Sachin Walls
Beijing is served by two major airports: Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) and Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX). Both airports offer a range of transportation options to and from the city centre, including train, bus, and taxi services. Beijing Capital International Airport is the older and busier of the two, with higher passenger traffic and longer walking times between terminals. Beijing Daxing International Airport, on the other hand, is the newest and largest single-structure airport in the world, offering a more modern and efficient experience with relatively smaller passenger crowds.
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What You'll Learn
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) vs Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX)
Beijing is served by two large airports: Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) and Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX). PEK is the older and busier of the two, handling more than 100 million passengers in 2018 and serving as Beijing's primary hub for international travel. However, PKX is the largest single-structure airport in the world, with four airstrips and a terminal that is the second-biggest in the world.
Location
Beijing Capital International Airport is located 20 miles (32 kilometres) northeast of Beijing in the Chaoyang district. Beijing Daxing International Airport is located 29 miles (46 kilometres) due south of Beijing, with a greater distance from the city's central area.
Transport
Beijing Capital International Airport has good public transport links to central Beijing, including airport shuttle buses, which are comfortable for passengers with lots of luggage or young children. The fastest way to get from Beijing Capital International Airport to the city is by train, taking 60-80 minutes. The Airport Express Train is the fastest way to get to Beijing Daxing International Airport, although it requires transfers onto the busy subway system, which can be challenging with luggage. A taxi to Tiananmen Square from Beijing Daxing International Airport takes a little over an hour, while getting to the Great Wall will take at least 2.5 hours by car.
Facilities
Beijing Capital International Airport has three terminals, with a total terminal area of 1,400,000 square meters. Terminal 1 serves domestic flights to major Chinese cities, Terminal 2 manages international and domestic flights, and Terminal 3, also known as the Dragon Terminal, handles both international and domestic flights. The cavernous terminals are spacious, but signage and instructions can be inadequate, and it can be challenging to find helpful staff. Beijing Daxing International Airport has a more compact terminal design, with a total terminal area of 780,000 square meters. The maximum throughput capacity of Beijing Capital International Airport reaches 76,000,000 passengers, compared to two-thirds of that amount for Beijing Daxing International Airport.
Airlines
Beijing Capital International Airport is served by many top airlines, including Air Canada, British Airways, Emirates Airlines, Qatar Airlines, and Turkish Airlines. Beijing Daxing International Airport is newer, and while most flights are still served by PEK, airlines are actively moving operations to the new airport.
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Distance to Tiananmen Square
Beijing has two airports: Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) and Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX). Beijing Capital International Airport is the primary airport in Beijing and is located 20 miles from the city centre. Beijing Daxing International Airport is located 29 miles due south of Beijing.
Beijing Capital International Airport is approximately 19 to 20 miles from Tiananmen Square. By taxi, the journey takes around an hour, depending on traffic. The taxi fare costs around 100 yuan ($15) during the day and 150 yuan ($22) at night.
There is no direct train from Beijing Capital Airport to Tiananmen Square station. However, you can take a train from Beijing Capital Airport T2 to arrive at Qianmen Station via Dongzhimen Station. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 46 minutes. The train fare is $5.
Beijing Daxing International Airport is further from Tiananmen Square than Beijing Capital International Airport. By taxi, the journey takes a little over an hour. You can also use the express train and then transfer to the subway.
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Distance to the Great Wall
Beijing is served by two airports: Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) and Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX). Both airports offer a range of transportation options to the Great Wall of China, with travel times depending on the specific section of the wall and the mode of transport.
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) is located 20 miles (32 kilometres) northwest of Beijing's city centre. The airport is the primary hub for international travel to Beijing, with many airlines operating from this airport. From PEK, the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall is approximately 66 kilometres away, which equates to a 1.5-hour drive. The Huanghuacheng section is also a popular choice, situated 77 kilometres from the airport. For those with more time, the Jiankou and Jinshanling sections are an additional half-hour journey away, while the Gubeikou section, positioned 139 kilometres from the airport, offers a less tourist-trodden path.
Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) is located on the border of Beijing and Langfang, Hebei Province, approximately 26 miles (46 kilometres) south of Beijing's city centre. PKX is the newest and most modern airport in Beijing, boasting the title of the largest single-structure airport in the world. However, due to its location, it takes longer to reach the Great Wall from this airport. The closest stretches of the wall are at least a 2.5-hour drive from PKX.
When travelling from either airport to the Great Wall, it is essential to consider the mode of transport. Private cars or taxis offer more flexibility and comfort but come with higher costs. In contrast, public transportation options, such as buses and trains, are more affordable but may involve longer travel times and potential crowding. It is recommended to pre-arrange a car and driver or use a taxi, especially if time is a limiting factor.
In summary, Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) offers quicker access to the Great Wall, with the Mutianyu section being the most accessible at a 1.5-hour drive. Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) is more modern and impressive but requires a longer journey of at least 2.5 hours to reach the closest stretches of the Great Wall.
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Transport options
Beijing has two airports: Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) and Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX). Both airports offer a range of transport options for travellers.
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
Beijing Capital International Airport is located northeast of Beijing and is the default airport for the city. It is the older and bigger of the two airports, with three terminals and a total terminal area of 1,400,000 square meters.
