Originally Posted by
mikebastos
....
I don't know how organised is Beijing airport but I doubt 1h45 is enough to get of the plane, go through VISA control, get the luggage, do the check in for the domestic flight, go through security and go to the other gate. .....
can you tell me how fast is VISA control in Beijing airport, as well as safety checks?
Welcome to FT.
I am sure you have looked at this, if not here it is:
http://en.bcia.com.cn/harbor-guide/itod.shtml
Without getting into the details, I would say you should be fine. The airport is now much better organized than during the pre-Olympics days. If you have checked luggage (best you carry-on board), know exactly where your luggage is coming out and retrieve. You need to know where to re-checkin. Again best to travel light and with carry-on only.
Clearing custom/immigration (health check is brief) should be fast and non-eventful. Beware that the airport is vast. Keep an eye on all signs (English avail).
I had the pleasure of doing the reversed transfer (from domestic to internation with 0 minutes to spare. I made it, just barely! I had 3 hours between connection from domestic to international. Unfortunately my domestic outbound flight was 3 hours late in departure. It arrived at the exact time when my international flight was suppose to pull out of the gate. Fortunately, it was delayed by 30 minutes. I made it to the gate in 30 minutes while they held the plane knowing I was on the way. Of course, I did not have to go through custome etc...
I think you will be ok. Just study the airport map etc... and make notes.
Originally Posted by
mikebastos
do you know if in Brussels one can check in to the final destination even knowing that I am not flying with the same company and that I am transferring from international to domestic?
Sounds like you are on separate tickets. Hence I think it most likely you won't be checked through to final destination. You may want to check with your airline to make sure.
You will need to go through custom/visa control etc... in Beijing. Your luggage (if checked) will be retrieved there and then re-checked in to you final destination.
If possible, carry everything on board.