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Originally Posted by trueblu
(Post 19883629)
True, but I would keep my passport in the hotel safe, and travel with a photo of it on my phone.
OP: you are over-thinking this. China is not a war zone, but there are occasional hassles here, and that is part of the fun of exploring somewhere new and very different. You will likely get slightly lost, or get into a taxi whose driver doesn't have a clue...but other than being out by $3, and 30 minutes late, no harm will come of it. Also, please DO NOT import the US-centric tipping culture into China -- it's already worse than it was a couple of years ago, but not having to tip most of the time is really a wonderful pleasure. tb PS not sure if you have realised the current AA promo, but your routing will still bring in 20k+ EQMs before year's end, just in case it is relevant. I'm all for helping keep Western-style tipping at bay. From what I've read, service charges are already built into the price, as is the custom here in Germany. At best, we just round up to the next whole number. You're right, tb, I'm sure we're over-thinking this, no doubt something that stayed with us having lived in Germany in the days before the fall of the Berlin Wall. It's past time to relax, go with the flow, and enjoy a new and memorable experience in China! And I registered both of us for the AA promo as soon as it was announced. Thank you for pointing it out, though. Unfortunately, I couldn't take advantage of Hilton's promo that rdchen mentioned. |
Originally Posted by trueblu
(Post 19883629)
True, but I would keep my passport in the hotel safe, and travel with a photo of it on my phone.
. A paper copy is better if you fear losing sensitive information. |
Originally Posted by anacapamalibu
(Post 19884064)
Cell phone data is easily compromised in China.
A paper copy is better if you fear losing sensitive information. Will any harm come from having a photo of your passport on your phone -- almost zero (obviously, the risk is not zero itself). tb |
Does a cellphone photo of your passport id page and visa suffice as a copy or is a hard copy
required? I suppose one could ask at the local psb. For banking matters I do believe the physical passport is required and other things such as air travel...not sure if train ticket agent hsr would accept Cell phone photo. Of course hotel needs original. Have been checked for passport when entering by car cities with events...ie Beijing Olympics, Shanghai Expo. Not sure if cell phone photo would work. Is the risk of losing your passport while traveling in China worth keeping it in a hotel safe when available? In general I would answer, no. |
Originally Posted by moondog
(Post 19879999)
I would just grab a taxi... cheaper, and no need to stress about finding your driver.
There were private drivers soliciting custom, I think the going rate was 300y to the city, which isn't too bad. My usual driver charges 200y, or 250-300y between midnight and 5am. |
Originally Posted by fimo
(Post 19884669)
Arrived at PEK last Weds night after midnight and waited an hour for a taxi in subzero temperatures. Totally regretted not pre-booking a pick-up. My colleague obviously hadn't suffered these long airport waits because she insisted it'd be a breeze getting a taxi and I needn't worry. When we saw the line and how slow it was moving she sheepishly acknowledged her bad call.
There were private drivers soliciting custom, I think the going rate was 300y to the city, which isn't too bad. My usual driver charges 200y, or 250-300y between midnight and 5am. tb |
Originally Posted by trueblu
(Post 19884713)
Agreed, although I never book a pick-up, and just suffer the taxi queue, not sure why?!
But for after midnight and especially in the cold or if the weather forecast projects rain or snow, I'd most certainly prefer a sure thing! |
Whomever did the studies for the taxi and airport express queues at PEK T3 must have got there temperature data mixed up with PBI. It ridiculous for people to be freezing in those queues.
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Originally Posted by fimo
(Post 19884738)
I don't bother with a car pick-up if I arrive during the day, just because it's easier to roll up the queue and get a taxi and not have to think about flight changes or delays and having to inform the driver etc, as I often have some flexibility on my return travel plans.
But for after midnight and especially in the cold or if the weather forecast projects rain or snow, I'd most certainly prefer a sure thing! tb |
Originally Posted by trueblu
(Post 19884814)
Agreed -- but my ORD-PEK flight gets in at midnight, so I'm often there, waiting 30 mins for the taxi! I try routing back via NRT these days, since that gets me in a couple of hours earlier, and the queues are shorter...
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Originally Posted by fimo
(Post 19884669)
Arrived at PEK last Weds night after midnight and waited an hour for a taxi in subzero temperatures. Totally regretted not pre-booking a pick-up.
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Originally Posted by trueblu
(Post 19884713)
Agreed, although I never book a pick-up, and just suffer the taxi queue, not sure why?! Having said that, I was utterly shocked flying in yesterday evening to have <1 minute for a taxi from PEK - an absolute record!
tb So the queue is like outside, that's why some people freezing? |
Originally Posted by tomy77
(Post 19889451)
So the queue is like outside, that's why some people freezing?
http://www.mobypicture.com/user/marc...s/view/5663404 |
Originally Posted by tomy77
(Post 19889451)
So how hard is it normally to get taxi? I'll be arriving around 5 pm on Monday.
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Originally Posted by fimo
(Post 19884669)
There were private drivers soliciting custom, I think the going rate was 300y to the city, which isn't too bad. My usual driver charges 200y, or 250-300y between midnight and 5am.
edit: Or if anyone have info about reasonable+reliable airport pickup service? |
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