors 5–9 on the middle roadway, and Terminal 3 in the B1 taxi waiting area. The airport operator publishes a CNY 13 starting fare for the first 3 kilometres, then CNY 2.3 per kilometre, plus a CNY 1 fuel surcharge. From 23:00 to 05:00, the kilometre rate carries a 20% surcharge; waiting, low-speed charges and tolls can also apply. (PEK taxi information, checked 2026-09-28)

PKX’s official transport information lists online car-hailing and taxis among the available road options but does not publish one universal fare or city-centre journey time. Follow the airport signs to the marked pick-up area, match the vehicle and booking details, and use the fare shown by the authorised service for your exact destination. (PKX transport guide, checked 2026-09-28)