Stranded at Mutianyu - how worried should I be?
Apr 13, 2014, 7:29 am
#76
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: PEK and BOS
Programs: BA - Blue
Posts: 4,530
LapLap - since your trip is starting fairly soon, just leave this thread for now and report back after your experience.
Posters have opined with regards to basic information, and also whether it is advisable or not, but it's your trip and your agenda. Do enjoy it.
It will be useful learning for others regardless of whether it was perfect, dreadful, or, most likely somewhere inbetween so looking forward to your write-up.
tb
Posters have opined with regards to basic information, and also whether it is advisable or not, but it's your trip and your agenda. Do enjoy it.
It will be useful learning for others regardless of whether it was perfect, dreadful, or, most likely somewhere inbetween so looking forward to your write-up.
tb
Apr 14, 2014, 9:50 am
#77
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,418
My reading of it is simply that taxis/hired cars are sufficiently inexpensive that the additional cost vs. public transit is worth it to avoid the additional time and inconvenience of public transit. Different people may make different tradeoffs of course.
Apr 15, 2014, 2:52 am
#78
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 1
I had to make an account because I wanted to help.
If I were you, Id call one of the youth hostels and arrange one of their tours. I live in China but I still use youth hostel tours because they are generally a good deal.
Last time I was at the Sanlitun youth hostel in Beijing, you could pay 270rmb (per person), included in the price was:
-breakfast at the hostel
-ticket to the wall
-transportation to and from the wall
-lunch at a restraunt near the wall.
good deal and cheaper than the 2100 you were quoted. Last time I checked, you didnt need to be staying at the hostel to go on the tours.
If I were you, Id call one of the youth hostels and arrange one of their tours. I live in China but I still use youth hostel tours because they are generally a good deal.
Last time I was at the Sanlitun youth hostel in Beijing, you could pay 270rmb (per person), included in the price was:
-breakfast at the hostel
-ticket to the wall
-transportation to and from the wall
-lunch at a restraunt near the wall.
good deal and cheaper than the 2100 you were quoted. Last time I checked, you didnt need to be staying at the hostel to go on the tours.
Apr 15, 2014, 5:58 am
#79
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,033
1) getting to any youth hostel from the airport is a lot more difficult than going to Dongzhimen or Mutianyu straight away
2) even if you value the entry ticket + food at Y100/person, you're still looking at Y340 for the provided transportation plus Y65 to get to the youth hostel in the first place (assuming AEX and short taxi ride)
May 6, 2014, 6:45 pm
#80
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Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: London
Posts: 18,404
Scuppered before I got a chance to start!
Currently at Haneda queuing for complimentary sushi.
8:30am flight delayed due to tech issues.
Plane boarding time has been pushed to 10am, no firm departure time given.
Oh well...
That's public transport for you
Currently at Haneda queuing for complimentary sushi.
8:30am flight delayed due to tech issues.
Plane boarding time has been pushed to 10am, no firm departure time given.
Oh well...
That's public transport for you
May 7, 2014, 4:56 pm
#83
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Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: London
Posts: 18,404
As there had been the loss/miss placement of a crucial item, Air China agreed to stash our luggage for free so we have the bare minimum with us.
The delay itself wasn't much of an ordeal, my daughter met a a little girl on the same flight and they had a blast together.
At PEK, finally reached landslide close to 4pm. Got the airport express into town, met the sweetest couple onboard, the lady had studied at Stirling in Scotland and we had a great chat. Getting the subway was simple, my daughter made friends with a drink and magazine vendor as I bought a ticket (IC cards at the airport had sold out). A bit crowded on board the subway but some college girls bonded with my companion immediately and shoved up to create a space for her, they all had a lovely time finished off with hugs and kisses all around.
The journey from Beijing airport to our hotel was absolutely delightful and an experience I appreciate and will treasure, can't imagine a more wonderful welcome to this city.
With Mutianyu no longer an option and taking the high costs of luggage storage at the airport into account, as our buggy never reached PEK I did consider getting a taxi to the hotel as I was using the buggy as wheels for a rather large and heavy bag. Very, very, VERY glad we didn't.
The delay itself wasn't much of an ordeal, my daughter met a a little girl on the same flight and they had a blast together.
At PEK, finally reached landslide close to 4pm. Got the airport express into town, met the sweetest couple onboard, the lady had studied at Stirling in Scotland and we had a great chat. Getting the subway was simple, my daughter made friends with a drink and magazine vendor as I bought a ticket (IC cards at the airport had sold out). A bit crowded on board the subway but some college girls bonded with my companion immediately and shoved up to create a space for her, they all had a lovely time finished off with hugs and kisses all around.
The journey from Beijing airport to our hotel was absolutely delightful and an experience I appreciate and will treasure, can't imagine a more wonderful welcome to this city.
With Mutianyu no longer an option and taking the high costs of luggage storage at the airport into account, as our buggy never reached PEK I did consider getting a taxi to the hotel as I was using the buggy as wheels for a rather large and heavy bag. Very, very, VERY glad we didn't.
May 8, 2014, 1:57 am
#86
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Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,225
I always prefer taking the airport express/subway combo no matter what town I'm in as long as there is convenient subway access to my hotel. From San Fran to Hong Kong to Shanghai to PEK there is usually a no more convenient way to get into town than via Subway/express train.
On this point, Lap Lap and I are in agreement. My insistance on taking the subway to/from the airport has at points made my girlfriend, my boss and my colleagues all very cross with me
On this point, Lap Lap and I are in agreement. My insistance on taking the subway to/from the airport has at points made my girlfriend, my boss and my colleagues all very cross with me
May 8, 2014, 10:59 pm
#87
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: PEK
Programs: CA Gold, EY Silver HHons Diamond
Posts: 373
Living in Lido I rarely get the airport express as we are right on the express road so no traffic issues, but I would definitely advocate it for those traveling individually and with light luggage who are heading downtown.
May 9, 2014, 7:00 am
#88
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: SIN / SFO
Programs: UA GS, SQ PPS, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, Accor Gold
Posts: 1,215
May 10, 2014, 3:39 am
#90
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: China and Canada
Posts: 1,886
I don't mean that it is the most efficient or even quickest way, just that it is easy.
Even when my previous apartment was right next to a subway stop on line 10, I experimented taxi vs Airport Express + subway and the taxi was taking half the time.
I now find the Airport bus to be ideal for me as its first stop is right next to my place.
But for a first timer to Beijing the subway is ok although if there are 2 of you then you only save a few dollars.
Even when my previous apartment was right next to a subway stop on line 10, I experimented taxi vs Airport Express + subway and the taxi was taking half the time.
I now find the Airport bus to be ideal for me as its first stop is right next to my place.
But for a first timer to Beijing the subway is ok although if there are 2 of you then you only save a few dollars.