How to Plan a Great Wall Layover Tour from Beijing Airport

Beijing now offers visa-free stays for 24/72/144 hours. Travelers from qualified countries are allowed to visit Beijing and the Great Wall without a visa. Those who are eligible for the visa-free policy can travel from the airport to the Great Wall.

You may want to explore the Great Wall of China during your layover in Beijing. See below for our suggestions on how to plan your trip effectively.

Choose the Best Airports to Land in Beijing

Beijing is served by two airports: the Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) and Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX).

Beijing Capital International Airport is still the major airport in Beijing, located 25 kilometers from the city center. Compared to Daxing Airport, it has more flights and is closer to the city center and the Great Wall, and it also has more international flights.

Beijing Daxing International Airport is a newly opened airport located to the south of Beijing city, about 35 kilometers from Beijing city center and approximately 130 kilometers away from the Great Wall.

If you are arriving in Beijing from abroad, you will most likely arrive at either PEK or PKX airport, depending on the airline you are flying with.

For a quick trip to the Great Wall or sightseeing in the city, we recommend using Beijing Capital International Airport due to its convenient location. The airport offers easy access to car rentals and taxis, and there are more airport express buses available to the city center.

The Time You Need For a Great Wall Layover Tour

You need at least 9 hours to 1 day for the layover time in Beijing. If you land at Beijing Capital Airport, you need at least 9 hours for a tour to visit the Great Wall at Mutianyu. If you land at Daxing Airport, you will need at least 1 day because Daxing Airport is further away from the Great Wall.

The nearest section of the Great Wall, Mutianyu, is 1.5 hours away from Beijing Capital Airport. You also need time to exit the plane and go through border control. It takes about 4.5 hours to reach the Mutianyu Great Wall from the moment your plane lands.

If your layover time is less than 9 hours, we don't suggest you take the tour to the Great Wall, as you may not have enough time to enjoy the trip. Otherwise, you may risk delaying your next flight.

Given this limited time, it is advisable to book a layover tour with an experienced travel company that can plan a time-efficient itinerary for you and maximize your time on the wall.  

Choose the Best Great Wall Sections for Your Layover Tour

The three Great Wall sections suitable for your layover tour from Beijing airport include Mutianyu, Simatai, and Badaling. Which sections to visit depends on the length of your layover time and your arrival time.

An ideal layover would be arriving early in the morning, having a whole day in Beijing, then departing in the evening.

If you have a layover of around 9 hours and an early morning arrival, we suggest visiting the Mutianyu Great Wall, as it is the closest to the airport. The wall is fully restored and quiet with fewer travelers. There are also cable cars to the wall, which can save you time and energy.

If you arrive in the afternoon, we suggest visiting the Simatai Great Wall, as this section stays open in the evening. At Simatai, you can enjoy a beautiful night tour on the Great Wall and participate in cultural activities at the nearby Gubei Water Town.

We don't recommend choosing the Badaling Great Wall, as it is always crowded, and you may need to queue a long time for the cable car to get to the wall. Please ask our travel advisers for more suggestions for your layover tour.

Travel Time from Beijing Airport to Great Wall

How to Get to the Great Wall from Beijing Airport?

The Great Wall is about a 2-hour drive from Beijing's airports. As there are no direct buses from the airport to any sections of the Great Wall, we suggest you take a layover tour with a private transfer.

You will be picked up at the airport exit and driven directly to the Wall. Your travel advisor will arrange the optimal Great Wall section for you. Your experienced guide and driver are well-versed in traffic situations and will do their best to help you avoid as much traffic as possible, saving you time on the way.

Public Transportation to the Great Wall - Not Recommended!

If you attempt to reach the Great Wall by public transportation, you first need to take the Airport Express to Beijing's city center, then transfer to a public bus to the Great Wall. This approach can be quite time-consuming. Locating the station for the public bus alone could be an exhausting endeavor.

Tips for Planning Your Great Wall Layover Tour

1. For a fast and efficient Great Wall tour, we suggest you book with an experienced travel agency like China Travel. Your guide and driver will ensure you spend more time at the Wall and less time in traffic.

2. Ideally, arrive in the early morning for a full day in Beijing, then depart in the evening.

3. If possible, allocate at least a day for your Great Wall tour. This allows for a relaxed visit and a deeper exploration of the Wall.

4. Avoid planning tours during busy Chinese holidays such as the Labor Day holiday (May 1-3), National Day Holiday (Oct. 1-7), and Chinese New Year Holiday. The Wall gets crowded, and you may lose time waiting for cable cars. Weekends tend to be busier than weekdays.

Explore the Great Wall with China Travel

Choose China Travel for your Great Wall Layover tour. We will make all arrangements according to your arrival and departure times, saving you hassles and maximizing your time at the magnificent Wall. All you have to do is sit back, relax, and fully immerse yourself in the delightful adventure. Contact us now!

Related Reading

• Best Way to Get to the Great Wall from Beijing
• Badaling vs Mutianyu - Is Badaling or Mutianyu Better?
• Top Sections of the Great Wall to Visit in Beijing