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PEK

Beijing Capital International Airport

Beijing, China

Where to start
Airport Express Train

Take the Airport Express train from T2/T3 — a flat fare, ~25–30 minutes to Dongzhimen (subway interchange), traffic-proof. For door-to-door, use DiDi (China's ride app — Uber doesn't operate here; English interface, foreign cards work in-app) from the zone separate from taxis, or an official metered taxi from the rank (yellow/dark-blue car, 京B plate). Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay and get mobile data before you arrive — you need them for almost everything. Ignore anyone offering a ride inside the terminal.

Ride Options

Airport Express Train

transit

Fastest, lowest-cost, traffic-proof link to the subway network

AvailabilityRoughly 06:30–22:50; frequent
Pickup NoteFollow blue 'Airport Express' signs in T2 or T3 down to the B2 level of the parking structure. To Dongzhimen in ~25–30 min via Sanyuanqiao (Line 10 transfer) → Dongzhimen (Lines 2/13). Tap a transit card or scan an Alipay/WeChat QR — buy a rechargeable transit card (一卡通) to use across Beijing Metro and buses.
Convenience
Relative costLower cost
Visit Website

DiDi

rideshare

Door-to-door to any Beijing address — China's ride app (Uber doesn't operate here)

AvailabilityAvailable 24/7; upfront fare, often more affordable than a taxi
Pickup NoteDownload 'DiDi' (English interface) before you land; foreign Visa/Mastercard work in-app. The pickup zone is SEPARATE from taxis — at T3, Area H on B2 of Parking Garage No. 3; follow 'Online Ride-Hailing'/'网约车' signs (Amap can also route ride-hailing). Enter your destination in English or Chinese; you get an upfront price. Needs mobile data.
Convenience
Relative costMid cost
Visit Website

Airport Bus (机场巴士)

shuttle

Lowest-cost transfer to specific city districts — if you're not in a hurry

AvailabilityMultiple numbered city lines; roughly daytime to last flight
Pickup NoteBus stops are outside the terminals (e.g. the Door 3 area). Multiple numbered lines serve different parts of Beijing. Buy at the counter near the stop. The lowest-cost option but slow (~1.5–2 hrs) and largely Chinese-language — best off-peak with light luggage.
Convenience
Relative costLower cost
Visit Website

Licensed Metered Taxi

taxi

No-app door-to-door with luggage — use the official rank only

AvailabilityAvailable at the official rank; Varies with traffic + night surcharge
Pickup NoteOfficial rank — T3: B1; T2: Gates 5–9 on 1F. Yellow/dark-blue cars, meter on ('打表'), plate starting 京B. Pay by Alipay/WeChat or cash; ask for a receipt; a small expressway toll is added. NEVER accept a 'private ride' from anyone inside the terminal — they're unlicensed and overcharge.
Convenience
Relative costMid cost
Visit Website

SIXT Ride — Pre-booked Airport Transfer

Private Transfer

Fixed-rate door-to-door — driver waits in arrivals, no language barrier

AvailabilityPre-book via SIXT app or website
Pickup NoteDriver meets you in the arrivals hall with a name sign. Fixed price, flight tracking, up to 60 min free waiting. Useful if you'd rather not navigate DiDi or the taxi rank on arrival.
Convenience
Relative costHigher cost
Book Transfer

Pickup Guidance

Rideshare

DiDi is China's ride-hailing app — Uber does NOT operate here. Download 'DiDi' with the English interface before you land; foreign Visa/Mastercard now work in-app. The DiDi pickup zone is SEPARATE from taxis — at T3 it's Area H on B2 of Parking Garage No. 3; follow 'Online Ride-Hailing'/'网约车' signs (Amap can also route ride-hailing). You get an upfront fare. Needs mobile data.

Taxi

Official taxis queue at the rank — T3: B1; T2: Gates 5–9 on 1F. Look for yellow/dark-blue cars with the meter on ('打表') and a license plate starting 京B. Pay by Alipay/WeChat or cash; ask for a receipt; a small expressway toll is added. CRITICAL: ignore anyone inside the terminal offering a 'private ride' — they're unlicensed and overcharge.

Shuttle

Airport buses depart outside the terminals (e.g. the Door 3 area) on multiple numbered city lines — the lowest-cost option but slow (~1.5–2 hrs) and Chinese-language-heavy. Buy tickets at the counter near the stop.

Transit

The Airport Express train stations are in T2 and T3 (follow blue 'Airport Express' signs down to the B2 level of the parking structure). To Dongzhimen in ~25–30 min via Sanyuanqiao (Line 10) → Dongzhimen (Lines 2/13), running roughly 06:30–22:50. Tap a transit card or scan an Alipay/WeChat QR.

Private Transfer

Pre-booked private transfers meet you in arrivals with a name sign — a frictionless option that avoids navigating DiDi or the taxi rank on arrival.

Travel Extras

Need a SIM?Need a lounge?Need a hotel?Need bag storage?

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Local Tips

  • Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay (link a foreign card) and get an eSIM/SIM before or on arrival — you need them for DiDi, the train QR, taxis, and nearly everything. Without mobile payment and data, you're limited to cash taxis.
  • Uber doesn't exist in China — use DiDi (English interface, foreign cards now work in-app). Its pickup zone is separate from the taxi rank.
  • Ignore anyone offering a ride inside the terminal — legal taxis only come from the official rank (meter on, 京B plate); touts overcharge heavily.
  • The Airport Express beats a taxi during rush hour (7–9am, 5–8pm) — Beijing's ring roads gridlock and a taxi can take 90+ minutes.
  • PEK is NOT Daxing (PKX): PEK is ~25–30 km northeast; Daxing is ~46+ km south. Confirm which airport your flight uses — they're far apart. Have your hotel's address in Chinese characters to show a driver.

Tarmyq local tip

Before you land, set up Alipay or WeChat Pay (link a foreign card) and an eSIM — in China you need mobile payment and data for DiDi, the train, and daily life. And skip Uber; it doesn't operate here. DiDi's English app is your friend.