Beijing Capital Airport Layover Tour Guide 

Beijing, the capital of China, boasts many historical sites and relics to explore. What better way to spend a layover than to take a tour of one of the most popular cities in the world! You come to the right place for researching, here is a comprehensive, step-by-step guide on the best way to explore the historical city during your Beijing layover.

Can I Leave the Airport during a Layover in Beijing

Yes, you can. Beijing offers a handy cost-free visa policy for transit travelers to a third country or reigns (Hongkong, Macau and Taiwan are included)with a confirmed seat. 24 hours is available for almost all travelers, and 144 hours visa-free policy only available for the passenger of 53 countries as below.

24 Schengen Agreement Countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland

15 Other European Countries: Russia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania, Belarus, Monaco

6 American Countries: the United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile

2 Oceania Countries: Australia, New Zealand

6 Asian Countries: Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar

Do I need a Visa for a Layover in Beijing?

Yes, you do. you will apply for Visa Free Transit permit after landing at the airport. But it must comply with the airport visa-free policy.

It only applies to passengers who transit through Beijing Capital International Airport or Daxing Airport in Beijing. The destination and place of departure cannot be the same.(e.g Hongkong – Beijing – Hongkong).

How Long for Applying Visa-free Transit at Beijing Capital Airport and Ready for the next onward Flight?

Beijing Capital  Airport(around 3- 4 hours)

The time of getting through the airport will cost around 1-1.5 hours, sometimes are 2 hours depends on how busy on the day. But It's a lot faster when you get back to the airport. If you stop in Beijing within 24 hours, most of the passengers have got boarding passes already from your airport of departure. So only need to return to the airport around 1.5-2 hours in advance.

What can I do during a Layover in Beijing from Beijing Capital Airport?

Utilize your layover time to explore Top things to do in Beijing

4-7 hours Beijing Layover tour from airport

Mutianyu Great Wall layover tour

Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City layover tour

Mutianyu Great Wall and Pandas layover Tour

Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven layover tour

Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City and Pandas layover tour

Beijing Layover night tour

Beijing Layover food tour

8-12 hours Beijing Layover tour from airport

Mutianyu Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City layover tour

Mutianyu Great Wall, Summer Palace layover tour

Badaling Great Wall, Summer Palace layover tour

Mutianyu Great Wall, Ming Tombs layover tour

Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven layover tour

Simatai Great Wall, Gubei Water Town layover night tour

24-144 hours Beijing Layover tour from airport

You have a lot of options on 144 hours layover in Beijing

2 Days Beijing Layover tour

3 Days Beijing Layover tour

4 Days Beijing Layover tour

6 Days Beijing Layover tour

How do I Get to the Great Wall from the Capital airport?

On a 24-144 hour Beijing visa free layover, you are allowed to reach Great Wall from the airport by using taxis, private car/van. As there's no direct bus service from airport to Great Wall, the best way to visit Great Wall from the airport is to book a Great Wall layover tour on chinavisafreelayovertour include English speaking tour guide, get to know the history of the Great Wall and arrange your time professionally to catch on your next flight on time.

Which part of the Great Wall to visit on a Beijing Layover?

There are many sections of the Great Wall in Beijing, here’s listed their advantages for reference.

No.1 Mutianyu Great Wall

Mutianyu Great Wall it is a top-rated site because it’s the less traffic jams section from the airport with the charming landscape all year round, besides, with the cable car, chairlift and toboggan ride, it's the ideal place that you can discover with your family. Both seniors and children can find their own favorite ride to get onto the Wall especially travelers have the chance to experience interesting toboggan and chairlift. Suitable for all ages. (Layover Time: 7 Hours)

No.2 Huanghuacheng Lakeside Great Wall

Huanghuacheng Lakeside Great Wall is the only section sank into water, experience wild Great Wall and enjoy the amazing landscape, Not crowded.  If you are lucky, you will enjoy the Great Wall alone. 100% Unique for Great Wall Sunrise or Sunset  Layover tour. If your flight arrival in Beijing midnight and departure around 9am next morning or your flight arrival at late afternoon departure at midnight must do this Sunrise or Sunset Great Wall tour. Absolutely worth it. (Layover Time: 7 Hours)

No. 3 Simatai Great Wall and Gubei Water town

Simatai Great Wall is the only section open at night. Explore traditional Chinese architecture, enjoy the town under the starry sky alone, the night view of the Great Wall, the performance of fountains, and overlook the lights on the Simatai Great Wall. The majestic Simatai Great Wall lies on the top of the mountain and the clouds. The bright yellow light sets off the ancient city brick, just like the golden dragon, which is a good time for photographers to catch the night view. (Layover Time: 8-10Hours)

Your flight arrival at Beijing Capital airport before 15:00 available for this layover tour.

No.4 Badaling Great Wall

Badaling Great Wall is the most outstanding and well-preserved section which is the first section open to the public. The scenery is striking, cable car is the best way to go up the Great Wall. Road congestion.

(Layover Time: 8-10 Hours)  

No. 5 Juyongguan Pass Great Wall

Juyongguan Pass Great Wall is an important barrier for preventing intruders from outside, you'll enjoy a walk on the wall and seeing the rugged mountain scenery at Juyong Pass, one of the most important forts on the Great Wall. Without cable car, but it's easy to reach the Great Wall.

(Layover Time: 7 Hours)   

Do I Have Enough Time to Visit?

For layover time within 5 hours, you can visit Mutianyu Great Wall or Forbidden City. If you arrive in the very early morning, you still get the chance to enjoy sunrise at Huanghuacheng Great Wall. Arrival after 2 pm and still want to see Great Wall? Simatai Great Wall will be the perfect choice for viewing the beautiful night view.     

Within 8 hours, your time is quite enough to view two historical sites, Forbidden City, Great Wall, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace are quite popular to combine.

More than 8 hours, you can explore more sites according to your interests.

Do I Need to Pick up my Check-in Luggage during Beijing Layover?

In general, check-in luggage will be sent to the final destination, if you have carry-on bags, it’s very safe to store at the airport or in the private car.

Should I Bring Some Local Currency during Beijing Layover Tour?

It’s advisable to exchange some RMB at the airport counter or ATM in order to pay for entrance tickets, cable car, tip to your tour guide and driver,  and meals etc.

Have a Budget for Your Layover Tour?

Budget join-in group layover tour to Great Wall or Beijing City tour, also available for visit Beijing with a private driver.