Ruth Haines
Beijing is served by two airports: Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) and Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX). Beijing Capital International Airport is the older and busier of the two airports, located about 20 miles northeast of the city centre. It has three terminals and a total terminal area of 1,400,000 square meters. Beijing Daxing International Airport, on the other hand, is located about 20 miles northeast or 50 kilometers from the city centre in the Chaoyang district. It is the largest single-structure airport in the world, boasting more than 11,000,000 square feet.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Beijing Capital International Airport |
| IATA Airport Code | PEK |
| ICAO Airport Code | ZBAA |
| Location | 32km northeast of downtown Beijing, in an exclave of Chaoyang and the surroundings of that exclave in suburban Shunyi |
| Size | 1,480 hectares (3,657 acres) |
| Terminals | 3 |
| Year of Opening | 1 March 1958 |
| Year of Expansion | 1999, 2004, 2007, 2008 |
| Transport Options | Taxi, bus, train |
| Distance from City Centre | 29 miles (46km) |
| Name | Beijing Daxing International Airport |
| IATA Airport Code | PKX |
| Location | 32km northeast of Beijing, in the Chaoyang district before the Chaobai River |
| Year of Opening | 25 September 2019 |
| Size | 29 square kilometres, four airstrips |
| Terminals | 1 |
| Transport Options | Airport Express Train |
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What You'll Learn
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
The airport's IATA airport code, PEK, is based on the city's former romanized name, Peking. Covering an area of 1,480 hectares (3,657 acres), Beijing Capital International Airport first opened on 1 March 1958. The original airport consisted of a single runway and a small terminal building, which still stands and is used for VIPs and charter flights.
In late 1999, the airport underwent an expansion to mark the 50th anniversary of the founding of the PRC. Terminal 2 opened on 1 November 1999, and Terminal 1 was renovated, reopening on 20 September 2004. In 2007, a third runway was added, and Terminal 3 (T3) was completed in February 2008, in time for the Beijing Summer Olympics. Terminal 3 is the second-largest passenger terminal in the world and includes a rail link to the city centre.
Beijing Capital International Airport is a busy airport, with more than 100 million passengers passing through in 2018. The airport has a cavernous and spacious design, but it is recommended that travellers allow ample time for navigating between the large terminals. The airport offers a range of facilities, including food and beverage areas, retail and duty-free stores, and various convenience services.
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Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX)
The airport features the second-largest single-building terminal in the world, designed by renowned architect Zaha Hadid. The terminal is spread over 700,000 square metres (7,500,000 square feet) and boasts 82 boarding gates. The unique design resembles a gigantic starfish, with five "tentacles" (concourses) extending up to 1 kilometre in length. The main feature of the innovative terminal is the abundance of natural light, creating a pleasant and relaxing travel experience for passengers. PKX also has the longest moving walkways in China.
PKX is a hub for SkyTeam alliance airlines, some Oneworld members, and several major domestic and international airlines, including Air China, Beijing Capital Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, China United Airlines, and Xiamen Air. The airport has four runways, with plans to expand to seven, and can accommodate both twin-aisle and single-aisle planes. It has a target of 72 million passengers, 2 million tons of cargo and mail, and 620,000 aircraft movements in the long term.
Transportation to and from the airport is efficient and affordable, with options including subway, trains, buses, taxis, private transfers, and car rentals. However, PKX is farther from the city centre compared to Beijing Capital International Airport, and travellers should consider the additional travel time and cost when choosing an airport.
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Transport options from Beijing Capital Airport
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) is the busiest of the two international airports serving Beijing, the other being Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX). Beijing Capital Airport is located 32 kilometres northeast of downtown Beijing, whereas Beijing Daxing Airport is 50 kilometres from the city centre.
There are several transport options for travelling between Beijing Capital Airport and the city centre. Here are some of the most common choices:
Taxi
Taxis are readily available at the airport and can be a convenient option, especially if you have a lot of luggage or are arriving late. Many taxi drivers speak some English, but communication may still be a challenge. It's important to note that you are responsible for paying any tolls on the expressway.
Bus
The airport shuttle bus is the most inexpensive way to get to the city centre. There are five regular shuttle bus lines connecting the airport with the city centre or suburban areas, and one inter-city shuttle bus running between the airport and Langfang City Terminal. The specific price depends on your destination, with four different rates: CNY20, CNY 25, CNY 30, and CNY55.
