PEK to intown hotel: transfer options
#16
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Join Date: May 1998
Location: Massachusetts, USA; AA Plat, DL GM and Flying Colonel; Bonvoy Platinum
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However, how can I practice saying this? I don't know how, and I don't see a link to an audio recording. My translation software says the first part means "Jiali core" and the second part means "hotel," so I believe they would be useful words to say, but how do they sound?
(At the BOS Admiral's Club awaiting our flight to ORD. We're first and second on the upgrade list, but nothing confirmed yet ...)
#17
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 41,824
I am normally suspicious of people who make this sort of suggestion, as I am used to pranksters who tell me how to say "Kick me very hard" while claiming that I would be saying "Where is the nearest toilet?" FlyerTalkers, though, are more credible than most of my friends.
However, how can I practice saying this? I don't know how, and I don't see a link to an audio recording. My translation software says the first part means "Jiali core" and the second part means "hotel," so I believe they would be useful words to say, but how do they sound?
(At the BOS Admiral's Club awaiting our flight to ORD. We're first and second on the upgrade list, but nothing confirmed yet ...)
However, how can I practice saying this? I don't know how, and I don't see a link to an audio recording. My translation software says the first part means "Jiali core" and the second part means "hotel," so I believe they would be useful words to say, but how do they sound?
(At the BOS Admiral's Club awaiting our flight to ORD. We're first and second on the upgrade list, but nothing confirmed yet ...)
Why not just use Google Translate (the Chinese pane should spell everything out for you, including audio)?
Anyway, jiali zhongxin (all first tone except for the "li"... say it fast and nobody will notice) should get the job done (I'm guessing the driver will be smart enough to bring you to the hotel instead of the office building on a Saturday evening even if you don't specify such).
#18
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: China and Canada
Posts: 1,886
If one has no notion of Mandarin, I would not bother trying to say it. Likely to be wrong, especially if you make a small error in tone. And if you happen to get it right, then be prepared to answer the question that the driver will throw at you in mandarin!
#19
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Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 41,824
IME, it rarely takes more than 60 seconds for anyone to figure out how to pronounce the name of their hotel. This 60 second investment tends to pay off in spades because it spares people of having to show taxi drivers pieces of paper whenever they want to return to the hotel.
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Join Date: May 1998
Location: Massachusetts, USA; AA Plat, DL GM and Flying Colonel; Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 24,221
Update, probably the last: The Beijing end of the trip went off like clockwork. No problems anywhere. The taxi driver knew exactly where the hotel was from the printout of its name. (No opportunity to learn, let alone practice, saying it before that point.) The trip cost 89 yuan on the meter plus 10 for the airport toll, at the low end of the expected range. The Kerry is very nice, a step or two above the places we usually stay! Among other things, this is the first time I've seen a toilet with a motion-activated night light!
(The trip itself was pleasant, too. The flight was delayed five hours, first for a mechanical problem, then to find another plane, and finally to round up a replacement crew, but our upgrades eventually cleared and we got 5,000 AA miles each as compensation for the delay.)
(The trip itself was pleasant, too. The flight was delayed five hours, first for a mechanical problem, then to find another plane, and finally to round up a replacement crew, but our upgrades eventually cleared and we got 5,000 AA miles each as compensation for the delay.)
#21
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: China and Canada
Posts: 1,886
IME, it rarely takes more than 60 seconds for anyone to figure out how to pronounce the name of their hotel. This 60 second investment tends to pay off in spades because it spares people of having to show taxi drivers pieces of paper whenever they want to return to the hotel.
#24
Join Date: Mar 2001
Programs: AA EXP, BA Gold, UA LT-Gold, SPG Plat, HH Dia, Hyatt Dia, MR Gold
Posts: 2,221
I'm heading to Grand Hyatt around 6pm arrival on a Saturday.
Any idea how long it will take to clear from gate to taxi?
Thinking whether I should take the hotel limo vs queuing up at the taxi line.
Had a bad experience at PEK security line where it took over 90 mins to clear.
Queue jumpers everywhere.
Any idea how long it will take to clear from gate to taxi?
Thinking whether I should take the hotel limo vs queuing up at the taxi line.
Had a bad experience at PEK security line where it took over 90 mins to clear.
Queue jumpers everywhere.