The Airport Express from PEK to Dongzhimen takes 20 minutes for ¥35 — direct guide for arrivals at Terminal 2 and Terminal 3.
At a Glance
- Airport
- Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
- Journey time
- ~20 min to Dongzhimen / Sanyuanqiao
- Fare estimate
- ¥35 flat fare (Airport Express)
- Metro line
- Airport Express
How to Get from Beijing Capital International Airport to the City
The Beijing Subway is the fastest public transport option for getting between Beijing city and the airport area. The Airport Express connect the nearest metro station to the city centre.
Travel Tips
- Buy an Airport Express ticket at the vending machines in the arrival hall before going to the platform.
- The Airport Express stops at T3 first, then T2 (or vice versa depending on direction).
- At Dongzhimen, transfer to Line 2 for the city loop (Wangfujing, Beijing Railway Station, etc.).
- At Sanyuanqiao, transfer to Line 10 for Guomao (CBD) and south/west Beijing.
- Daxing Airport (PKX) passengers: use the Daxing Airport Express from Caoqiao station.
- The 机场快轨 (jīchǎng kuàiguǐ) — Airport Express — is separate from regular subway lines; ¥35 vs ¥3–¥6.
Paying for the Journey
Payment methods: Yikatong card (一卡通) · Alipay · WeChat Pay · UnionPay contactless · Paper ticket (ticket machines).
💡 The Yikatong card (¥20 deposit + loaded credit) gives the same distance-based fare as paper tickets but is faster at gates. Alipay and WeChat Pay now work at most turnstiles — convenient for visitors with a Chinese payment app.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Airport Express from PEK to city?
About 20 minutes from Terminal 3 to Sanyuanqiao (Line 10 interchange), or 27 minutes to Dongzhimen (Line 2 interchange). Trains run every 10 minutes, 06:00–23:00.
Can I use my Yikatong card on the Airport Express?
Yes — the Yikatong card works on the Airport Express. The flat ¥35 fare is deducted from your card. You cannot use the standard distance-based metro fare for the airport line — it is always ¥35 regardless of entry station.
What about Daxing Airport (PKX)?
Daxing Airport is 50 km south of the city, served by the Daxing Airport Express to Caoqiao (Line 10) in 35 minutes for ¥35. It's further from the city than Capital Airport — budget extra time.
Is there public bus from PEK airport to city?
Yes — Airport Express buses (机场巴士) serve multiple city destinations for ¥30. They are slower (45–90 min depending on traffic) but reach some areas the Airport Express misses. The rail Express is generally preferred for reliability.
See also: Beijing Subway ticket prices · Payment card guide · Full Beijing Subway guide
Source: Beijing Mass Transit Railway Operation Corp. (BJMTR). Journey times and fares are indicative — verify before travel.