Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)

The Beijing Capital International Airport is located is located 25km (15.5 miles) from the downtown or city center of Beijing. It is one of the worlds largest and busiest airport handling some 95 million passengers every year. On this page we will outline how to get to and from the airport plus some key tips.

The Beijing Capital International Airport, or BCIA, has three terminals

• Terminal 1 serves the domestic routes of Hainan Airlines
• Terminal 2 serves China Southern Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, select SkyTeam, American Airlines and SriLankan Airlines, also other domestic and international flights.
• Terminal 3 serves Air China, Star Alliance, select Oneworld members plus Skyteam members Alitalia and China Airlines for international and some domestic flights

Free Cross Terminal Shuttle Service between T1, T2, and T3

Route

Gate 5 F1 of T3 -> Departure floor of T2 -> Departure floor of T1 -> Gate 7 of Arrival floor of T2 -> Gate 7 Arrival floor of T1 -> Departure floor of T3

 

Airport Fast Facts

• Chinese Name: 北京首都国际机场
• Airport Codes: IATA: PEK, ICAO: ZBAA
• Address: West Jichang Road, Shunyi District, Beijing, China
• Hub for: Air China, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Hainan Airlines
• Free WiFi: “AIRPORT-FREE-WiFi” network, if you don’t have a Chinese mobile, head to any information desk with your passport which they scan and then allow access.
• There are an abundant range of Chinese/Western cafe/food stalls
• Coffee shops are easy to find inc. Starbucks
• in the T3 International and T3 Domestic areas you’ll find a large array of luxury brand stores
• Mobile charging stations are located throughout the airport
• ATM machines are in T1, T2, and T3 for withdrawing local currency. There are also easy to find Travelex money exchange service centers.
• Official website: en.bcia.com.cn
• Open hours: Beijing Capital Airport is open 24 hours

 

Transfers to and from Beijing Capital International Airport (BCIA)

Example journey comparison BCIA to Beijing city center (Wangfujing Street)

Journey Method	Fare Est.	Time Est.
Taxi	100-115 RMB	60-80 mins.
Airport Bus Line 10	25 RMB	60-80 mins.
Airport Express + Subway	29 RMB	60 mins.
Airport Express + Taxi	40 RMB	45-55 mins.

 

 

Airport Express Train (北京地铁机场线/机场快轨)

The Airport Express Train is a speedy service that connects the airport to the city’s Subway network. You can board the Airport Express at Terminal 2 and 3. Those using Terminal 1 can walk to Terminal 2 (5 min via hallway) or take the free Cross Terminal Shuttle.

The Airport Express stops at Sanyuanqiao (三元桥站) where you can transfer to subway line 10 and Dongzhimen Station (东直门) where you can transfer to subway line 2 and line 13, or take a taxi. See Beijing Subway Guide and Map.

Tickets are easily purchased at counters near the train entry or via dual language ticket machines which accept RMB notes and coins. You can also use Yikatong card (local transport card).

Operating Hours:

• from T2: 06:36 to 23:10
• from T3: 06:22 to 22:52
• from Dongzhimen Station (to BCIA): 06:00 to 22:30
• from Sanyuanqiao Station (to BCIA): 06:04 to 22:34

Frequency: 10 minutes
Ticket Fare: 25 RMB flat rate

Journey Time:

• T3 to Dongzhimen: 40 minutes
• Dongzhimen to T3: 32 minutes
• T2 to Dongzhimen: 35 minutes
• Dongzhimen to T2: 39 minutes

Notes:

• once you arrive at Dongzhimen or Sanyuanqiao you then need to buy a ticket for your onward journey on the subway system.
• the Beijing Subway system is often crowded especially during morning and afternoon peaks, large amounts of luggage will be difficult and be aware of subway luggage rules see more.

 

Taxi (出租车)

T1: Outside Gate 1 on 1F
T2: Outside Gate 5 to 9 on 1F
T3: outside of Arrival Hall on B1

Beijing Airport to	Fare Est.	Time Est.
Forbidden City / Tiananmen Square	115-130 RMB	80-90 mins.
Wangfujing Street	100-115 RMB	70-80 mins.
Bird’s Nest / Water Cube	90-105 RMB	75-85 mins.
Beijing Railway Station	100-115 RMB	70-80 mins.
Beijing West Railway Station	105-125 RMB	80-90 mins.
Beijing South Railway Station	110-130 RMB	75-85 mins.
Beijing North Railway Station	85-100 RMB	65-80 mins.

