Is a layover in Beijing worth it? My experience at Daxing Airport + what to expect
- Dec 13, 2025
- 6 min read
Updated: Dec 14, 2025
When travelling to far East Asian destinations, you may be able to get a good deal on flights with a layover in Beijing Daxing International Airport. So naturally you may be wondering whether leaving the airport is worth it. So, I put my experience, tips and good-to-knows into one post to help you make a decision whether a layover in Beijing makes sense in your case. I will share tips on both layover types: at the airport and when leaving the airport, so that you can plan a layover that best suits your travel style and needs. While my airport experience is specific to Daxing Airport, travelling though Beijing isn't, so you may find some useful tips in here even if you travel through the Capital Airport (PEK).
Whether you’re between flights or taking a moment to slow down on the road, layovers can be more than just time to kill — they can be an opportunity to reset, reflect, and recharge before the next part of your journey. If you’re looking for a way to feel more grounded while travelling, don’t forget to grab my free Travel Wellness Routine Builder. It’s packed with simple tools like a printable checklist, self-care prompts, and mini rituals designed to help you feel more at home and centred — wherever your journey (or layover) takes you.
Now more about Beijing. Of course, if you want to immerse yourself in the experience of the location, food, sights, and cultures, the more time you can spend in there, the better. On my visit I only had a 19 hour overnight layover, so I only got a glimpse of what travelling in Beijing may feel like, but it definitely made me want to go back.
Important visa disclaimer
How easy it is for you to leave the airport and spend time in Beijing will depend entirely on your passport, nationality, and individual visa eligibility. Please only use the tips in this post after you have confirmed your own visa requirements through official government or airline sources. The information shared here is based on my personal experience and research at the time of travel and may not be fully up to date. Visa rules can change without notice, so always check official websites for the most accurate and current guidelines. I cannot be responsible for visa issues, denied entry, or changes to policy.
My visa experience
China recently relaxed its visa policies, so for many nationalities form Europe, the US and Canada and Australia can enter the country under a transit visa when travelling to a third country. This makes entering the country during a longer layover really easy. When I was travelling getting through customs was actually pretty quick, as we just had to fill out a form prior and hand it over at customs. Even with checked in luggage we were out of the airport in about 25 minute, but this of course may vary for everyone, just sharing my experience here.
When leaving the airport can be worth it
If you are eligible for a transit visa and have at least 12 or more hours to spend in Beijing, I think you can make the most of it by leaving the airport. Especially if you have an overnight layover (like I did). But. I will also share some tips on how to spend a few hours at the airport if you don't want to/don't have the time to leave the airport.
If you have a few hours and don't want to leave the airport
Obviously, this is the most relaxed option as you will probably have enough time to explore the airport and really take your time. Daxing Airport is one of the newer airports, has a beautiful design and may facilities, so spending a few hours will pass by easily. There is only one terminal, with domestic and international flights separated by floors, so it is an easy to navigate one for sure. If you have a few hours, you might want to enjoy some time at a lounge. I went for the East Pacific Passenger Lounge where you can pay by the hour instead of a pricey pass, making this an affordable facility. Once you have dined and relaxed, make sure you check out the China Garden located towards the end of corridor E. This magical place is the perfect spot to relax, enjoy some traditional Chinese music. If you love to use your airport time for some journalling/reading, this is the perfect place to do it!
If you only have a short overnight layover:
By which I mean you land in the evening and take off in the morning, not really giving you enough time to explore the city, I would recommend booking a hotel near the airport and organising and airport pickup if possible. This will make your overnight stay more smooth and relaxing. Unfortunately in this case it only makes sense to leave the airport for a good night sleep.
If you have 24 hours with time to spare:
This is the case where you will actually be able to explore the city a bit. Realistically you will need to pick one thing to do, as traffic can get pretty hectic. Getting around in Beijing will be challenging as most apps that you may usually use will not work, like Google Maps. While the train and metro systems are pretty impressive and took me from the airport to the city in about 40 minutes, they are only beneficial if your hotel/stay is right next to a station and is easy to find on foot. In my case, my hotel wasn’t far from the metro by car, but finding a taxi without local apps or reliable internet was surprisingly difficult. The time I saved by avoiding traffic on the train/metro was then lost trying to organise transport to my hotel. This is mainly an issue when arriving — on the way back, hotel staff can easily help you call a taxi to the nearest metro station, making the return to the airport quick and inexpensive.
My advice: book an airport shuttle or hotel transfer on arrival to avoid unnecessary stress. If you want to save money, you can still use the metro or airport train on the way back once you know where you’re going and have local help available.
Where to stay, what to see:
This will depend on what you want to see, my advice would be to book a place close to the area/attraction you want to explore. Staying in walking distance is probably the best idea. I personally chose the Drum Tower/Houhai Lake for a more slow and tranquil travel experience. There are many hutongs in this area, making it a real, old-Beijing experience. Since I had a morning to spend in the city, I was focusing on taking things slow and seeing one thing rather than trying to fit as much into a layover as possible. Taking a long walk around the lake in the morning as the city woke up was so magical, if you are currently planning a layover in Beijing I can truly recommend visiting this area if you love slow travel days. Initially I was very tempted to fit visiting the Great Wall into my morning, but after experiencing how tricky getting around can get, especially with the traffic, I am so glad I did not. If you have a full day this can be manageable, but if you only have a morning/afternoon to spend, I don't think it is realistic without stressing too much, no matter what ChatGPT says. I think if you have a long overnight layover, picking one place/thing to do is realistic without stressing yourself out too much. At the end of the day, this is just a cherry on top, not your final destination, so no need to tick every box.
My advice: pick a stay that is close to one area you want to explore on foot, and still aim to get back to the airport 3-4 hours before your departure. This will allow you enough time to spend relaxing at a lounge or the China Garden (like I mentioned above). Also, make sure you have Chinese names/addresses saved to your phone to get guidance/be able to get a taxi. Also, get cash out before you leave the airport. I forgot to to this and some shops don't accept anything else but cash and local apps you can pay with.
I hope you enjoyed this post or found it useful for your next adventure (or layover). Even though getting around without the apps I am used to using was a bit hectic initially, I had a great time in Beijing. People seemed to be warm, helpful and welcoming. I know I will definitely be back for a longer visit!
