Beijing Capital International Airport (IATA: PEK, ICAO: ZBAA) opened on March 2, 1958, and is located about 26 km northeast of downtown Beijing, the capital of China. It is the largest airport in the country and ranks as the second busiest in the world. By the end of 2019, the airport’s annual passenger capacity reached approximately 1.01 billion, handling 252 domestic and international routes each day.
Terminals and Facilities
The airport has three terminals, 314 boarding gates, and three runways: two 4E-class runways (3,800 m × 60 m) and one 4F-class runway (3,200 m × 50 m).
- Terminal 1 (T1): Opened January 1, 1980; renovated in 2008; officially closed on May 3, 2020.
- Terminal 2 (T2): Opened November 1, 1999.
- Terminal 3 (T3): Opened in 2008; located about 6.4 km southeast of T1 and T2.
A free shuttle bus operates between T2 and T3.
Ground Transportation
Transportation options include:
- Airport Express: A rail link to central Beijing, operating as part of the Beijing Subway network (recommended option).
- Airport Bus: Multiple routes connecting to various districts.
- Taxi: Direct service to destinations across the city.
Airline and Alliance Transfers
Since September 2019, all Oneworld and SkyTeam flights have moved from PEK to Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX), except for Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific and Dragon Air, which still operate at PEK.
Location and Contact
- Address: Jichang West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China
- Telephone: (+86) 10 96158
- Distances:
- 26 km northeast of downtown Beijing
- 76 km northeast of Beijing Daxing International Airport
- 40 km northeast of Beijing South Railway Station
- 41 km northeast of Beijing West Railway Station
FAQs – Beijing Capital International Airport
- How far is PEK from downtown Beijing? About 26 km northeast of the city center.
- How far is PEK from Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX)? About 78 km northeast of PKX.
- How far is PEK from Beijing South Railway Station? About 40 km northeast of the station.
- How can I get to PEK by subway or taxi? Options include the Airport Express train, taxi, or airport bus. The Airport Express is the most recommended choice.
- How many terminals are there at PEK? Three terminals: T3, T2, and the closed T1.
- When should I arrive before departure? At least 2 hours before your flight to allow time for security and boarding.
- Are there dining options at PEK? Yes, a variety of Chinese, Western, and Japanese restaurants, including rice and noodle dishes, KFC, McDonald’s, and Starbucks.
- Are there hourly lounges at PEK? About 10 hourly lounges are located across T3, T2, and T1.
- What is the 240-hour Visa-Free Transit policy? Citizens from 54 eligible countries with valid travel documents and confirmed onward tickets to a third country or region can stay in Beijing visa-free for up to 240 hours (10 days).
- How many airports are there in Beijing? Two: Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) and Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX).
