Beijing Daxing Airport to City Distance: 46 KM/1.5 Hour

Beijing Daxing Airport is not close to the old city center. For most tourists, the first useful number to know is this: Beijing Daxing Airport is about 46 km from the Forbidden City area, which usually means around 1.5-2 hours.
- Beijing Daxing Airport to the Forbidden City: about 46 km.
- Beijing Daxing Airport to the Temple of Heaven: about 41-44 km.
- Beijing Daxing Airport to Beijing North Railway Station (Xizhimen): about 55-57 km.
4 Ways from Daxing Airport Transfer to City: Which One Is Right for You?
| Transfer Option | Best For | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airport Bus | Most tourists, direct ride to central areas | About 60-100 min | ¥30-55 |
| High-Speed Train | Budget travelers who do not mind transferring; Beijing West connections | 28-34 min to Beijing West, longer overall with transfer | ¥17-90 |
| Daxing Airport Express | Daytime arrivals who want frequent service | 21 min to Caoqiao, then transfer | ¥35 standard / ¥50 business |
| Taxi / Didi | Families, heavy luggage, late arrivals | About 50-90 min | About ¥150-250 |
For travelers who have never been to China before and cannot read Chinese signs, airport bus is always the top pick.
Daxing Airport Bus - The Easiest & Direct Option for Most Tourists

You can find the airport bus inside Gate 20 on the east side of Level 1 at Daxing Airport. Tickets can be bought on site. All routes have clear English route boards, and staff can offer basic guidance for foreign guests.
Not all bus lines are useful for tourists. Suburban routes like Tongzhou, Yizhuang, Fangshan, Tiantongyuan and Fengtai mainly serve local residents and business parks, with few tourist hotels or landmarks nearby.
First-time travelers can completely ignore these lines and focus only on the two daytime main routes and two night service lines.
Beijing Railway Station Line - For Wangfujing & Forbidden City Hotels
- Operating Hours: 08:15-23:15
- Frequency: Every 15-30 minutes, 15-minute interval during peak hours
- Fare: ¥30-40 RMB
This is the best bus line if you stay in Wangfujing, Forbidden City, Tiananmen or Temple of Heaven area. It runs straight into the historic city center, passing core tourist stops along the way. Here is key drop-off stops for visitors:
Temple of Heaven: Get off here if you plan to visit the landmark or stay in nearby budget hotels.
Ciqikou: Closest stop to Forbidden City and Tiananmen South Gate, ideal for ancient alley accommodation.
Chongwenmen: Walking distance to Wangfujing pedestrian street, full of international chain hotels and restaurants.
Beijing Railway Station East: Perfect if you need to take intercity trains to Xi'an, Chengdu or the Great Wall later.
Chaoyang Station Line - For Sanlitun, CBD & Guomao Hotels
- Operating Hours: 06:00-19:00
- Frequency: Hourly, every 30 minutes during peak hours
- Fare: ¥40-45 RMB
If your hotel is in Sanlitun, Guomao, Shuangjing or Beijing CBD, this is your go-to bus route. These districts host the largest concentration of expat bars, luxury hotels, international restaurants and embassy compounds in Beijing.
Shuangjing Bridge North: The most convenient stop for Sanlitun and CBD accommodation.
Panjiayuan Bridge North: Close to antique markets and boutique hotels popular among overseas travelers.
Langjiayuan: Walking distance to Guomao central business district and high-end five-star hotels.
Landed After 11 PM? The Night Bus Routes

