Beijing Daxing International Airport

Beijing Daxing International Airport is one of Beijing's two passenger airports; the other is Capital International Airport. 
 

Daxing International Airport

 

 Airport Code: PKX
 Air routes: over 220 air routes to/from 177 destinations worldwide, including domestic points such as Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu and Hong Kong, and international points such as London, Frankfurt, Milan, Moscow, Singapore, Tokyo and Osaka

Daxing Airport Location Map (Click to Enlarge) more Beijing Maps

 Location: 46 km (29 mi) south of Tian’anmen Square in city center, 67 km (42 mi) to Beijing Capital Airport (PEK), 47 km (29 mi) to Beijing South Railway Station, 126 km (78 mi) to Mutianyu Great Wall 
 Connection with downtown: It is connected with downtown via the Daxing Airport Express subway line, multiple airport shuttle bus lines, taxis and ride-hailing services, plus high-speed trains to and from Beijing West Railway Station.

 

Beijing Daxing International Airport has only a single terminal building, but huge covering an area of 780,000 square meters (193 acres), as big as over 100 standard football fields, and with five floors above ground and two floors below. The detailed functions of each floor and locations of airlines are as follows.
 

Floor	Functions
5F	Catering
4F	International and Domestic Departures; Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Departures
3F	Air China and China United Domestic Departures; Domestic Security Check; China Eastern Exclusive Check-In Area; China Southern and Xiamen Airlines Premium Check-In Area
2F	Domestic Arrivals; E-Hailing Boarding Point at 1M of P1
1F	International Arrivals; Shuttle bus boarding points inside Gate 20 on the east side; Coach boarding points inside Gate 15 on the west side; Taxi boarding points at driveway edge outside the terminal
B1	Domestic Departures; Domestic Check-In and Security Check; Daxing Airport Express Station; Daxing Airport Railway Station
B2	Subway Platform

Airlines	Floor	Airlines (IATA Code)
Domestic Airlines	3F	Air China (CA), China United (KN)
	4F	China Southern Airlines (CZ), Xiamen Air (MF), Jiangxi Air (RY), China Eastern (MU), Shanghai Airlines (FM), Hebei Airlines (NS), Capital Airlines (JD), Juneyao Air (HO), Donghai Airlines (DZ), Qingdao Airlines (QW), Chengdu Airlines (EU), Spring Airlines (9C), Colorful Guizhou Airlines (GY), Air Travel (A6), 9 Air (AQ), China Express (G5), Tibet Airlines (TV), Tianjin Airlines (GS), Guangxi Airlines (GX), Shandong Airlines (SC), Kunming Airlines (KY)
International / Hong Kong / Macao / Taiwan Airlines	4F	Malaysia Airlines (MH), British Airways (BA), Swiss International Air Lines (LX), Finnair (AY), RAM Royal Air Maroc (AT), Spring Airlines (9C), Qatar Airways (QR), Air Macau (NX), Etihad Airways (EY), AirAsia X (D7), Cambodia Airways (KR), Hunnu Air (MR), Thai VietJet Air (VZ), Thai AirAsia (FD), Russian Airlines (SU), S7 Airlines (S7), Himalaya Airlines (H9), Royal Brunei Airlines (BI), Saudi Arabian Airlines (SV), Hong Kong Airlines (HX), Rossiya Airlines (FY), Ural Airlines (U6), T'way Airlines (TW), Jeju Air (7C), Singapore Airlines (SQ), LOT Polish Airlines (LO), Delta Air Lines (DL), American Airlines (AA), AirAsia (AK), Malindo Air (OD), Vietnam Airlines (VN), Uzbekistan Airways (HY)

 In smooth conditions, international arrival process can be finished in 30 to 45 minutes. A realistic buffer is 45 to 60 minutes, and during busy evening peaks it may take up to 60 to 90 minutes.

