Beijing Airport Tours

Have a layover at Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) and wondering whether you have enough time to explore Beijing city or Great Wall? This PKX Layover Guide explains all you need to know, including how long it takes to leave the airport, visa-free transit procedures, transportations from PKX to Beijing city, what you can visit during a short layover, and how to plan a private Beijing layover tour. Whether you have 8, 10, 12 hours  or longer layover between flights, this guide can help you make the most of your time in Beijing.

Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) is one of Beijing's major international airports and is located south of central Beijing. Because of its distance from many of Beijing's major attractions, travelers should allow enough time for transportation, security procedures, sightseeing, and returning to the airport before their next flight.

If you have a long international layover at PKX, you may have enough time to leave the airport and visit some of Beijing's most famous attractions.

Yes, eligible international transit passengers may be able to leave Beijing Daxing Airport during a layover, provided they meet China's applicable entry and transit requirements.

Before planning your sightseeing, check your nationality, passport, onward ticket, transit route, and current visa requirements.

For travelers who qualify for China's visa-free transit policies, a layover in Beijing can be an excellent opportunity to explore the city instead of spending the entire connection inside the airport.

The amount of time you need depends on your international arrival and departure flights, immigration procedures, baggage arrangements, transportation, and the attractions you want to visit.

As a general planning guide:

4–6 Hour Layover

A 4–6 hour layover is relatively short as the time is not enough to go to city and back as it normally takes 1-1.5 hours to get out of airport after flight arrival, then about 1 hour drive to city from PKX by car, so highly recommend you just relax in airport.

8–10 Hour Layover

An 8–10 hour layover provides considerably more flexibility. You may be able to visit attractions such as the Great Wall or central Beijing, depending on traffic and airport procedures.

10–12+ Hour Layover

A longer layover gives you more opportunities to experience Beijing. Depending on your flight schedule, you may combine two or more attractions, enjoy a local Chinese meal, or explore a traditional Beijing neighborhood.

Important: Your total layover time is not the same as your available sightseeing time. You need to allow time for immigration, baggage procedures, transportation, and returning to PKX for your next flight.

After an international arrival, you should not assume that you can immediately meet your guide or driver outside the terminal.

You may need time for:

• Getting off the aircraft

• Walking to immigration

• Immigration and entry procedures

• Applying for visa-free transit or completing visa procedures when applicable

• Collecting checked baggage, if required

• Customs procedures

• Walking to the arrivals hall

• Meeting your driver or guide

For this reason, we recommend planning your PKX layover tour according to your actual flight arrival and departure times, rather than simply calculating the number of hours between the two flights.

There are several transportation options between Beijing Daxing Airport and central Beijing, including airport express trains, public transportation, taxis, and private vehicles.

For travelers with a limited layover, a private airport transfer can be more convenient because your driver can meet you at the airport and take you directly to your chosen attractions.

A private car also gives you greater flexibility if your flight is delayed or if you want to adjust your sightseeing schedule.

The best itinerary depends on how much time you have.

Popular choices include:

Great Wall of China

The Great Wall is one of the most popular choices for international travelers with a long Beijing layover. Mutianyu Great Wall is especially popular for private tours because visitors can enjoy the scenery and choose between hiking, cable cars, chairlifts, and the famous toboggan ride.

Tiananmen Square & Forbidden City

If you want to experience the historical heart of Beijing, Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City are excellent choices.

However, advance reservation requirements and security procedures should be considered when planning a short layover.

Temple of Heaven

The Temple of Heaven is another popular Beijing attraction and can work well as part of a city sightseeing itinerary.

Summer Palace

The Summer Palace offers a different experience, combining imperial architecture, gardens, lakes, and traditional Chinese landscape design.

Beijing Hutongs

For travelers interested in local culture, Beijing's traditional hutongs offer a glimpse into the city's historic neighborhoods and everyday life.

Mutianyu Great Wall Layover Tour from Beijing PKX Airport
Gubeikou Great Wall Night Layover Tour from Beijing PKX Airport
Great Wall + Forbidden City Layover Tour from Beijing PKX Airport

Beijing Culture + Calligraphy + Panda House Layover Tour from Beijing PKX Airport

Beijing Wild Great Wal Layover Tour from Beijing PKX Airport

Beijing Summer Palace + Forbidden City + Old Beijing Hutongs Layover Tour from Beijing PKX Airport