Airport · PEK
Beijing Capital International Airport
Beijing, China

Shujianyang — CC BY-SA 4.0
IATA
PEK
ICAO
ZBAA
Continent
Asia
Country
China
Transport
Getting To & From Beijing Capital International Airport
The Beijing Subway Airport Express line connects Terminals 2 and 3 directly to key downtown transfer hubs like Sanyuanqiao and Dongzhimen, taking about 20 minutes to Sanyuanqiao and 25 to 30 minutes to Dongzhimen, for a flat fare of CNY 25 (about US$3.50). Official taxi ranks are available outside each terminal; metered fares to central Beijing typically range between about CNY 100 and CNY 150 (roughly US$14 to US$21) depending on traffic and tolls, with a travel time of 30 to 50 minutes. Comprehensive airport bus networks also connect the facilities to various points across the city.
Navigate
Terminals & Getting Around
Terminals
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) has three terminals. Terminal 1 currently shows no scheduled passenger flights, so most travelers use Terminal 2 or Terminal 3. Terminal 3 is massive, split into a main building (T3-C) and two satellite concourses (T3-E and T3-D) linked by an underground automated people mover. Terminals 2 and 3 handle both domestic and international traffic segregated primarily by airline alliances and carriers, with Air China anchoring operations out of Terminal 3. Terminals 2 and 3 are physically separate, requiring a free public landside shuttle bus running roughly every 10 minutes for inter-terminal transfers.
Hours of Operation
Beijing Capital International Airport operates 24 hours a day. While certain retail shops and transit services scale back overnight, the facilities remain open to accommodate red-eye and connecting flights.
Know Before You Go
Practical Tips
- Allow ample time for security checkpoints, which can feature strict screening protocols and lengthy queues during peak morning and evening banks.
- Maintain a minimum connection time of at least 90 minutes to two hours for domestic-to-domestic transfers, and significantly longer (3 hours or more) if transferring to international flights or changing between Terminal 2 and Terminal 3.
- Ensure you have your travel documents prepared for China's regional transit regulations; eligible international travelers can utilize temporary visa-free transit schemes (such as the 24/144-hour policies) by processing paperwork at designated airport counters upon arrival.
- Stick strictly to official, marked taxi queues outside the terminal exits and avoid unauthorized individuals offering rides inside the arrivals hall.
Comfort
Lounges
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) offers a mix of airline-operated spaces and independent pay-per-use lounges distributed across Terminal 2 and Terminal 3. In Terminal 2, travelers can access the Air China First and Business Class Lounge and the China Eastern Airlines V2 Lounge, alongside the independent BGS Premier Lounge and the Fortune Wings Lounge. Terminal 3 features extensive facilities, heavily split between domestic (T3C) and international/satellite gates (T3E). Priority Pass holders and independent travelers find options like the BGS Premier Lounge and Joy Rest Lounge in Terminal 3E, complemented by airline flagship lounges operated by Air China. Paid hourly rest spaces such as Comfort Zone are also stationed across the terminals for transit passengers requiring a shower or nap.
Staying Online
Wi-Fi & Charging
Free wireless internet is available throughout PEK via the network SSID AIRPORT-FREE-WIFI-NEW (or regional airport variants), but accessing it requires navigating China's strict digital framework. Authentication typically demands a text message verification code sent to a mobile number, or scanning a passport at automated airport kiosks located near boarding gates to generate a temporary login slip. Speeds fluctuate heavily during peak bank departures, and standard international social media applications and search engines remain blocked unless accessed via an active virtual private network. Physical charging pillars and business service desks offering device power-ups are distributed throughout the gate areas in both terminals.
Eat & Drink
Food & Dining
Dining options span quick-service global chains and traditional Chinese sit-down eateries, varying significantly depending on whether you are pre-security or airside. Terminal 3 features notable local concepts alongside staples like Starbucks, KFC, and Burger King; airside options in T3E include regional noodle specialists like Lao Zhang Beef Noodles and sit-down duck variations, while international quick bites are concentrated around T3C. Terminal 2 offers a more compact selection, featuring public-side fast food chains, coffee houses, and a 24-hour Heineken Bar on Floor 3, alongside a limited selection of post-security outlets. Cashless mobile payments via WeChat Pay and Alipay are heavily favored across virtually all vendors.
Driving In
Parking
Parking infrastructure at PEK is centered around major multi-level garages and open-air lots serving specific terminals. Short-term spaces are situated directly opposite the terminal complexes—such as P1 and P2 serving Terminals 1 and 2, and P3 situated to handle traffic between Terminal 2 and Terminal 3. Rates vary by lot and change often, so check the airport's parking notices on arrival. Payment is managed upon exit, with digital and cash methods supported.
Staying Nearby
Nearby Hotels
For travelers facing extended layovers, several properties sit immediately adjacent to the airport complex. The upscale Hilton Beijing Capital Airport and Cordis, Beijing Capital Airport are positioned very close to Terminal 3, with the Hilton offering scheduled shuttle connections. For closer walking accessibility to Terminal 2, options such as the JI Hotel Beijing Capital Airport Terminal 2 sit roughly 0.7 kilometers away. Additionally, a wide ring of budget and mid-scale properties—including the ibis Styles Beijing Capital Airport and the Crowne Plaza Beijing International Airport—offer airport shuttle buses (hours and fees vary, so confirm with each hotel).
Sources: Beijing Capital International Airport Wikipedia, Wikivoyage Beijing Capital International Airport Guide, Priority Pass PEK Lounges, Beijing Municipal Government Official Service Portal, China Airline Travel PEK Guide, Trip.com PEK Airport Guide