How early should I be at Beijing Capital (PEK)?
Arrive 1.5 hours to 2 hours before a domestic flight.
Source: 出发-北京首都国际机场 (国内出发), checked 5 Nov 2026.
How early to be at PEK
- Domestic flights
- 1.5 hours to 2 hours before departure
From the airport's own advice. source
When check-in closes
- Cathay Pacific: 60 min before international flights (source)
- EVA Air: 60 min before international flights (source)
- Singapore Airlines: 50 min before international flights (source)
- Thai Airways International: 50 min before international flights, 40 min before domestic flights (source)
These are the airline's own rules and they always win: after check-in closes, you can't fly.
An estimate, never a promise. Check your airline before you go. How we work this out