# Beijing Airport Transfer Guide (PKX) Practical guide to getting from Beijing Daxing Airport to the city. Real pricing, transport options, and what to expect after landing at PKX. **Airport:** PKX **City:** Beijing **Country:** China **URL:** https://www.airporttransferportal.com/airport-guides/pkx **Last updated:** 2026-02-17 --- ## Main Guide ### Quick answer Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) is about 46 km south of central Beijing. It is newer and further from the city centre than the older Capital Airport (PEK). Getting to downtown takes 50-100 minutes depending on traffic and destination. The Daxing Airport Express metro line is the fastest option at around 20 minutes to Caoqiao station. Taxis, pre-booked transfers, and airport buses also operate. Before anything else, confirm which Beijing airport your flight uses. They are 70 km apart and serve different airlines. 👉 AirportTransferPortal offers fixed-price transfers on this route, which removes uncertainty on arrival. --- ### What actually happens after landing Daxing opened in 2019 and the terminal building is designed as a single massive star-shaped structure. Everything is under one roof, which sounds convenient but the distances inside are significant. The walk from some gates to immigration can be 10-15 minutes. Immigration procedures are the same as at Capital Airport: arrival card, fingerprints, photo. Queue times vary but tend to be shorter than PEK because Daxing handles fewer international flights overall. Baggage claim is on the lower levels and well signed in Chinese and English. After customs, you enter a modern arrivals hall with currency exchange, SIM card vendors, and a few shops. The airport Wi-Fi may require a Chinese phone number for registration. The building is architecturally impressive but the key practical detail is that transport connections are underneath the terminal, not outside it. You go down, not out. The signage is clear and bilingual. Daxing is easier to navigate than the sprawling Terminal 3 at PEK, despite its size, because the design is more centralized. --- ### Transport options explained honestly **Daxing Airport Express (metro)** runs from the airport to Caoqiao station on Line 10 of the Beijing Metro. It takes about 20 minutes and costs CNY 35. Trains run from approximately 6:30 AM to 10:30 PM. Caoqiao is on the south side of the city, so reaching northern districts requires further metro connections. **Taxis** are available from ranks on the ground floor beneath the terminal. The fare to central Beijing is higher than from PEK because of the greater distance: expect CNY 150-250 depending on destination and traffic. Expressway tolls of CNY 15-20 are added. The same language challenges apply as at Capital Airport: very few drivers speak English. **Pre-booked transfers** are practical at Daxing for the same reasons as at PEK. The language barrier, the distance from the city, and the unfamiliarity of a newer airport all make having a confirmed driver valuable. Sedan transfers to central Beijing typically cost CNY 350-600. **Airport buses** operate routes to different parts of Beijing and to nearby cities like Tianjin. Fares are CNY 25-40. These are slow with multiple stops and signage is primarily in Chinese. **High-speed rail** connections are being developed from Daxing, with a station directly beneath the terminal. Currently, services connect to some cities in Hebei province. Check current schedules if you are heading south of Beijing. --- ### Realistic pricing expectations Getting to central Beijing from Daxing costs roughly: - Daxing Airport Express: CNY 35 - Airport bus: CNY 25-40 - Taxi: CNY 150-250 (plus tolls) - Pre-booked transfer: CNY 350-600 Daxing is noticeably further from the city centre than Capital Airport, so all road-based transport costs more. If your hotel is in southern Beijing (Fengtai, Daxing district), costs are lower. For destinations in northern Beijing (Haidian, Chaoyang), expect the higher end of these ranges. Late-night taxi surcharges add roughly 20 percent after 11 PM. --- ### Late night arrivals The Daxing Airport Express stops running around 10:30 PM. After that, your options are taxis and pre-booked transfers. Taxis operate around the clock. The journey is actually faster at night because Beijing traffic disappears after about 9 PM. A trip that takes 90 minutes in rush hour might take 45-50 minutes at midnight. The fare will still be higher than from PEK due to distance, and the late-night surcharge applies. The terminal is modern and stays open, but food and shopping options are very limited after 