Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) is a design dream of incredible architecture. Foster and Partners architects designed the dragon-like terminal building to impress international guests arriving for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games and it doesn’t disappoint. The first time I flew through, I came specifically to see the design and it was worth the trip. Even now, after all these years, the design holds up and it is still magnificent to behold.
How to get to Beijing Capital Airport by train
The Airport Express Train is the best way to travel between the city center and PEK. This inexpensive train runs from Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 to Dongzhimen subway station, with additional stops at Beixinqiao and Sanyuanqiao. The journey takes approximately 20-30 minutes from Dongzhimen, or about 36 minutes for the full route from Beixinqiao, where you can connect to the subway system throughout Beijing.
How to get to Beijing Capital Airport by car
Grabbing a taxi, rideshare or car service is an easy way to get between the airport and the city. The trip takes about 20 minutes, but Beijing traffic is no joke, so I’d recommend adding a buffer. This option is fairly inexpensive in Beijing.
If you’re thinking of renting a car, know that the highways are great but the city traffic can be intense. I usually opt for a driver myself. Plus, renting a car in China isn’t straightforward. Non-Chinese citizens need to obtain a Provisional Driving Permit from the traffic management department, which you can apply for at designated vehicle management stations (including at the airport) by presenting your passport, foreign driver’s license with Chinese translation, and other required documents. So plan way ahead if you want to drive.
How to get to Beijing Capital Airport by bus
To reach the airport, there are also at least 18 bus options that leave from various points throughout the city. My go-to is the one from Beijing Railway Station. The service runs from 05:00 to 21:00 from the station to the airport, and from 07:00 to 24:00 in the opposite direction. Or, you can just hop on the one that’s closest to you.
Beijing Capital Airport location and overview
Just about 20 miles northeast of the city center is where PEK, the busiest airport in Asia, is located. It is a mere 20-minute drive from Beijing, making it a wise choice to use when flying in and out of the city. It’s especially convenient if you have a hotel or company car service, as it's so close to town.
Beijing Capital Airport terminals
This gorgeous airport has three terminals and they are all connected by shuttle bus. Terminal 1 serves Hainan Airlines and its subsidiaries (Grand China Air, Lucky Air, Capital Airlines, Tianjin Airlines) and connects to Terminal 2 via a walkway on the second floor.
Terminal 2 hosts SkyTeam airlines (including Air France, Delta, KLM and Korean Air, with the exception of China Airlines which operates from Terminal 3), while Terminal 3 handles Oneworld members (such as Cathay Pacific and Japan Airlines), Star Alliance members (including Lufthansa, United and ANA) and Air China. Terminal 3 is my personal favorite for layovers, with excellent food options and smooth operations throughout.
Amenities at Beijing Capital Airport
Terminal 3 is hotel-like – you can send postcards, eat delicious food and find plenty of places to sit down and rest comfortably. It even has winter clothing and gear lockers in case you’ve come from skiing and will continue to explore the country. You can also have a foot massage at Le SPA at Gate 28 in Terminal 3.
Eating and drinking at Beijing Capital Airport
PEK has it all, from the big brands chains to more regional cuisine, and also some local Chinese favorites. Tai Hing, in Terminal 3, is a Hong Kong style restaurant where I love to stop for some dumplings and soup before flights. For coffee, try Kafelaku in Terminal 2, which serves kopi luwak, the internationally famous Indonesian coffee. You’ll also find major chains and local Chinese favorites throughout the terminals.
Airport lounges at Beijing Capital Airport
Admittedly, this airport’s lounges have not been recently revamped and are not as excellent as the ones in some other parts of the world. But they’re still a great place to grab a bite and get some work done in a more comfortable setting than the gate. In my opinion, the best lounge at PEK is the Air China Business Class lounge in Terminal 3.
Wi-Fi at Beijing Capital Airport
PEK offers free Wi-Fi through the “AIRPORT-FREE-WiFi” network, though you’ll need to authenticate to get an access code. You can either enter a Chinese mobile phone number to receive an SMS code, or scan your passport at self-service terminals located near information desks. The process is straightforward and the connection is high-speed. Like most airport networks, it’s not secure, so skip the banking apps and keep sensitive information offline while you’re connected.
Money facilities at Beijing Capital Airport
You’ll find ATMs in the public areas (landside) of Terminal 2 and Terminal 3. If you need a full-service bank, head to Terminal 3-C where Bank of China and China Construction Bank are on the 4th floor, and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) is on the 2nd floor, open between 9 am and 5 pm. For currency exchange, there are counters in Terminal 2 and Terminal 3, with 24-hour service available at Yuxin Currency Exchange on the 1st floor of T2 Public Area and the 2nd floor of T3-C International Baggage Hall. Other locations have varying operating hours.
Luggage services at Beijing Capital Airport
One of the star qualities of this airport is its luggage guarantee. The baggage handling system in Terminal 3 is designed to deliver your bags within 4.5 minutes after the airplane is unloaded, using a high-speed transfer system, so you won’t be stuck waiting at baggage claim. If you’re traveling around China and have extra stuff you don’t want to lug around, there are also luggage storage areas available.
Beijing’s visa-free transit program
This is a game-changer. Travelers from 55 countries (including the US, UK, and the newly added Indonesia) can visit Beijing, Tianjin and the Hebei province for up to 240 hours (10 days) without a visa. You just need a connecting ticket with a confirmed date and seat to a third country or region. My favorite part is that you can fill out the paperwork on arrival and get approved right away. It’s a great way to pop into the city without the hassle and cost of getting a Chinese visa beforehand.
Activities and entertainment at Beijing Capital Airport
Like many modern airports, PEK is filled with beautiful art. Terminal 3 has two indoor gardens, the Suzhou Garden (modeled after the Humble Administrator’s Garden) and the Royal Garden (also called the Imperial Garden, located in T3-E and modeled after the Summer Palace), where you can even feed the fish - staff typically provide fish food between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM.
Terminal 2 has a cool underwater world exhibit, and I always enjoy passing through the starry corridor in Terminal 3. I have been through this airport and seen these impressive sights many times, but I visit them again and again as I like to keep moving instead of spending the whole time sitting and waiting.
Hotels and rest options at Beijing Capital Airport
If you have an overnight layover or an early flight, there are plenty of places to catch some sleep. You can find “hourly lounges” with small suites in all three terminals. There are also GoSleep pods in Terminals 2 and 3. They’re basically private chairs with a noise-blocking cover where you can charge your devices and get some rest.
Dressing rooms at Beijing Capital Airport
Another fantastic feature of this airport is dressing rooms. These are available in the baggage claim areas of both Terminal 2 and Terminal 3, and include mirrors, chairs, tables and very convenient hooks so you can change out of your travel clothes before journeying onward. I have used these when in a rush to get to meetings straight off the plane from the US.
This KAYAK-commissioned article is presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up-to-date. The opinions contained in the article are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others.
