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

For tourists eligible for 24-hour or 240-hour visa-free transit in Beijing, embarking on a trip to the Great Wall from Airport is an excellent choice. So, how to plan a layover tour from Beijing Airport to the Great Wall of Beijing?

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 Currently, there are two major international airports in Beijing:

1. Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK): Located in Chaoyang District, it is 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) from the city center and is the main international airport in Beijing.

2. Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX): Situated at the junction of Beijing and Langfang City, Hebei Province, it is 53 kilometers (33 miles) south of the city center.

If you have the flexibility to choose, Beijing Capital International Airport is advisable. Its proximity to the Great Wall and the more convenient transportation options make it a superior choice for travelers.

Beijing Capital International Airport

Beijing Daxing International Airport

For a layover tour commencing at the airport, the Mutianyu Great Wall stands out as the most suitable. It is the closest to the airport, renowned for its breathtaking scenery, and is particularly favored by international tourists. The Badaling is not recommended due to its perennial overcrowding and long queues for cable cars, which can significantly eat into the limited time of a layover tour. Other sections, like Jinshanling and Simatai, are relatively remote, rendering them less practical for short-duration layover visits.

Mutianyu Great Wall, Beijing

 If you're departing from Beijing Capital Airport for Mutianyu, ensure that there is a minimum of 9 hours of daylight between your arrival and departure flights in Beijing to account for transportation and sightseeing. From Beijing Daxing Airport, at least 11 hours are required.

If time permits, a two-day visit to Beijing, including the Great Wall, is highly recommended. This extended stay allows you to fully immerse yourself in the city's rich natural and cultural heritage.

How to Get to the Great Wall of China from Beijing
 From Capital International Airport: 1.5 hours, CNY 500 - 600 for a round-way
From Daxing International Airport: 2 hours, CNY 800 - 1,000 for a round-way

Note: When opting for a taxi, it is prudent to negotiate the return trip with the driver in advance. Hailing a taxi from Mutianyu Great Wall back to the airport can be challenging.
 Joining a guided tour is the optimal way to visit the Great Wall during a layover. Tour guides will pick you up at the airport, accompany you throughout the Great Wall excursion, and drop you off at the airport. With their in-depth knowledge of traffic conditions, experienced tour guides and drivers will make every effort to avoid congestion and maximize your time. 
 There is no direct public transportation route from the airport to the Great Wall. Travelers would first need to reach Beijing's city center and then transfer to a bus. This option is extremely time-consuming, taking at least 3 hours from Capital Airport and 4 hours from Daxing Airport to reach Mutianyu.

How to Get to Mutianyu Great Wall
 1. For the best experience, consider arriving in the early morning, spending a full day exploring Beijing, and departing in the evening.
2. Steer clear of planning your trip during Chinese holidays, such as the Labor Day holiday (May 1 - 5), National Day holiday (October 1 - 7), and in late January or February. During these periods, traffic congestion is exacerbated, and the Great Wall is densely packed with tourists, detracting from the overall sightseeing experience.
3. If your arrival and departure are at the same airport, you can store your luggage at the airport for a fee of CNY 30 to 40 per piece. For travelers arriving and departing from different airports, free luggage lockers are also available at Mutianyu Great Wall.

For those with more time and an interest in exploring other sections of the Great Wall in Beijing, the following estimated driving times from the two airports may serve as a useful reference:

	From Beijing Capital International Airport	From Beijing Daxing International Airport
Badaling Great Wall	1.5 hours	2 hours
Juyongguan Great Wall	1 hour	2 hours
Simatai Great Wall	2 hours	3 hours
Jinshanling Great Wall	2 hours	3 hours
Jiankou Great Wall	1.5 hours	2.5 hours
Gubeikou Great Wall	2 hours	3 hours
Huanghuacheng Great Wall	1.5 hours	2.5 hours

More to read:
How to Get to Badaling Great Wall
How to Get to the Badaling Great Wall: Train vs. Bus

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?