How to Transfer from Beijing Capital and Daxing Airports to Forbidden City and Tian'anmen Square

Could not wait to explore Forbidden City after landing in Beijing but don’t know what is the most efficient way to transfer from the airport to Forbidden City? Don’t worry, China Discovery has worked out the Best Transportation Means for you to choose. In fact, there are two main airports in Beijing serving passengers, one is Beijing Capital International Airport, and the other is Beijing Daxing International Airport. Beijing Capital International Airport (located in Jichang Road west, Chaoyang District) is about 30 km away from the Forbidden City and Tian’anmen Square, while Beijing Daxing International Airport (located on the border of Beijing and Langfang, Hebei Province) is about 50 km away from the Forbidden City and Tian’anmen Square.

Available Ways to Get from Beijing Airports to Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square

You can transfer from Beijing Capital and Daxing airports to Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square by China Discovery's private transfer, public transportation or High Speed Train. Check more about How to Get to Forbidden City | Transportation Guide >>

By Private Transfer of China Discovery – Most Recommended

We at China Discovery provide customized Beijing city tour packages which include tour services as well as airport pick up and other necessary transfers to your hotels and attractions. Whenever you arrive at the airport, our hospitable tour guide and driver will wait for you at the arrival hall, and welcome you with a sign having your names, then escort you to visit Forbidden City or other attractions immediately, or take you to check in your hotel before the tour with an air-conditioning and non-smoking vehicle. After the tour, they will also drop you off at the airport or train station on time. Traveling with our Beijing tour packages, all you need to do is to focus on enjoy the fun of exploring Beijing, the greatest city full of cultural and historical wonders.

3 Days Beijing Essential Highlights Tour

Itinerary: Beijing
Highlights: Forbidden City, Jingshan Park, Mutianyu Great Wall, Hutong, Bird's Nest, Water Cube

By Subway

Beijing Capital Airport to Forbidden City / Tian'anmen Square

The Airport Express Train is the fastest way to get to central Beijing area. It is a one-way loop with stops at Terminal 3 (3号航站楼), Terminal 2 (2号航站楼), Sanyuanqiao Station (三元桥) and Dongzhimen Station (东直门), without station at Forbidden City or Tian’anmen Square. You can take the Express to get to Sanyuanqiao first, then change to subway Line 10, and change to subway Line 1 at Guomao Station. Get off Line 1 at Tian’anmen East Station, walk about 1km (10mins) northward, you will find the gate of Forbidden City.

Time Needed: about 1h 15mins includes 3mins transfer

Where to take Airport Express in the airport: T3 (B2 of Parking Garage No. 2), and 6:35 from T2 (F2 of Parking Garage No. 3).

Schedules: 6:20~22:50 (interval: 10mins)

Transfer to Forbidden City from Beijing International Airport by Subway

Beijing Daxing Airport to Forbidden City / Tian'anmen Square

It is available to get to Forbidden City from Beijing Daxing International Airport, but you need to transfer several times. You need to take Daxing Airport Line from Daxing Airport Station (大兴机场站) to Caoqiao Station (草桥站) after 2 stopover stations), Line 10 to Jiaomen West Station (角门西站) after 1 stopover station, Line 4 to Xuanwumen Station (宣武门站) after 5 stopover stations, and then Line 2 to Qianmen Station (前门站). Get out the station via E2 exit. Then, you will walk about 700 meters to Tiananmen Square, adjacent to Forbidden City.

Time Needed: about 1.5hrs

Schedules: 06:00~23:00

By Airport Shuttle Bus

Beijing Capital Airport to Forbidden City / Tian'anmen Square

There are over 20 shuttle bus lines connecting Beijing Capital International Airport, among which the Line 10 can transport you directly to Wanfujing where you only need to walk about 20mins to get to the gate of Forbidden City. It is the cheapest option, but taking longer time compared with subway and taxi.

Time Needed: about 1hr 20mins

Where to take shuttle bus in the airport: T1: Gate No. 7 (inside) on F1/ T2: Gate No.11 (outside) on F1 / T3: Gate No.7 or No.9 (outside) on F1

Schedules: 9:00~21:00 (interval: 60mins or earlier when fully seated)

Transfer to Forbidden City from Beijing International Airport by Shuttle Bus

Beijing Daxing Airport to Forbidden City / Tian'anmen Square

There are frequent shuttle buses (Beijing Railway Station Line) running from Beijing Daxing Airport to Beijing Railaway Station with a stop in Congwenmen Station (崇文门站), which is only 2 kilometers (15 minutes’ walk) to Tian’anmen Square. The whole trip takes around 1 hour 50 minutes.

