China Airport Transfers

Updated October 4, 2026

The best transfer is the one that reaches your actual hotel district after immigration, baggage collection and the last public-transport departure—not the option with the shortest advertised in-vehicle time.

Before moving, save the airport code, terminal, hotel name and Chinese address. Complete the steps in the arrival and customs guide, restore connectivity, then compare the public route with the official taxi queue or the signed ride-hailing pickup area.

Quick Comparison

Airport	Best default for most visitors	Typical rail time to a useful interchange	Late-night fallback
Beijing Capital (PEK)	Capital Airport Express	about 35–45 min to Dongzhimen/Beixinqiao	24-hour airport bus on selected route, taxi or booked transfer
Beijing Daxing (PKX)	Daxing Airport Express	about 20 min to Caoqiao, plus metro transfer	24-hour Beijing Railway Station bus, night bus, taxi or booked transfer
Shanghai Pudong (PVG)	Metro Line 2 or Maglev + Line 2	about 65–90 min by metro to central Shanghai	overnight airport bus, taxi or booked transfer
Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA)	Metro Line 2 or 10	about 30–50 min to central districts	overnight bus from T2, taxi or booked transfer
Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN)	Terminal-specific metro/intercity route	about 45–70 min depending on terminal and destination	airport bus, taxi or booked transfer
Shenzhen Bao'an (SZX)	Metro Line 11	about 35–50 min to Futian	taxi, ride-hailing or airport bus
Chengdu Tianfu (TFU)	Metro Line 18	about 40–45 min to Chengdu South, then transfer	airport night bus, taxi or booked transfer
Xi'an Xianyang (XIY)	Metro Line 14	about 35 min to Xi'an North, then transfer	airport bus, taxi or booked transfer

Times are planning ranges, not timetables. Add 45–90 minutes after scheduled landing for immigration and baggage, more if several international flights arrive together.

Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)

The Capital Airport Express links Terminals 2 and 3 with Sanyuanqiao, Dongzhimen and Beixinqiao. The official Beijing fare is ¥25. Dongzhimen works well for the eastern centre; Beixinqiao is useful for northern Dongcheng. You will usually need one metro or taxi leg after the express.

Use the signed taxi rank rather than accepting an unsolicited ride in arrivals. Beijing's current airport transport guide also lists online car-hailing and airport buses. From 31 July 2026, the Capital Airport–Beijing West Railway Station bus operates around the clock, but stop patterns can change; confirm the live route before relying on it.

For a door-to-door arrival, compare PEK transfers on Trip.com and verify terminal, meeting point, waiting time, luggage and cancellation terms.

Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX)

The Daxing Airport Express reaches Caoqiao quickly, but Caoqiao is an interchange rather than the historic centre. Add the transfer to Line 10 or Line 19 and the final walk. Airport buses can be better for Beijing Railway Station, Temple of Heaven, Chaoyang or a late arrival.

Beijing's official 2026 update says the Daxing–Beijing Railway Station route now operates 24 hours, while dedicated night routes serve Zhongguancun and the Agricultural Exhibition Center. The free-bus promotion for international and regional arrivals ends 31 October 2026 and should not be assumed after that date.

Compare PKX transfers on Trip.com when the hotel is far from Caoqiao or the flight lands after the practical last metro connection.

Ride-hailing pickup floors and door numbers can change during airport traffic adjustments. Do not ask the driver to “come to arrivals” without a zone: follow the current airport signs, send the exact floor and numbered door in the app, and allow for the driver to loop between levels.

Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)

Metro Line 2 is the low-cost default. Some services require a same-platform or nearby change at Guanglan Road; follow the live platform signs. Allow roughly 75–90 minutes to People's Square before the hotel walk.

The Maglev runs between Pudong Airport and Longyang Road. It saves time on the airport segment, but you still transfer to Metro Line 2, Line 7, Line 16, Line 18, taxi or ride-hailing. It is most useful when the onward district is in Pudong or the connection at Longyang Road is simple.

Official Shanghai Airport information lists an overnight bus from about 23:00 to 05:30, serving Longyang Road, Century Avenue and central stops before Hongqiao. Taxis operate 24 hours from the signed stands: T1 near Arrivals Door 12 and T2 near Door 26. A central taxi often takes 45–75 minutes and can cost roughly ¥180–280, with traffic, distance and night surcharges creating the range.