 

Beijing Airport Bus (机场巴士)

Beijing Capital Airport Shuttle Bus to Downtown Beijing

Route	Destination	Stops	Hours
1	Fangzhuang 方庄线	T3 – T2 – T1 –Sanyuan Bridge – Liangma Bridge – Baijiazhuang – Dabeiyao (Guomao) – Panjiayuan – Shilihe (Kingwing Hot Spring International Hotel) – Fangzhuang	7:00 – 1:00
		Fangzhuang (South of the East Entrance to Sports Park of Fangzhuang) – Dabeiyao (Southern Airlines Pearl Hotel) – T2 – T1 – T3	5:10-21:00
2	Beijing South Railway Station Line 北京南站线	T3 – T2 – T1 – Xidan[RMB 30] — Xuanwumen[RMB 30] — Zixin T-junction North [RMB 30] — Beijing South Railway Station[RMB 30]	7:00–24:00
		Beijing South Railway Station[RMB 30] — Xidan[RMB 30] — T2 — T1 — T3	5:10–21:00
2 (Night Bus)	Beijing South Railway Station Line 北京南站线	T3 — T2 — T1 — Sanyuanqiao[RMB 20] — Dongzhimen Transport Hub[RMB 30] — Dongsishitiao Bridge[RMB 30] — Chaoyangmen[RMB 30] — Yabaolu[RMB 30] — Beijing Railway Station[RMB 30] — Beijing International Hotel[RMB 30] — South of Xidan Intersection [RMB 30]	24:00 to the last domestic arrival
3	Beijing Railway Station 北京站线	T3 – T2 – T1 – Dongzhimen – Dongsishitiao Bridge – Chaoyangmen – Yabao Road– Beijing International Hotel – Beijing Railway Station	7:00–24:00
		Beijing Railway Station(Beijing Railway Station East Street) – International Hotel – Dongzhimen (Newsstand, south of the road, 50m east of the bridge) – Landmark Tower (West Gate) – T2 – T1 – T3	5:10–21:00
4	Gongzhufen 公主坟线	T3 – T2 – T1 – China International Exhibition Center – Xibahe – Anzhen Bridge – Madian Bridge – Beitaipingzhuang – Jimen Bridge – Friendship Hotel – Suzhou Bridge – Zizhu Bridge – Hangtian Bridge – Gongzhufen (Xinxing Hotel)	6:00–half hour past last arrival of the day
		Gongzhufen (Xinxing Hotel) – Friendship Hotel (Air Ticket Office at the north gate) – Beitaipingzhuang (50m east of the intersection) – Anzhen Stop (under the flyover east of Puppet Theater) – Xibahe (Ticket Office of Shenzhen Airlines) – T2 – T1 – T3	4:30 – after half an hour of the last domestic flight.
5	Zhongguancun 中关村线	T3 – T2 – T1 – Xiaoying – Asian Games Village (Anhui Bridge) – Xueyuan Bridge – Zhongguancun (Fourth Bridge)	6:50–The next day 1:00 (Low Season 24:00) Every 30 minutes.
		Zhongguancun (Fourth Bridge) – Beihang University (north gate) – Huixin West Street (Under the Bridge of Huixin West Street, East of Anhui Plaza) – T2 – T1 – T3	5:10–22:00 Every 30 minutes. Buses depart when fully seated.
6	Asian Games Village 上地、奥运村线	T3 – T2 – T1 – Guangshun North Street – Huguang Middle Street – Yuhuili – Beiyuanludatun – Datun – Olympic Village(In front of the Gate to the Olympic Village by University of Chinese Academy of Sciences) – Best Western OL Stadium Hotel Beijing (former Labor Building)	8:00–21:00 Every 40 minutes. Buses depart when fully seated.
		Best Western OL Stadium Hotel Beijing (former Labor Building) – CAS Institute of Geography (by Nangounihe Bus Stop) – Datun – Beiyuanludatun (by the Bus Stop opposite to Shiteng Business Hotel) – Gate A to the Fourth Zone of Wangjing West Garden – Wangjing Garden West Zone – T2 – T1 – T3	6:00–19:10 Every 40 minutes. Buses depart when fully seated.
7	Beijing West Railway Station 北京西站线	T3 – T2 – T1 – Chaoyanggongyuan Bridge (50m south of the Bridge) – Tonghuihe North Road (By the East of the New BTV Building) –In front of Beijing Energy Investment Holding Co., Ltd – Guangqumen (200m north of the west side of the intersection) – Ciqikou (100m north of the west side of the intersection) – Zhushikou (100m north of the east side of the intersection) – Caishikou (100m north of the west side of the intersection) – Guang’anmenwai (500m north of the west side of the Bridge) – West Railway Station (Zhongyan Hotel)	7:00–The next day1:00(Low Season 24:00) Every 30 minutes. Buses depart when fully seated.(High Season: March 1- October 26, Spring Festival. )
