Airport Code: PEK
Location: Beijing Capital International Airport is situated in the Shunyi District of the city, about 25 km (about 15.5 miles) northeast of Tiananmen Square, and is China's busiest and most important international airport.
Brief Intro: Beijing Capital International Airport was opened to public in 1958. With the development of civil aviation and the subsequent increase in passenger traffic, the airport has twice been extended, firstly in 1980 and then in 1999. Nowadays it has a 4E standard flight area, consisting of three terminal buildings, double control towers and three runways. Airport taxiways reaches 137 and parking stand has increased from 164 to 314. The high standard of services and facilities has attracted 66 airlines to operate here. Currently, the airport has flight connections to some 88 domestic and 69 foreign cities. The Capital Airport has become one of the largest airports in the world. 
Terminal 1 of Beijing Capital Airport
Just occupying an area of 60,000 square meters, Terminal 1 of Beijing Capital Airport has the longest history originating from January, 1980. While the larger T2 and T3 were put into use successively, T1 has been the operational base for Hainan Airlines' domestic flights. Currently, there is a convenient passage linking T1 and T2, which just takes 5 minutes on foot.
Airline Companies in T1
Grand China Airlines Domestic (CN), Grand China Express (GS), Hainan Airlines Domestic (HU), Deer Air (JD)
Terminal 2 of Beijing Capital Airport
Covering an area of 336,000 square meters, T2 of Beijing Capital Airport was originally built on October, 1995 and put into use on November, 1999. Although it is the extension project for T1, T2 was built much larger than the previous one. Before the opening of T3, it played the vital role in the aerial transportation in China. Currently, T2 is the busiest terminal taking on the domestic airlines to and from Beijing although the Air China in T3 supplies frequent domestic flights. On the other hand, housing over 30 international airlines companies, this terminal is also one of the major ports for passengers to entry into and exit from China. Airline Companies in T2 Facilities of T2 Services of T2 Terminal 3 of Beijing Capital Airport
T3 of Beijing Airport has been attracting much public attention since coming into use in 2008. It has a unique modernistic design and is the second largest airport terminal in the world, only after Terminal 3 of the Dubai International Airport. Some 26 national and international airlines have moved into this building that runs 2900 meters long from north to south. Airline Companies in T3 T3 Arrival & Departure Guides T3 Transfer Guide Services of T3 Facilities of T3
Airport Transportation Airport Express Train
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| Airport Express Train |
Airport Shuttle BusCurrently, there are nine different shuttle bus routes connecting the airport with various locations in the downtown area of Beijing, such as Xidan, Beijing Railway Station, Beijing West Railway Station, Nanyuan Airport and others.
Airport Intercity BusCapital Airport—Tianjin City
Capital Airport—Qinhuangdao City
For easing the transport to and from the nearby Tianjin City and Qinhuangdao City, two intercity bus lines have been opened between the Capital Airport and these two cities.
Cross Terminals Free Shuttle Bus |
| Cross Terminal Free Shuttle Bus |
Pick-up stations: T1 -- Gate3-5 on the 1st Floor; T2 -- Gate 11 on the 1st Floor; T3 -- Gate 5 on the 1st Floor
Route: Gate 5 of T3 Arrival Floor→T2 Departure Floor→T1 Departure Floor→Gate 11 of T2 Arrival Floor→Gate 5 of T1 Arrival Floor→T3 Departure Floor→Gate 5 of T3 Arrival Floor
Operating hours: every 10 minutes at 06:00~23:00; every 30 minutes at 23:00~06:00 (the next day)
Driving to the Airport
There are four expressways leading to the airport with two of them running directly from northeastern Beijing to the airport and two others connecting with nearby highways. The first expressway was opened in September 1993. The twenty-kilometer long highway runs entirely within the confines of the Beijing municipality starting from Sanyuanqiao at the 3rd Ring Road.
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| Bird's-eye view of Beijing airport express train terminal |
Because of the incredible growth of passenger traffic in and out of Beijing, a new civilian airport for domestic flights will begin construction in 2010. Capital Airport will still act as the international hub and construction of a fourth runway to expand its capacity is being planned.
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Travelers' Voices on Beijing Capital International Airport
1.
Nov. 7,2009 10:54 Reply
Mr.Stein(Germany) said:
I'm considering to fly from Frankfurt to Taipei via Beijing with Air China. I have a few questions:
1) The suggested schedule from Air China gives me only 75 minutes to change planes in Beijing (T3 to T3). Will this be enough?
2) Do I need a visa?
Many thanks for your replies!
2.
Nov. 6,2009 17:02 Reply
Ms.cindy(usa) said:
Arriving at Terminal 2 from Vietnam airlines connecting to a United flight in Terminal 3 . I have 3 hours between flights. 1st do I need a transit Visa ? Or do they give you some sort of pass ? How do you get between terminals ?
Nov. 7,2009 02:14
Mr.Shan replied:
No, you don't have to apply for any visa just for 3-hours' transit. For transport, you could take the cross terminals free shuttle bus which has been introduced on this page.
3.
