Our answer
Airport Express 机场线
Both airports have their own express subway line
The short answer
From Capital Airport (PEK), the Capital Airport Express runs to Sanyuanqiao, Dongzhimen and Beixinqiao for a flat ¥25. From Daxing Airport (PKX), the Daxing Airport Express reaches Caoqiao in about 19 minutes for ¥35, then change to Lines 10 or 19. Tap a Visa, Mastercard, JCB or Amex card at the gates.
| Capital Airport (PEK) | Capital Airport Express from T3 and T2 to Sanyuanqiao, Dongzhimen and Beixinqiao, flat ¥25 |
|---|---|
| Daxing Airport (PKX) | Daxing Airport Express to Caoqiao, about 19 min, ¥35 (business class ¥50) |
| Last trains to the city | About 22:52 from PEK T3; 23:00 from Daxing (23:30 on Sundays) |
| Pay | Tap Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Amex or UnionPay at the gates, on both airport lines |
| Help on arrival | “Beijing Service” counters: cash, SIM cards, transport cards and tickets |
Capital Airport (PEK): the Capital Airport Express
Capital Airport is north-east of the centre. The Capital Airport Express (首都机场线) leaves from level 2 of the Terminal 3 parking building and B2 of the Terminal 2 parking building, and costs a flat ¥25, outside the normal distance-based fares.[1][2][3]
| Station | Change to | First – last train |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal 3 | — | 6:22 – 22:52 |
| Terminal 2 | — | 6:36 – 23:10 |
| Sanyuanqiao | Line 10 | 6:55 – 23:28 toward the city |
| Dongzhimen | Lines 2 and 13 | 7:01 – 23:34 toward Beixinqiao; 6:00 – 22:30 toward the airport |
| Beixinqiao | Line 5 | 5:56 – 22:26 toward the airport |
Times from Visit Beijing; check the Beijing Subway app before a late flight. The line was extended from Dongzhimen to Beixinqiao in December 2021.
Daxing Airport (PKX): the Daxing Airport Express
Daxing Airport is far to the south. The Daxing Airport Express (大兴机场线) leaves from level B1 of the terminal and runs to Caoqiao in about 19 minutes, with one stop at Daxing New Town.[4][5][6][7][1][14]
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Fare, airport – Caoqiao | ¥35 standard, ¥50 business class |
| Change at Caoqiao | Lines 10 and 19 |
| Caoqiao to the airport | 5:41 – 22:30 |
| Airport to Caoqiao | 6:00 – 23:00 (last train 23:30 on Sundays) |
| How often | About every 9 minutes until 22:30, then every 15 minutes |
| Last train | Ticket sales and gates close 5 minutes before; arrive 10 minutes early |
A northward extension to Lize business district, with an in-town check-in terminal, is under construction; Beijing Daily expects the terminal to open in the first half of 2027.
Airport buses
Both airports run airport buses (机场巴士) to the main railway stations and districts. Since 31 July 2026 the Capital Airport – Beijing West Railway Station line and the Daxing Airport – Beijing Railway Station line run 24 hours a day. Buy tickets at the airport bus counters or in the “机场巴士官方平台” WeChat mini-program.
At Capital Airport the bus counters are on level 1, outside Gate 11 at Terminal 2 and inside Gate 1 at Terminal 3. At Daxing, city buses wait inside Gate 20 on the east side of level 1. A shuttle bus links the two airports via the 6th Ring Road, stopping at Universal Beijing Resort.[9][10][1]
How to pay as a visitor
- 1
Tap your card at the gate
Overseas Visa, Mastercard, JCB, American Express and UnionPay cards work at the gates on all subway lines, including both airport express lines, since June 2025. No ticket or app is needed.
- 2
If a gate or machine won’t take your card
Go to the station service counter and buy a single ticket.
- 3
Need cash, a SIM or a transport card first?
“Beijing Service” counters at Capital Airport Terminal 3 and at the Daxing international arrivals exit offer cash withdrawal with foreign cards, currency exchange, help setting up mobile payments, SIM cards, transport cards and airport bus and subway tickets.
Questions readers ask
How much is the Beijing Airport Express?
The Capital Airport Express costs a flat ¥25 between the airport and any city station. The Daxing Airport Express costs ¥35 between Daxing Airport and Caoqiao, or ¥50 in business class.
How long does the Daxing Airport Express take?
About 19 minutes between Daxing Airport and Caoqiao, where you change to Lines 10 and 19.
What time is the last Airport Express in Beijing?
From Capital Airport, about 22:52 from Terminal 3 and 23:10 from Terminal 2. From Daxing Airport, 23:00, or 23:30 on Sundays. Check the Beijing Subway app before a late arrival.
Can I pay for the Beijing subway with a foreign card?
Yes. Tap an overseas Visa, Mastercard, JCB, American Express or UnionPay card at the gates on all lines, including both airport express lines.
Which Beijing airport is closer to the city centre?
Capital Airport (PEK), north-east of the centre. Daxing (PKX) is far to the south: about 19 minutes on the express to Caoqiao, then the subway, or about 80 minutes and ¥220 by taxi.
How do I get between Beijing Capital and Daxing airports?
Take the airport shuttle bus, which runs via the 6th Ring Road and stops at Universal Beijing Resort, or go by subway: Capital Airport Express to Sanyuanqiao, Line 10 to Caoqiao, then the Daxing Airport Express.
Sources
- Visit Beijing (official), Getting from the airports to the city · accessed 31 Oct 2026
- Beijing Daily, Capital Airport Express extended to Beixinqiao (31 December 2021, in Chinese) · accessed 31 Oct 2026
- Beijing government, Capital Airport Express fare (23 April 2025) · accessed 31 Oct 2026
- Visit Beijing (Beijing Daily), Daxing Airport Express first train moves to 5:41 (29 April 2023, in Chinese) · accessed 31 Oct 2026
- China Daily, Daxing Airport Express fares (19 August 2019) · accessed 31 Oct 2026
- Beijing government, Daxing Airport Express later last train on Sundays (10 November 2024) · accessed 31 Oct 2026
- Beijing government, Getting to Daxing International Airport · accessed 31 Oct 2026
- Beijing government, Subway supports tap-and-go with five overseas card brands (16 June 2025) · accessed 31 Oct 2026
- Beijing government, Airport bus route changes from 31 July 2026 (27 July 2026) · accessed 31 Oct 2026
- Beijing Daily, Airport bus changes from 7 April 2026 (2 April 2026, in Chinese) · accessed 31 Oct 2026
- Beijing government, Taxi fares in Beijing · accessed 31 Oct 2026
- Visit Beijing (official), Daxing International Airport transport · accessed 31 Oct 2026
- Beijing government, “Beijing Service” counters open at both airports (8 January 2025) · accessed 31 Oct 2026
- Beijing Daily, Lize City Terminal due in the first half of next year (16 July 2026, in Chinese) · accessed 31 Oct 2026
Update log. 31 October 2026 — reviewed. Next review due 31 January 2027. Suggest a correction