How to Get to the Great Wall of China from Beijing Airport

The Great Wall of China is located in suburban area of Beijing, and there is no direct bus service from Beijing airport to Great Wall of China. Bus transfer is the most recommended and economical way. One should take the airport bus from the airport to the downtown, and then transfer to another bus to the Great Wall, which takes a long time. So please confirm your flight arrival and departure time and ensure that there is at least 8 hours between 7:00 - 18:00 if you plan to visit the Great Wall. Of course, you can take a taxi or hire a car to the Great Wall directy, but it costs more and you’d better book in advance. Joining a guide layover tour is a nice option, too.   
  
How far is the Great Wall of China from the airport? It is not close between Beijing Capital Airport and any section of the Great Wall. The approximate distance is 60 - 120 kilometers (37 - 75 miles). The first recommended section to visit from Beijing airport to Great Wall is Mutianyu, which is relatively close, around 60 kilometers from the airport. It is one of the best-known sections with spectacular scenery and less tourists. Badaling, 80 kilometers (50 miles) from the airport, is the second option. It is the most majestic section but there are too many tourists on weekends or holidays. If you have enough time and you are a frequent visitor to Beijing who has been to the previous two sections, Simatai Great Wall is a wise choice.
 

How to Get to Great Wall of China from Beijing Airport

 

Distance: 60 kilometers (37 miles)
Opening Hours:
March 16 to November 15: 07:30 - 18:00 on weekdays, 07:30 - 18:30 on weekends;
November 16 to March 15: 08:00 - 17:00
Taxi (for reference): 1 - 1.5h, CNY 200 - 250
Cheapest Way: 2-2.5 h, CNY 50 by bus
Airport Express - Bus Line 916 express - bus or taxi to Mutianyu Great Wall
Step 1: Airport Express: T3 to Dongzhimen takes 30 minutes; T2 to Dongzhimen takes 20 minutes; Exit E.
Step 2: Bus Line 916 Express or 916 from Dongzhimen Bus Station to Huairou North Avenue takes 60 - 70 minutes.
Step 3: Bus h24, h35, h36 or h50 to Mutianyu takes 40 minutes.

Notes:
1. If you take a taxi or minivan to replace the bus in the step 3, it will save 20 minutes and need an extra fare of CNY 50.
2. One can also take direct tourist bus from Dongzhimen Wai Bus Station, departing at 08:30; take direct tourist bus from Qianmen Tourism Distribution Center or Shaoyaoju, departing at 08:30 from Qianmen and 09:00 from Shaoyaoju.

See more How to Get to Mutianyu Great Wall
 

Distance: 80 kilometers (50 miles)
Opening Hours:
April to October: 06:30 - 19:00;
November to March: 07:00 - 18:00
Taxi (for reference): 1.5 hours, CNY300
Cheapest Way: 2 - 2.5 hours, CNY45 by bus
Airport Shuttle Bus Line 2 - Bus Line 877
Step 1: T1 to Jishuitan takes 50 minutes.
Step 2: Walking to nearby Deshengmen needs about 5 minutes.
Step 2: Bus line 877 from Deshengmen to Badaling Changcheng takes 1 hour.

Note: One can also take a high speed train or Train No. S2 to Badaling Great Wall.

See more
How to Get to Badaling Great Wall: by Bus 
How to Get to Great Wall of China by Train - S2 to Badaling
 

Distance: 120 kilometers (75 miles)
Opening Hours:
April to October: 08:00 - 18:00;
November to March: 08:00 - 17:30  
Taxi: 2 -2.5 hours, CNY500 - 600
Bus: It takes as long as 3 - 3.5 hours and costs CNY70 for a single trip, so it is not recommended.
Airport Express - Gubei Water Town Express Line
Step 1: T2 to Dongzhimen takes 40 minutes; Exit E.
Step 2: Gubei Water Town Express Line from Dongzhimen Wai to Gubei Water Town takes 170 minutes.

Note: If time is enough, one can also visit Gubei Water Town at the foot of Simatai Grwat Wall by the way.

 

Jinshanling: 140 kilometers (87 miles); 2.5 - 3 hours
Juyongguan: 65 kilometers (40 miles); 1.5 - 2 hours
Huanghuacheng: 70 kilometers (43 miles); 2 - 2.5 hours
Gubeikou: 140 kilometers (87 miles); 2.5 - 3 hours


Further Reading
How to get to Great Wall of China from Beijing

How to get to the Great Wall from Shanghai

How to get to the Great Wall from Hong Kong

Where is the Great Wall of China located?