 Immigration Inspection: After deplaning and walking down to 1F, you proceed to passport control. Before that, you must complete the China Entry Card, which can be filled online in advance for free; paper cards are still available on the plane or at the arrival hall. First-time entrants aged 14–70 also need to give fingerprints at the self-service kiosks, usually taking 5 to 15 minutes; in peak periods, queuing may extend to 30 to 45 minutes. 
 Baggage Claim: After immigration, proceed to the international baggage hall. Bags usually start circulating within 15 minutes of arrival. Waiting and retrieval often take 15 to 30 minutes.
 Customs Inspection: PKX uses pre-arrival baggage screening. If you have nothing to declare, you simply walk through the green channel after picking up bags. If being selected for random inspection or declaring goods, add 5 to 15 minutes.
 

Fingerprints Collection Machines

 Deplaning and walking to the Baggage Claim Hall on 2F usually takes 5 to 10 minutes. Baggage typically appears on the carousel within 10 to 15 minutes after the aircraft door opens. Retrieval is usually quick. Total time from touchdown to exiting the terminal is commonly 15 to 25 minutes.
 After checking in with your airlines and dropping off your luggage, you proceed through security screening and then walk to your assigned boarding gate. International flights require exit formalities before reaching the boarding gates. Knowing the key time cut-offs helps you plan your arrival without unnecessary stress.
 

Item	International Departure	Domestic Departure
Recommended Arrival Time	3 hours before departure	2 hours before departure
Check-in Closes	50–60 min before take-off	40min before take-off
Boarding Gate Closes	15-20 min before take-off

 The core transit facilities are concentrated on 2F for arrivals and 3/4F for departures. Upon arrival, follow clear multilingual signage reading "Transfer" or "中转" leading to the centralized transit counters. 

The official minimum connection time (MCT) published by PKX is as follows:
 I to I: 45 minutes
 D to I: 60 minutes
 I to D: 60 minutes
 D to D: 30 minutes
However, in practice, add 60 to 90 minutes as a safe buffer for conditions like separate tickets, baggage claim and recheck, or peak-hour queues. 

Transfer Service Counter at Daxing Airport

 1. Staying Within the International Transit Zone
If you just plan to remain at the international transit area during the transfer, hold a through-ticket with baggage interlined, and meet the criteria for visa-free transit, you generally do not need to clear immigration or customs. Follow the "International Transfer" or "中转" signs to the 2F transfer counter to obtain your next boarding pass and proceed to the departure lounge. 

2. Leaving the Airport for City Exploration
If you have a long layover time and wish to visit the city during the transfer, you must apply for a Temporary Entry Permit at the border-control counter with your passport, onward ticket to the third country and filled arrival card, register fingerprints if required, clear immigration, and even claim baggage. 

The process from immigration check to obtaining the entry permit typically takes around 30–45 minutes under normal condition. Considering potential queues, security checks upon re-entry, and check-in for your next flight, it is strongly recommended to return to the airport at least 2.5 to 3 hours before your next scheduled departure.

 Visa-Free Transit Policy at PKX
PKX supports 24-hour direct transit without a visa for international passengers. It also supports 240-hour visa-free transit for eligible citizens from 55 countries who enter China en route to a third country with confirmed onward tickets. Temporary entry permits can be requested at border control if you leave the restricted transit zone. Moreover, nearly 80 countries now enjoy visa-free access to China, so their nationals transiting PKX need no extra transit visa, either.

See more: 
China 24-Hour Visa-Free Transit 
240-Hour (10 Days) Visa-Free Transit 
Visa-free Policy
 

Face Scan for Query

 Most passengers deplane on 2F, walk to 4F to check in for the international flight, clear customs export declaration, security and outbound immigration, then proceed to the boarding gate. If you hold a through-ticket with baggage interlining, use the 2F transfer counter to finish exit formalities without reclaiming bags. 
 Most foreign passengers must complete arrival immigration on 1F, collect baggage, clear customs, then proceed to 3F or 4F for the domestic flight security check; through-ticket passengers with baggage interlining can use the 2F international-to-domestic transfer desk to skip the public arrival hall. 
 Holders of a through boarding pass can follow the 2F domestic transfer signs directly to the next boarding gate without claiming baggage or re-clearing security. If you hold two separate tickets or need to claim luggage, deplane on 2F, claim bags at the 2F carousels, re-check in at the 2F quick-transfer counter or 3F/B1, clear domestic security, then walk to the next boarding gate. 
 