- Taxi – A taxi to Tiananmen Square in the city centre will take a little over an hour, depending on traffic.
- Train – The Airport Express Train offers a rapid rail transfer to the downtown area in 30-40 minutes. The train departs from Terminals 2 and 3 and stops at Sanyuanqiao, Dongzhimen, and Beixinqiao stations. From these stations, you can transfer to the subway. The train runs every 10 minutes and costs CNY25 per person.
- Bus – There are five regular airport shuttle bus lines operating between the airport and the city centre or suburban areas. There is also an inter-city shuttle bus that runs between the airport and Langfang City Terminal.
Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX)
Beijing Daxing International Airport is located about 29 miles (46 kilometres) south of Beijing. It is the newest and largest single-structure airport in the world, covering 29 square kilometres.
- Taxi – A taxi to Tiananmen Square in the city centre will take a little over an hour.
- Train – The Airport Express Train connects the airport to the city centre. The train departs from the airport's north terminal and arrives at Caoqiao Station in 20 minutes. From there, you can transfer to Line 10 to reach downtown Beijing. The train operates from 06:00 to 22:30 and costs 35 yuan ($5).
- Subway – The Beijing-Xiong'an intercity railway links Beijing Daxing International Airport to Beijing West Railway Station in about 30 minutes. There are 12 pairs of high-speed trains running between the two stations, with fares ranging from 25 to 90 yuan ($3.50-$12.60) depending on the class of seat.
- Bus – There are several airport bus lines connecting the airport to the city of Beijing.
- Private Transfer – Many private transfer operators provide services from the airport to the city centre.
- Car Hire – There are plenty of car hire companies at the airport, allowing you to travel to your destination independently.
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Airport facilities
Beijing is served by two major airports: Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) and Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX). Beijing Capital International Airport is the older and busier of the two, while Beijing Daxing International Airport is the largest single-structure airport in the world.
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
Beijing Capital International Airport is the primary hub for international travel to Beijing. It is located 20 miles from central Beijing and can be reached by train, bus, or taxi. The journey takes around 60-80 minutes by train, 51-60 minutes by bus, and 70-100 minutes by taxi. The airport has good public transportation and is easily accessible for passengers with lots of luggage or young children.
The airport has three terminals with a total area of 1,400,000 square meters. Terminal 2 is the largest, consisting of three levels, and it offers a wide range of modern amenities and facilities for travellers. These include business and conference facilities, Wi-Fi, banks, ATMs, gift shops, eateries, and extensive disabled facilities. The airport also has a Commercial Service Centre, which offers printing, photocopying, and mobile phone charging services.
There are plenty of food options at Beijing Capital International Airport, including Chinese and Western cuisine, as well as casual settings and to-go kiosks. There are also airport lounges accessible to all travellers, regardless of airline or flight class. The airport has a variety of shops, including bookstores, convenience stores, Chinese souvenir shops, and duty-free boutiques in the international areas of Terminal 2 and Terminal 3.
For passengers' convenience, there are currency exchange services and ATMs in each terminal. There are also banks located in the airport, including the Bank of China, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, and China Construction Bank. The airport has a post office that provides normal postal services, sells books and magazines, and offers express delivery.
The airport offers excellent medical services, with a medical service room in each terminal building providing diagnosis, first aid, and ambulance services. Information and security staff at the airport are consistently praised for their helpfulness.
Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX)
Beijing Daxing International Airport is a newer and more modern airport located approximately 29 miles south of Beijing. It is the largest single-structure airport in the world, covering 29 square kilometers with four airstrips. The airport has a more compact design, with a shorter distance between the terminal entrance and the boarding gates compared to Beijing Capital Airport.
The airport has an express train service that connects to the city's subway system, although transferring with luggage can be challenging. The airport is further from the city's central area than Beijing Capital Airport, but the ride takes less time due to its efficient design.
While specific details about the facilities at Beijing Daxing International Airport are limited, it is known for being the most modern and efficient airport in the world. It has a smaller passenger flow than Beijing Capital Airport, resulting in shorter queues and reduced flight delays.
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Frequently asked questions
Beijing is served by two airports: Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) and Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX). Beijing Capital International Airport is the primary airport in the city, with many airlines operating from the airport. It is far from the city centre but has a variety of efficient public transportation available. Beijing Daxing International Airport is the newest airport in Beijing, having opened in September 2019. It is currently the largest single-structure airport in the world and is known for its modern and efficient design.
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) handles both short-haul and long-haul flights within China and across the globe. It is served by many top international airlines such as Air Canada, British Airways, Emirates Airlines, Qatar Airlines, and Turkish Airlines. Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) has a smaller terminal area and handles a lower volume of passengers, which can result in shorter queues and fewer flight delays.
Beijing Nanyuan Airport (NAY) is the closest airport to Beijing's city centre. It is a military airbase and the oldest airport in China. This airport will be closed once Beijing Daxing International Airport is fully operational. Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) is located 20 miles (32 kilometres) northeast of the city centre and can be reached by train, bus, taxi, or airport shuttle bus.
