From PEK, is the subway faster in rush hour?
 

I have a flight landing at PEK at about 4 pm. My hotel is a couple blocks east of Tiananmen Square, right in front of the Chong Wen Men subway station. I was planning on taking a taxi (they're cheap in Beijing, and with my party of 4, it's probably even cheaper than the subway!) but I have recollections of traffic gridlock in that part of town in the early evening. We have pretty light luggage, so it's no real trouble taking the subway -- although, obviously, a taxi would seem easier (absent the traffic).

What road conditions am I likely to encounter, and should I just take the subway? I've heard it's an easy single transfer.

Thanks.

I would go with the taxi since the cost is comparable (with 4 people), the transfer is annoying, and the ring line is crowded. You'll definitely get to experience some traffic, but you'll survive.

OK, I like taxis. :) Especially in China, where they're dirt-cheap. As long as it's not gridlock, I'll be happy enough.

And no reason to use a car service from the airport? The first time, I landed at PEK, somebody arranged a driver for me and it seemed more trouble than it was worth.

Yes the subway will be crowded, but like HKG are there schemes in which there are discounted airport train tickets for groups (of 2, 4, 8, and more?) with reduced prices?

How much luggage will you have. If its 4 of you, will all of your stuff fit in the trunk and if not, are you happy to keep it on your laps for the duration of the trip? Otherwise, we're looking at two cabs.

Like Moondog said, the subway will not only be crowded, the A/C won't be strong (if at all - depends on line), transfers a mess and lengthy and it will just be a tiring sweatfest.

Since price is not a big deal, take the cab(s) regardless. Tell the driver to crank up the A/C, then chat with friends, put on your ipod, take a nap, etc. Traffic will seem like nothing.

Bingo. Transfers with luggage (especially at Dongzhimen) can be downright excruciating (e.g. hauling 80 pounds of luggage up 20 stairs)... something to ponder when you're sitting in traffic on 2nd Ring.

I'd also take a cab (or two cabs, if your party is four adults). Or private car, if your budget and vehicle size/comfort warrant it. It will likely be gridlock and take you at least an hour to get to your hotel, but you won't do any better on public transport and that will be most un-fun at afternoon rush. As they say in China "mei banfa."

Airport train to ring line to Chongwenmen probably rivals taxis during off hours, let alone rush hour. This is another one of those cool race scenarios; I've always wanted to go head to head against a Maglev enthusiast on the #2 bus in Shanghai.

Which I guess brings up another airport transport question: from a Puxi hotel to PVG, nothing beats a taxi for convenience, right? And how many yuan is it likely to cost (that will be my exit from China, so I guess I want to get the currency about right)?

As a novelty, I once took the maglev from PVG to a Pudong hotel. I doubt I saved any time, but everyone should do it.

Once.

I, honestly, prefer the buses. IME, I'm usually in motion before the taxi people, and buses travel at a quicker average rate (due to special bus lanes). Since my place is close to Jing An Temple, I tend to yield splendid airport-to-door times using this method (I once did the entire journey in 67 minutes from touchdown).

But, since you are traveling in a group of 4, I think that a taxi would make the most sense for you.

One thing to be aware of using the subway is that you will have to have your luggage screened at the entrance. It only takes seconds and is just a quick scan through the X-ray machine.

More a nuisance than anything else but you should be aware of the process beforehand.

I'm game. :) I'd like to see what happens in that contest too. I always take the Maglev because I like riding the Maglev, I'm not considering time or convenience.

You keep talking like this you're going to make me a convert. :D I prefer cab to the maglev to PVG and vice versa. You really can't beat the maglev, and cabs from there are easy and fast. Haven't tried the bus though, and I know moondog swears by it.

In the absence of a head-to-head competition, I think the best we can do is collect data from our own trips: starting/ending point, mode of transit, time of day, and total time required to reach check-in counter or your hotel/apartment.

In any event, the next time any of you gets a data point, I encourage you to start a thread in order to get the ball rolling.

Deal, I fly out of PVG next week and use the maglev. Will post back...