Is PEK the same as PKX?
No. PEK is Beijing Capital Airport and PKX is Beijing Daxing Airport. Check your booking code and terminal.
ChinaEase Buddy
Beijing Airport to City Centre: PEK vs PKX Transfers (2026)
Quick answer
First read the three-letter code on your ticket: Beijing Capital Airport is PEK and Beijing Daxing Airport is PKX. They are different airports with different express lines. From PEK, the Capital Airport Express connects with the urban rail network around Sanyuanqiao and Dongzhimen; from PKX, the Daxing Airport Express runs toward Caoqiao. Neither express necessarily stops at your hotel. Compare the full door-to-door route, luggage, arrival time and last service against an official taxi or app-booked ride before choosing.
Last reviewed: September 25, 2026
Confirm which airport you are using
| Airport | Code | Rail link toward the city | Before you leave |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beijing Capital International Airport | PEK | Capital Airport Express toward Sanyuanqiao and Dongzhimen | Confirm terminal 2 or 3 and hotel transfer |
| Beijing Daxing International Airport | PKX | Daxing Airport Express toward Caoqiao | Confirm onward metro or road journey |
- The airport names, codes and transfer stations are different. Do not book a hotel transfer using only the word Beijing.
- If you have a flight connection between PEK and PKX, treat it as an airport change with substantial ground transfer and check airline and immigration requirements.
- arrival card, immigration and customs first: What happens between landing and the airport exit, step by step.
Choose rail, official taxi or booked ride
| Option | Best when | Check |
|---|---|---|
| Airport Express plus metro | You land during service hours with manageable luggage | Last train, interchange, final walk and payment |
| Official taxi queue | Late arrival, heavy luggage or awkward hotel location | Queue, metered fare, tolls and Chinese address |
| App-booked ride | Your phone, account and payment method work | Correct terminal pickup zone, plate and booking record |
| Airport bus | A current route has a useful stop near your hotel | Today's departure, stop, ticket and onward journey |
- Calculate the entire route from arrivals exit to hotel door. The short express ride is only one segment.
- Avoid unsolicited drivers in the arrivals hall. Follow the airport's official taxi signs or the pickup instructions in the ride app.
- The ¥200 fee rule for airport rides: Through Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card, a ride over ¥200 may carry a 3% fee.
PEK: plan the last mile
- Confirm whether your airline arrives at terminal 2 or terminal 3.
- Follow signs for the Capital Airport Express if using rail. The Beijing government lists Sanyuanqiao and Dongzhimen on its airport rail route; check the current route map and ticketing at the station.
- At the interchange, search your hotel's exact Chinese address and nearest metro exit. Account for stairs, elevators and the final walk.
- If you arrive too late for a practical rail connection, use the official taxi queue or a ride booked inside the app.
PKX: the express does not go to every district
- Follow signs for Daxing Airport Express, and check the live service notice for the date you land.
- Caoqiao is an interchange, not a universal city-centre hotel stop. Plan the next metro or taxi leg before boarding.
- Compare a direct road transfer with rail plus onward travel if your hotel is far from Caoqiao or you have several bags.
- If arriving at night, check the day's final express and metro departures rather than using a past holiday timetable.
Arrival and payment checklist
- Bring your hotel's Chinese name, street address and phone number in a screenshot accessible offline.
- Set up mobile data and a usable payment method before leaving airport Wi-Fi; carry a backup bank card or cash.
- Confirm the departure terminal again for your flight home. PEK and PKX must not be confused.
- Protect buffer time for immigration, baggage and travel to the station or pickup area.
- Use official airport or Beijing government transport pages for live route and service changes.
Before you land, see how to fill in China's online arrival card.
Once you're in the city, see my 3-day Beijing itinerary, with Forbidden City booking times and prices.
FAQ
Does the Daxing Airport Express reach my hotel?
It connects PKX toward Caoqiao; most visitors still need an onward metro, taxi or walk. Map the complete route to your hotel.
Can I take a train from Capital Airport to the city?
Yes, the Capital Airport Express links PEK with urban interchange stations. Confirm your terminal, current service hours and final hotel connection.
What is easiest after a late-night arrival?
Check the actual rail and bus service first. An official taxi or confirmed app ride may be simpler when services have stopped.
Can I use a foreign bank card on Beijing rail?
Beijing publishes supported overseas-card tap-to-ride arrangements, but availability and ticketing differ by route. Check the current airport-line instructions and keep an alternative payment method.
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