How long does it take to get from PEK to the city?
Capital International is roughly 45–70 min from the centre by car in normal traffic. Closest to the Great Wall at Mutianyu.
PEK · Capital InternationalPKX · Daxing International
Minimum 8 hours
Beijing layover tours
北京 · 转机一日游 · 机场接送
The Forbidden City or the Great Wall between two flights. We work backwards from your departure time, so you get back to the gate with margin to spare — or we tell you not to book.
01
Airport to city
Typical driving timesPEKCapital International
Closest to the Great Wall at Mutianyu
45–70 min
PKXDaxing International
South of the city — allow more for the Wall
55–80 min
The Forbidden City needs a timed entry slot booked in advance — tell us your flight numbers and we will book the slot that fits.
02
How many hours do you need?
Counted landing to take-offUnder 6 hours
Not enough · Stay in the terminal. From the airport to the nearest sight and back is already 90 minutes of driving.
6–7 hours
Only the closest route · One sight, two to two and a half hours on the ground. No lunch stop, no shopping.
8–10 hours
One route, unhurried · A full route at a normal pace, with time for lunch and a proper drive back.
10 hours or more
Two sights, or the far ones · Enough for the water towns from Pudong, or the Great Wall from Daxing.
The three hours before your flight
- We plan to have you back at the terminal three hours before departure (two for domestic connections).
- Your driver and guide will give you a realistic departure time and we plan the day around it. Delays caused by traffic, road closures or weather are outside our control and are at the traveller’s risk — this is why we refuse bookings that look tight.
03
What you can do
2 routes
Beijing
Half day · 09:00–13:00
The Forbidden City with the Treasure Gallery · 3-hour guided walk
北京半日游 · 故宫 + 珍宝馆（3 小时精讲）
From PEK 50–75 min · PKX 60–85 min
Layover price$256per vehicle
View route
Beijing
Half day + transfer · 12:00–19:00
Mutianyu Great Wall · afternoon departure
北京半日游 · 慕田峪长城（午后出发）
From PEK 65–85 min · PKX 100–120 min
Layover price$256per vehicle
View route
04
Price and luggage
Same as a private dayA layover is charged like any other private day: the car, driver and guide are held for you for the whole day, whether you use four hours or nine. Nothing is charged per hour. Sedan from $256; a seven-seat MPV, if you have more luggage or a bigger party, is quoted on the day page.
In the carThe boot takes two large cases in a sedan, four in the seven-seat MPV.
Left with the guideYour guide can store bags while you walk a pedestrian street or a water town.
Airport storageIf you would rather travel light, we pay the airport left-luggage fee.
Free cancellation up to 7 days before the tour · 20% inside 6–3 days · 60% inside 2–1 days · nothing on the day. Cancellation policy
05
Questions people ask first
What is the minimum layover for a Beijing tour?
8 hours from landing to take-off. Below that we will tell you not to book — the drive alone would eat the day.
Where do you pick up at PEK?
At the arrivals hall with a name board, after you clear immigration and collect your bags. Send us your flight number and we track it; if you land late the pick-up moves with you.
Can I bring my luggage?
Yes — two large cases fit in a sedan, four in the seven-seat MPV. Or your guide stores them, or you leave them at the airport and we pay the fee.
What does it cost?
The same as any private day: from $256 per vehicle, regardless of how many hours you use. Group-tour pricing does not apply to layovers.