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.
The taxi tariff, since everything else follows from it
Beijing taxis are metered on a published city tariff: CNY 13 for the first 3 km, then CNY 2.3 per km, with that per-km rate rising by 50 percent for distance beyond 15 km, plus a CNY 1 fuel surcharge per trip (Beijing Municipal Commission of Transport). Between 11 PM and 5 AM the per-km rate rises a further 20 percent. When the car drops below 12 km/h the meter also bills for time -- 5 minutes of crawling costs you the equivalent of 1 extra km, or 2 km during the 7-9 AM and 5-7 PM peaks.
Run the 46 km to central Beijing through that and the meter reaches roughly CNY 150 before any waiting time. That is the floor, not the typical fare: Beijing traffic is what moves the number, which is why the same trip can cost noticeably more at 8 AM than at midnight. Expressway tolls are added on top. Tariffs are revised periodically, so check the current one before you travel.
By transport type
Daxing Airport Express (metro): priced by distance, with the full Caoqiao-to-airport run at CNY 35 -- the line's top band (Beijing Municipal Commission of Transport). Business class is CNY 50. Onward metro travel from Caoqiao is charged separately, again by distance. Operates roughly 6:30 AM to 10:30 PM.
Airport bus: fares vary by route and are posted at the ticket counter beneath the terminal. Slow, with multiple stops, but worth checking if the metro is not running.
Taxi: about CNY 150 on the meter at best over the 46 km, more with traffic, plus tolls. See the tariff above.
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
A metered fare cannot be quoted per district in advance -- it depends on your exact address and the traffic on the day. What is fixed is a pre-booked transfer, priced when you book. Districts are listed roughly nearest-first, so a taxi meter will climb in about this order too:
| Destination | Taxi | Transfer (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Fengtai (south Beijing) | Metered -- closest of these to PKX | Fixed, quoted at booking |
| Xicheng (financial district) | Metered | Fixed, quoted at booking |
| Dongcheng (Forbidden City) | Metered | Fixed, quoted at booking |
| Chaoyang (CBD, Sanlitun) | Metered | Fixed, quoted at booking |
| Haidian (universities) | Metered | Fixed, quoted at booking |
| Tongzhou (east Beijing) | Metered -- furthest of these | Fixed, quoted at booking |
Fixed-price private transfer
PKX Beijing City Center
From€53for 2 passengers
Other destinations
Comparing with Capital Airport (PEK)
PEK is 32 km from the centre against Daxing's 46 km, and because the tariff charges 50 percent extra per km beyond 15 km, that gap costs you more than the raw distance suggests. 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: added to taxi fares on top of the meter. Some transfer services include tolls in their quoted price; confirm when booking.
- Late-night surcharge: the per-km rate rises 20 percent between 11 PM and 5 AM.
- Traffic variability: the meter runs on time as well as distance, so a midnight run and an 8 AM run over the same 46 km are not the same fare.
- 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.