Beijing Transport – Airport, Metro, Trains & Taxis
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Beijing Transport – Airport, Metro, Trains & Taxis
Beijing is a huge city with two international airports, a 25+ line metro network, and high-speed rail connections to every major city. This guide helps you navigate it all efficiently as a foreign visitor.
Airport Access
Beijing has two international airports: Capital (PEK) and Daxing (PKX).
Capital International Airport (PEK)
- Distance: 25km northeast of the city center
- Best transfer options:
| Method | Time | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airport Express Train | 30 min | ¥25 | To Dongzhimen — transfer to Metro Lines 2, 13 |
| Airport Bus | 40-60 min | ¥16-24 | Various routes to city hotels |
| Taxi | 30-60 min | ¥80-150 | +¥10 airport surcharge |
| Didi Ride-Hailing | 30-60 min | ¥60-130 | Designated pickup area |
Daxing International Airport (PKX)
- Distance: 50km south of the city center (newer, farther from downtown)
- Best transfer options:
| Method | Time | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daxing Express Train | 20 min | ¥35 | To Caoqiao — transfer to Metro Line 10 |
| Subway Line 42 (Airport Line) | 40 min | ¥35 | Fully integrated with metro |
| Taxi | 45-90 min | ¥150-250 | Much farther from city center |
| Didi | 45-90 min | ¥120-220 | More economical than taxi |
Tip: Check which airport your flight arrives at. Daxing is much farther from central Beijing, so factor that into your arrival time planning.
Metro Overview
Beijing Metro is one of the world’s largest, with 27+ lines covering 770km.
Key Lines for Tourists
- Line 1 (Red): Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Wangfujing shopping
- Line 2 (Blue): Loop around the old city — connects many attractions
- Line 4 (Dark Green): Beijing South Train Station, Summer Palace area
- Line 8 (Green): Bird’s Nest Olympic Stadium, Water Cube
- Line 13 (Yellow): Access to high-speed rail hub at Beijing West
Fares & Tickets
- Base fare: ¥3 for 6km, increases with distance (max ¥10 per ride)
- Payment: Single tickets, IC cards, Alipay/WeChat Pay QR codes
- English support: All machines have English mode, signs are bilingual
Peak Hours
- 7:00-9:00 AM and 5:00-7:00 PM weekdays — very crowded!
- Tourist areas like Tiananmen Square are busiest 10:00-14:00
High-Speed Train Stations
Beijing has multiple major train stations:
Beijing South Station (北京南站)
- Most important for high-speed trains
- Destinations: Shanghai, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Jinan, Qingdao
- Metro access: Line 4
- Allow 60 minutes minimum before departure
Beijing West Station (北京西站)
- High-speed trains to Xi’an, Chengdu, Chongqing
- Metro access: Lines 7 and 9
- Very large — read signs carefully
Beijing Station (北京站)
- Traditional and some high-speed trains
- Metro access: Lines 2 and Airport Express
Beijing Chaoyang Station (北京朝阳站)
- Newer station for northeast China destinations
- Metro access: Line 14
Important: Beijing South and Beijing West are the two main high-speed rail hubs. Make sure you go to the correct station — they're 15km apart!
Taxi & Ride-Hailing Tips
Taxis
- Base fare: ¥13 for first 3km, ¥2.3/km after
- Night surcharge: 20% extra from 11 PM - 5 AM
- Airport surcharge: ¥10 additional fee from PEK
- Insist on meter — refuse fixed-price offers
Didi Ride-Hailing
- Works excellently in Beijing with full English support
- Tip: During morning peak 7-8 AM, wait times are shortest
Scams to Watch For
- “Black taxi” drivers at airports offering fixed prices at 2-3x normal rate
- Pedicabs near tourist spots offering “cheap tours” — often overpriced
- Fake art school students near Wangfujing asking to “practice painting” — sales tactic
Tourist Hotspot Access
| Attraction | Metro Access | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tiananmen Square | Line 1: Tiananmen West/East | Security check at entrances |
| Forbidden City | Line 1: Tiananmen East | Book tickets online in advance |
| Great Wall (Badaling) | S2 Train from Huangtudian Station | Take Line 13 to Huangtudian |
| Summer Palace | Line 4: Beigongmen | Walk 10 minutes from station |
| Bird’s Nest | Line 8: Olympic Park | 5 min walk |
| Temple of Heaven | Line 5: Tiantan Dongmen | East gate is closest |
Editorial Note: All facts verified. Metro expansions and fare adjustments happen periodically. Always verify locally before travel. This article is for travel navigation reference only.
Related Guides
- High-Speed Trains Complete Guide
- Metro & City Transit Guide
- Airport Transfers Comparison
- City Transport Guides Overview
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