China Layover Guide
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Beijing · leave the airport from ~7h

PEKLayover guide

Beijing Capital International Airport · ~25 km northeast of the centre

Researched and fact-checked by the editorial team against official sources.

Last reviewed

The short answer

You need roughly 7 hours at PEK before leaving the airport is worthwhile, and 10+ hours to be comfortable. Airport Express gets you to Beijing in about 25–35 min to Dongzhimen / Sanyuanqiao. PEK is a designated port under the 240-hour visa-free transit policy, covering Beijing municipality.

Getting into Beijing

  • Airport Express

    Traffic-proof

    Runs roughly 06:00–23:00 every ~10 minutes, then metro onward. The most predictable option.

    Time
    25–35 min to Dongzhimen / Sanyuanqiao
    Cost
    ¥25

  • Taxi / DiDi

    Can be delayed

    Best for late arrivals or heavy bags. Traffic-dependent.

    Time
    40–70 min
    Cost
    ¥100–200

What fits in each window

  1. Under 6 hours

    Stay airside

    Immigration and the transfer consume almost everything.

  2. 6–8 hours

    One sight, done properly

    About 2.5–3 hours on the ground. Pick Tiananmen Square plus a hutong walk, or the Temple of Heaven, not both.

  3. 10–12 hours

    A real Beijing day

    The Forbidden City (pre-booked) plus Jingshan Park for the view, and a Peking duck lunch. The sweet spot for a first visit.

  4. 24 hours+

    Add the Great Wall

    Mutianyu is roughly 1.5–2 hours each way by pre-booked car. Overnight in the city and go early.

Luggage storage

Left-luggage counters in Terminals 2 and 3; confirm the current location and hours at the airport.

Cost: ¥15–30 per bag per day (indicative)

PEK traps to avoid

  • PEK and Daxing (PKX) are on opposite sides of the city, roughly 80 km apart. A cross-airport transfer is 1.5–2 hours.
  • Forbidden City tickets are passport-linked and sell out. Book before you fly.
  • The Airport Express stops just after 23:00, so late arrivals need a taxi or DiDi.

Transfer times, fares, and operating hours change. Verify against the airport’s own transport page and the National Immigration Administration before you book.