Train
The Airport Express Train is the fastest way to reach the city centre, but it requires transferring to the busy subway system, which can be challenging with luggage. If you arrive at Beijing Capital Airport, you can take the express train directly to Dongzhimen Station.
In addition to the above options, private transfer services such as Elife Transfer offer shuttle services, premium private transfers, and luxury limo transportation to and from Beijing Capital Airport. These services can be booked in advance and provide a comfortable and efficient travel experience.
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Transport options from Beijing Daxing Airport
Beijing is served by two major airports: Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) and Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX). PKX is the newest and largest single-structure airport in the world, located 46 kilometres (29 miles) south of Beijing city centre.
There are several transport options for travelling to Beijing city centre from Beijing Daxing International Airport:
Taxi
Taxis are readily available at Beijing Daxing International Airport. The average fare to Beijing city centre is about 220 RMB, and the journey takes around 80 minutes. However, the ride may be longer and more expensive during rush hours due to severe traffic jams in Beijing.
Train
The Beijing–Xiong'an intercity railway links Beijing Daxing International Airport to Beijing West Railway Station and Xiong’an. The train journey takes approximately 30 minutes, and tickets cost 30 RMB. From Beijing West Railway Station, you can take a taxi or the metro to your final destination in Beijing.
Bus
There are several airport bus lines and public bus services connecting Beijing Daxing International Airport to the city. Bus tickets typically range from CNY25 to CNY60. While buses are cheap and reliable, they can be time-consuming due to multiple stops and traffic conditions.
Subway
Beijing Daxing International Airport is connected to the city centre by a new airport express line that starts at the airport's north terminal and ends at Caoqiao Station. From there, you can transfer to Line 10 to reach downtown Beijing. The journey to Caoqiao Station takes 20 minutes and costs 35 yuan.
Overall, Beijing Daxing International Airport offers a range of transport options to suit different preferences and budgets, ensuring a smooth arrival experience for travellers visiting Beijing.
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Terminals at Beijing Capital Airport
Beijing is served by two large airports: Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) and Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX). Beijing Capital International Airport is the busiest of the two, and it is comprised of three terminals: Terminal 1, Terminal 2, and Terminal 3.
Terminal 1 was opened in 1958 and was the airport's sole terminal for a time. It was temporarily closed for renovations in 1999, reopening in 2004. Terminal 2 opened in 1999, replacing Terminal 1 while it was being renovated. Terminal 2 is significantly larger than Terminal 1, with a floor area of 336,000 m2 (3,620,000 sq ft). Terminal 3, the newest terminal, was completed in 2008, in time for the Beijing Summer Olympics. At the time, it was the largest airport passenger terminal building in the world, covering a floor area of 300,000 m2 (3,200,000 sq ft). It features an indoor garden in the T3E waiting area, modelled after imperial gardens, and a tunnel landscape of an underground garden in T3C. Terminal 3 also boasts a large commercial area, including a "global kitchen" with 72 food stores, a 16,200 m2 (174,000 sq ft) domestic retail area, a 12,600 m2 (136,000 sq ft) duty-free store area, and a 7,200 m2 (78,000 sq ft) convenience service area.
The three terminals are connected by a shuttle bus service, which operates every 10 minutes from 6 am to 11 pm, and every 30 minutes from 11 pm to 6 am. Terminals 1 and 2 are also connected by a lengthy corridor. In addition to the shuttle bus service, passengers can also take the Capital Airport Express, a dedicated rail link operated as part of the Beijing Subway system, to travel between the terminals and the city centre. The train ride from the airport to downtown Beijing takes around 50 minutes.
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Frequently asked questions
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) and Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX).
Beijing Capital International Airport is the busiest airport in Asia and the second busiest in the world. However, Beijing Daxing International Airport is expected to handle 100 million passengers a year by 2025, which would make it the busiest airport in the world.
Beijing Capital International Airport is located 29-32 miles (46-50km) from Beijing city centre. Beijing Daxing International Airport is located 20 miles (32km) from Beijing city centre.
You can take a taxi, bus, or train from either airport. The Airport Express Train is the fastest option, but you will need to transfer to the busy subway system, which can be challenging with luggage.
