Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) opened in September 2019 as Beijing’s second international airport, designed by the late Zaha Hadid as a six-armed starfish-shaped megastructure 46 km south of the city centre. Daxing is significantly newer, faster through immigration, and architecturally one of the most striking airports in the world. It primarily serves SkyTeam carriers (China Eastern, China Southern, Air France, KLM, Delta, Korean Air) and increasingly Asian regional routes. If your flight is on a SkyTeam alliance airline or China Eastern/Southern, you’re likely arriving or departing from Daxing rather than Beijing Capital Airport.
This Beijing Daxing Airport guide covers everything you need: terminal layout, immigration process, ground transportation to central Beijing (the Daxing Airport Express line is excellent), services and facilities, and the logistic differences from Beijing Capital Airport that catch first-time travellers off guard. Practical and current for 2026.
Beijing Daxing Airport at a glance
- Code: PKX (IATA) / ZBAD (ICAO)
- Location: Daxing District, 46 km south of Beijing centre
- Terminal: 1 single integrated terminal (six-arm starfish design)
- Annual passengers: ~30 million pre-pandemic capacity; designed for 100+ million
- Primary airlines: China Eastern, China Southern, Air France, KLM, Delta, Korean Air, Saudia, China United, Hebei Airlines, plus growing list of SkyTeam carriers
- Transit time to city: 19 minutes via Daxing Airport Express; 45–75 minutes by taxi/DiDi
- Best for visitors: SkyTeam-affiliated bookings, China Eastern/Southern flights
Daxing terminal design and layout
Daxing’s single terminal is shaped like a six-armed starfish radiating from a central hub. The design is intentional — every gate is within a 600-metre walk from the centre, and walking from one arm to another rarely exceeds 8 minutes. The terminal has 4 floors above ground and 2 below:
- L4 (Level 4): International departures check-in, security, gates
- L3: Domestic departures check-in
- L2: International arrivals (immigration, baggage, customs)
- L1: Domestic arrivals
- B1 (Basement 1): Ground transport — Daxing Airport Express, intercity rail, buses
- B2: Metro Line 19, additional rail platforms
The architectural showstoppers — the central skylight courtyard, the geometric pattern of beams overhead, the views from the upper observation areas — are worth a few minutes’ attention even on a quick layover.
Arrival process at Daxing
Step 1: Disembark and walk to immigration (5–15 minutes)
Daxing’s compact design means walks are shorter than at PEK. International arrivals descend to Level 2.
Step 2: Immigration / fingerprinting (15–35 minutes)
Daxing’s immigration process is generally faster than PEK’s — reports suggest 30 minutes vs. 60 minutes for typical arrivals. The same lane structure applies:
- Foreign Passports / Visa-Free Entry
- 240-hour visa-free transit
- Diplomatic / Crew
Fingerprinting and photographing follow the same procedure as PEK. The 240-hour visa-free transit policy and 30-day visa-free entry both work at Daxing.
Step 3: Baggage claim (10–20 minutes)
Modern baggage carousels with reasonable handling speed.
Step 4: Customs (5 minutes typical)
Same Green/Red channel structure as PEK. Generally relaxed for tourists.
Step 5: Exit to ground transport
From customs, escalators and lifts lead down to ground transport on Level B1.
Getting from Daxing to Beijing city centre
Daxing Airport Express Line (recommended)
The fastest, cheapest option for most travellers.
- Cost: ¥35 ($5) one-way; package with metro transfer for ¥45
- Duration: 19 minutes from Daxing Airport to Caoqiao station; 30 minutes total to most central Beijing destinations including transfers
- Frequency: Every 8–10 minutes from 6 AM to 11 PM
- Stops: Daxing Airport → Daxing Xincheng → Caoqiao (Line 10 metro interchange)
- Tickets: Buy at the station inside the terminal, or use Alipay/WeChat QR, or tap a foreign contactless credit card
From Caoqiao, transfer to Line 10 (the longest loop line in Beijing, connecting many central districts) or to Line 19 if travelling to Wangfujing area. Total Daxing-to-hotel time for Wangfujing-area hotels: 60–70 minutes.
Beijing-Xiongan Intercity Rail
An alternative high-speed rail option if you’re going to specific destinations:
- Cost: ¥30 to West Station; ¥35 to Daxing Station
- Duration: 28 minutes to West Station
- Connects Daxing to Beijing West Railway Station, useful if your hotel is southwest of central Beijing
Metro Line 19
Line 19 connects Daxing Airport directly to Caoqiao (and now extends further north as construction completes). ¥10 for most journeys; slower than the Airport Express but cheaper for off-peak travellers.
Taxi (recommended for groups)
- Cost: ¥180–¥240 to central Beijing (Wangfujing) plus ¥10 expressway toll
- Duration: 50–90 minutes depending on traffic
- Where to find: Official taxi queue outside the terminal on Level 1
- Important: Always use official taxi queue. Same scam warnings as PEK.
DiDi (Chinese Uber)
- Cost: ¥200–¥280 typical; surge during rush hour
- Pickup: Designated DiDi pickup zones outside Level 1
- Foreign credit cards: Now work directly through DiDi English app
Shuttle buses
Multiple shuttle bus lines connect Daxing to various Beijing destinations — including Beijing South Railway Station, Beijing West Railway Station, and Tianjin. ¥40–¥60. Check timetables on the DGUW airport website.
Services and facilities at Daxing
SIM cards and connectivity
- China Mobile / China Unicom counters — tourist SIM from ¥80 for 7 days. Filtered through Great Firewall.
- International eSIM — set up before flying for unfiltered access.
- Free Wi-Fi throughout the terminal; SMS verification often required.
