China Travel guide

Beijing Airport to Hotel — A Photo Guide

You've landed in Beijing. You don't speak Chinese. Your hotel is in a hutong somewhere near the center. Here's exactly how to get from Beijing Capital (PEK) or Daxing (PKX) airport to your hotel - without a word of Chinese.

Option 1: Airport Express to the city (easiest)

From Beijing Capital Airport (PEK): take the Airport Express (机场快线) to Dongzhimen Station, then transfer to Metro Line 2 to your nearest station. The express runs every 10 minutes, takes about 20 minutes to Dongzhimen, and costs 25 yuan. Pay with WeChat Pay, Alipay, or a metro card at the machines - the screens have an English option.

Option 2: Daxing Airport (PKX) by Daxing Airport Express

From Daxing Airport (PKX): take the Daxing Airport Express (大兴机场线) to Caoqiao Station, then transfer to Metro Line 10 or Line 19. It takes about 30 minutes to the city and costs 35 yuan. Follow the signs for the metro - they are bilingual (Chinese and English).

Option 3: Taxi or ride-hailing

A taxi from PEK to the city center costs roughly 80-120 yuan, from PKX about 150-200 yuan. Use the official taxi queue outside the arrivals hall. If you want to avoid any negotiation, use Didi (the Chinese ride-hailing app) - it has an English interface and shows the fare upfront. Have your hotel address in Chinese ready - show it to the driver or type it into the app.

The last stretch: from the metro stop to your hotel

This is where it gets tricky. Beijing's hutongs (traditional alleyways) are a maze, and the map app will show your hotel 200 meters away while you stand at the wrong end of an alley. This is exactly what imhere is for: photo-by-photo walking directions from your metro stop to the hotel door. Open the route, follow the pictures of each corner and archway, and you'll arrive without asking anyone.

Arrive prepared. Navigate without words.
Create a route Browse routes

Frequently asked questions

Does the Beijing metro have English signs?
Yes. All Beijing metro stations have English signs and announcements, and ticket machines have an English language option.
Can I use a foreign card to buy metro tickets?
Not directly at the machines. Use Alipay (international version works with foreign cards) or buy a transport card at the station service window.
Is a taxi from Beijing airport expensive?
From PEK to the city center expect 80-120 yuan, from PKX 150-200 yuan. Always use the official taxi queue or a ride-hailing app with an upfront fare.
How do I find a hutong hotel?
Many boutique hotels hide inside hutongs. Save an imhere route from the nearest metro stop before you arrive - the photo steps guide you through the alleys without needing to ask locals.