Airport Name
Beijing Capital International Airport
Airport Location
The airport is located 18 miles northeast of Beijing.
Terminals
2
IATA Code
PEK
Telephone
+86 (0)10 6456 3220 / 4247 / 3604
Airport Overview
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) is one of the world’s largest and busiest airports, which is to be expected in the world’s most populous country. The airport was revamped and upgraded for the Olympic Games in 2008 and now it is the second-busiest international air-hub, after Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International.
Beijing Airport has three terminals all of which have a wide selection of shopping, food and beverage options to keep even the most difficult traveler entertained during stopovers or while waiting to board.
China Southern Airlines, Hainan Airlines and Air China all use Beijing Capital International Airport as a hub. There are direct flights to Beijing Capital International Airport from almost all the airports in China as well as many Asian, European, African and North and South American airports.
Passengers using Beijing’s airport are certain to notice the beauty of the airport. As with many Chinese constructions the art of Feng Shui is employed to give the building, and the business it houses, good luck and positive energy. The red color of the roof in terminal three is the Chinese color of good luck.
Terminal Transfer
Free shuttle buses run between terminals at ten-minute intervals between 6am and 11pm and at 30-minute intervals between 11pm and 6am. The shuttle stops at gates three to five of Terminal 1, gates nine to 11 of Terminal 2, and gate five of Terminal 3.
Getting into Town
Train: The Airport Express Line on Beijing Subway stops at Terminals 2 and 3 between 6am and 11pm. It takes 20 minutes to reach central Beijing. A one-way ticket costs RMB 25.
Taxis: Taxis in Beijing are notorious for ripping off tourists. Airport taxis are available just outside arrivals. The 40-minute drive into central Beijing will cost about RMB 135. Passengers should firmly insist that the meter is on in the taxi and avoid the touts in the arrivals hall.
Bus: Airport buses No. 1-5 leave the airport every 15 minutes for various destinations throughout Beijing from 6am until the last flight. The trip into town takes 45 minutes or more depending on traffic. Ticket prices start at RMB 16.
Car Parking
The parking garage is located close to Terminal 3 and is connected to the building by means of an underground walkway. There is also an airport subway linking the parking garage to the terminals. Parking is free for the first 30 minutes. Thereafter RMB 6 for 30-60 minutes. The daily rate is RMB 80 per day and RMB 50 per day from the second day onward.
Information Desks
There are information booths and desks in all the terminals. Staff members are friendly and helpful, but sometimes their English is not great.
Airport Facilities
Money and communications: Currency Exchange, ATMs and banks as well as a post office and public phones are all available at the airport.
Luggage: Luggage carts are provided free of charge. A left luggage facility is available at gate nine in the arrivals hall as well as gates eight and ten of departures (Terminal 2). Prices range from RMB 20 per day for small luggage items up to RMB 50 for larger items. Lost luggage is handled by the airline concerned.
Conference and business: VIP lounges have Internet, printing, faxing, telephones and other business facilities. The airport also has a business center offering internet access as well as computer and fax facilities. Conference facilities are available at the airport as well as at the nearby Beijing Airport Garden Hotel.
Shopping: Duty-free products at the Beijing Capital Airport range from the normal tobacco, alcohol, perfume, cosmetics and accessories to Chinese teas, silks and jade jewelry. There is a multitude of shops to browse through in the Departures section of the airport. Like many of the state-run tourist shops around Beijing, duty-free shops at the airport don’t offer particularly competitive prices, but they are useful for last-minute gifts and souvenirs.
Food and drink: The food corridor at Beijing Capital International Airport has a selection of cuisines from around the world. Passengers can enjoy a last bite of Chinese food before leaving or there are a number of popular well-known restaurants such as Pizza Hut, KFC, Starbucks, Burger King and McDonalds. However, most of the dining options are before the security gates.
Other facilities: The terminals at Beijing Capital Airport are equipped with water fountains for passengers. There are also dedicated smoking rooms, nursing rooms for mothers and infants and dressing rooms. Free mobile phone charging powers are available at many locations of the terminal buildings. Toilet facilities at the airport are available in both Western (seated) and Asian (squat) toilet styles.
Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the airport, but you’ll need to get to an “authentication terminal” before you can use your own device (tablet, notebook, smartphone, etc) to access it. Travelers with a local number can have a text message sent to them with the password. Alternatively, travelers may to scan their passport into the system.
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