10 PM. There are a couple of hotels near the airport accessible by shuttle if you prefer to stay nearby and travel into the city in the morning. --- ### Families and luggage Daxing's centralized design is more family-friendly than PEK's Terminal 3. The distances inside are shorter and the layout is more intuitive. Lifts and escalators are well placed. The metro is manageable with older children but challenging with strollers and heavy bags. The connection at Caoqiao to Line 10 adds complexity. Taxis have the same boot space limitations as elsewhere in China. With two large suitcases, a stroller, and a family, a pre-booked minivan is the practical choice. Child car seats are not available in Chinese taxis. If your children are young enough to need one, arrange it through a transfer service in advance. Beijing's expressways are fast and driving is assertive, so this is not a formality. --- ### Where you meet the driver Transport at Daxing is accessed by going down from the arrivals level, not by walking outside. Taxis, buses, and rideshares all depart from the ground transportation centre below the terminal. Follow the clearly signed paths downward. Pre-booked transfer drivers typically meet you in the arrivals hall before you descend to the transport level. They will hold a name sign near the customs exit. Some services arrange pickup at the kerb of the departure level, which is counterintuitive but allows vehicles to stop briefly. Your booking confirmation should specify the exact meeting point. Have your driver's phone number saved. Mobile connectivity in the terminal can be intermittent without a Chinese SIM card. --- ### Decision helper **Choose the Daxing Airport Express if** you are heading to southern or central Beijing, have light luggage, and your flight arrives during metro operating hours. **Choose a taxi if** you want door-to-door service, have some Chinese language ability or your destination written in characters, and are comfortable with metered pricing. **Choose a pre-booked transfer if** you do not speak Mandarin, are travelling with family or lots of luggage, or want a guaranteed fixed price for the longer journey from Daxing into the city. 👉 This is the lowest-friction option after a long flight. --- ### Summary Daxing is a modern, well-designed airport, but its distance from central Beijing means the journey into the city takes longer and costs more than from Capital Airport. Plan your transport in advance, especially if you are arriving late or do not speak Mandarin. --- ## Frequently Asked Questions **Q: How far is Beijing Daxing Airport from the city centre?** About 46 km from central Beijing. This is further than Capital Airport (PEK), which is 32 km from the centre. The distance is the main reason transport costs are higher from Daxing. **Q: Which airlines fly from Daxing vs Capital Airport?** Daxing is primarily used by China Southern, China Eastern, and SkyTeam alliance carriers. Capital Airport handles Air China, Star Alliance, and most other international carriers. Always verify which airport your ticket shows. **Q: Is there a train from Daxing Airport to Beijing city?** Yes. The Daxing Airport Express metro line runs to Caoqiao station (Line 10) in about 20 minutes for CNY 35. It operates roughly 6:30 AM to 10:30 PM. A high-speed rail station beneath the terminal serves some regional destinations. **Q: How much is a taxi from Daxing Airport to central Beijing?** Expect CNY 150-250 to central districts, plus expressway tolls of CNY 15-20. The fare is higher than from Capital Airport due to the greater distance. Late-night surcharges add about 20 percent. **Q: Can I get between Daxing and Capital airports easily?** They are about 70 km apart. By taxi it takes 60-90 minutes and costs CNY 200-300 depending on traffic. There is no direct shuttle between the two airports. If you need to transfer between them, plan for at least 2-3 hours. **Q: Do taxi drivers at Daxing speak English?** Generally no. The language barrier is the same as at Capital Airport. Have your destination written in Chinese characters and keep a translation app accessible. **Q: Is Daxing Airport new? Is it finished?** Daxing opened in September 2019. The main terminal is complete and fully operational. Some transport links and surrounding infrastructure are still being expanded, but the airport itself is modern and functional. **Q: Is there a hotel at Daxing Airport?** There are hotels near the airport accessible by short shuttle rides. The airport does not have an integrated hotel in the terminal building like some international airports, but nearby options are convenient for early departures or late arrivals. **Q: Can I use Didi at Daxing Airport?