Beijing Daxing vs Capital: which airport should you actually fly into?

Kurokun

Quick take after flying into both multiple times.

Fly into Daxing if:
• You're staying in southern Beijing (Fengtai, Daxing districts)
• You want the futuristic terminal experience (it really is gorgeous)
• You're connecting to high-speed rail (station is literally under the terminal)

Fly into Capital (PEK) if:
• You're staying anywhere north of the city center
• You have an early flight out (more hotel options nearby)
• You're on a tight schedule (slightly closer to downtown by express train)

The reality:
Daxing is further from the city center BUT the express train is so fast (20 mins to Caoqiao) that it kind of evens out. The main difference is which side of Beijing you're going to.

Also Daxing has way better food options. Like, actually good restaurants, not just overpriced airport garbage.

One weird thing: Daxing's baggage claim is SO far from the gates. You walk forever. PEK is more compact.

I personally prefer Daxing now. It feels like the future. But if my hotel is in Chaoyang I'm still picking PEK.

What's your go-to Beijing airport?