Best China Travel 2026

Hi there! I’m Dalia Xu, a 30-year-old female travel enthusiast with over a decade of globetrotting experience. Nature landscapes and hotel reviews are my passions—through years of journeys, I’ve honed a knack for distilling practical, user-friendly travel insights. Today, I’m thrilled to share this comprehensive guide to Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK), designed to cover all your transportation needs. Whether you’re seeking the fastest route, budget-friendly options, intra-city commutes, or intercity connections, this guide packs detailed operation steps and insider tips to help you find the perfect match for your travel plans.

Airport Basic Information Overview

• Airport Code: PEK
• Location: Shunyi District, Beijing (northeast of downtown)
• Core Distance: Approximately 25 km from Tiananmen Square, 40-60 minutes by car
• Terminal Distribution:
  • Terminal 1 (T1): Serves a few domestic flights of regional airlines
  • Terminal 2 (T2): Serves domestic and international flights of multiple airlines, including China Southern Airlines
  • Terminal 3 (T3): Asia’s largest terminal, serves international flights and domestic flights of Air China, divided into T3-C (arrival/departure), T3-D (international transit), T3-E (international departure/arrival)

Comparative Analysis of 5 Intra-City Travel Options

Travel Option	One-Way Travel Time	Price Range	Target Audience	Core Advantages	Notes
Airport Express (Airport Line)	20-30 mins (to downtown)	$3.53 – $3.53	Time-sensitive travelers, business travelers	Fastest to downtown, high punctuality	Only connects to Dongzhimen/Sanyuanqiao, needs transfer
Metro Airport Line	30-50 mins (with transfer)	$3.53 – $3.53	Budget-conscious travelers	Low cost, connects to metro network	Fixed fare, single line, limited coverage
Taxi	40-60 mins (subject to traffic)	$14.12 – $21.18	Travelers with large luggage, groups	24/7 door-to-door service, no transfers	Prone to congestion at rush hour, night surcharge
Ride-Hailing Services	40-60 mins (subject to traffic)	$11.29 – $18.36	Travelers preferring online booking	Transparent pricing, selectable car models	Need to go to designated pickup areas
Airport Shuttle Bus	50-90 mins (by route)	$2.12 – $4.23	Travelers to specific districts	Wide coverage, sufficient luggage space	Long departure intervals (15-30 mins/shift)

Option 1: Airport Express (Airport Line) (Fastest to Downtown)

As Beijing’s dedicated airport rapid transit line, it runs non-stop between the airport and downtown core, with a top speed of 110 km/h, the quickest choice for time-sensitive travelers.

• Core Information
  • Route: Capital Airport T2 Station → Capital Airport T3 Station → Sanyuanqiao Station → Dongzhimen Statio
  • Station Location: T1: Take free shuttle to T2/T3 Airport Express Station; T2: Arrival Hall B1 floor; T3: Arrival Hall B1 floor
  • Operating Hours: Departs airport 06:35-23:10; Departs Dongzhimen 06:00-22:30
  • Departure Interval: 10 mins/shift during peak hours (07:00-09:00, 16:00-19:00), 15-20 mins/shift during off-peak hours
• Ticketing & Discounts
  • Ticketing Channels: Station self-service machines, ticket counters, Alipay/WeChat mini-programs (“Beijing Subway”)
  • Price Standard: One-way fixed fare $3.53, no round-trip discount
• Transfer Guide
  • At Sanyuanqiao Station: Transfer to Metro Line 10 (to Tiananmen, Wangfujing) or Line 14 (to Beijing South Railway Station)
  • At Dongzhimen Station: Transfer to Metro Line 2 (loop line, to Beijing Railway Station) or Line 13 (to university district)

Option 2: Metro Airport Line (Most Cost-Effective)

A dedicated metro line linking the airport to downtown, with a fixed low fare, suitable for budget travelers who don’t mind short transfers.