** Yes, if you have the Didi app set up with a Chinese phone number and payment method. For most foreign visitors arriving for the first time, this is not practical. Taxis and pre-booked transfers are more accessible. **Q: Is Daxing Airport confusing to navigate?** Less so than Capital Airport's Terminal 3. Daxing has a centralized design with clear bilingual signage. The main thing to know is that ground transport is below the terminal, not outside at the same level. Follow signs downward. --- ## Additional Guides ### Arriving late at night at Beijing Daxing Airport **URL:** https://www.airporttransferportal.com/airport-guides/pkx/late-night Beijing Daxing Airport handles a growing number of international flights, some of which arrive late in the evening or early morning. If your plane lands between 10 PM and 5 AM, here is what you need to know. ## The terminal after hours Daxing is a newer airport and the terminal building is modern and well maintained. It stays open around the clock for arriving passengers. Immigration and customs process all incoming flights regardless of the hour, and late-night queues tend to be faster since fewer flights land simultaneously. The downside is that nearly everything closes after 10 PM. The shops, restaurants, and convenience outlets in the arrivals area shut down. Vending machines are available. If you are hungry after a long flight, plan accordingly. The airport Wi-Fi may require a Chinese phone number for registration. Without a local SIM card, internet access is unreliable. Save maps and hotel details to your phone before departure. ## Transport after the metro closes **The Daxing Airport Express stops running around 10:30 PM.** After that, the metro is not an option. **Taxis** operate around the clock from the ground transport level beneath the terminal. The journey into central Beijing at night takes about 45-55 minutes because traffic is light. During the day, the same trip can take 90 minutes or more. The fare to central areas runs CNY 180-270 with the late-night surcharge (roughly 20 percent more than daytime rates), plus tolls. **Pre-booked transfers** are the most predictable option. Your driver monitors your flight and waits for you, regardless of delays. Given that Daxing is further from the city centre than Capital Airport, having someone already committed to driving you in eliminates the worry of finding transport at an unfamiliar airport after midnight. **Airport buses** are effectively unavailable after 11 PM. ## Practical tips - Withdraw cash from the ATMs in the arrivals hall. Taxi card acceptance is improving but not universal. - The road into Beijing at night is fast and quiet. The expressway from Daxing is well maintained and the trip is smooth. - If you prefer not to travel into the city at night, there are nearby hotels with shuttle services. These are a reasonable option if you have an early commitment the next day. - Avoid anyone approaching you in the terminal offering rides. Use only the official taxi rank below the terminal or your pre-booked transfer. ## Safety Daxing Airport is safe at all hours. Security presence is visible and the area is well lit. The surrounding area is still being developed and there is nothing within walking distance of the terminal. All transport departs from designated areas below the building. --- ### Taxi vs pre-booked transfer from Beijing Daxing Airport **URL:** https://www.airporttransferportal.com/airport-guides/pkx/taxi-vs-transfer Daxing is further from central Beijing than Capital Airport, which makes the transport decision matter more. The longer the journey, the more the variables accumulate. ## Taxis from Daxing Airport Taxis line up at the ground transport level below the terminal. The system is organized with dispatchers directing passengers to vehicles. You follow signs downward from the arrivals hall. Metered fares to central Beijing run CNY 150-250 depending on your destination and traffic. Expressway tolls of CNY 15-20 are added. The journey takes 50-90 minutes during the day and 40-55 minutes at night. Late-night fares increase by roughly 20 percent. The same language barrier that exists at Capital Airport applies here. Very few drivers speak English. You need your destination in Chinese characters. Without it, the first several minutes of your taxi ride may involve confused gestures and map-pointing. This is manageable but not pleasant when exhausted. Taxis at Daxing are the same standard Beijing fleet: licensed, metered, functional