Currency exchange and ATMs
Same advice as PEK: use a fee-free debit card at any major bank ATM (ICBC, Bank of China, China Construction Bank). Skip the airport currency-exchange counters.
Dining
Daxing has a strong selection of restaurants — Beijing food chains (Quanjude, Yum China brands), Western options, and several upmarket sit-down restaurants. The architecture-as-experience design means dining areas often have skylight views.
Shopping and duty-free
Smaller selection than PEK’s T3, but good range of Chinese and international brands. Architecture and lighting are notably better.
Showers, lounges, and rest
Plaza Premium Lounge, Air France/KLM lounge, and several airline-specific lounges available. Rest pods near gates. Day-rate hotels including the airport’s on-site Hotel WPM.
Wheelchair assistance and accessibility
Daxing was built to high accessibility standards. Lifts, accessible toilets, and wheelchair assistance available throughout. Better than PEK’s older terminals.
Departing from Daxing
Recommended timing
- International flights: Arrive 3 hours before departure
- Domestic flights: Arrive 2 hours before departure
- Short connections: Daxing’s compact design means transit walking is faster than PEK
Check-in and security
Standard process. Daxing’s facial-recognition systems speed up security for many domestic-Chinese travellers; international travellers use standard counters but the lines are typically shorter than PEK.
Exit immigration
Same procedure as PEK. Generally faster due to less congestion.
Daxing vs Beijing Capital Airport (PEK)
| Feature | Daxing (PKX) | Beijing Capital (PEK) |
|---|---|---|
| Distance from city centre | 46 km south | 32 km northeast |
| Number of terminals | 1 (integrated) | 3 (T1, T2, T3) |
| Architecture | Modern (2019), Zaha Hadid | 2008 Olympic-era |
| Immigration speed | 20–40 min typical | 30–60 min typical |
| Airport Express to city | 19 min, ¥35 | 21 min, ¥25 |
| Total time to Wangfujing | 60–70 min | 45–60 min |
| Primary airlines | China Eastern/Southern, SkyTeam | Air China, Star Alliance |
| Vibe | Modern, spacious, fast | Traditional Chinese hub, busy |
If you can choose: Daxing for SkyTeam (China Eastern, KLM, Delta, Air France, Korean Air), PEK for Star Alliance (Air China, United, Lufthansa, Air Canada). Daxing’s architecture and immigration speed are advantages; PEK’s slightly closer distance to the city centre is also valuable.
For comparison and the older airport’s specifics, see our Beijing Capital Airport guide.
Layovers at Daxing
Short layover (under 4 hours)
Stay airside. Daxing’s modern design makes airside layovers more pleasant than at PEK — the central courtyard, glass-walled corridors, and airport architecture are genuinely interesting.
Medium layover (4–8 hours)
Plaza Premium Lounge for showers and food. Rest pods near gates.
Long layover (8+ hours)
Use 240-hour visa-free transit if eligible. Daxing’s location means city visits are slower than from PEK (45+ minutes each way) — for under-12-hour layovers, staying at the airport is usually wiser. The Hotel WPM connected to the terminal offers day rates.
Practical tips for Daxing
Don’t show up at PEK by mistake
The most common mistake. Daxing and PEK are 80+ km apart on opposite sides of Beijing, and there’s no quick airport-to-airport transfer — the trip takes 90+ minutes by taxi. Triple-check your departure airport on your boarding pass.
Daxing-Express vs metro Line 19
Use the Daxing Airport Express (¥35, 19 min) for the fastest connection. Line 19 is cheaper but slower with more stops.
Plan rush-hour timing
Beijing rush hour (8–9 AM, 5–7 PM) doubles taxi times. The Airport Express is unaffected. Plan accordingly.
Architecture is part of the experience
Allow 15 minutes to walk through the central courtyard, photograph the geometric ceiling, and use the upper observation deck. It’s a Zaha Hadid masterpiece and worth the time.
Beijing Daxing Airport FAQ
Does Daxing have free Wi-Fi?
Yes, throughout the terminal. SMS verification typically required, which works with Chinese SIMs but can be tricky with foreign roaming. International eSIM bypasses this.
Can I sleep at Daxing Airport?
Yes. Free rest areas with chairs, plus paid lounges and rest pods. The on-site Hotel WPM offers day rates.
Is the 240-hour visa-free transit available at Daxing?
Yes. Both PKX and PEK are eligible entry/exit ports for the 240-hour visa-free transit policy.
How do I transfer from Daxing to PEK if my connection is from there?
By taxi: 90+ minutes, ¥350–¥500. By high-speed rail: not directly connected; use intercity train via Beijing West Station then taxi or rail to PEK. Allow 3+ hours for any cross-airport transfer.
Where do I find help if I have problems at Daxing?
Information desks throughout the terminal have English-speaking staff. Police office handles emergencies and customs disputes.
Are there showers in Daxing?
Yes, in lounges (Plaza Premium, Air France/KLM, others) and the airport’s airside spa.
The bottom line on Beijing Daxing Airport
Beijing Daxing International Airport is the modern, fast, architecturally striking option for international flights to Beijing — primarily SkyTeam carriers and Asian regional routes. Immigration is generally faster than at PEK, the terminal is more pleasant, and the Airport Express to the city is fast (19 min) if pricier (¥35 vs ¥25). The trade-off: Daxing is 14 km farther from central Beijing than PEK, adding 15–20 minutes to total transit time.
For practical pre-arrival prep, see our Beijing first-time visitors guide. For visa-related arrival questions, see our 240-hour visa-free guide and 30-day visa-free guide. For full Beijing trip planning, head to our complete Beijing travel guide. For the comparison airport, see our Beijing Capital Airport guide.