Beijing Airport Guide: How to Get from Airport to City

Beijing Capital International Airport is impressively large and beautifully modern. The moment you step outside, the crisp, cool air is a welcome change from the warm, humid weather we’re used to in Malaysia. I was also glad to find plenty of clear English signage throughout the terminal, making it easy for travellers like us to navigate without confusion.

After a long flight, all you really want is a simple, comfortable ride into the city—no complicated apps, no language barriers, and certainly no lugging suitcases up and down stairs. Thankfully, getting from the airport to downtown Beijing is straightforward. Whether it’s your first visit or a return trip, here are the easiest and most convenient ways to reach the city centre without any stress.

🛫 Airports in Beijing

As China’s capital, Beijing is served by two major international airports that handle millions of passengers every year. Both play a key role for domestic and international flights.

✈️ Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
🌟 Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX)

Why Beijing Has Two Airports

Massive Passenger Volume
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) has long been one of the busiest airports in the world.
Before the pandemic, it handled over 100 million passengers annually, and demand kept rising.
With PEK operating at full capacity, an additional airport became essential.

Flight Distribution
The opening of Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) helps spread air traffic:

• PEK remains the main hub for Air China and many established international routes.
• PKX serves as a new base for China Southern Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, and other emerging carriers.

Economic & Regional Development

PKX was built in southern Beijing, close to Hebei province and Tianjin.
This location supports the Jing-Jin-Ji integration project, which aims to connect the economies of Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei.
It also improves transportation links and cargo distribution across the region.

Technology & Modernisation

While PEK is already highly developed, expansion is limited.
PKX was designed as a “next-generation” airport, featuring automated check-in, energy-efficient systems, and high-speed rail connections for seamless travel.

✈️ Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)

📍 Location

About 32 km northeast of downtown Beijing, this is the main international gateway to China for most travellers, including those arriving from Malaysia.

🌏 Status & History

Opened in 1958 as Beijing’s first international airport, PEK has grown into one of the busiest airports in the world.
Before the pandemic, it handled over 100 million passengers annually and ranked as the world’s second-busiest airport.
It serves as the primary hub for Air China and hosts a wide range of international routes.

🏢 Terminals

• Terminal 1 – Smaller domestic flights.
• Terminal 2 – A mix of domestic and international services.
• Terminal 3 – Among the largest airport terminals globally, handling most major international airlines.

🚆 Getting to the City

• Airport Express Train – Around 30 minutes to Dongzhimen in central Beijing.
• Airport Shuttle Bus – Multiple routes to key districts across the city.
• Taxi or Ride-Hailing – Typically 40–60 minutes to downtown, depending on traffic.

🏨 Facilities

• Convenient in-terminal transit hotel for layovers.
• International and VIP lounges.
• Extensive duty-free shopping with top global brands.
• A variety of local and international dining options.
• 144-hour visa-free transit service for travellers from eligible countries—ideal if you’re making a short stopover in Beijing.

🏢 Terminal 1 – Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)

📍 Location & Function

Terminal 1 is the smallest terminal at PEK.
It reopened in 2008 after a major renovation and is dedicated to select domestic flights only.

✈️ Airlines

• Hainan Airlines (domestic routes)
• Subsidiaries of the Hainan Airlines Group, including:
• • Tianjin Airlines
  • Grand China Air
  • Beijing Capital Airlines

🏨 Facilities

• Modern check-in counters despite the terminal’s compact size
• A few cafés and fast-food outlets for quick meals or coffee breaks
• Limited duty-free shopping (domestic flights only)
• Standard services such as baggage handling, customer service desks, and comfortable waiting areas

🚆 Transport Connections

• Free shuttle buses link Terminal 1 with Terminal 2 for easy transfers
• The Airport Express Train does not stop directly at T1—you’ll need to go to T2 or T3 first
• Taxis, public buses, and ride-hailing services are available right outside the terminal

🏢 Terminal 2 – Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)

📍 Location & Role

Situated right next to Terminal 1 in the main PEK complex, Terminal 2 opened on 1 November 1999 to replace the old T1 facilities.
Today it handles a mix of domestic and international flights for several major airlines.