		Zhongyan Hotel (South Square of Beijing West Railway Station) – Guang’anmen (50m south of the east side of Baiguanglu Beikou) – Ciqikou (100m south of the west side of the intersection) – Chaoyanggongyuan Bridge (beside the bus stop at the east side road, north of the Bridge) – T2 – T1 – T3	4:50–22:00 Every 30 minutes. Buses depart when fully seated.
8	Shangdi 回龙观线	T3 – T2 – T1 – Baifang (Tiantong Dongyuan) – Tiantong Xiyuan Zone 1 (North Gate) – Huilongguan East Street – Huilongguan West Street – Huilongguan – Shangdi Information Industry Development Area (Holiday Inn Express)	9:00–22:40 Every 40 minutes. Buses depart when fully seated.
		Shangdi Information Industry Development Area (2. Holiday Inn Express) – Xisanqi (beside Xin Long Building) – Longze Station (Light Rail Line 13) – Longhuayuan (Longhuayuan Bus Stop, south side of Huilongguan West Street) – Juzhen Community – Tiantong Xiyuan Zone 1 (North Gate) – Baifang (Tiantong Dongyuan) – T2 – T1 – T3	5:10–20:50 every 40 minutes. Buses depart when full.
9	Tongzhou 通州线	T2 – T1 – T3 – Beiguan (opposite the Qitian Leyuan) – West Street – Beiyuan – Cuiping (Xinhualian Jiayuan) – Sunflower Hotel	7:00–24:00
		Sunflower Hotel in Tongzhou District – Cuiping Beili (west gate) – Beiyuan (east of subway station) – Beiguan (east of the road 300 meters south of Beiguan Bridge, Huangmuchang bus stop ) – T3 – T2 – T1	5:30–21:00 every 40 minutes. Buses depart when full.
10	Wangfujing Jinbao Street 王府井金宝街线	T3 – T2 – T1 – Jinbao Street(Regent Hotel)[RMB 25] — Goldfish alley (Peace Hotel)[RMB 25] — Wangfujing Street (family Imperial-Court Hotel)[RMB 25] — the Overseas Chinese Building[RMB 25]	9:00-21:00 Airport shuttles depart every 60 minutes or earlier when full.
		Jinbao Street(Regent Hotel)[RMB 25] — Goldfish alley (Peace Hotel)[RMB 25] — Wangfujing Street (family Imperial-Court Hotel)[RMB 25] — the Overseas Chinese Building[RMB 25] — T2 — T1 — T3	7:00-19:00 Airport shuttles depart every 60 minutes or earlier when full.
13	Nanyuan Airport 南苑机场线	T2 –T1 – T3  to Nanyuan Airport	18:00
		Nanyuan Airport to T2 –T1 – T3	11:00 a.m. to 20:00. Depart every 60 minutes and when bus is full
16	Shijingshan 石景山线	T2 –T1 – T3 – Wukesong Bridge North[RMB 30] — Lugu (Yuanyang Shanshui)[RMB 30] — Wanda Realm [RMB 30] — Shijingshan (Mercure Wanshang Beijing) [RMB 30]	7:30-22:00 Every 30 minutes. Buses depart when fully seated.
		Shijingshan (Mercure Wanshang Beijing) [RMB 30] — Wanda Realm [RMB 30] –Lugu (Yuanyang Shanshui)[RMB 30] – T2 – T1 – T3	5:30-20:00 Every 30 minutes. Buses depart when fully seated.
17	Yanjiao 燕郊线	T2 –T1 – T3 – Shou’er Tiancheng (Zhugedian) [RMB30] — Meilin Community [RMB30] — Xinghe Haoyue Community [RMB30] — Yanjing Xincheng Community [RMB30] — Yihua Community [RMB30] — Beijing College of Social Administration [RMB30] — Transportation Management Institute [RMB30] — Dongmao Square [RMB30]	7:40 a.m. to 23:00, depart every 40 minutes and when bus is full.
		Dongmao Square [RMB30] — Yihua Community [RMB30] — Yanjing Xincheng Community [RMB30] — Xinghe Haoyue Community [RMB30] — Shou’er Tiancheng (Zhugedian) [RMB30] — T3 — T2 — T1	5:30 a.m. to 20:40, depart every 40 minutes and when bus is full.
18	Changping 昌平线	T2 –T1 – T3 – Beikong Science & Technology Plaza [RMB30] — Jingkeyuan East [RMB30] — Shuiguan Xincun North [RMB30] — Changping Central Park [RMB30] — Changping North Railway Station [RMB30]	7:15 a.m. to 22:15, depart every 60 minutes and when bus is full.
		Changping North Railway Station [RMB30] — Shuiguan Xincun North [RMB30] — SINOPEC Research Institute of Petroleum Processing [RMB30] — T3 — T1	5:00 a.m. to 20:00, depart every 60 minutes and when bus is full.
Night Bus Express	Night Bus Express 夜间直通巴士	T1 – urban area (one-way), the uniform price of each station in the urban area is 50 yuan/person	21:00 – 04:00

