Getting to Beijing

Flying to Beijing is the best option for getting here, as planes come in from major cities the world over as well as from major cities within China. The airport is well connected with the city centre and hotels by shuttle buses and taxis.

Trains provide the second real option for getting to Beijing from neighbouring countries, with services from Mongolia, North Korea, Russia and Vietnam. You can also get here directly from Hong Kong by train. Buses only run from the borders and not directly from other countries, while people planning on driving will be disappointed to learn that foreigners cannot drive in China without stringent prior arrangements.

By car

Driving your own car into China is notoriously difficult, a headache to arrange and it can be extremely expensive for any sort of itinerary. If you want to drive into and around China, you will have to make arrangements with a state-recognised travel agency a long way in advance and also stick to a specific itinerary. A guide will be provided who will have to travel in your car with you or in a separate car behind to make sure you don’t deviate from the planned route. You will have to pay for the extra costs of the guide as well as Chinese plates, and the agency will also generally overcharge you on hotels and excursions.

By rail

Trains come into Beijing from all directions, with services from Kowloon in Hong Kong direct to West Station in Beijing every other day, and weekly from Moscow via Ulaan Baatar in Mongolia. Another route from Moscow goes via Harbin (northeast China) to Beijing, while twice-weekly trains go from Hanoi in Vietnam to Beijing via Guilin. Additionally, those who have managed to get on an organised tour to North Korea can make use of the rail service from Pyongyang to Beijing.

By bus

Travelling to Beijing by bus can be an arduous experience, as it is a long way from neighbouring border countries and most services are slow. The cheaper buses will keep off the expressways and stop at every town and city, making the journey time that much longer. Thankfully, deluxe services are available which will be from two to six times more expensive than standard buses but they take the expressways and are a lot more comfortable. Sleepers are available on both classes of bus.

By air

Most people fly into Beijing to Capital International Airport, which is located north of the city centre and serves 200 international and domestic airlines. Flights come in from dozens of cities all over the world and from most major Chinese cities with major carriers.

There are only two real options for getting to the city and hotels from the airport; airport bus or taxi. The shuttle bus offers a number of routes into Beijing to the city centre, central railway stations and major hotels and departs from Arrivals every 30 minutes. Metered taxis cost about five to eight times more than the bus, although taxis are the best bet for convenience and for those staying out of town.

By ferry

Although you cannot get directly to Beijing by ferry from overseas, services do run from Shimonoseki in Kobe (Japan) and from Incheon in South Korea to Tianjin; which lies two hours drive southeast of Beijing.

Beijing Capital International Airport

Beijing Capital International Airport is 17 miles northeast of Beijing city centre and handles around 20 million passengers per year. Major carriers ferry passengers from destinations the world over including from many American and European cities and destinations throughout Asia.

There are two terminals at the airport that are linked by shuttle buses. Essential passenger facilities include a bank, cash machines, bureaux de change, a post office and a 24-hour medical centre. There are also many shops, cafés and restaurants throughout the airport including duty-free in International Departures areas. A multi-storey car park provides parking.

Beijing Capital International Airport transportation

Many people make use of the Airport City Shuttle Bus, which departs from Arrivals every 30 minutes and takes one of three routes into the city; either to Xidan, Gongzhufen or Zhongguancun. The Xidan route is the most popular, as it is close to the Forbidden City, while Gongzhufen is in western Beijing and Zhongguancun is in the northwest of the city.

Shuttle buses also service major hotels en-route, so it is worth checking routes thoroughly to see which one passes your hotel. Taxis provide the fastest and most convenient transfer option to Beijing and hotels, and take around 50 minutes to get to central Beijing. There is an extra charge for using the Airport Expressway and there is no need to tip drivers.