The Beijing Daxing Airport Subway System
The New Beijing Daxing Airport Subway is a fast and convenient way to reach your destination at Beijing city center. The new line has only two stations apart from Daxing Airport Station. For the time being, Daxing Airport Express, the express line serving Beijing Daxing International Airport, runs to Caoqiao Subway Station (草桥) and Daxing Xincheng Station (草桥). The travel time from Daxing Airport to Caoqiao Station is only 22 minutes while trains run approximately every 10 minutes. The ticket price for this route is 35 RMB (4.54€ / 4.91$) and 50 RMB (6.50€ / 7$) for a business-class seat. Unfortunately, as the construction of the line isn’t completed, if your hotel isn’t in the area or want to reach Beijing West Railway Station, Beijing South Railway Station, or Beijing Capital Airport, you will have to transfer to Subway Line 10 at Caoqiao Station (Subway Line 19 also calls at Caoqiao Station). Hence, you may have to travel further for up to 40 minutes to reach the heart of Beijing.
Our Tip: In the near future, Daxing Airport Express will reach the Lize Business District (north expansion of the line). Beijing Subway Lines 11, 14, 16, and Fangshan Line also run to Lize Business District Station. Moreover, a city terminal will be located there. Hence, travelers will check in and have their luggage checked in as well, catch the subway, and reach their boarding gate as soon as they arrive at PKX Airport. On the other hand, the date of the Daxing Airport Express’s southern expansion is yet to be determined.
The Beijing Daxing Airport Subway Lines
There will be two different metro lines which will provide links between the new mega airport and the city center. The transit Line 20, also known as Line R4, is going to terminate at Daxing Airport. It will connect Beijing Capital International Airport (through the Terminal 3 Station), Xinghuo, and Beijing Railway Stations to Daxing Airport. That being said, Line R4 isn’t expected to be put into use any time soon.
Conversely, the New Airport Line (Beijing Daxing Airport Express) is already running. The fastest subway train in China (the dark blue line in Beijing’s subway network map), which is assessed to have cost the China government RMB 20 billion, connects Caoqiao, Xincheng District, and Daxing Airport. In the long term, the new Daxing subway line will reach Fengtai’s Lize Business District station, making transferring to the city center quicker and easier than ever.
The Daxing Airport Express Time Schedule
Daxing Airport Express runs daily from 6:00 am to 11 pm. The metro routes are fairly regular as the trains leave the airport every 9.5 minutes during rush hours and every 15 minutes from 10:30 pm to 11:00 pm. The PKX airport subway line takes around 15 minutes to travel from Daxing Airport to Daxing Xincheng Station and 22 minutes to reach Caoqiao.
Subway Fares from Daxing Airport
The ordinary one-way ticket costs 35 RMB (4.54€ / 4.91$) for an adult if the final subway station is Caoqiao Station and 25 RMB (3.23€ / 3.50$) if the alighting takes place at Daxing Xincheng Station. Subway rides from Daxing Xincheng Station to Caoqiao are priced at 10RMB (1.30€ / 1.40$). On the other hand, a one-way business class metro ticket to Caoqiao Station costs 50 RMB (6.50€ / 7$).
Tickets are available online or through the airport station’s automatic vendors. Alternatively, passengers can buy a Beijing Pass, a rechargeable card valid for rides with Beijing public means of transit. It is known as the Yikatong Card and costs 20RMB (2.60€ / 2.81$). Still, travelers receive their money back when returning the card. Hence, the 20RMB (2.60€ / 2.81$) fee serves as a deposit. Please keep in mind that the card must be swiped twice; once to enter the Daxing Airport Train Station and once to exit.
