About Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)

Beijing, the capital of China, has two airports, namely Beijing Capital International Airport and Beijing Daxing International Airport. This guide focuses on Beijing Capital International and provides information about the terminal facilities, public transport access and nearby accommodation options.

Information:

Information counters are widely spread throughout the airport. Visitors can also call the hotline +86 (0)10 96158 for support.

Website:

Driving directions:

The Capital Airport Expressway, aka the S12, links Beijing Capital International Airport with the city centre. As this is a toll road, it should shorten the journey between the city centre and the airport to 40 minutes. In reality, however, the journey time depends significantly on traffic conditions.

Transfer between terminals:

Free shuttle buses run between the terminals 24 hours daily. The two main routes are from Gate 5 on the arrivals hall of T3 to the departures area of T2, and from Gate 7 on the arrivals hall of T2 to the departures area of T3. There is a covered walkway between T1 and T2, plus a bus transfer.

Public Transport

Public transport road:

Bus: Buses to the Shunyi District depart from T2 and T3.

Shuttle: There are several dedicated shuttle services ready to take passengers to destinations such as Beijing West Railway Station, Beijing South Railway Station, Beijing Night Line Railway Station, and other districts across Beijing. You can find the services, fares and timetables here.

Taxi: Taxi ranks are situated outside the arrivals hall in T2 and T3. All taxis are metered and passengers should be mindful of surcharges – in Beijing, passengers must also pay for toll roads, fuel charges, additional night fares and low-speed journeys during rush hours when taking taxis. All taxis can take cash, Alipay, UnionPay, WeChat Pay, and also Beijing Transportation Smart Card. However, international credit cards are not accepted.

Public transport rail:

Metro: The Beijing Airport Express subway runs between T2 and Dongzhimen station, via T3 (below the parking garage #3) and Sanyuanqiao station. At Dongzhimen, you can switch to subway lines 2 and 13, while at Sanyuanqiao, you can switch to subway line 10. Fare is ¥25 per person and visitors can purchase tickets at the vending machines in any station.

Terminal facilities

Food:

Beijing Capital International Airport has many cafés, bakeries, tea houses and international fast-food chains, offering everything from burgers to steamed dumplings.

Luggage:

Left-luggage facilities are available in T2 (near gates 8, 9 and 10) and in T3 (arrivals hall). Porters are on hand to assist passengers with baggage for a fee; call 64593685 (T2), 64591313 (T3), or arrange for the service in the departures hall and baggage claim areas. The lost and found desks are in T2 (near gate 15), in T3 (east of Exit A), and can also be reached on +86 10 96158.

Other:

The airport features several themed areas, including the Royal Garden of Fun (classic Chinese gardens) in T3, Digital Interactive Area in T3, and Underwater World (with a small aquarium) in T2.

Medical services are available in T2 (near gate 8) and T3 (several sites, including the central area on F2 in the east wing).

Airport facilities

Car rental:

Avis, Europcar and Herts are presented. However, foreigners need to beware that driving in China requires a Chinese-issued driving licence.