Beijing Airport (PEK), also known as Beijing Capital International Airport, is the largest international airport of Beijing and is located about 32 km northeast of the main city center. Upon arrival, you can reach downtown Beijing by Express Train, Airport Bus, Taxi or Private Transfer.

This guide compares all available airport transfers at Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) according to classic travel factors. This includes travel time, cost per person (pp), a short route description and official links to book or buy tickets.

Transfer comparison from PEK airport to downtown

Overview of all airport transfers from Beijing Capital Airport to the City Center (South & Beijing Railway Station, Tianamen Square, Forbidden City)

	Transport	Travel time	Cost	More
	Express Train	30 Min.	US$ 3,50	Details
	Airport Bus	90 Min.	US$ 3‑8	Details
	Taxi	45 Min.	US$ 20	Details
	Private Transfer	45 Min.	US$ 30	Details

Notices:
• The optimal transfer depends on the number of travelers, budget and available time.
• Airport buses can be a first tour of the city, but is recommended only with light luggage.
• There may be waiting times at the taxi rank if there are high volume of passengers. In this case, a pre-booked transfer (e.g. via Private Transfer) is the more faster and comfortable option.

Express Train

Info here, tickets on-site ↗

Travel time:

30 minutes

Cost:

CNY 25 pp (around US$ 3.50)

Description:

Express Train from Beijing Airport (Station in Terminal 2 & 3) to “Sanyuanqiao Station” or “Dongzhimen Station”. From here, several subway lines continue to the city center (Subway line 2 for “Tiananmen Square” & “Forbidden City”)

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Airport Bus

Infos here, tickets on-site ↗

Travel time:

90 minutes

Cost:

CNY 20-55 pp (around US$ 3-8)

Description:

Airport Buses from Beijing Airport (Stops in front of Terminal 2 & 3) to downtown Beijing: Bus line 2 to “South Railway Station” (City South) or bus line 3 to “Beijing Railway Station” (City West)

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Taxi

Official local taxis

Travel time:

45 minutes

Cost:

CNY 150 (around US$20)

Description:

Official taxis (green-orange) from Beijing Airport (Taxi ranks at Terminals 1, 2 & 3) to Central Beijing, Tianamen Square, Forbidden City or directly to accommodation in the city center

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Private Transfer (AD)

Book a Private Transfer ↗

Travel time:

45 minutes

Cost:

CNY 220 (around US$ 30)

Description:

Comfortable private transfer (via GetYourGuide) from Beijing Airport (Nameplate in the Arrival Hall) to Central Beijing, Tianamen Square, Forbidden City or directly to your downtown accommodation

Things to know about Beijing:

1. Beijing most famous food is “Peking duck”
2. Beijing airport is the second busiest airport in the world
3. Beijing and Peking are two different transliterations of the same words in Chinese (北京 – „Northern Capital”)