Oct. 26,2009 18:18 Reply
Mr.oxm(Germany) said:
Dear all,
I'll fly from with Air China from Frankfurt to Bejinj Terminal 3, than with MIAT (Mongolian Airlines) from Bejinj Terminal 2 to Ulan-Bator.
1. Do I need a transit visa from T3 to T2?
2. Are 130 minutes of connecting time sufficient?
3. Could I check my Luggage directly from from FRA to ULN, or is it necessary to collect the luggage and to check-in again in PEK?
Thanks for your reply, regards.
Oct. 30,2009 22:16
Mr.Shan replied:
1. you don't have to apply for a transit visa
2. if you will not arrive at Beijing Airport in peak time, I think 2 hours are enough. Anyway, you'd better get known about transit procedure in Beijing Capital as early as possible
3. if you hold connecting tickets, there is no need to claim the luggage and check-in it again. If not, 2 hours are very urgently for transfer. You may consider changing another flight.
4.
Oct. 21,2009 05:17 Reply
Mr.Bareiss(South Korea) said:
Hi,
I have a flight from Seoul to Ho Chi Min City via stops in Beijing (change airplane)and a stop in Nanning (no change of airplane). Do I have to apply for a visa?; what do I have to do, if I have just the boarding pass for the first flight from Seoul to Beijing?
thanks in advance
Oct. 24,2009 01:30
Mr.Sam replied:
Well, I think you have purchased a connected air ticket, right? If so, you don't have to apply for any kind of visa just for transit in Beijing and Nanning, without go out of the airports.
5.
Oct. 12,2009 06:50 Reply
Mr.nitin(india) said:
which route bus would i select to go from capital airport hotel to international airport- beijing
Oct. 12,2009 20:26
Mr.Eric replied:
The hotel provides shuttle bus service for free; you may ask the hotel receptionist to get the detailed information. As far as I know, the shuttle bus departs every 30 minutes in the morning.
6.
Oct. 10,2009 15:10 Reply
Mr.No(USA) said:
I am a US citizen traveling from San Francisco to Katmandu, Nepal and I have a 15 lay-over in Beijing. I do not have a Visa for China. May I leave the airport to visit a nearby hotel to rest? Mr. No
Oct. 10,2009 21:34
Mr.Hank replied:
Well, you will not allowed the leave the airport. So, if you would like to have a rest, please consider the hourly hotel in the airport.
7.
Oct. 10,2009 08:47 Reply
Mr.Fletcher(United Kingdom) said:
Hi. In Dec to Jan, I am travelling from UK to Manila. This is my first visit to Asia (and first time flying), so I'm unsure about the procedures.
On my return trip I will need to wait at Beijing airport for 24 hours, for my connecting flight to Amsterdam.
Do I need to apply beforehand for a China transit visa to leave the airport?
When I leave the airport to stay at a hotel, do I need to collect my luggage and take it with me, or will it be forwarded to my connecting flight?
(The airline is China Southern Airlines, Terminal 2)
Many thanks for any help or suggestions.
Oct. 10,2009 21:33
Mr.Frank replied:
You don't have to apply for a transit visa. It seems that you will take connected flights, so no need to claim your luggage at Beijing Airport.
8.
Sep. 30,2009 11:29 Reply
Mr.Mutos(DE) said:
Recommended Transfer times at T2?
I will be arriving with Philippine Airlines on T2 and departing with Air France, lso from T2.
Intinerary states 1h45m to change? Is that enough? Will the luggage be checked trough?
Thanks in advance
Oct. 5,2009 22:48
Mr.Qi replied:
Generally, it needs 2 hours. After landing, you should get to find the transfer counter to ask if you can process the transfer directly. If not, you should get down to 1st floor to claim lugguage and then get back to 2nd floor to check-in for next flight.
9.
Sep. 30,2009 13:26 Reply
Mr.Lance(USA) said:
I arrive from Washington Dulles and have 2 hour layover before departing on Air China flight To Kuala Lumpur. Do I need to claim baggage, customs etc, exit airport and then re-enter to continue my journey?
Or is there a shorter way to proceed?
Thanks,
Lance
Oct. 5,2009 01:42
Mr.Qi replied:
Both in T3?! As I know, you do not need to claim baggage, custom, exit and re-enter the airport. CHina airlines assure the transfer between international flights can be finished in one hour. Of course, this is the fastest. Two hours are enough for you. After getting off the plane and get into the terminal building, go to the transfer counter, showing your connecting flight ticket and then go to the boarding are in the second floor. If you do not have connecting ticket, it will be a bit complicated. You should claim baggage and pass the immigration and custom then get to the boarding area for next flight.
10.
Sep. 27,2009 21:46 Reply
Mr.Droger(Russia) said:
I am transiting through Terminal 3 on Friday 2 October.
I land at 7:35AM (S7 flight from Novosibirsk, Russia) and leave at 4:10PM (Air China flight to Sydney).
It means I stay 8 hours in Beijing...
Is it reasonnable/doable to make a very short roundtrip to the city center from the airport?
Is transportation easily accessible?
Sep. 28,2009 01:49
Mr.Frankie replied:
Do you have a transit Visa or a China Visa? If not, you are not allowed to leave the airport!