Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK), Location, Map, Visa-free Policies, and Transportation
Beijing Capital International Airport, abbreviated as Capital Airport, is the largest and busiest civilian airport in China and ranks among the busiest airports globally. It consists of three terminals: T1, T2, and T3.
This article provides information on facts about the airport, its layout, visa-free policies, and transportation.
Quick Facts About Beijing Capital International Airport
- Airport Name: Beijing Capital International Airport
- Name in Chinese: 北京首都国际机场
- IATA Code: PEK
- ICAO Code: ZBAA
- Location: Airport Road, Chaoyang & Shunyi District, Beijing
- Time Zone: China Standard Time (UTC+8)
- Runways: 3
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Location & Map of Beijing Capital International Airport
Beijing Capital International Airport is located 26 kilometers northeast of downtown Beijing. It is 76 kilometers northeast of Beijing Daxing International Airport, 43 kilometers from Beijing South Station, 38 kilometers from Beijing West Station, 34 kilometers from Beijing Station, 35 kilometers from Tiananmen Square, and 64 kilometers from the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall.
The layout of Beijing Capital International Airport
Beijing Capital International Airport has three terminals. Terminal 1 is used for domestic flights, while Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 serve both domestic and international flights. The airport provides free shuttle buses to connect the three terminals.
Terminal 1 Floor Layout
Inaugurated in 1980, Terminal 1 is the smallest terminal at Beijing Capital International Airport as it serves only domestic flights to major Chinese cities. It is possible to reach Terminal 2 from Terminal 1 by a walkway within 15 minutes.
- 3F - Restaurants, Shopping Area.
- 2F - Domestic Departures: Domestic flights check-in, security check, baggage check, corridor to Terminal 2; boarding gates, lounges, shops...
- 1F - Domestic Arrivals: Baggage claim; airport shuttle bus, long-distance buses, airport inter-terminal shuttle bus (going to Terminal 2 & 3); remote boarding gates.
Terminal 2 Floor Layout
Terminal 2 was opened in 1999 and is used for international flights as well as the operation of most domestic.
- 3F - Restaurants, Shopping Area.
- 2F - International and Domestic Departures: International flights check-in, international flights joint inspection area (customs, quarantine, border control, security check); domestic flights check-in, domestic flights security check; baggage check, boarding gates, lounges, shops, corridor to Terminal 1.
- 1F - International and Domestic Arrivals: International joint inspection area (quarantine, border control, customs), baggage claim, airport shuttle bus, long-distance bus, airport inter-terminal shuttle bus (going to Terminal 1 & 3); remote boarding gates, shops.
- -1F - International and Domestic Arrivals: Shops, corridor to Capital Airport Terminal 2 Station, Parking Lot 2.
- -2F - Airport Express： Capital Airport Terminal 2 Station.
Terminal 3
Beijing Capital International Airport Terminal 3 is the second largest passenger terminal in the world. Terminal 3 is about 5 kilometers (3 miles) away from Terminals 1 and 2. It has two underground floors and five floors above ground. They are the main passenger terminal (T3-C) and two satellite halls (T3 -D and T3-E).
T3-D is in the middle of these three buildings, T3-C and T3-D operate domestic flights, and T3-E serves only international flights.
T3-C Main Building Layout
- 5F - Dining area.
- 4F - Check-in, dining hall.
- 3F -Domestic departure hall.
- 2F -Passenger arrival hall, baggage claim, rail transit platform.
- 1F -Baggage handling hall, remote boarding lounge, domestic and international VIP lounges.
Layover at Beijing Capital International Airport
Since December 28, 2017, Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei Province have allowed travelers from 54 countries to stay in certain areas for up to 144 hours without applying for a Chinese travel visa. Beijing Capital International Airport is indeed involved in this 144-hour visa-free transit policy.
After getting off the plane, you only need to fill in the entry/departure card form at the T2 or T3 border inspection counter to apply for transit visa exemption. After the document is approved, you can travel to Beijing city for some time.
You can find more detailed information about Beijing’s visa-free policy on our website.
Beijing Capital International Airport Transportation
The Airport Express
The Airport Express Line comes from the direction of Beixinqiao(北新桥), passing Dongzhimen(东直门) and Sanyuanqiao(三元桥) stations, and arrives at Terminal 3. After the train stops, it switches directions and departs for Terminal 2. Then it switches direction again and goes directly back to Sanyuanqiao station.
How to get to Major Railway Stations from Beijing Capital International Airport
- Beijing West Railway Station: take the Airport Express Line to Sanyuanqiao Station(三元桥站), transfer to Line 10 to Jinsong Station(劲松站), change to Line 7, and then alight at Beijing West Railway Station(北京西站站).
- Beijing South Railway Station: take the Airport Express Line to Sanyuanqiao Station(三元桥站), transfer to Line 10 to Jiaomen West Station(角门西站), change to Line 4, and then alight at Beijing South Railway Station(北京南站站）.
- Beijing Railway Station: take the Airport Express Line to Dongzhimen Station(东直门站), transfer to Line 2, and then alight at Beijing Railway Station(北京站站).
