Beijing has two international airports that are not interchangeable: Capital (PEK) and Daxing (PKX). High-speed trains arrive at more than one station — the name on your 12306 ticket is the one that matters. Entry rules are national (30-day waiver, 240-hour transit at designated ports, official free arrival card). Confirm that day’s airport-link and train times on official operator pages; we will not print a fare we have not verified. Last verified (national rules): 2026-11-12.
最終確認日 · 初出 · 出典 4 件
重要な事実
| Airports | PEK (Capital) and PKX (Daxing) — read your ticket |
|---|---|
| Rail | Several Beijing stations; 12306 is the authority |
| Visa | National rules — 50-country 30-day list; 240-hour only at designated ports |
| Last verified | National entry and payment rules: 2026-11-12 |
The short version
Beijing is served by two international airports that are not interchangeable: Capital (PEK, 北京首都国际机场) and Daxing (PKX, 北京大兴国际机场). Check which one is on your ticket. Both have official rail links into the city; times, first and last trains, and fares are on the operator’s pages — we will not print a timetable we have not re-checked today. High-speed trains arrive at more than one Beijing station (including Beijing South and Beijing Chaoyang); the name on your 12306 ticket is the one that matters.
Entry into mainland China is a national rule, not a city one. Eligible passports may use the 30-day visa-free waiver (50 countries on the official NIA English list compiled 17 February 2026; the United States and India are not on it). A qualifying 240-hour visa-free transit is a different rule (57 countries, 65 designated ports) and requires an onward ticket to a third country or region. Confirm that this city’s airport or station is a designated 240-hour port on the current NIA list before you rely on that rule — do not assume every airport qualifies. Fill the official free arrival card. Details: Do I need a visa?, 30-day waiver, 240-hour transit. Last verified: 2026-11-12.
Two airports
Capital Airport sits in the northeast; Daxing is a newer hub to the south. Official airport express or subway connections exist for both. A taxi or a licensed ride-hail (see DiDi and taxis) is the usual alternative with luggage. Allow a serious margin if you have a same-day connection between the two airports — they are a long urban transfer, not a walk. We do not publish a “typical taxi fare” here because we have not verified a current official band for this review. Ask for a metered ride, or use a licensed app, and keep the receipt.
Arriving by high-speed rail
Book on 12306 with your passport (see booking 12306). From the station, metro or a licensed ride takes you to your hotel; budget extra time at peak hours.
The first hour in the city
Hotels and registered stays will complete your police registration — required for foreign guests (see hotel registration). Set up payments before you need dinner. Google Maps and WhatsApp often fail on mainland data; have a mainland-usable map ready (see Google, WhatsApp and Instagram and eSIM and internet).
よくある質問
Which airport do I use?
The one on your ticket. PEK and PKX are a long transfer apart.
Can I enter on the 240-hour transit?
Only if you qualify and if your arrival port is on the current NIA designated list. Do not assume; check.
Do I need the arrival card?
Use the official free NIA card. There is no mandatory 72-hour window in NIA’s own instructions.
Sources and a honesty note
Visa, arrival-card and payment rules on this page follow our national guides, last verified on 12 November 2026 against official sources (National Immigration Administration; Tenpay / WeChat Help for the ¥200 inclusive / 3% structure). City transport times, fares and attraction hours are not frozen here — confirm them on the official operator or park page, and on 12306 for trains, on the day you travel. We do not invent restaurants, prices, quotes or first-person anecdotes. Last verified (national rules): 2026-11-12.