For a solo late arrival, the overnight bus can be combined with a short legal taxi or ride-hailing leg from the stop nearest the hotel. Confirm the stop with staff before buying the ticket and save the final Chinese address; intermediate city stops are drop-off only and are not a substitute for door-to-door service.

Compare PVG transfers on Trip.com for families, heavy luggage or a first-night address that is awkward by metro.

Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)

Hongqiao is much closer to western and central Shanghai than Pudong. Metro Line 10 serves both terminals; Line 2 serves T2. T2 is integrated with Hongqiao Railway Station, but the complex is large—do not treat an airport-to-train connection as a five-minute walk.

If your arrival is after metro hours, Shanghai Airport lists the 316 overnight bus from Hongqiao's east transport centre toward the Bund area, with service through the night. Taxis are available at the official terminal stands.

Compare SHA transfers on Trip.com if you have a late arrival, mobility constraints or several large bags.

Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN)

Check the terminal before following an old guide. Terminal 3 opened and Terminal 1 closed for renovation on 7 May 2026. Terminal 2 has direct access to Airport North station on Metro Line 3. Terminal 3 uses its transport centre, including intercity rail, or a shuttle to Gaozeng for the metro.

For T3 arrivals, current official guidance places the Gaozeng shuttle at Stop 74, ride-hailing in P12, and taxis near Arrivals Gates 72 and 75. For T2, follow signs to Airport North, the ground transport centre or the signed taxi/ride-hailing area. Allow 45–70 minutes to central Guangzhou before the final walk.

Compare CAN transfers on Trip.com, especially when arriving at T3 with luggage or continuing to the Canton Fair area.

Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport (SZX)

Metro Line 11 is the strongest default for Nanshan and Futian. Airport Station connects inside the ground transportation centre. Allow roughly 35–50 minutes to Futian, then add the transfer or walk to the hotel.

The airport's current guide places the taxi rank outside GTC Level 2, East Door 13. Ride-hailing pickup Area A is outside South Door 15 at ground level; Area B is on the GTC's first floor. Match the plate, vehicle model and pickup zone before entering.

Compare SZX transfers on Trip.com when the hotel is in Luohu, eastern Shenzhen or another area that requires a long metro change.

Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU)

Tianfu Airport is far southeast of central Chengdu. Metro Line 18 runs from the terminal transport centre toward Chengdu South Railway Station. A normal or express service takes roughly 40–45 minutes to Chengdu South; reaching Chunxi Road, Tianfu Square or Kuanzhai Alleys requires another metro leg. Plan 60–80 minutes to a central hotel.

Airport Line 1 connects Tianfu Airport with Chunxi Road via central stops and can be useful after metro hours. Service patterns are adjusted periodically, so confirm the current airport or Chengdu public-transport schedule on arrival. A taxi or ride-hailing trip to the centre can take 60–90 minutes and cost roughly ¥150–230 before unusual congestion or toll-related variation.

Do not dismiss the airport bus because the metro is newer. A direct Chunxi Road bus can remove a late-night transfer; compare its live stop with the hotel's actual entrance before choosing it.

Compare TFU transfers on Trip.com for a late arrival or a hotel that needs two metro changes.

Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (XIY)

Metro Line 14 connects the airport with Xi'an North Railway Station, where Lines 2 and 4 continue toward the city. Allow roughly 35 minutes to Xi'an North and 60–80 minutes to a central hotel after the transfer. Follow the sign for the station serving your exact terminal; T5 changed airport circulation after opening in 2025.

The airport also operates city buses, including overnight services toward central stops. The published network changes more often than the metro spine, so use the official airport bus page or ask at the transport counter before boarding. A taxi or ride-hailing trip to the Bell Tower area commonly needs 45–75 minutes depending on traffic.

Compare XIY transfers on Trip.com if you land late or stay far from Lines 2 and 4.

Taxi and Ride-Hailing Checklist

Use only the signed taxi queue or the airport's designated ride-hailing zone.
Ignore anyone soliciting a ride inside the arrivals hall.
Show the Chinese hotel name, address and phone number—not only an English booking title.
For ride-hailing, confirm the pickup floor, zone, plate and vehicle model.
Keep the booking screen open until you meet the driver; calls to overseas numbers may fail.
If the flight is delayed, check whether a pre-booked transfer includes waiting time.

Official Sources

Public transport is usually best when it is still running and the hotel is near the line. A booked transfer is most defensible for a late first arrival, several travelers sharing the cost, mobility needs, child seats or luggage that would make two transfers unsafe.