This trips up more visitors than any other Beijing logistics question, because both airports are called "Beijing" and they are nowhere near each other.
Telling them apart#
PEK — Beijing Capital International. North-east of the city, the older and larger hub, and where most legacy carriers and Star Alliance flights arrive. Three terminals.
PKX — Beijing Daxing International. Far to the south, opened in 2019 as the striking starfish-shaped terminal by Zaha Hadid Architects. It took over many SkyTeam carriers and a large share of domestic traffic.
The codes are the reliable signal. Airline websites and booking sites often display only "Beijing", so read the code on the itinerary rather than the city name.
Getting into town from each#
From Capital, the Capital Airport Express runs to Sanyuanqiao, where it meets Line 10, and terminates at Dongzhimen, which connects to Line 2 and Line 13. For most central hotels this is the fastest and simplest route.
From Daxing, the Daxing Airport Express runs to Caoqiao, connecting with Line 10 and Line 19. Line 19 continues north into the city and is often the better onward choice depending on where you are staying. Daxing is genuinely far out, so budget noticeably more time than from Capital.
Both airports also have taxi ranks, and DiDi works at both. From Daxing in particular a taxi into the centre is a long ride.
Which one to prefer#
If you are choosing between flights and the fares are similar, Capital is the more convenient arrival for a first visit to the centre. Daxing is newer and calmer, and better if you are heading south of the city or connecting onward by high-speed rail from Beijing West.
For districts, sights and how long to spend, see the Beijing destination guide.