sedans. Boot space is limited. ## Pre-booked transfers A transfer driver meets you inside the arrivals hall with a name sign. Your destination, price, and vehicle are all confirmed before you land. The driver tracks your flight status and adjusts for any delays. Sedan transfers to central Beijing run CNY 350-600 from Daxing. The price is fixed: traffic and tolls do not change what you pay. The vehicles are newer and more comfortable than typical taxis, and child seats or larger vehicles can be arranged. The distance from Daxing makes the fixed-price aspect more relevant. A bad traffic day can push a taxi fare significantly higher, while the transfer price stays the same. ## Direct comparison | Factor | Taxi | Pre-booked transfer | |--------|------|--------------------| | Price to centre | CNY 150-250 + tolls (variable) | CNY 350-600 (fixed) | | Language barrier | Significant | None | | Wait time | 5-15 minutes | Driver waits for you | | Journey time | 50-90 min | 50-90 min (same roads) | | Payment | Cash preferred | Pre-arranged | | Child seats | Not available | On request | | Flight tracking | No | Yes | ## When a taxi makes more sense If you speak Mandarin, are travelling solo or as a couple with minimal luggage, and are arriving during a period of light traffic, a taxi is significantly cheaper. The savings are real if you know how to navigate the experience. ## When a transfer makes more sense If you do not speak Chinese, are visiting for the first time, are travelling with children, or arrive late at night, a transfer from Daxing is a practical choice. The longer distance amplifies the value of having everything arranged: a confused taxi ride of 45 minutes is more stressful than a confused taxi ride of 30 minutes. ## Important note Do not accept ride offers from people approaching you inside the terminal. Unlicensed operators charge several times the normal rate and the vehicles may not be insured. Use only the official taxi rank or your confirmed transfer driver. --- ### Arriving at Beijing Daxing Airport with children **URL:** https://www.airporttransferportal.com/airport-guides/pkx/family-and-kids Daxing is one of the newest major airports in the world, and its design is more family-friendly than Beijing's older Capital Airport. The centralized layout means shorter walks and clearer navigation. That said, it is still a large airport in a country where the language barrier is real. ## Navigating the terminal The star-shaped terminal design means all gates radiate from a central hub. After deplaning, the walk to immigration is generally shorter than at PEK's Terminal 3. Lifts and escalators are well placed, and the building feels spacious and modern. Immigration applies to every family member individually. With children, the process takes longer simply because of the number of people being processed. The officers are generally patient with families. Baggage trolleys are free and available near the carousels. The arrivals hall has some basic amenities. Baby-changing rooms and family restrooms are available. Food options are limited, especially after 9 PM, so bring snacks if your children will be hungry on arrival. ## Child car seats Chinese taxis do not carry child seats. There is no system for requesting one from a taxi rank. This matters because the expressway from Daxing to central Beijing is a fast, busy road, and the drive is long (50-90 minutes). If your children are young enough to need a car seat, the only reliable way to get one is through a pre-booked transfer service. Specify the number of children and their ages when booking. The seats provided may not match the exact brand or specification you are used to, but they are better than nothing on a high-speed expressway. ## Transport choices for families **Daxing Airport Express** is doable with older children who can carry their own bags. With strollers, car seats, and heavy luggage, it becomes impractical. The metro connection at Caoqiao station adds further complexity. **Taxis** are door-to-door but limited on space. A standard Beijing taxi fits two large bags in the boot and not much more. A family of four with luggage and a stroller typically cannot fit in a single car. You may need two taxis, which doubles the communication challenge. **Pre-booked transfers** let you request a minivan or larger vehicle with child seats installed. The driver knows your destination, speaks enough English (or has translation prepared), and the price is fixed. For the longer journey from Daxing, this convenience is meaningful. ## Practical tips for families - Keep your hotel details written in Chinese