Transfer Signboard of Daxing Airport

 1. Free Rest Zones: There are designated overnight rest areas near Gate C40, opposite Gate B21, and the A-concourse lounge, etc., equipped with reclining chairs and power outlets. 
2. Paid Compact Rest: Located airside near Gates A102 and D112, these offer private capsules or small rooms pricing about 80 CNY/hour, useful if you need quiet sleep environment and a shower before next flight. 
3. In-Terminal Hotels: The Autour Hotel on F2, northeast concourse, and Mumianhua Hotel receive check-in even late at night and provide proper beds. Booking ahead is advised.
4. 24H Shower Facilities: PKX is equipped with 24-hour shower rooms in the international arrival hall near Carousels 2 and 9, providing free hot water with locks for privacy.
5. Dining: Over 10 F&B outlets run 24 hours, including KFC and Starbucks at Concourse C and Hefang Noodles at Concourse A, serving hot meals, porridge and drinks through day.
6. 24H Luggage Storage: Left-luggage counter in the domestic arrivals hall of F2 east side; smart lockers in the domestic departure hall.
7. Moving Walkways & Electric Carts: To help save energy, the terminal is equipped with high-speed moving walkways and electric cart shuttles. Cart Price: CNY 15 per seat for shared rides or around CNY 39 for a private charter for up to 3 persons.

Read More: Facilities and Services of Beijing Daxing Airport

 

 Route: Daxing Airport – Daxing Xincheng - Caoqiao
 Frequency: 
05:39 – 22:30: no longer than 9min 20sec
22:30 – 23:00: 15 minutes
 Duration: 20 minutes
 Fare: single trip CNY 35 for a standard seat, CNY 50 for a business seat; free for children under 1.3 m (4.3 ft)
 Boarding site: B1
 Note: Arriving at Caoqiao station, passengers can transfer to subway line 10 or line 19 to proceed to downtown. For departure passengers, the Caoqiao City Terminal inside Caoqiao Subway Station operates 07:00–20:00 daily and offers flight check-in plus luggage drop, so one can check bags there before boarding the PKX Express and travel to the airport hands-free.
 

Daxing airport shuttle buses run to central Beijing with a duration of 1–1.5 h at CNY 25–60. Among them, two night lines, including Night Line 1 to Zhongguancun and Night Line 2 to Agricultural Exhibition Hall, operate from 23:00–03:00. Two intercity lines to Langfang City Terminal and Baoding in Hebei are also in service.
 

The intercity railway snakes from Daxing Airport to Beijing West Railway Station. From Daxing Airport to Beijing West, 20-26 trains are available daily from 06:41 to 20:56, taking only half an hour at a cost of CNY 17-30 for a second-class seat. The boarding site is on B1. 
 

Taxi Boarding Points: On the 1F curbside
International Arrivals: outside Gate 20 
Domestic Arrivals: exit via Gate 14, follow the signs to the stands.

E-hailing Pick-up Points:
No. 1-10 pick-up points, 1M, P1 parking; locate yourself more accurately like no. 1-3/4-6/7-10 points to help drivers find you.

 Estimated taxi fare to major destinations for reference

Destination	Fare (Taxi / E-hailing)	Time
Forbidden City / Tiananmen Square	CNY 180-200 / CNY 110-130	1h
Wangfujing Street	CNY 180-200 / CNY 100-130	1h
Badaling Great Wall	CNY 450-550 / CNY 300-450	1.5-2h
Mutianyu Great Wall	CNY 380-500 / CNY 300-400	2h
Bird's Nest / Water Cube	CNY 230-280 / CNY 150-230	1h
Beijing Railway Station	CNY 180-200 / CNY 100-180	1h
West Railway Station	CNY 170-200 / CNY 100-170	1h
South Railway Station	CNY 160-180 / CNY 90-160	50min
North Railway Station	CNY 190-220 / CNY 130-180	1h
Chaoyang Railway Station	CNY150-180 / CNY 190-230	60-80min
Fengtai Railway Station	CNY160-180 / CNY 110-130	50-70min