• Riding Instructions
  • Route: Same as Airport Express (T2/T3 → Sanyuanqiao → Dongzhimen), shares tracks but stops at no extra stations
  • Station Location: Same as Airport Express (T2 B1, T3 B1; T1 connects via free shuttle)
  • Operating Hours: Consistent with Airport Express (06:35-23:10 from airport, 06:00-22:30 from Dongzhimen)
  • Key Feature: Same route and speed as Airport Express, identical ticketing channels, only differs in no additional premium services
• Fare & Travel Time Reference

Destination	One-Way Fare	Estimated Travel Time
Sanyuanqiao Station	$3.53	20 mins (from T3)
Dongzhimen Station	$3.53	25 mins (from T3)
Tiananmen Square (via Line 10 transfer)	$3.53	45 mins (from T3)
Wangfujing (via Line 10 transfer)	$3.53	50 mins (from T3)

Option 3: Taxi (Door-to-Door Convenience)

Operates 24 hours a day without transfers, ideal for travelers with elderly, children, or large luggage, ensuring a comfortable and direct journey.

• Waiting & Pricing
  • Waiting Points: T1 Arrival Hall Exit 3; T2 Arrival Hall Exit 5; T3 Arrival Hall Exits 7/8 (queue as instructed by staff)
  • Pricing Standard:
    • Daytime (05:00-23:00): Starting fare $2.12 (within 3 km), $0.35/km for 3-15 km, $0.53/km for over 15 km
    • Nighttime (23:00-05:00): Starting fare $2.76, 20% surcharge on subsequent kilometers
  • Additional Fees: $1.41 airport expressway toll (one-way), $0.21/min waiting fee (when speed < 12 km/h or stopped)
• Fare Reference for Popular Destinations

Destination	Daytime Fare Range	Nighttime Fare Range	Estimated Travel Time (Non-Peak)
Tiananmen Square	$14.12 – $17.65	$17.96 – $21.18	40 mins
Wangfujing	$14.82 – $18.35	$18.66 – $21.88	45 mins
Beijing Railway Station	$12.71 – $16.24	$16.55 – $19.77	35 mins
Beijing South Railway Station	$18.36 – $24.42	$22.69 – $28.55	55 mins

Option 4: Ride-Hailing Services (Flexible and Controllable)

Online booking with clear price estimates, allowing advance selection of car types (economy, business) and avoiding on-site queuing, suitable for travelers who value flexibility.

• Recommended Platforms

DiDi Chuxing, Amap Dache, Alipay Dache (supports English operation interface)

• Pickup Points
  • T1 Terminal: P1 Parking Lot Ride-Hailing Dedicated Area
  • T2 Terminal: P2 Parking Lot Ground Floor Area
  • T3 Terminal: P3 Parking Lot Zone A/B (follow ground signs and app navigation)
• Practical Tips
  • Book 20-30 minutes in advance, select “Airport Pickup” and bind flight number for automatic delay synchronization
  • Avoid peak hours (07:00-09:00, 17:00-19:00) to reduce waiting time; surge pricing may apply during peak periods
• Price Reference

Destination	Fare Range	Estimated Travel Time (Non-Peak)
Tiananmen Square	$11.29 – $14.85	40 mins
Wangfujing	$11.99 – $15.55	45 mins
Beijing South Railway Station	$15.43 – $20.16	55 mins
Olympic Park	$10.59 – $14.15	35 mins

Option 5: Airport Shuttle Bus (Economical with Wide Coverage)

Covers most downtown districts and suburban areas, with multiple routes and sufficient luggage space, a cost-effective choice for travelers heading to specific locations.

• Key Route Information

Route Number	Terminus	Departure Time (T1/T2/T3)	One-Way Fare	Passing Stations
Line 1	Beijing Railway Station	06:00-23:00 / 06:05-23:05 / 06:10-23:10	$2.82	Dongzhimen, Chaoyangmen, Tiananmen East
Line 2	Xidan	06:00-22:30 / 06:05-22:35 / 06:10-22:40	$3.53	Sanyuanqiao, Wangfujing, Xidan
Line 3	Beijing South Railway Station	06:00-22:00 / 06:05-22:05 / 06:10-22:10	$4.23	Yizhuang, Dahongmen
Line 5	Olympic Park	06:30-21:30 / 06:35-21:35 / 06:40-21:40	$2.82	Asian Games Village, Olympic Sports Center

