Beijing Daxing Intl Airport, China (PKX) Flights & Information

Beijing’s vast scale and ever-growing population meant that there was always going to be a need for Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX). Since throwing open its doors to the public in 2019 it has become regarded as one of the best airports in the world, renowned for its remarkable design and the ease with which you can move through the terminal.

Known as “the starfish,” thanks to the five tentacles which radiate from its central hub, it’s the largest single terminal airport in the world. Built by Zaha Hadid Architects, it’s a monument to modern travel – dramatic in size, yet easy to navigate.

Next time you fly through PKX, these helpful tips will make your journey much easier.

Arriving at the airport

It’s impossible not to be swept up in the majesty of Beijing Daxing International Airport, whether you’re landing in China for the first time or heading to the airport from the center of Beijing. Its modern design is its calling card.

Beneath the vast terminal is a massive transport hub that connects directly to the city center via high-speed rail and a dedicated Daxing Airport Express Line. If you opt for the latter, you can even check your bags, for both domestic and international flights, at Caoqiao Station. You can do so up to 2.5 hours before departure, allowing you to breeze through the airport as soon as you arrive.

Despite its size, PKX is straightforward to get around, with lots of signs to help you find your way. Domestic security is found on the third floor, with international security up on the fourth floor.

Thanks to facial recognition tech and automatic gates, it’s possible to speed through security. However, be aware that fastidious and multiple baggage checks, plus the need to take off items such as watches, belts and shoes can slow the process down, as can detailed passport and visa checks.

I find leaving at least 2 hours before departure can get you through longer lines and still leave you time to marvel at the building itself. If you’re arriving on a flight late at night, passport lines can take hours due to a lack of staff.

Getting to and from PKX by public transportation

The public transportation into and out of Beijing Daxing International Airport is nothing short of incredible. In many ways, this feels like a train and metro hub with an airport built on top.

If you’re traveling from the heart of Beijing, you can take the excellent Daxing Airport Express Line. Despite being 25 miles from Caoqiao Station, where the line connects with lines 10 and 19, it takes just 19 minutes to reach the airport, thanks to a top speed of nearly 100 mph. Just be aware that you’ll need around 50 minutes to get a subway from Tiananmen Square to Caoqiao.

For access to the sprawling Beijing West train station, you can hop on a high-speed train. The Beijing to Xiong-an Intercity line passes through the airport’s futuristic station and is my favorite way to get into the city. It’s affordable too.

It’s also possible to take an Airport Shuttle Bus. There are 11 services running from the middle of Beijing to PKX throughout the day. You can take buses from Gate 20 on the eastern side of the airport. Personally, while I find the buses comfortable, the sometimes immovable Beijing traffic means it can take upward of 2 hours to complete your journey.

Getting to and from PKX by car

Taxis to and from Beijing Daxing International Airport are a reliable option if your flight arrives late or you don’t want to be beholden to train or bus timetables. To find one, you’ll need to make your way to the first floor of the terminal. There are 2 taxi stands – 1 on the west side of the terminal for cars heading towards Hebei and another for journeys into Beijing, found on the east side.

You can either use the regular taxi service or opt for Didi, a local rideshare app. I’m a big fan of the latter as it cuts down on any confusion when you set off on your journey, with the driver already having your destination on hand. If you choose a normal cab, have your address written down in Chinese so that your driver knows where to go.

Security lines

When PKX opened, authorities boasted about new automated systems for checking boarding passes and ID, as well as the ability to photograph hand luggage and passengers to speed up the security process. The airport claims it now processes around 260 passengers an hour, up from 180.

While that sounds great, the fact is the process of going through security can take ages. In China there’s an emphasis on getting every passenger properly checked. Many passengers are required to remove their shoes, while there are rigorous checks for prohibited items, utilizing new imaging technology to scan passengers rather than using old-style metal detectors.

My advice is not to hang around the landside part of the airport, but to get right through security as soon as you can after arrival.

Fast track and visa-free visits

If you can’t face the lines at immigration and passport control, you can pay for departure or arrival fast track via a third-party company. While this will help speed you through the airport, the cost is high, even more so if you’re traveling in a group. Personally, I don’t think it’s worth it.

If you’re transiting through PKX, you can also take advantage of a 144-hour visa-free permit. On arrival, head straight to passport control with your passport, a visa for the next country you are visiting and a complete landing card. The permit is only valid in Beijing, Hebei and Tianjin, but presents a fuss-free way to explore this vast area without having to shell out for a visa.

Free Wi-Fi at the airport

Beijing Daxing International Airport has a 5G base station from which its Wi-Fi runs, allowing up to 100,000 people to connect at once.

To do so, all you need to do is open your device’s Wi-Fi settings and connect to Green WiFi. From here enter your mobile number (it can handle numbers from over 220 different countries and destinations) to get a verification code, which you can then use to connect.

You can also use your passport or ID to get a code from dedicated self-service machines, but I find that simply using your phone is much easier. Remember that you won’t be able to connect to many major apps and services due to China’s internet censorship laws.

Lounges at PKX

PKX has numerous lounges to choose from, whether you’re flying domestically or internationally. Most are run by China Eastern or China Southern, with some only accessible to travelers using those airlines.

For other travelers, though, it’s possible to pay a small fee and access China Eastern’s VIP lounge or China Southern’s first/business and gold/silver lounges in domestic departures. These offer food, Wi-Fi and more space to relax before take-off.

On the international side, you can pay to access China Southern’s Sky Pearl VIP. The fee is relatively low, so you’ll likely pay as much to spend time here as you would buying food, drinks and souvenirs in the main airport. I find them to be worth the expense, especially if you are traveling solo.

Amenities at PKX

Shopping at Daxing is the stuff of legend, as long as you like high end clothing brands and local souvenirs from the myriad duty-free shops. Likewise, there are over 50 restaurants to choose from, including many major international chains you’ll recognize.

I really love the fact there’s some quiet office space here too. There are 4 work pods in total – just head to corridor C or corridor D and you’ll see them marked. You’ll find desks, Wi-Fi and charging ports.