Lastly, ticket packages are available for frequent travelers:
- 20-ticket package: 385 RMB (49.90€ / 54$)
- 30-ticket package: 470 RMB (61€ / 66$)
- 45-ticket package: 550 RMB (71.30 / 77.17$)
| From | To | Price (€) | Price ($) | Price (¥) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daxing Airport | Caoqiao Station | 4.91 | 4.54 | 35 |
| Daxing Airport | Daxing Xincheng Station | 3.23 | 3.5 | 25 |
| Daxing Xincheng Station | Caoqiao Station | 1.30 | 1.40 | 10 |
Our Tip: Several automatic ticket vendors are equipped with a voice ticket purchase system, allowing passengers to buy their tickets hassle-free. Moreover, a face recognition system enables passengers with online tickets to save time on their metro rides if they select the relevant option.
Beijing Daxing Airport Express: Deals and Discounts
A significant number of airlines (China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Air China, Xiamen Airlines, etc.) provide their passengers with the possibility of purchasing their air tickets and their subway fares at once. In that way, passengers can enjoy a 20% discount on their metro tickets and have them in hand. Furthermore, children shorter than 1.3 meters (4,2 ft) aren’t allowed to travel by themselves but should be accompanied by an adult. Additionally, they are free of charge. However, if an adult travels with two children below that height, only one of them travels for free. Finally, the person who escorts a blind passenger also enjoys a free ride.
Where is the Subway Station at Beijing Daxing Airport
The Daxing Airport Subway Station (大兴机场) is located at the underground (B1) level of the new aviation hub. As the airport’s transportation center occupies the -1 and -2 floors of Daxing Airport, you will have to follow the enlightening signs, scattered all over the airport to get to Daxing Airport Subway Station. Moreover, for business-class passengers, there is a separate gate and a separate ticket-validation area as well.
Our Tip: Voice translation machines are available at the information desks of the Daxing Airport Subway Station, providing audio translation from Chinese to 34 different languages.
The Innovative Technology of the Beijing Daxing Airport Express
The trains of Daxing Airport Express Line, the express route connecting Daxing Airport to the city center, are considered the fastest subway trains in China! Reaching 160 kilometers per hour/99.5mph (almost twice the 90 km/h speed of the Airport Express Line of Beijing Capital Airport), the new trains are scheduled to run driverless. Even though according to Chinese legislation, driverless operation of any transportation means is not allowed, the new technology is a reality and creates fresh prospects for the Beijing subway system. The designers of the new line further claim that the cleaning and checking process is automatically handled, saving in that way time and money and optimizing the metro functioning.
Nevertheless, besides traversing the 40-km/24.8-mile distance to Beijing city center in only 22 minutes, the new trains have so much more to offer to their passengers. The business-class carriages are equipped with folding tables and individual reading lights while the regular carriages are more spacious (22.8 meters long and 3.3 meters wide) giving their passengers the possibility to travel in comfort. In total, each train is estimated to be able to carry 1500 passengers.
Additionally, there are special facilities for disabled persons and USB charging points. Finally, the trains use LED lighting to save energy.
Useful Tips
- In addition to other benefits, the Daxing Airport Express is highly convenient, as all the ticket machines’ signs and instructions are available in English. Therefore, you won’t face communication problems.
- There are display screens inside each carriage with all the useful information about the stops, the arrival time, etc.
- The main benefit of the Beijing subway is, without any doubt, the avoidance of the notorious Beijing traffic jams.
- Always keep an eye on your personal belongings, especially if the train is congested.
- Passengers can check in at Caoqiao Station, and travel directly to their boarding gate, saving a lot of time and hassle. Indeed, a city terminal is located in Caoqiao Station.
- Daxing Airport Subway Line Phone Number: 010-87837266
FAQs
What time does the metro run at Daxing Airport?
Daxing Airport Express runs from Monday to Sunday from 06:00 am to 11:00 pm. It has available routes every 15 minutes from 10:30 pm to 11:00 pm and every 9.5 minutes at other times.
How much is the Daxing Airport Express?
A one-way ticket from Daxing Airport to Daxing Xincheng Station costs 25 RMB (3.23€ / 3.50$) whereas to Caoqiao Station 35 RMB (4.54€ / 4.91$). The business-class tickets to Caoqiao are priced at 50 RMB (6.50€ / 7$).