What is the main airport called?
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK). It is one of the two main international airports serving Beijing, China. It is located 32 km northeast of Beijing's city centre, in an exclave of Chaoyang District.
Arriving in Beijing
The staff at Beijing Airport will greet you when you land and assist with your travel needs. Once you collect your bags from the arrivals area, there are various transport options available to get you on your way.
Getting into Beijing from Beijing Airport
With a range of transport options available at Beijing Airport, travelling into the city centre is easy. Choose from taxis, airport express train, shuttle bus, private transfer or hotel shuttle. The Airport Express Train is the fastest way and runs frequently. It runs from Terminal 3 to Terminal 2 and then to the city centre with stops at Sanyuanqiao and Dongzhimen. It takes approximately 20 minutes and tickets can be bought at the vending machines at the airport. The airport shuttle bus is a good way to get to various locations in Beijing with 13 routes heading to different areas in the city. The trip time takes approximately an hour, with shuttles every 30 minutes. Local buses are available, though they take longer to get to the city. Taxi is a convenient option to get to the city centre, e.g Tiananmen Square, depending on the traffic can take about an hour. If you are travelling in a group or after more privacy, you can book a private transfer service from PEK to your hotel. You can hire a car, though you need a Chinese driver's licence and there can be alot of traffic.
Getting around Beijing
Getting around Beijing can be easy with different ranges of transport available. Choose from public transport, taxi, ride share, bus or walking. The best way to get around Beijing and avoid the traffic is to take the subway. It's easy to use, signs are in English and the tickets are cheap. It's best to get a travel card to take you to the popular tourist attractions. To explore each neighbourhood, it's easy to walk around sections at a time. Beijing’s buses are a great way to get close up with the locals. They are everywhere, cheap and reasonably straightforward to use. Taxis are easy to find, though difficult to hail during rush hour. Alternatively, book a taxi through Didi (China's Uber) and it's best to have your destination written down in Chinese for the driver. You can choose from regular cars, city taxis or deluxe vehicles. Cycling is an enjoyable way to get around Beijing, especially in summer, as the city is flat and most roads have a bike lane. There is a bike-share system located throughout the capital city. A fun way to see the sights it to jump in a rickshaw or you may wish to join a guided tour.