 

Take Daxing Airport Express to Caoqiao → Transfer to line 10 to Gongzhufen → Change to line 1 to Tian’anmen East
Duration: 100 minutes
Fare: CNY 39
 

Take Daxing Airport Express to Caoqiao → Transfer to line 10 to Jiaomenxi → Change to line 4 to Xuanwumen → Change to line 2 to Qianmen → Take direct tourist bus at Beijing Tourist Dispatch Hub to Mutianyu Great Wall
Duration: 2.5-3h
Fare: 
Airport Express + subway: CNY 39
Direct bus: CNY 80 for a round trip 
 

 Option 1: Reliable with over 10 Train Departures Daily
Take Daxing Airport Express train to Caoqiao → Transfer to line 19 to Mudanyuan → Transfer to line 10 Outer Ring to Zhichun Road → Change to line 13 to Qinghe → Take a bullet train at Qinghe Railway Station to Badaling Great Wall Railway Station
Duration: 3h
Fare: CNY 61-73

 Option 2: Good Choice if Arriving in the Early Morning & Round Trip to Downtown
Take Daxing Airport Express to Caoqiao → Transfer to line 10 to Jiaomenxi → Change to line 4 to Xuanwumen → Change to line 2 to Qianmen → Take a direct tourist bus at Qianmen to Badaling Great Wall from 07:30 – 11:00
Duration: 2.5-3h
Airport Express + subway: CNY 39
Direct bus: CNY 80 for a round trip 

 Option 3: More Flexible Timetable but with Possible Traffic Jam 
Take Daxing Airport Express train to Caoqiao → Transfer to line 19 to Mudanyuan → Transfer to line 10 Outer Ring to Beitucheng → Take bus no. 877 to Badaling Great Wall
Duration: 2.5h
Fare: CNY 52

See More: How to Travel from Beijing to Daxing Airport

 

Factor	Beijing Daxing (PKX)	Beijing Capital (PEK)
Distance to City Center	46 km (29 mi) south of Tiananmen Square	30 km (19 mi) northeast of Tiananmen Square
Terminal Structure	Single terminal with concourses A–W	Three separate terminals: T1, T2, T3
Express Train to Downtown	Yes, PKX → Caoqiao, travel time 19 min, ticket fare CNY35; Transfer to Line 10 / Line 19 at Caoqiao; downtown-bound departures 05:58–23:27	Yes, PEK → Dongzhimen / Sanyuanqiao, travel time 30–40 min, ticket fare CNY25; Transfer to Line 2 / 10 / 13 at Dongzhimen or Sanyuanqiao;  T3 departures 06:20–22:50, T2 departures 06:35–23:10
Airport Shuttle Bus	Day lines: 05:30-23:00 Night lines: 23:30-05:00	Day lines: 06:50-24:00 Night lines: 24:00-04:00
Facilities	Multiple 24h free rest areas plus paid hourly rooms and over 10 food-and-drink spots open 24/7	Free recliner rest zones opening 05:00–01:00 next day & 24h paid hourly rooms; most landside shops close by 22:00–23:00
Closer to These Areas	Southern Beijing (Fengtai, Daxing), Liangmaqiao, Juyongguan Great Wall, Tianjin, Xiong'an	Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Wangfujing, Sanlitun, Chaoyang CBD, Embassy District, Great Wall at Badaling and Mutianyu
Taxi to Forbidden City	50–70 min, approx CNY150–200	30–45 min, approx CNY80–120

Choose based on your flight price first. Go for whichever is cheaper, then:
Choose PKX if your accommodation is in southern Beijing near Fengtai or Liangmaqiao and if you arrive late at night.
Choose PEK if your itinerary centers on the Forbidden City, Sanlitun, or the Chaoyang business district.