characters on your phone and on paper. If your phone battery dies, you still need to communicate your destination. - Beijing air quality varies by season. Winter months tend to be worse. If your children have respiratory issues, consider face masks for outdoor portions of your arrival. - The ground transport level below the terminal is well organized but can be confusing the first time. Signs direct you downward for taxis and buses. - If you arrive late and your children are too tired for the long drive into the city, there are hotels near the airport where you can rest overnight and travel in the morning. --- ### Cost of getting from Beijing Daxing Airport to the city **URL:** https://www.airporttransferportal.com/airport-guides/pkx/cost-to-city Daxing Airport is about 46 km south of central Beijing, making it noticeably further than Capital Airport (PEK). Transport costs reflect this distance. Here is what to budget. ## By transport type **Daxing Airport Express (metro):** CNY 35 per person to Caoqiao station. Add CNY 3-7 for onward metro travel to your final destination. Total per person is typically CNY 38-42. Operates roughly 6:30 AM to 10:30 PM. **Airport bus:** CNY 25-40 depending on the route. Slow, with multiple stops, but the cheapest option if the metro is not running. **Taxi:** CNY 150-250 to central districts, plus CNY 15-20 in expressway tolls. After 11 PM, fares increase by about 20 percent. Rush hour traffic (7-9 AM, 5-7 PM) pushes costs toward the higher end. **Pre-booked transfer:** CNY 350-600 for a sedan to central Beijing. Minivans and premium vehicles cost more. Price is fixed regardless of traffic or route. ## By destination | Destination | Taxi (approx.) | Transfer (approx.) | |-------------|----------------|--------------------| | Fengtai (south Beijing) | CNY 100-150 | CNY 250-380 | | Xicheng (financial district) | CNY 160-220 | CNY 380-520 | | Dongcheng (Forbidden City) | CNY 170-240 | CNY 400-550 | | Chaoyang (CBD, Sanlitun) | CNY 180-250 | CNY 420-580 | | Haidian (universities) | CNY 200-280 | CNY 450-600 | | Tongzhou (east Beijing) | CNY 220-300 | CNY 480-650 | ## Comparing with Capital Airport (PEK) The same journey from Capital Airport costs roughly 30-40 percent less by taxi because the distance is shorter. If you have a choice of airports, PEK is cheaper to get to and from. However, airline and flight timing usually determine which airport you use. ## Hidden costs - **Expressway tolls:** CNY 15-20, always added to taxi fares. Some transfer services include tolls in their quoted price; confirm when booking. - **Late-night surcharge:** About 20 percent on top of the metered rate after 11 PM. - **Traffic variability:** A taxi trip at midnight might be CNY 160. The exact same trip at 8 AM could be CNY 240 because the meter runs on time as well as distance. - **Two-taxi problem:** If you are a family with heavy luggage and cannot fit in one taxi, you are paying double. ## Cost-saving tips - The Daxing Airport Express at CNY 35 is the cheapest option, but factor in onward metro costs and the inconvenience of transfers with luggage. - For groups of 3-4 people, a single taxi or transfer is more economical per person than individual metro tickets. - If your hotel is in southern Beijing (Fengtai or Daxing district), you benefit from the airport's southern location. The trip is shorter and cheaper. - Confirm whether your hotel offers an airport shuttle. Some hotels near Daxing provide this service, which can save the entire transport cost. --- ## Related Pages - [Main arrival guide](https://www.airporttransferportal.com/airport-guides/pkx) - [Late night arrivals](https://www.airporttransferportal.com/airport-guides/pkx/late-night) - [Taxi vs transfer](https://www.airporttransferportal.com/airport-guides/pkx/taxi-vs-transfer) - [Family & kids](https://www.airporttransferportal.com/airport-guides/pkx/family-and-kids) - [Cost to city](https://www.airporttransferportal.com/airport-guides/pkx/cost-to-city) --- ## Check before you land 👉 This route is actively served by AirportTransferPortal with fixed-price booking available before arrival. Check real vehicles and prices before your flight. Booking takes a few minutes and ensures someone is waiting when you arrive. --- ## Operational Note This guide reflects real operational conditions, pricing ranges, and traveler experience at Beijing (PKX). Transfer availability is supported by AirportTransferPortal's verified supplier network. --- ## Attribution Published by AirportTransferPortal (airporttransferportal.com), a global airport transfer marketplace operated by Funny Tourism Ltd.