The fare is 25 RMB, and the trains depart every 10-12 minutes. The operating hours are T2: 6:35–23:10, T3: 6:20–22:50, and Dongzhimen: 6:00–22:30. Click for more detailed information about the Beijing Subway.
The Airport Bus
Passengers can conveniently take the city airport bus to and from Capital Airport and places such as Gongzhufen, Beijing West Station, Tongzhou, Beijing South Station, and Daxing Airport.
Airport Bus Route Map & Departure Timetable
Directions from the city to the Capital Airport
Directions from the Capital Airport to the city
Airport Bus Fare
Fares are tiered based on the stop, divided into four brackets: 20 RMB, 25 RMB, 30 RMB, and 55 RMB. The specific fare for each stop on each route is subject to the announcement at the airport bus ticket booth.
Capital Airport Bus Ticket Office
- Terminal 2: Outside Gate 11 on the first floor
- Terminal 3: Inside Gate 1 on the first floor of the Capital Airport Terminal 3
Free Airport Shuttle Bus
Beijing Capital Airport provides free shuttle bus services between the different terminals.
Bus Route
- Terminal 3, 1st floor, Gate 5 → Departure level of Terminal 2 → Departure level of Terminal 1.
- Arrival level, Gate 7 of Terminal 2 → Arrival level, Gate 7 of Terminal 1 → Departure level of Terminal 3.
Bus Schedule
- From 06:00 to 23:00, the bus operates every 10 minutes, with each trip taking 20 minutes to complete.
- From 23:00 to 06:00, the bus operates every 15 minutes, with each trip taking 20 minutes to complete.
The availability and frequency of these services may vary and are advised to check the latest schedules on the airport's official website for the most accurate transport information during their travel.
Taxi
Pick-up Location: Mid-Lane outside Gates 5~9 on the first floor of Terminal 2; B1 taxi maintenance area of Terminal 3
How to Get to the Beijing Daxing International Airport, Downtown, the Great Wall, and the Tianjin Cruise Terminal
Beijing Capital International Airport is located in northeast Beijing, in Chaoyang-Shunyi District. The airport is not far away from the city center, and transportation is convenient.
Getting to Beijing Daxing International Airport
Beijing Daxing International Airport is approximately 67 kilometers away from Beijing Capital International Airport. You can travel to Daxing Airport by Airport Express, taxi, or Airport Shuttle Bus (Daxing International Airport Line), which takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours.
If taking the Airport Express, you will need to transfer to Line 2 at Dongzhimen Station(东直门站), then transfer to Line 19 at Jishuitan Station(积水潭站), and finally transfer to the Daxing Airport Line at Caoqiao Station(草桥站). You will alight at Daxing Airport Station(大兴机场站).
Getting to Beijing Downtown
Beijing Capital International Airport is located 26 kilometers northeast of downtown Beijing and 35 kilometers from Tiananmen Square. You can get to downtown Beijing by taking the Airport Express Line, the Airport bus, or a taxi, which typically takes about 1 to 1.5 hours.
- Airport Express: Capital Airport Express of Beijing Subway runs from Terminal 3 to Terminal 2 and then to the city center with stops at Sanyuanqiao and Dongzhimen. It is faster than Airport Shuttle Bus and has more frequencies. It operates from 6:30-23:00 and leaves every 10 minutes. A one-way trip takes approximately 20 minutes and costs around CNY 25.
- Airport Shuttle Bus: From Beijing Capital International Airport passengers can get to several destinations by different shuttle buses, such as Line 1, 2, 3, 4, 5…... There are 15 options between 07:00 AM and 09:00 PM, there are two special lines available during the night (noon to the last domestic flight arrival). The buses leave every 30 to 60 minutes. A one-way trip costs around CNY 20-30.
- Taxi/Private Car: A taxi from Capital Airport to downtown usually costs CNY 100 to CNY 150.
Getting to the Great Wall
There are many sections of the Great Wall in Beijing, such as Mutianyu, Badaling, Jiankou, and Jinshanling. Each section has its beauty. If you plan to visit one of them from PEK directly, the Mutianyu section is the most recommended.
Firstly, Mutianyu is only 60 kilometers (37 miles) away from the Capital Airport, it is the nearest section to PEK. In addition, Mutianyu has picturesque scenery and beautifully restored architecture. It is the most child-friendly section, with various ways of visiting.
There is no direct public transportation to the Great Wall from Capital Airport, so booking a private transfer is the best choice. We can tailor-make a Great Wall tour according to your arrival time and other requirements.
Getting to Tianjin Cruise Terminal
Tianjin Cruise Port is approximately 190 kilometers (118 miles) away from Beijing Capital International Airport, and the journey by car takes about 2.5 hours. There is no direct public transportation from PEK to the terminal.
You can first take an inter-city bullet train from Beijing South Railway Station to Tanggu Railway Station in Tianjin, then take a taxi to the terminal.
The best way is to book a private transfer service. We can provide a hassle-free transfer package based on your requests. Feel free to contact us to book a private transfer.
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