To make the 30 km journey from Beijing Capital International Airport to the city center of Beijing, you have four different transfer options: taxi, private transfer, bus, or train. The most flexible and seamless way to travel is to take a taxi or a private Beijing Airport transfer. The door-to-door journey to your hotel in a private vehicle will take just 40 minutes.
Another popular option is to take the Airport Express Line train, which will take around 20 minutes to reach the city center, making it the quickest transfer available. For those traveling on a budget, you can also take the Airport Shuttle bus, which leaves Beijing airport every 30 minutes. This bus makes many stops in the city center, but from Beijing Airport to Beijing Railway Station will take 70 minutes, making it the slowest transfer option.
4 ways to get from Beijing Airport to City
OPTION | PRICE | TIME | AVAILABILITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Welcome Pickups Private Transfer | €33 | 40min | 24/7 | Convenience | Book | |
| If you're looking for a direct door-to-door transfer option with zero wait time, booking a private transfer is the way to go. | ||||||
Taxi | €18 | 40min | 24/7 | Convenience | Book | |
| For a more personalized and seamless transfer, we suggest pre-booking a private transfer service. | ||||||
Airport Shuttle Bus | €6.60 | 70min | 07:00–00:00 | Convenience | Read more | |
| Although the Airport Shuttle bus usually takes 70 minutes to reach the city center from Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK), during the peak hours of 8:00 - 9:00 and 18:00-19:30 it can take almost double this time. | ||||||
Airport Express Line Train | €6.60 | 20min | 06:21–23:10 | Convenience | Read more | |
| This is a good option for those traveling light who want to save money and have time to spare. | ||||||
Taking a Beijing Airport taxi from Beijing Capital International Airport to the city center is one of the only transfer options available 24/7. Plus, if you are travelling with a lot of luggage, it’s also one of the most convenient. The direct door-to-door ride to your hotel will take around 40 minutes, under normal traffic conditions.
Taxis are available at the dedicated ranks, located outside of both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. You can easily spot the line of Beijing Airport taxis as they will all be dark blue with a gold stripe down the middle and a yellow ‘TAXI’ sign on the roof.
What is the taxi price from Beijing Airport to the city?
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. If you’re traveling at night (23:00 to 05:00), the cost per km will increase by 20%.
The final fare will fluctuate depending on your final destination and the level of traffic, but you can expect a taxi price from Beijing Airport to the city to be around 18€ (RMB 150) during the day and €23 (RMB 180) at night.
*To avoid the uncertainty that comes with a taximeter, you can also pre-book a private Beijing Airport transfer with Welcome Pickups, and enjoy fixed fares that can be paid before you land in China.
Where do I find a taxi at Beijing Airport?
If you land in Terminal 2, the Capital Airport taxi rank can be found on the first floor between Gates 5 and 9. If your flight lands in Terminal 3, there will be clear signs to the taxi rank, which can be found just outside the Arrivals Hall exit doors.
Convenience
Taking a taxi from Beijing Airport to the city is one of the most convenient and relaxing ways to travel. You won’t have to worry about carrying your luggage or trying to navigate the city streets and local transport networks. Instead, you can enjoy a private ride directly to the door of your hotel. However, during peak travel times, there can be up to a 20-minute wait for an available Beijing Airport taxi.
Useful Tips
Book a trusted, English-speaking driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular taxi
Learn moreIf you’re travelling on a budget and don’t have much luggage to manoeuvre, taking the bus from Beijing Capital Airport to the city is a good option. The bus runs every 15 to 30 minutes and has many different stops throughout the city, so there should be a convenient stop close to your hotel.
Your exact journey time will depend on the area in the city you’re planning to travel to. However, to the central Beijing Railway Station area, you can expect a journey time of around 70 minutes.
*There are 5 different Airport Shuttle bus lines that will take you to the city center: Tongzhou (orange), West Railway Station (purple), Daxing International Airport (green), South Railway Station (red), and Gongzhufen (blue). Each line makes stops around the city, be sure to check the map to choose the correct Airport shuttle bus line.
How much is the bus from Beijing Airport to downtown?
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 Stations, Gongzhufen, and Fangzhuang, are inside the city ring and will cost €3.30 (RMB 30) for a one-way ticket.
The Airport Shuttle bus ticket offices can be found outside of Gates 9 and 11 in Terminal 2, and in Terminal 3, they can be found outside of Zone A at Gates 5, 7, and 11 on the first floor.
Running times for the Airport shuttle buses are as follows: Gongzhufen 06:00 to 00:00, West Railway 05:00 to 00:00, Tongzhou 07:00 to 00:00, South Railway 07:00 to 01:00, and Daxing Airport 07:00 to 23:00.
Where do I find the bus at Beijing Airport?
There are Airport Shuttle bus stops at all Terminals in Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) on Floor 1. If you land in Terminal 3, you will find the Gongzhufen Line outside Gate 9, the Beijing West Railway Station and Daxing International Airport Line outside Gate 7, and the Beijing South Railway Station and Tongzhou Line at the Terminal 3 Bus Stop.
All Airport Shuttle bus lines stop just outside of the Arrivals Hall at the designated bus area of Terminal 1 on the 1st Floor.
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 at least 30 minutes to 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 or walk with your luggage once in the city center.
