You have three different transfer options to make the 30 km journey from Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) to the city centre of Beijing; taxi, bus or train. The quickest and most affordable option is to take the Airport Express Line train which leaves from Terminal 3 and 2. Train tickets cost 3.30€ (CNY 25) one-way and the journey will take around 20 minutes depending on if you choose to stop at Sanyuanqiao or Dongzhimen station. Another cheap transfer option is the Airport Shuttle bus which leaves Beijing airport every 30 minutes. This bus makes many stops in the city centre, but to Beijing Railway Station it takes 70 minutes and costs 3.30€ (CNY 25) one-way. Your final, 24/7 option is to take a Beijing airport taxi from the airport to the city centre. This journey takes around 40 minutes depending on traffic and will cost you approximately 18€ (CNY 135) based on the taximeter.
Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to Beijing at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.- Nothing Found
Comparison of the options
How to get from Beijing airport to city centre by taxi
Taking a Beijing airport taxi from Beijing Capital International airport (PEK) to the city centre is the only transfer option available 24/7. If you are travelling with a lot of luggage, it’s also the most convenient. Taxis at Beijing airport are charged using a taximeter, not a flat rate, so the journey will cost around 18€ (CNY 135), depending on your exact destination in Beijing. Outside of rush hour (08:00 – 09:00 and 18:00-19:30), it shouldn’t take more than 40 minutes to reach the city centre.
Taxi fare from Beijing airport to the city centre
Taxis at Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) are run by a company called Capital Airport. This company doesn’t have a flat rate fee from the airport to the city centre of Beijing, instead, they charge using a taximeter based on distance. The final fare will fluctuate depending on your final destination and the level of traffic but will be around 18€ (CNY 135).
Cost
18€
Trip Duration
40 Min.
*Rates may vary unless booked in advance.
Convenience
Safety
Value for Money
Taxis are available 24/7 at Beijing airport
Where do I get it from?
If you land in Terminal 1, you will find the taxis waiting in a line outside of Gate 1 to 5 on the first floor. In Terminal 2, the Capital Airport taxis can be found on the first floor between Gate 5 and 9. Terminal 3 has clear signs to the taxi rank which can be found just outside of the arrival hall doors.
Convenience
Taxis at Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) are the only transfer service available 24/7 and with ample luggage room. After all, after a long international flight, the last thing you want to do is try and navigate public transport with heavy luggage items.
Editor’s Note
Be aware of un-liscened or illegal taxi companies that will approach you as you exit Beijing airport, they usually charge you more than double the price of the official Capital Airport taxis.
Useful Tips
How to get from Beijing airport to city centre by bus
Taking the Airport Shuttle bus from Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) to the city centre is a great option if you’re travelling on a budget and don’t have much luggage to manoeuvre. Tickets to the Beijing Railway Station in the city centre cost 3.30€ (CNY 25) and in light traffic, the journey shouldn’t take more than 70 minutes, with many stops available in and around the city.
How much is the bus from Beijing airport to the city centre?
The Airport Shuttle bus makes stops both inside the city centre and outside the main city ring, so there are different ticket prices depending on your final destination. However, most of the main points such as BCIA and Xidan, the Beijing Railway Station, Gongzhufen and Fangzhuang cost 3.30€ (CNY 25) for a one-way ticket. The Airport Shuttle bus ticket offices can be found at Gate 7 in Terminal 1, outside of Gate 9 and 11 in Terminal 2 and in Terminal 3 they can be found outside of Zone A at Gate 5, 7 and 11 on the first floor.
Cost
3.30€
Trip Duration
70 Min.
There's a waiting time of up to 30 minutes for the Airport Shuttle bus.
Convenience
Safety
Value for Money
The Airport Shuttle bus is available from 07:00 to 00:00.
Where do I get it from?
There are Airport Shuttle bus stops at all three Terminals in Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK). You will find the boarding area at Gate 7 in Terminal 1, Gate 13 to 18 in Terminal 2 and at the West Gate in Terminal 3.
Convenience
Although the Airport Shuttle bus is a cheap mode of transport to the city centre and has many stops around Beijing, it’s extremely slow. Taking the bus adds 30 minutes onto the average time of your other transportation options and if there isn’t a bus stop near your hotel, you will need to change to another mode of transportation once in the city centre.
Editor’s Note
Although the Airport Shuttle bus usually takes 70 minutes to reach the city centre from Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK), during the hours of 8:00 - 9:00 and 18:00-19:30 it can take almost double this time.
Useful Tips
How to get from Beijing airport to city centre by train
Taking the Airport Express Line train from Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) to the city centre is one of the most popular transfer options as it’s cheap, easy to navigate and fast. Tickets cost 3.30€ (CNY 25) one-way and the Airport Express train will get you to the city centre in 20 minutes or less. The Airport Express Train connects to Line 10 at Sanyuanqiao station and then continues on to Dongzhimen station where it connects to Line 2 and 13.
How much is the train from Beijing airport to the city centre?
A one-way ticket on the Airport Express Line train from Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) to the city centre will cost you 3.30€ (CNY 25). You can make a stop at either Sanyuanqiao or Dongzhimen station and from there, it will cost 0.30€ (CNY 2) to transfer to another subway line.
Cost
3.30€
Trip Duration
20
There's a waiting time of up to 15 minutes.
Convenience
Safety
Value for Money
The Airport Express Line train is available from 06:21 am to 23:10 pm .
Where do I get it from?
The Airport Express Line train is available from Terminal 2 and 3. If you land in Terminal 1, you can walk or take the free airport shuttle to one of the other Terminals. In Terminal 2, you will find the train on B2 at Parking Garage number 2. In Terminal 3, the train is located on F2 of Parking Garage number 3.
Convenience
The Airport Express Line train is always the quickest transfer option as it doesn’t depend on traffic. If you land during rush hour and aren’t carrying too much luggage, then this is the best mode of transport to reach the city centre of Beijing in as little time as possible.
Editor’s Note
It's worth noting that the Airport Express Line train leaves Terminal 3 from 06:21 am to 22:51 pm and Terminal 2 from 06:35 am to 23:10 pm, so you may need to move between terminals depending on the time you land.
Useful Tips
Frequently asked questions
How much is a taxi from Beijing airport to city Centre?
Taxis at Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) are run by a company called Capital Airport. These taxis don’t have a flat rate fee to the city centre, they charge using a taximeter. The exact cost will depend on your destination in the city and the level of traffic, but will be around 18€ (CNY 135).
How much is the train in Beijing?
There is an Airport Express Line train that runs from Terminal 3 and 2 of Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) to the city centre. This train leaves every 15 minute and costs 3.30€ (CNY 25) to either the Sanyuanqiao or Dongzhimen station.
How long does it take to get from Beijing airport to the city?
The time it takes to make the 30 km journey from Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) to the city centre will depend on which transfer option you choose. The Airport Express Line train is the quickest option as it takes only 20 minutes and doesn’t depend on traffic. An airport taxi takes around 40 minutes to reach the centre and the Airport Shuttle bus takes 70 minutes to reach the Beijing Railway Station. However, these two modes of transport rely heavily on traffic and can take double the time during rush hour (08:00 – 09:00 am and 18:00-19:30 pm).
What is the main airport in Beijing?
Beijing Capital Intnernational airport is the main airport in Beijing, serving more than 100 million passengers per year. However, the new Daxing airport that was recently built outside of Beijing, is the biggest airport in the world and is expected to handle more than 72 million passengers per year.
Was this helpful?
Complete your booking