Originally Posted by Vulcan
If you are going to the Westin, as we did for the DO in February, when you come out of customs, turn left and walk along a row of kiosks. Thre will be kiosks on both sides. On the LEFT side you will find one for the WESTIN. Stop there and tell them you have reservations and they will walk you out to the curb and put you in a taxi and tell the driver where to take you so there should be no problems. The Westin kiosk is open late, as we came from NRT on NW and I think UA arrives around the same time.
I second the suggestion to take the Maglev if you get there when it is open, but you can get a special rate from the city (its terminus is at a Subway station) if you want to ride back and forth to the airport the same day as a tourist. I seem to remember it somewhere around $8 US RT, but could be wrong. Well worth it. 15 minutes OW, as opposed to almost an hour by taxi. Awsome ride. at 260+ MPH.
Wow. Thanks to Vulcan, moondog and everyone else for the great advice! I don't think I'll take the Maglev the day I arrive because I get in at 6:15 p.m., which might be too late. Plus even though I travel a lot internationally I tend to be in a daze after a long flight and a taxi will be easier. But you've gotten me very interested in trying it some other day.
This useful information leads to a couple other questions:
1. Are there ATMs at the airport? If so, where?
2. Does anyone know whether Vulcan's advice applies when I take a domestic flight and get to Beijing (arriving about mid-day on a Sunday): I will be staying at the St. Regis and am wondering if it has a kiosk that could direct me to the taxi line and instruct the taxi driver.
Thanks again!