I used the previously mentioned service for a couple of rides and it worked well.

http://www.suzhoucarrent.com/AirportTransfor.asp

Just get the owner's cell phone number for a PVG pickup, as your driver may get confused and wait at the wrong arrival door (it sure looked confusing to me there!).

Pudong to Suzhou r/t
 

Hi,

does anyone know a reliable driver for a quick transfer from Pudong to Suzhou?
Aforementioned "suzhoucarrent" apparently doesn't exist anymore. I don't have time for a bus ride or negotiating on arrival, and can't be bothered to rent a car or pay for a 200 Euro hotel limo.

Thanks!

You probably could get a cab to do it for around 1K RMB... I went their once via cab for 690 RMB on the meter, I'm sure you could talk your way to RT for 1K...

I was about to grudgingly accept the 400 Euro return hotel car (a BMW 5, not even a 7!) but then I found these guys:

http://suzhougarden.com/rent.html
The very friendly english speaking girl on the phone gave me a price of 380 RMB one way all in, which is dirt cheap.

Furthermore, I found these guys
http://www.grandchinatravel.com/chin...tal/Suzhou.htm
and
http://www.arescarrental.com/rates.htm

Both have decent rates. I also contacted one well established Shanghai company which quoted an unbelievable 2,000 r/t for a Buick.


Pudong <-> Suzhou is a major PITA, I hope these links and guys are reliable.

One way to avoid these transfers with Suzhou as final destination is to fly to WUX instead. Apart from domestic services including Hong Kong and Taiwan they also have flights from and to at least Japan.

WUX is fantastic, however domestic services are quite limited, a dozend of cities or so, and none to dongbei.

Shenzhen Airlines ZH9515/9516 Shenyang-Wuxi and vv. (think CA has a codeshare on this flight). Also to/from Dalian, if you want to consider that Dongbei also. :)

And as for intl flights to WUX besides HKG and TPE, apparently ZH also flies to/from Tokyo NRT and Osaka KIX, though not daily (NH codeshare on at least the latter).

Wow ... 380RMB for the transfer from PVG sounds way way cheap. Better check that it is a "private" car and not some shared car service where you have to wait for all 4 passengers to arrive, then head off making multiple stops or some other shenanigans like that. You could end up wasting more time than you expect. It just sounds too good to be true.

It was a private car, I certainly made sure of that. Worked out well, not the fanciest car (US make), but definitely a great deal.

If I remember correctly, the highway toll alone costs about 50 RMB.

This is great. Sounds like you found a winner. Should recommend this as the PVG - Suzhou trek is pretty common ... I have taken a cab way too many times.

We just used suzhougarden.com and I can give it the highest review. The price for a Passat from Suzhou to PVG is now 400RMB. I called the phone number listed on the web page a few days before we needed the ride and Maggie, who speaks English, asked me to email her the details. I did and she emailed me back a confirmation saying that she'd provide the driver's cell phone and license plate number the day before the trip. That's exactly what happened.
The service was prompt and reliable. The car was clean. The driver also agreed to make an extra stop to pick up our son on the way out of town.
The only note of caution I'd give is to have a Chinese speaker available—while Maggie speaks English, the driver didn't and we had to have our Hotel concierge and our daughter-in-law talk to the driver via cell phone to give explicit directions.

I assume travel in the opposite direction would also work out and I wouldn't hesitate using them again.

On a related note, rail speed is back up to 300km/h on the Nanjing - Shanghai commuter railway line. Did Suzhou main to Shanghai main station in 25 minutes yesterday.

Glad I rode it when it was 350...

I am impressed at the 380yuan for PVG-Suzhou private car transfer. ^