Time Needed: about 1hr 50mins

Schedules: 04:00~20:15 (interval: 30mins or earlier when fully seated)

4 Days Beijing Essence Tour with Simatai Great Wall Night Sightseeing

Itinerary: Beijing / Jinshanling / Simatai / Gubeikou Water Town / Beijing
Highlights: Jinshanling Great Wall, Simatai Great Wall Evening Sightseeing, Gubei Water Town

By High Speed Train – Beijing Daxing Airport to Beijing West Railway Station

Generally, there are 4 daily high speed trains running from Beijing Daxing Airport to Beijing West Railway Station, with a duration of 21 minutes. The earliest train departs at around 07:30 and the last train departs around 17:20. As you reach Beijing West Railway Station, you can easily travel around by metro, taxi or bus. To get to Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City (about 8 km away from Beijing West Railway Station), you can take metro Line 7 at Beijing West Railway Station, then transfer to Line 1 (Batong Line) at Military Museum Station and finally walk about 700 meters to Tiananmen Square.

By Taxi – If You Want to Get Rid of Hassle and Crowds

If you want to save time, or want to get rid of hassle and crowds of catching the Express train, then taking a taxi is the most efficient way to get to Forbidden City. It takes usually about 20~30mins from Beijing Capital Airport or 1hr from Beijing Daxing Airport to get to Forbidden City when the traffics on the road are not heavy. But chances are big that you may come across traffic jams more or less, which may prolong the driving duration to over 1 hour sometimes. During some rush hours, you are advised to take subways instead of taxi, such as 8:00am~9:30am, 11:30am~13:00pm, 18:00pm~20:00pm.

Time Needed: about 20mins~1hr

Important Notice: Always take a legal taxi because there are many illegal private cars or limo driver may try to promote their transfer to you but cost you usually double the prices charged by the legit taxis. The license plates of all legal taxis in Beijing start with 京B.

Transfer to Forbidden City from Beijing Capital Airport by Taxi

How to Plan Your Travel in Beijing

To explore Beijing's highlights, such as the Forbidden City, the Great Wall (with Mutianyu as the top recommendation), the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace, and the Beijing Hutongs - plan for about 4 days, including arrival and departure.

☛ 4 Days Classic Beijing Tour Package

☛ 3 Days Beijing Essential Highlights Tour

If you have extra days, consider hiking the scenic Jinshanling Great Wall, enjoying the stunning night views of Simatai Great Wall, or visiting other sections like Huanghuacheng, Gubeikou, and Juyongguan.

☛ 4 Days Beijing Essence Tour with Simatai Great Wall Night Sightseeing

☛ 4 Days Classic Beijing Tour with Jinshanling Great Wall Hiking

Families with children should not miss Universal Beijing Resort, while museum enthusiasts should visit the National Museum of China, home to the nation's most valuable treasures.

☛ 5 Days Beijing Family-friendly Tour with Universal Studios Fun

☛ 5 Days In-depth Beijing Tour with History and Culture Discovery

As a major transportation hub, Beijing offers easy access to other top destinations in China by flight or train, such as Xi'an, Shanghai, Guilin, Chengdu, and Tibet. China Discovery provides a variety of tour packages from Beijing, or we can customize an itinerary to suit your preferences.

Recommended Beijing Tours with Other Top Cities in China:

☛ 6 Days Classic Beijing Xian High-speed Train Tour

☛ 8 Days Best of China Tour (Beijing - Xian - Shanghai)

☛ 10 Days Classic China Tour from Beijing (Beijing - Xian - Guilin - Shanghai)

We have helped many global travelers enjoy their memorable wonderful trips to Beijing for the past few years. Among them, a special team of over 50 VIPKID teachers from North America traveled with us to see their dear studends in China with amazing experience in Beijing and shared us their special travel story! Travel with China Discovery to create your great China trip memories!

Click to Check Our Customers' Beijing Travel Photos>

Top China Recommended Destinations