I arrive at Beijing International around midnight on a domestic flight from Guilin, with 11 and 16-year-old kids in tow. We are flying back to the US on a 7:00 am flight the next morning. I plan to stay at the airport lounge in T3 for 4 - 5 hours (max). I assume we will arrive at a domestic terminal 1 or 2, and will need to make our way to Terminal 3 International. How difficult will that be so late in the evening? Is there a shuttle? Can we walk it? Once we are in T3, will we need to clear customs before checking in to the lounge room? Thanks much!
Beijing Intl. Airport Lounge T3 - clear customs first?
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I was just told that there is no international terminal at Beijing International Airport - airlines have both domestic and international gates at the same terminal. Is that correct?
All three terminals have both domestic and international flights. Just depends on which airline(s) you're using. But first, you should find out what lounge you're planning to use and whether it is open 24 hours.
You can see what terminal your US flight will depart from by going to http://en.bcia.com.cn/airinfo/aircoplist.shtml. Some US-bound flights, like Continental, depart from T2. Most depart from T3
There is a shuttle bus which runs between terminals. After midnight, you may have to wait up to 30 minutes for a bus.
If you can’t get the airline in Guilin to give you an onward boarding pass for your US flight, then when you land in Beijing, you will need to go to the transfer area and get your boarding pass. Follow signs for “Transfer/Transit”, there is usually a specific area for each airline.
Your bags will be transferred by your originating airline in Guilin. There are a small number of lights where this is not possible, I don’t think this incudes any US bound flights. If that is the case, the bags will just be checked to Beijing, but you have plenty of time to collect them. You would then just go to the regular check-in counters in Terminal 3 and check in for your flight.
You will have to go through Immigration when you get to your departing terminal (or even if you are departing from the same terminal). (There is no customs procedure when exiting the PRC unless you have antiques or a lot of cash). After you get through Immigration you will find all the lounges, shops and restaurants.
This site may help you http://en.bcia.com.cn/guide/transfer_d_i.shtml