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31.4 km • ~40 mins

How to Get from Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) to Tiananmen Square

Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) is about 31.4 km northeast of Tiananmen Square. Door-to-door transfers take around 40–50 minutes, while the Airport Express metro link takes roughly 55–65 minutes and costs from €3.80.

✓ Verified Oct 30, 2026 • 31.4 km road distance

Private Airport Transfer

Recommended
40 mins •On Request
€45 - €70 (Per Vehicle)
Luggage: 2 Pieces Free
How to take it step-by-step:
  1. After clearing customs, follow signs for Arrivals and meet your driver at the designated pick-up area in Terminal 2 or Terminal 3.
  2. Look for a name board or follow the booking instructions sent by the transfer company.
  3. Board the vehicle and confirm your destination with the driver: 'Tiananmen Square / Tian'anmen Guangchang'.
  4. Ride directly north-east to south-west via the Airport Expressway; the journey is about 31.4 km and normally 40 minutes.
  5. Ask the driver to drop you near Tiananmen East or Qianmen gate on the north side of the square.
Kiwitaxi
✓ Fixed Price • Meet & Greet at Exit
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Official Metered Taxi

Door-to-Door
40 mins •Available 24/7 at Official Queue
€13.50 - €20 (Meter, Plus Tolls)
Luggage: 2 Pieces Free
How to take it step-by-step:
  1. From arrivals, follow the 'Taxi' signs to the official marshalled taxi queue: at T3 it is on B1/1F below arrivals; at T2 outside arrivals.
  2. Ignore anyone offering a taxi inside the terminal and join the official line.
  3. Tell the driver 'Tiananmen / Tian'anmen Guangchang' or show the Chinese characters 天安门广场.
  4. Ask the driver to use the meter (打表); the fare should be about ¥100–¥150, plus expressway tolls.
  5. Pay in cash or by Alipay/WeChat Pay; foreign bank cards are generally not accepted.

Airport Express Metro + Subway

Cheapest
60 mins •Every 10 Mins (Until about 23:00)
From €3.80 / Person
Luggage: Hand Luggage Easiest
How to take it step-by-step:
  1. Follow 'Airport Express / 机场快轨' signs from arrivals to the Airport Express station in Terminal 2 or Terminal 3.
  2. Buy a ¥25 paper ticket or tap a contactless foreign bank card at the gate (Visa/Mastercard/JCB/Amex accepted).
  3. Board an Airport Express train towards Dongzhimen/Beixinqiao and get off at Dongzhimen.
  4. Transfer to Line 2 and ride to Qianmen (Tiananmen South), or stay to Beixinqiao and change to Line 5/Line 1 via Dongdan to Tiananmen East.
  5. Exit at Qianmen or Tiananmen East and walk 2–5 minutes into the square; the onward subway fare is paid separately from ¥3.

Airport Bus + Short Taxi/Walk

Budget Bus
80 mins •See Airport Bus Counter Timetable
€2.70 - €4.70 / Person
Luggage: 2 Pieces Free
How to take it step-by-step:
  1. Exit the arrivals hall and find the airport bus stops outside Terminal 2 or Terminal 3.
  2. Buy a ticket at the airport bus counter or via the official mini-program (Alipay/WeChat).
  3. Board the Beijing Railway Station line and stay on until Beijing Railway Station.
  4. From Beijing Railway Station, take a taxi, DiDi or the metro for the short final leg to Tiananmen Square.
  5. Expect 60–110 minutes for the bus depending on traffic; pay a separate city fare for the last leg.

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⚠️ Important Local Taxi & Arrival Tips

  • Only use the official airport taxi queue; drivers approaching you inside the terminal may be unlicensed and can overcharge or refuse the meter.
  • Insist the taxi driver uses the meter (打表). The fare to Tiananmen should be roughly ¥100–¥150 plus tolls, so treat fixed quotes higher than that with caution.
  • Airport Express tickets are never free with a flight; the separate ¥25 fare is required, and the onward subway fare is not included.
  • Airport bus ticket sellers may approach with 'direct to Tiananmen' claims; no airport bus stops at Tiananmen Square, so expect a short taxi or metro connection.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest way to get from Beijing Capital Airport to Tiananmen Square?

The Airport Express metro plus Subway Line 2/Line 1 is the cheapest realistic route. It costs about €3.80 per person in total, with the Airport Express at ¥25 plus a separate ¥3 onward subway fare.

How long does it take from PEK to Tiananmen Square?

A taxi or private transfer normally takes about 40 minutes with no heavy traffic, while the Airport Express metro route takes roughly 55–65 minutes. Airport buses take 60–110 minutes plus a short last leg.

Can I use a foreign bank card on the Beijing Airport Express?

Yes. Contactless foreign Visa, Mastercard, JCB and American Express cards are accepted at subway gates, including the Capital Airport Express. You can also pay cash at the staffed ticket counter.

Is there a direct airport bus to Tiananmen Square?

No. Airport buses serve Beijing Railway Station and other hubs, but none stops at Tiananmen Square itself. You would need a taxi, DiDi or metro connection for the final short distance.

What should I do if I arrive late at night?

The Capital Airport Express runs until about 23:00, so after that a taxi or pre-booked private transfer is the most reliable option. Taxis are available 24/7, and the Beijing West Railway Station bus is the only 24-hour airport bus but does not serve Tiananmen directly.

Which option is best for a family with luggage?

A pre-booked private transfer is usually best for families because it is door-to-door, takes about 40 minutes, and avoids transfers with luggage. A metered taxi is a cheaper door-to-door alternative.

Nearby places

More transfers from Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)

Forbidden City · 29.6 km Wangfujing · 28.5 km Beijing Railway Station · 29.8 km Temple of Heaven · 32.5 km Beijing South Railway Station · 39.1 km Lama Temple · 25.5 km Guomao (CBD) · 28.2 km Sanlitun · 24.3 km Beijing West Railway Station · 38 km Olympic Park (Bird's Nest) · 26.2 km

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