Timetables
Airport Shuttle Bus Line Map
Airport Shuttle Bus Timetables
Useful Tips
Taking the Airport Express Line train from Beijing Airport to the city centre is one of the most popular transfer options as it’s cheap, easy to navigate, and fast. The Airport Express train will get you to the city centre in 20 minutes or less and has stops at both Terminal 2 and Terminal 3.
*Once in the city center, the Airport Express Train connects to Subway Lines 10 and 12 at Sanyuanqiao Station and then continues on to Dongzhimen Station, where it connects to Subway Lines 2 and 13.
How much is the train from Beijing Airport to the city center?
A one-way ticket on the Airport Express Line train from Beijing Airport to the city center will cost you €3.30 (CNY 25). You can make a stop at either Sanyuanqiao or Dongzhimen Station. If you need to travel further to reach your hotel, you can pay €0.30 (CNY 2) to transfer to another subway line.
You can purchase your tickets using cash and card at the automatic machines in the Beijing Airport train stations. The machines have options for English.
The Airport Express Line train is available from 06:21 am to 23:10 pm .
Where do I get the Airport Express Line train from?
The Airport Express Line train is available from Terminals 2 and 3. If you land 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. In each case, the walk will be around 5-10 minutes to the train stations.
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 a good mode of transport to reach the city centre of Beijing in as little time as possible. However, once you reach the city, you will need to walk to your hotel or pay for another subway line to get closer to its location. The trains also stop running at night, so if you land late, you will have to wait until the morning to take the Beijing Airport to city train.
Timetables
Airport Express Line
Subway Map
Useful Tips
The most flexible and relaxing way to get from Beijing Airport to downtown is to take a private Beijing Airport transfer. You can enjoy a personalized meet-and-greet inside the Arrivals Hall or at a location of your choosing. Plus, you won’t have to worry about miscommunications, as all our drivers speak fluent English. All of our fares are fixed, pre-paid, and come with no hidden extra costs, so there’s no need to panic about a taximetered fare.
If you book your Beijing Airport transfer with a world-renowned company such as Welcome Pickups, you can also enjoy traveler-first benefits such as:
What's the cost of a private Beijing Airport transfer?
One of the best things about booking a private transfer from Beijing Airport to the city is that your fare will be paid for before you even land in China. All fares are fixed, come with no hidden extra costs, and are pre-paid at the moment of booking, so you can have complete peace of mind on the day you arrive in Beijing.
The cost of a Sedan will be €33 for up to 3 passengers, while our spacious minivans can take up to 6 people for €39.
Booking your Beijing Capital Airport to city transfer with Welcome Pickups has never been easier, thanks to our 3-step booking system. Simply input your journey information, add your travel extras, and receive a fixed quote in a matter of seconds. All of our prices are inclusive and include up to 1 hour of free waiting time at Beijing Airport.
A private transfer from Beijing Airport to the city is available 24 hours a day.
Where do I find my private transfer at Beijing Airport?
So you don’t have to stand in line at the airport taxi rank, we offer personalized meet-and-greets inside the airport or at a location of your choosing. After collecting your baggage, you will find your driver waiting patiently inside the Arrivals Hall, holding a sign with your name on it.
After a warm greeting, they will help you carry your luggage to your pre-selected vehicle, so you can start your relaxing transfer to Beijing city.
Convenience
Choosing to take a private transfer from Beijing Airport to the city is the most comfortable, relaxing, and flexible way to travel. Thanks to the guaranteed on-time pickups, option of different-sized vehicles, and fixed fares, this transfer option is especially popular amongst business travelers and those with young families. Plus, with 1 hour of free wait time and 24/7 customer support, your comfort and convenience are always top priority.
Useful Tips
Sedan up to 3 passengers
€33Starting from 11 EUR / passenger
Minivan up to 6 passengers
€39Starting from 6.5 EUR / passenger
Minibus up to 12 passengers
€42Starting from 3.5 EUR / passenger
Frequently asked questions
How much is a taxi from Beijing Airport to city center?
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 it will be around €18 (RMB 150) during the day and €23 (RMB 180) at night.
How much is the train from Beijing Airport to city?
There is an Airport Express Line train that runs from Terminal 3 and 2 of Beijing Airport to the city centre. This train leaves every 15 minutes and costs €3.30 (RMB 30) to either the Sanyuanqiao or Dongzhimen station.
How do I get from Beijing Airport to the city?
Beijing Airport is located 30 km from downtown Beijing, and you have 4 transfer options: taxi, private transfer, train, or bus. The Airport Express Line train is the quickest option as it takes only 20 minutes and doesn’t depend on traffic. A Beijing Airport taxi or private transfer takes around 40 minutes to reach the centre and is the only door-to-door transfer option. The Airport Shuttle bus takes 70 minutes to reach the Beijing Railway Station, making it the slowest transfer available.
Is there a train from Beijing Airport to downtown?
Yes, the Airport Express Line train runs every day from 06:00 to 23:00. You can expect a journey time of 20 minutes to the city center and a one-way ticket cost of €3.30 (RMB 30).
Fern Coll
Fern is originally from England, but her love of travel led her to lay roots in Mexico. She’s a business owner and published author with a passion for storytelling. Fern specialises in travel content, helping brands connect with audiences through engaging writing.
Transfer Options in Beijing
Beijing Airport Taxi: Compare All Taxi Options & Prices
Beijing Taxi - Prices and Handy Tips for Taxis in Beijing