Beijing Airport Transportation Guide: Budget-Friendly Options from Capital Airport and Daxing Airport to the City

Hi, I’m Alex Chen, a backpacker who loves independent travel. In this article, I’ll introduce you to the most affordable and convenient ways to get from Beijing Capital International Airport and Beijing Daxing International Airport to the city center. As a budget-conscious traveler, I’m always looking for the cheapest yet most efficient transportation options. I’ll also share a few money-saving tips, especially for international tourists who may encounter challenges with payment methods or language barriers. I hope this guide helps you plan your trip to Beijing with ease.

Quick Overview: Transportation Options from Beijing Capital and Daxing Airports

1. Transportation from Beijing Capital International Airport to the City

Subway and Airport Express

Beijing Capital International Airport is about 25 kilometers from the city center, and taking the subway or the Airport Express is one of the fastest and most affordable ways to get there. Here are the details for different terminals:

• Terminal 3: You can take the Airport Express directly and easily transfer to Subway Line 2.
  • How to get there: Follow the signs after arriving at T3 to the Airport Express entrance, purchase a ticket, and board the train.
• Terminal 2: The Airport Express is also available here and connects directly to the city center.
  • How to get there: Look for the Airport Express entrance in T2, buy a ticket, and board the train to the city.
  • Operating Hours: 06:35 – 23:10 daily
  • Price: ¥25-30 (~$3.50-$4.50 USD)
  • Duration: 30-60 minutes
  • Recommendation Rating: ★★★★☆ Convenient and fast, ideal for avoiding peak traffic congestion.
  • Tips: Self-service ticket machines are available and accept cash, WeChat Pay, and Alipay, so there’s no need to wait in line.

Airport Bus

The Airport Bus covers multiple areas of Beijing and is a good option for travelers with more luggage. Here’s how to find the bus based on your terminal:

• Terminal 3: The bus stop is outside Gate 1.
• Terminal 2: Find the bus stop outside Gate 11.
  • Operating Hours: 05:30 – 00:30 daily (varies by route)
  • Price: ¥25-30 (~$3.50-$4.50 USD)
  • Duration: 60-90 minutes, depending on traffic.

2. Transportation from Beijing Daxing International Airport to the City

Subway and Daxing Airport Express

Beijing Daxing International Airport is newly constructed and located about 46 kilometers from the city center. However, the Daxing Airport Express provides a fast route to downtown.

• How to get there: The Daxing Airport subway station is located on the lower level of the terminal. You can take the Daxing Airport Line directly to the city. Payment options include cash, WeChat Pay, Alipay, and credit cards.
  • Operating Hours: 06:00 – 22:30 daily
  • Price: ¥10-35 (~$1.50-$5 USD)
  • Duration: 30-60 minutes
  • Recommendation Rating: ★★★★☆ Modern and efficient, ideal for first-time visitors to Beijing.
  • Tips: The self-service ticket machines support cash, making it convenient for international travelers who may not be familiar with online payment methods.

Airport Bus

The airport bus also connects Daxing Airport to multiple destinations in Beijing, perfect for travelers with large luggage.

• How to get there: The bus station is outside Gate 20 of the terminal.
  • Operating Hours: 06:00 – 23:00 daily
  • Price: ¥35-50 (~$5-$7 USD)
  • Duration: 60-90 minutes, depending on traffic.
  • Tips: It’s recommended to purchase bus tickets directly at the airport counter to avoid complications with Chinese-language online platforms.

3. Transportation between Beijing Capital and Daxing Airports

There are regular shuttle buses between the two airports, convenient for passengers needing to transfer between them.

• How to get there: The shuttle buses depart from Capital Airport’s T3 and Daxing Airport’s bus station.
  • Operating Hours:
    • Daxing Airport to Capital Airport T3: 3 buses daily at 13:30, 16:00, 18:30
    • Capital Airport T3 to Daxing Airport: 3 buses daily at 09:30, 12:00, 15:00
  • Price: ¥50-100 (~$7-$15 USD)
  • Duration: 1.5-2.5 hours
  • Tips: The two airports are far apart, so it’s best to allow at least 3 hours for transit.