 

Airport Bus route Map

 

Airport coaches to other cities and provinces

Ticket offices

• T1: Gate No. 7 (inside) on F1
• T2: Gate No.11 (outside) on F1
• T3: Gate No.7 or No.9 (Outside) on F1

Route Name	Timetable	Price	One-way time
Airport coaches – Tianjin	regular departures from 6.30 to 23.00	82 RMB	2 hours and a half
Provincial Bus – Qinhuangdao	regular departures from 9.30 to 21.00	140 RMB	4 hours
Provincial Bus – Tanggu	not running
Provincial Bus – Langfang	regular departures from 9.15 to 20.30	45 RMB	2 hours
Provincial Bus – Baoding	6 departures daily from 10.10 to 20.30	100 RMB	3 hours
Provincial Bus – Tangshan	regular departures from 7.30 to 23.00	100 RMB	3 hours
Provincial Bus – Cangzhou	Two departures at 14.45 and 18.00	100 RMB	3 hours and a half
Provincial Bus – Chifeng	Two departures at 12.00 and 15.30	150 RMB	5 hours and a half

 

Visa on Arrival (VOA) and Transit Without Visa (TWOV) at BCIA

24-hour visa-free transit rule – All international transit passengers with onward international flights departing within 24hrs can stay in the airport’s transit area without going through border inspections. If you want to transit to another airport in China and then onwards internationally within 24hr, you can also do this, but you need to apply for the temporary entry permit upon arrival.

144-Hour Visa-Free Transit (TWOV) – Passport holders of 53 countries and regions are granted a 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit when taking an international transfer via Capital Airport. International passengers are allowed to travel within Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei during the 144 hours.

There is also a free left-luggage counter for those with a 144-hour TWOV located at the counter between Gate 8 and Gate 10 in Terminal 2, and the counter on the east of Exit A of the arrival hall on the second floor of Terminal 3.

Visa Office is located on T2 & T3 3 floor, East side of International Restrict Area and operates 24hrs.

 

Places to stay at Beijing Capital Airport

More airport hotel picks

 

Beijing Capital International Airport Terminal maps