China - Beijing

[First class]

Guys need some help planning a semi-regular commute into Central Beijing from Capitol Airport (PEK).

4 days a week in December for 2 weeks, both directions.

Origin: Beijing Capitol Airport
Destination: Tiananmen Square

(Definitely not driving/cycling, not particularly keen on bus - ideally metro/rail).

Any ideas? Google Maps gives directions like "Turn left at (chinese name)"

Is the cheapest option the smartcard, and if so, is this valid on the Airport Express line?

 

[bb21]

Driving?

Airport Express will be your fastest method. It costs RMB25 each way and takes you to an interchange called Dongzhimen, where you change for Metro Line 2, and then onto Line 1 at Jianguomen, which costs RMB2 with a smartcard. Alight at Tiananmen East (not Tiananmen West) for the square.

Be warned. The metro is very cramped at rush hours or late at night when frequencies drop whereas crowds remain and London Underground is nothing compared to it.

Current exchange rate is ~£1 : RMB10.

Tip: Exchange your money when you land. Chinese banks are nowhere near as greedy as our banks and you get far more for your money.

 

[First class]

Driving?

Airport Express will be your fastest method. It costs RMB25 each way and takes you to an interchange called Dongzhimen, where you change for Metro Line 2, and then onto Line 1 at Jianguomen, which costs RMB2 with a smartcard. Alight at Tiananmen East (not Tiananmen West) for the square.

Be warned. The metro is very cramped at rush hours or late at night when frequencies drop whereas crowds remain and London Underground is nothing compared to it.

Current exchange rate is ~£1 : RMB10.

Tip: Exchange your money when you land. Chinese banks are nowhere near as greedy as our banks and you get far more for your money.

Cheers for that.

Do you know whether the smartcard can be obtained at the airport?

Is Chinese rush hour the same as us, (i.e. 7.30-8.30 and 16.30-18.00)?

 

[bb21]

I'm not sure whether they sell them at the airport. If not, then cash fare is the same.

Cash fare is the same on the metro as the smartcard fare, ie. flat fare of RMB2.

The only place where cash fare differs is on buses where prepay smartcard users are charged RMB0.4 on flat fare buses and cash fare is RMB1. On distance-based fares, you get a 60% discount on cash fares.

I hope you have an interpreter when you are there.

Rush hour is practically round the clock. (More severely between 0600 and 0930 plus between 1530 and possibly 1900.)

 

[Invincibles]

You can get the smartcards at the airport station, from what I can remember. The only time I used the airport express I was just making a quick trip into town and then back to the airport for a domestic flight. Usually I would use the shuttle bus services from the airport.

Generally speaking the chinese cities have good cards, although the queues can be large to go the kiosks so I just buy single tickets.