• Night Shuttle Service
  • Operating Hours: After 23:00 until 30 minutes after the last flight
  • landsMain Routes: Airport → Beijing Railway Station, Airport → Xidan (alternate departures)

Inter-Airport/Railway Station Transportation Guide

• Capital Airport ↔ Daxing Airport
  • Best Option: Airport Shuttle Bus Line 10 ($7.06, 90 mins direct)Economical Option: Metro Airport Line + Line 10 + Daxing Airport Line ($10.59, 2 hours)
  • Fast Option: Taxi/Ride-Hailing ($63.54 – $84.72, 70-90 mins)
• Capital Airport ↔ Beijing Railway Station
  • Recommended: Airport Shuttle Bus Line 1 ($2.82, 60 mins direct) or Metro Airport Line + Line 2 ($3.53, 70 mins)
• Capital Airport ↔ Beijing South Railway Station
  • Recommended: Airport Shuttle Bus Line 3 ($4.23, 80 mins direct) or Ride-Hailing ($15.43 – $20.16, 50-70 mins)

Terminal Transfer & Airport Practical Services

• T1 ↔ T2 ↔ T3 Terminal Transfer
  • Free Shuttle Bus: Operates 24/7, departs from T1 Exit 3, T2 Exit 6, T3 Exit 9; 5-10 mins interval, T1-T2 5 mins ride, T2-T3 10 mins ride
  • Walking: T1-T2 connected by covered walkway (10 mins); T2-T3 no walking path, only shuttle bus
• Airport Practical Services
  • Wi-Fi Connection: Search for “PEK-Free-WiFi”, log in via mobile verification code or passport (free, unlimited time)
  • Luggage Storage: Available in T1/T2/T3 Arrival Halls, charged by size and time: $0.57-$1.41/item/4hrs, $2.12-$3.53/item/day
  • Charging Facilities: Free charging stations in departure/arrival halls; wireless charging in T3 VIP lounges and waiting areas
  • Service Hotline: 010-96158 (multilingual support for consultation and help)

Popular Destinations Traffic Congestion Tips

• Core Congestion Periods (Daily)
  • Morning Peak: 07:00-09:30 (commuting rush, airport to downtown slow)
  • Evening Peak: 17:00-20:00 (downtown to airport congested, return commute heavy)
  • Special Congestion: 11:30-13:00 (lunch rush, urban core roads busy)
• Destination-Specific Congestion Details
  • Tiananmen Square/Wangfujing: 09:00-11:30, 14:00-17:00 (tourist peak); avoid East Chang’an Avenue during morning/evening rush
  • Beijing South Railway Station: 08:00-10:00, 15:00-18:00 (high-speed rail departure/arrival peak); surrounding roads queue up easily
  • Dongzhimen/Sanyuanqiao: All-day busy, especially 07:30-09:00, 17:30-19:30; transfer here via metro is smoother than road travel
  • Airport Expressway: 07:00-09:00 (airport to downtown), 16:30-19:30 (downtown to airport); choose Airport Line to bypass congestion
• Avoidance Suggestions
  • Rush-hour travel: Prioritize Airport Express or metro, avoid taxis/rideshares
  • Tourist hotspots: Arrive before 09:00 or after 17:00 to skip peak crowds and traffic

FAQ

Q: Arrived in the early morning, what transportation is available besides taxis?

A: Take the night shuttle bus to Beijing Railway Station/Xidan, or wait for the first Airport Express (06:35) in the terminal lounge.

Q: Traveling with a stroller or wheelchair, which transportation is most convenient?

A: Taxis, ride-hailing services, or airport shuttle buses (all have barrier-free access); Metro Airport Line has elevators but transfer may need assistance.

Q: What if I miss the last Airport Express or metro?

A: Choose taxi/ride-hailing or night shuttle bus; consult the airport service desk for real-time night route info.

Q: Can I book airport shuttle bus tickets in advance?

A: On-site purchase (cash/QR code) is available; some routes support advance booking via “Beijing Airport Group” official WeChat account.