You may be wondering about the possible transport options from Beijing Capital International Airport to your Beijing hotel accommodation. Few airlines arrive at Terminal 1 which caters to mostly domestic flights, so you will most likely arrive at 2 or 3. Terminal 2 is the base for major airlines such as KLM, Delta and China Eastern Airlines, and Terminal 3 is the home of British Airways, Emirates, Air China and Cathay Pacific.
There is a free shuttle bus service which connects all the terminals. From 6am until 11pm buses depart every 10 minutes, and outside of this time there is usually a bus once every half hour. The airport is 27km from the town centre and journey times into town will vary depending on your arrival time, this can be up to one hour and may be much less if you do not face any of the notorious Beijing traffic!
Possible Transport Options:
- Airport Shuttle
- Airport Express (Subway)
- Taxi
Airport Shuttle
The downtown shuttle to the center of Beijing is 16 RMB per person, per ride. There are also shuttles available that head further out, to the border cities such as Tanggu and Tianjin. Tickets are available within the terminal. For Terminal 1 you will find a ticket office at Gate 7, Terminal 2 at gates 9, 10 and 11, and at Terminal 3 next to gates 5, 7 and 11. All these ticket offices are on the first floor, Terminal 3 also has offices on the second floor.
There are 9 shuttle lines heading to different sections of the city:
- Line 1: Airport to Fangzhuang (7am – 1am) Return Journey (5.10am – 9pm)
- Line 2: Airport to Xidan (7am – 12am) Return Journey (5.10am – 9pm)
- Line 3: Airport to Beijing Railway Station (7am – 12am) Return Journey (5.10am – 9pm)
- Line 4: Airport to Gongzhufen (6.50am – 12am) Return Journey (4.50am – 22pm)
- Line 5: Airport to Zhongguancun (6.50am – 12am) Return Journey (5.30am til 9pm)
- Line 6: Airport to Wangjing (7am – 22.30pm) Return Journey (5.30am – 8.30pm)
- Line 7: Airport to Beijing West Railway Station (7.20am – 12am) Return (5.10am – 9pm)
- Line 8: Airport to Shangdi (7am – 12am) Return Journey (5.30am – 6.30pm)
Follow signs at the airport to find your shuttle, buses usually leave when they are full.
Airport Express (Subway)
The airport express (subway line) has four stops on the route:
- Dongzhimen, Sanyuanqiao, Terminal 3, and Terminal 2.
The journey costs 25 RMB for a one way trip and takes approximately 30 minutes. Carriages leave every 15 minutes and the service operates from 6.35am – 23.10pm from Terminal 2, and 6.20am – 22.50pm from Terminal 3.
Taxi
You can easily catch a taxi to and from the airport, and this is the best option if there are a few of you and you have lots of luggage – but it will be the most expensive. Taxi ranks are located outside the airport, Terminal 1 has stops outside gates 3 to 5, Terminal 2 outside gates 3 to 7, and Terminal 3 has signs within the building directing you to the taxi stand. The minimum charge is 10 RMB for the first 3km, after this each further km will cost 2 RMB.
Taxi Tips
- Insist that the driver uses the meter, ‘Qǐng Dǎbiǎo’ means put the meter on please.
- Have your destination written in chinese characters as many drivers do not speak English.
- Be aware of toll charges which you cover in addition to the fare.
- Be sure to get a licensed taxi with official certification.
- Note down the taxi number if you have any problems.
In addition many of the higher end hotels provide complimentary shuttles for guests so this may also be worth looking into when you travel to Beijing.
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Hi,
I want to say thanks for providing all the details of transport. Keep sharing this.