✈️ Airlines Operating at T2

• China Southern Airlines (some routes remain here even after the move to Daxing)
• China Eastern Airlines
• Selected SkyTeam Alliance international flights
• Various domestic and short-haul Asian routes

🏨 Facilities

• Spacious check-in hall serving both domestic and international carriers
• VIP and business-class lounges
• Duty-free stores, plus a wide range of local and international restaurants and cafés
• Full immigration and customs services for arrivals and departures
• Transit hotel and comfortable rest areas for long layovers

🚆 Transport Options

• Airport Express Train – Dedicated metro line to the city centre (about 30 minutes to Dongzhimen)
• Airport Shuttle Buses – Multiple routes to key Beijing districts
• Taxis & Ride-Hailing – Readily available outside the terminal
• Inter-Terminal Shuttle – Free buses connect T2 with both T1 and T3

🔄 Connections to Other Terminals

• T1 ↔ T2 – Only about 200 metres apart; walk through the public corridor or take the free shuttle bus
• T2 ↔ T3 – Free shuttle service, roughly 15–20 minutes travel time

🏢 Terminal 3 – Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)

📍 Location & Key Facts

Opened in 2008 ahead of the Beijing Olympics, Terminal 3 is the largest at PEK and one of the biggest airport terminals in the world.
Covering around 986,000 m², it’s larger than Terminals 1 and 2 combined and was designed to handle over 50 million passengers a year.

✈️ Airlines

• Air China (main hub)
• Star Alliance members such as Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, and ANA
• Numerous long-haul international carriers
• Selected premium domestic flights

🏨 Facilities

• Enormous, modern check-in hall with advanced self-service systems
• Spacious immigration and security areas for smooth processing
• Beijing’s largest airport duty-free shopping mall, featuring global luxury brands
• International lounges, an in-terminal transit hotel, and comfortable rest zones
• Wide variety of dining options, from authentic Chinese dishes to international fast food and cafés
• Internal Skytrain linking different sections of the terminal

🚆 Transport to the City

• Airport Express Train – Direct from T3 to Dongzhimen in about 30 minutes
• Airport Shuttle Buses – Multiple routes to key districts across Beijing
• Taxis & Ride-Hailing – Usually 40–60 minutes to downtown, depending on traffic
• Free inter-terminal shuttle buses connecting T1, T2, and T3

🔄 Sub-Terminal Layout

• T3-C: Main check-in area and domestic departures
• T3-D: International departures for select foreign airlines
• T3-E: Long-haul international gates for major carriers

📊Terminal Comparison Guide for Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)

🌟 Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX)

📍 Location & Key Facts

Located about 46 km south of central Beijing, this airport officially opened on 25 September 2019.
Designed by world-renowned architect Zaha Hadid, it features a striking starfish-shaped layout, earning the nickname Starfish Airport.
Built to ease congestion at Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK), Daxing is designed to handle 72 million passengers per year initially, with future expansion planned to accommodate up to 100 million.

✈️ Airlines

• China Southern Airlines (main hub)
• China Eastern Airlines
• A growing list of other domestic and international carriers, especially for new and long-haul routes

🏢 Terminal Concept

• A single massive terminal covering about 700,000 m²—roughly the size of 98 football fields
• Five “concourses” radiate from a central hub, so all facilities (check-in, security, immigration, shopping, lounges, and boarding gates) are under one roof
• Passengers can walk from the centre of the terminal to the farthest gate in 8 minutes or less, eliminating the need for inter-terminal shuttles

🏨 Facilities

• Automated check-in counters and biometric immigration technology
• Extensive duty-free mall, premium lounges, and a variety of international and Chinese restaurants
• Modern transit hotel and comfortable rest areas
• Passenger-friendly design that makes navigation quick and easy

🚆 Transport to Beijing

• Daxing Airport Express Metro – Around 20–30 minutes to the city centre
• High-Speed Rail – Links the airport to Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei
• Airport Shuttle Buses – Multiple routes to key districts across the capital
• Taxis & Ride-Hailing – Available 24/7 right outside the terminal

🔮 Why Malaysian Travellers Will Love PKX

• Iconic, futuristic architecture and bright, spacious interiors
• Single-terminal layout for hassle-free transfers
• Excellent connections with metro and high-speed trains
• Environmentally friendly design featuring advanced energy-saving technology

🏢 Level Guide for Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX)

📝 Beijing Airport Summary

Beijing is served by two major international airports, each offering a different travel experience and both acting as key gateways to China’s capital. Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) is the city’s original hub, featuring three large terminals and handling a huge range of domestic and international flights. Its location—about 32 km from downtown—makes it ideal for visitors who want quick access to top attractions such as the Forbidden City or even day trips to the Great Wall.

Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX), by contrast, is a new, futuristic airport with a striking starfish design by architect Zaha Hadid. Although it sits around 46 km south of the city centre, it offers cutting-edge facilities, a single easy-to-navigate terminal, and integrated transport links including high-speed rail and the Daxing Airport Express metro line for a smooth ride into Beijing. Together, these two airports complement each other: PEK remains the traditional aviation hub, while PKX is built to support Beijing’s future air traffic growth. For Malaysian travellers, choosing between them depends on your airline, flight route, and transfer time—either way, you’ll find modern facilities and clear English signage for a hassle-free arrival in China’s capital.