5 hours in PEK airport
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: YYZ
Posts: 1,146
5 hours in PEK airport
Hi
I've got a 5 hour layover in PEK airport. Any advice. I can go to the *A lounge but still seems like alot of time to kill...
Is there a airport hotel that I can get a few hours in...maybe even gym and massage?
If I choose to stay in airport..do I REALLY not need a VISA? i have heard for INTL to INTL travel you still need to check out and in again?
Thanks!
I've got a 5 hour layover in PEK airport. Any advice. I can go to the *A lounge but still seems like alot of time to kill...
Is there a airport hotel that I can get a few hours in...maybe even gym and massage?
If I choose to stay in airport..do I REALLY not need a VISA? i have heard for INTL to INTL travel you still need to check out and in again?
Thanks!
#4
Join Date: May 2007
Location: variously: PVG, SFO, LHR
Programs: AA ExPlat, UA 1MM Gold, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat, HH Gold
Posts: 1,678
5 hrs is pretty much near the cutoff of safety to get from the airport, to the hotel, to the spa, then back again in time for your onward flight, so it may not be worth risking it (especially if you don't speak any Chinese).
If you can, changing the connection point to NRT, HKG, ICN, or even KIX would give you a lot better/more options than PEK.
#5
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Salt Lake City, Los Angeles
Posts: 478
Moondog knows more about this, and it appears that there is some nearby to the airport options. However, it would involve the tricky issue of transit visas.
5 hrs is pretty much near the cutoff of safety to get from the airport, to the hotel, to the spa, then back again in time for your onward flight, so it may not be worth risking it (especially if you don't speak any Chinese).
If you can, changing the connection point to NRT, HKG, ICN, or even KIX would give you a lot better/more options than PEK.
5 hrs is pretty much near the cutoff of safety to get from the airport, to the hotel, to the spa, then back again in time for your onward flight, so it may not be worth risking it (especially if you don't speak any Chinese).
If you can, changing the connection point to NRT, HKG, ICN, or even KIX would give you a lot better/more options than PEK.
I think I may just suck it up and just hunker down somewhere in the airport for 5 hrs. Or maybe I can run back forth from one end to the other and get myself tired for the red eye.
If your trip is before mine, let us know what you ended up doing and if you found anything to do / see that's real close.
#6
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,031
the transit "visa" is simply a diamond shaped passport stamp. furthermore, until recently, airside transfers were completely impossible (now they are possible when flying ca).
i suppose we all have our own opinions about whether or not leaving the airport justifies the hassel..... and my opinion is "absolutely". the sino swiss may not be a 5-star hotel, but the restaurants are surprisingly good and it is perhaps 10x more comfortable than pek terminal 2.
another option is the lido, which is about 15 minutes away from the airport by taxi. there is more to do in the area (fake markets, bars, and restaurants) and i might be willing to make the treck up to meet either of you if i'm in town.
i suppose we all have our own opinions about whether or not leaving the airport justifies the hassel..... and my opinion is "absolutely". the sino swiss may not be a 5-star hotel, but the restaurants are surprisingly good and it is perhaps 10x more comfortable than pek terminal 2.
another option is the lido, which is about 15 minutes away from the airport by taxi. there is more to do in the area (fake markets, bars, and restaurants) and i might be willing to make the treck up to meet either of you if i'm in town.
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: YYZ
Posts: 1,146
Hey
Nice offer. I'm Dec 10th if your in town.
If I transfer without leaving Airport do I need a transit visa in advance? Do I if I leave to the hotel?
Is 5 hours enought time to take a taxi to the hotel, work out/massage or whatever and get back?
Thanks!
Nice offer. I'm Dec 10th if your in town.
If I transfer without leaving Airport do I need a transit visa in advance? Do I if I leave to the hotel?
Is 5 hours enought time to take a taxi to the hotel, work out/massage or whatever and get back?
Thanks!
#8
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,031
Is 5 hours enought time to take a taxi to the hotel, work out/massage or whatever and get back?
the lido is only slightly less convenient (figure an additional 30 minutes total).
#9
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Verdi, NV, SFO & Olympic (aka Squaw )Valley.
Programs: Ikon Pass Full + AS Gold + Marriott Titanium + Hilton Gold. Recovering UA Plat. LT lounge AA+DL+UA
Posts: 3,823
Ok...so I just learned that I will have a 9 hour layover at PEK from midnight tonight through 9a tomorrow morning. Aside from the Sino Swiss...can anyone recommend an inexpensive place to sleep for a few hours?
Cameron
Cameron
#10
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,031
In addition to the Sino Swiss, the flight crews seem to favor the Lido (priciest option), Rosedale (~$50 per night), and the Shanghai(?) Airlines Hotel (which can't be very nice or expensive).
#12
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,031
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: YYZ
Posts: 1,146
And what is available at Sino-Swiss? Do they rent day rooms?
#14
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SNA
Programs: UA 1K, HH LTD
Posts: 1,782