Many international flights arrive at Daxing Airport late in the evening, long after regular public transport starts to reduce service. Fortunately, two official night bus lines run through midnight until early morning, covering all core tourist zones.
Night Service Line 1 (Zhongguancun): Best for travelers staying at Xizhimen, Beijing West Railway Station and northern Beijing. Xizhimen is a major transport hub with countless hotels and easy access to Great Wall day trips.
- Operating Hours: 23:15 - 03:00 next day
- Frequency: Every 20 mins (23:15-01:00); every 30 mins (01:00-03:00), departs when full
- Fare: ¥35-55 RMB
- Key drop-off stops: Beijing Fengtai Railway Station, Liuliqiao North, Xizhimen South, Zhongguancun.
Night Service Line 2 (Agricultural Exhibition Center): This is the most valuable night route for foreign tourists, covering city center, Shuangjing, CBD and Sanlitun. Get off at Shuangjing Bridge North for Sanlitun nightlife and CBD hotels; alight at Chongwenmen if you need city center accommodation at midnight.
- Operating Hours: 23:15 - 05:00 next day
- Frequency: 20 mins - 30 mins - 60 mins as night goes on
- Fare: ¥40-55 RMB
High-Speed Train - The Cheapest Way If You Don't Mind a Transfer

For budget travelers willing to handle one simple transfer, the high-speed train from Daxing Airport to Beijing West Railway Station is the most cost-effective option.
- Location: B1 floor of Daxing Airport
- Schedule: 25 daily trips from 06:41 to 23:04
- Travel Time: Most journeys take 28-34 minutes; a small number of special trains take 1-1.5 hours
- Fare Range: Second class ¥17-30 RMB, first class ¥26-48 RMB, business class ¥50-90 RMB
Once you arrive at Beijing West Railway Station, you can take the metro or local bus to reach your hotel.
Daxing Airport Express - Most Frequent
The Daxing Airport Express Metro is located on the airport B1 floor, marked with clear blue signs you can easily follow even without reading Chinese.
- Operating Hours: 6:00-23:00
- Route: Only two stops - Daxing New Town and Caoqiao, connecting to Metro Line 10 and Line 19
- Travel Time: 21 minutes from airport to Caoqiao
- Base Fare: ¥35 per person; business seat ¥50 per person
You can pay via Alipay travel code or buy tickets from self-service machines. The train uses a mix of 8-car and 4-car formations - simply follow the colored waiting lines on the platform to queue correctly.
Note that you need to exit the Caoqiao station gate first before transferring to Line 10 or Line 19.
Caoqiao to Wangfujing: Line 10 transfer to Line 8, around 40 minutes, ¥5 extra fare
Caoqiao to Sanlitun: Direct Line 10, around 50 minutes including walking time, ¥5 extra fare
If you plan to take a taxi after reaching Caoqiao, exit from Gate G - this area has less waiting traffic and drivers can wait for you briefly without rushing.
Taxi or Didi from Daxing - Worth ¥150-250?

Taxis and Didi ride-hailing offer door-to-door service with zero transfers. The pick-up area is on the airport second-floor arrival hall, with P1 and P2 online car parking zones accessible after passing the security checkpoint corridor.
One-way cost ranges from ¥150 to ¥250 RMB, depending on your exact downtown destination and traffic conditions.
Is it worth the price? Yes: If you travel with family, carry multiple large suitcases, arrive very late at night, or stay in a hidden hotel hard to reach by public transport.
Best Way to Get from Beijing Daxing Airport to Wangfujing (Near Forbidden City)

Wangfujing and Forbidden City area are the top choice for first-time tourists who want to stay close to Beijing's most iconic historic sites.
Top recommended transfer: Take Beijing Railway Station Line airport bus, get off at Ciqikou or Chongwenmen stop. You reach Wangfujing pedestrian street and Forbidden City south gate within walking distance, with no metro interchange required.
Alternative budget option: Take Daxing Airport Express to Caoqiao, transfer to metro Line 10 then Line 8 straight to Wangfujing. Slightly more steps but reliable fixed schedule all day.
Beijing Daxing Airport to the Sanlitun & CBD
Sanlitun, Guomao and CBD are favored by foreign travelers for luxury shopping, international restaurants, bars and expat-friendly hotels.
The best way is take the Chaoyang Station Line airport bus, alight at Shuangjing Bridge North stop. It is the closest direct drop-off to Sanlitun and CBD.
Take Night Service Line 2, get off at Shuangjing Bridge North or Agricultural Exhibition Center stop to reach Sanlitun area safely after 11 PM.
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