China
Airports in China: which one to fly into
Fly into Beijing Capital (PEK) or Daxing (PKX) for a first trip built on Beijing, or Shanghai Pudong (PVG) if your route runs Beijing–Shanghai by high-speed rail. Choose the airport closest to your first 3 nights, not the cheapest fare — a cross-city transfer costs 1–2 hours and ¥100–300.
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GuideChina
Key facts
- First-trip default
- PEK or PKX for Beijing; PVG for a Beijing–Shanghai rail route
- Beijing Capital (PEK)
- Airport Express or car to the centre, 40–70 min
- Beijing Daxing (PKX)
- 46 km south of the centre; car 60–95 min
- Shanghai Pudong (PVG)
- Maglev and Metro Line 2 to the city; allow 60–90 min
- Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN)
- South China gateway; Metro Line 3 to the centre
- Chengdu Tianfu (CTU)
- West China gateway; rail link and metro to the city
- Arrive early for domestic flights
- 2 h before departure; afternoon air-traffic delays are routine
- Airport touts
- Ignore drivers in the arrivals hall; use the official taxi rank or DiDi
Details
China has two airports in Beijing and two in Shanghai, and the code on your ticket decides how long you spend getting to a bed. Pick the airport that matches your first three nights, then build the rest of the route around rail.
Beijing: Capital (PEK) sits northeast of the city and is the classic long-haul arrival; the Airport Express and taxis reach the centre in 40–70 minutes. Daxing (PKX) is 46 km south, newer and larger, with a car transfer of 60–95 minutes to the centre. If your hotel is in the north or near the old city, PEK saves you an hour; if you are heading south or to the rail hubs, PKX is fine.
Shanghai: Pudong (PVG) handles most international long-haul and sits about 30 km east of the centre; the Maglev plus Metro Line 2, or a taxi, takes roughly 60–90 minutes. Hongqiao (SHA) is the domestic and short-haul airport and shares a complex with Hongqiao Railway Station, which is where many Beijing–Shanghai high-speed trains start and end.
Elsewhere: Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN) is the main South China gateway, Chengdu Tianfu (CTU) covers the west, and Kunming, Xi'an, Chongqing, Hangzhou and Urumqi take long-haul flights from some foreign cities. For a first trip, a Beijing or Shanghai arrival plus high-speed rail beats a multi-airport itinerary.
Transfers: metros run about 05:30–23:00 and cost ¥2–10; there are no night trains, so a late arrival means a taxi or DiDi. DiDi inside Alipay takes foreign cards and translates messages, which matters when the driver calls. Airport touts work the arrivals hall — walk past them to the official rank or order in the app.
Before you fly: set up Alipay or WeChat Pay and an eSIM or VPN, because none of it can be fixed at the airport. Domestic flights want you there 2 hours early for security, and afternoon air-traffic delays are routine.
Summary table
Distances and times are 2026 estimates; confirm the current metro and rail links for your terminal.
| Airport | Code | Best for | To the city |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beijing Capital | PEK | North and central Beijing, first-trip long-haul | Airport Express or car, 40–70 min |
| Beijing Daxing | PKX | South Beijing, onward rail | Car 60–95 min; 46 km south |
| Shanghai Pudong | PVG | International long-haul into Shanghai | Maglev and Metro Line 2 or car, 60–90 min |
| Shanghai Hongqiao | SHA | Domestic legs; rail station in the same complex | Metro Line 2 or 10, 30–45 min |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | CAN | South China and the Pearl River Delta | Metro Line 3 to the centre |
| Chengdu Tianfu | CTU | West China, Sichuan and onward to Tibet | Airport rail link and metro |
Tips
- Book the airport, not just the city: PEK and PKX are 70 km apart and a transfer between them eats half a day.
- Keep your passport in hand — it is your ticket for flights, rail and hotel check-in.
- Buy a transport card or set up the Alipay transit QR before leaving the terminal.
- For a 05:00 departure, book an airport hotel or a DiDi the night before; metros are closed.
- If you land after 23:00, pre-book a car or use the official taxi rank, never a hall tout.
- Domestic connections: allow 3 hours between a domestic arrival and an international departure.
FAQ
Questions people ask
Which airport should I fly into for China?
For a first trip, Beijing Capital (PEK) or Daxing (PKX) if you start in Beijing, or Shanghai Pudong (PVG) if your route is Beijing–Shanghai by high-speed rail. Pick the airport nearest your first three nights; a cross-city transfer costs 1–2 hours and ¥100–300.
How do I get from the airport to the city in China?
Metro or airport express where it runs (about 05:30–23:00, ¥2–10), otherwise a taxi or DiDi. From PEK allow 40–70 minutes; from PKX 60–95 minutes; from PVG 60–90 minutes. Use the official rank, not drivers in the arrivals hall.
Which airlines fly to China from the US and UK?
Air China, China Eastern, China Southern and Hainan fly from US and UK hubs, alongside United, Delta, American, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic on some routes. Schedules and routes change, so check current nonstop options for your city before booking.
Can I pay at the airport with a foreign card?
Cards work at airport shops and some counters, but many small vendors take only Alipay or WeChat Pay. Set both up before you fly and link a foreign card; cash in yuan is a useful backup.
Do I need a visa to enter China?
It depends on your passport. Some nationalities use visa-free entry or transit without a visa for short stays, and rules change often. Check your nearest Chinese embassy or consulate for the current position before booking.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialChina National Immigration Administration
- officialCivil Aviation Administration of China
- officialBeijing Capital International Airport
- officialShanghai Airport Authority
- secondaryWikivoyage – China