Beijing Capital (PEK) to the city
The Capital Airport Express charges a fixed CNY 25, set by the city and unchanged since 2008, while the ordinary subway is distance based from CNY 3. Airport shuttle buses reach most of Beijing for CNY 20 to 30.
- The Capital Airport Express is a flat CNY 25, however far you go on it. It has been that price since it opened in 2008.
- It is deliberately outside the ordinary fare system. Every other Beijing rail line is distance based; the two airport express lines are not.
- The ordinary subway starts at CNY 3 for up to 6 km, CNY 4 to 12 km, CNY 5 to 22 km, CNY 6 to 32 km, then CNY 1 more for every further 20 km.
- There is no fare cap on the subway, so a very long cross-city trip keeps adding yuan.
- Airport shuttle buses cost CNY 20, 25 or 30 depending on how far along the route you get off, and CNY 50 to the furthest destinations.
- The buses go where the train does not: Beijing Station, Beijing West Railway Station, Beijingnan Railway Station, Zhongguancun, Gongzhufen, Fangzhuang, Yizhuang, Tongzhou and more.
- Both terminals are served. Shuttle routes call at T2 and T3, and so does the Airport Express.
- Buy bus tickets at the kiosk, where the price for your destination is posted.
The train
- The Capital Airport Express runs into the city from T3 and T2 and charges CNY 25 flat.
- That price is set by the Beijing Municipal Commission of Development and Reform, not by distance, and it has not moved since the line opened in 2008.
- It is explicitly excluded from Beijing's ordinary fare system. The city's rule states the distance-based tariff applies to the network "excluding the Capital Airport Express and the Daxing Airport Express".
- So the arithmetic is unusual here. A 30 km subway trip across Beijing costs CNY 6. The same distance on the airport line costs CNY 25.
The ordinary subway, once you are on it
- CNY 3 for journeys within 6 km.
- CNY 4 from 6 to 12 km, CNY 5 from 12 to 22 km, CNY 6 from 22 to 32 km.
- Beyond 32 km, CNY 1 is added for every further 20 km, and there is no maximum fare.
- This makes Beijing cheap to move around in once you have paid to get off the airport line.
The buses, which are often the better answer
- Beijing runs a large airport shuttle bus network from Capital Airport, serving Fangzhuang, Beijingnan Railway Station, Beijing Station, Gongzhufen, Zhongguancun, the Olympic Village, Beijing West Railway Station, Huilongguan, Tongzhou, Wangfujing, Shijingshan, Yanjiao, Changping and Yizhuang.
- Fares are by stop: CNY 20, 25 or 30 on most routes, with CNY 50 for the longest.
- Nearer stops are cheaper. Sanyuanqiao is CNY 20 on the Fangzhuang line; Guomao and Panjiayuan are CNY 25; Shilihe and Fangzhuang CNY 30.
- They run long hours. The Gongzhufen line runs 04:30 to 22:00 every 30 minutes, and the Dongzhimen and Beijing Station services 05:00 to 21:00 with departures at least every 30 minutes.
- Some depart when full rather than to a strict clock, which is worth knowing if you are watching the time.
Choosing
- If you are heading somewhere on or near the Airport Express, take the train. It is quick and predictable.
- If your destination is a railway station or a district the express does not reach, the bus is usually both cheaper and simpler, because it avoids a change with luggage.
- Buy bus tickets at the sales kiosk in the arrivals hall, where the fare for each destination is displayed.
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