Bicycle from Beijing Station to Airport

[randall_flagg]

Hello!

I'm going to be leaving China in just a few weeks...too bad, really!

Anyway, I really want to take my bicycle home with me, but don't know how to do it! I've already talked to the airline -- once I'm at the Beijing Airport, everything is taken care of. But I really don't know how to get there from the BJ train station (I'll be coming in from Dalian)! In addition to my bike, I'll have about 40 kg of luggage. How about that new train that goes to the airport? Also, how would one ago about getting a 面包车 and does anyone know what costs would be for that?

Help, anyone?

Thanks,

Randall

[zhwj]

There's an airport bus that leaves from the International Hotel, one block north of the train station. It costs 16 yuan and you ought to be able to put a bike in their storage bins. You can see the schedule here; there's also an information number on that page (it actually says there's a terminus at Beijing Station, but when I used to take it a few years ago, it always left from the International Hotel - might want to check that out).

[imron]

As far as I know, it's still leaving from the International Hotel. Failing that, just to the west of the train station is a car park full of drivers and illegal taxis. A minivan will probably cost around 250-300 to the airport, but you'll possibly be able to find other travelers waiting to go there also, meaning you can split the price.

[gougou]

I saw a lot of airport buses when walking down the road west of the station a few weeks ago (just past the parking lot imron mentioned). Not sure though whether they're departing from there or just waiting their turn to pull up to the international hotel.

[ipsi()]

You could always just spend the next few weeks at the 体育馆 and then bike to the airport .

[randall_flagg]

Thanks!

I guess if I find any fellow travelers, I'll do the mini-van thing. If not, I'll be schlepping everything to the shuttle bus....what a nightmare! I'll be sweating so much!

[adrianlondon]

I doubt the airport bus will take your bike.

Although it's possible to cycle from central Beijing to the airport it's quite a long way and the final bit isn't fun. Also, you'd need to take your luggage to the airport, and then return for your bike, before cycling. Not pleasant.

Best bet is to ask around at the station for slightly-less-dodgy-than-usual-dodgy-people who are willing to take you and your bike to the airport. That's what I'd do. Well, actually, what I'd do (and what I did) would be to sell the bike and get a new one back in your home country.

Chinese bikes aren't the value-for-money people think. Yes, they're cheap, but they're not actually that strong, especially the wheels. In China that's not a problem because when you buckle your wheel some old guy fixes it for a few yuan, but back in the UK it's not so cheap ;)

However, I just spent over 300 pounds on new wheels for my bike (admittedly 100 of that was for the schmidt hub dynamo) so maybe I'm not the most rational person to reply here ;)

[imron]

I guess if I find any fellow travelers, I'll do the mini-van thing.

I'm guessing that usually the van waits until it has a full load of passengers and then leaves, unless the current occupants wish to split the difference for empty seats. At least that's how it works when going for longer journeys such as to Tianjin, Hebei etc.

[roddy]

Last I was aware, the airport bus still stops at the west side of the International Hotel, but it no longer originates there - the terminal / origin is now somewhere on the other side of the station. Don't know if they have a bike policy. In your circumstances I'd be inclined to see if I could book a car / minivan to meet me - ganji has a list of people who 带面包车求职. I suspect they're looking for long term positions rather than daily hires.

Last time I hired anyone for an airport run it was RMB150 for the round trip, That was a simple pick up and drop off in a nice car though, and a couple of years back.

Train would be an option, but I suspect the hassle of getting from Beijing station to Dongzhimen, with all your luggage and the bike, is going to be fun.

[randall_flagg]

So, I guess the shuttle bus is out of the question.

I guess what I'll end up doing is try and find a 面包车. If that fails, than there's always the train to the airport ...yikes!

I like my bike just fine, and buying a bike like that back home would be much more expensive. I've been riding my bike for 2 years, no problems so far (knock on wood!).

Cycling to airport would not be a problem -- if it wasn't for a TON (not literally a ton, though) of luggage. You know, books and tea and all of that good stuff.

Thanks, people!

Randall

[roddy]

Shuttle bus might still be an option, but you'd want to head to where they start from - can't be specific, but it is very close to the station. And if that doesn't work, there are always taxi drivers hanging around the airport bus stops.

[Scoobyqueen]

I also took my Chinese bicycle back with me. It was a nightmare getting in a taxi because the taxis in Beijing are a standard size and bigger cars were not allowed in the new terminal without preregistration (ie black cabs). I had also preregistered the bicycle so you presumably know it has to be "flat packed", steering aligned with the bicycle and pedals off. There is not packing service so you either pack it in advance or buy bubble wrap at the post office downstairs if they have any. Remember to have the tracking piece stuck to the bicycle, not the wrapping as the wrapping can come undone. hostess was about to put the sticker on the wrapping which actually nearly came off. I posted a previous thread on bringing my bike back and there were some useful contributions from people with similar experiences.

[imron]

See here.

[Scoobyqueen]

AdrianLondon your remark about bicycle from China is absolutely correct. I have had mine now for several months and it is falling to bits. The rubber smells like it is made out of some carcinogenic material and the bike is rusting. Every screw seems to be coming lose. I think no one would want to steal it so I am using it as a train station bike.

[randall_flagg]

Thanks for the helpful link. No, I didn't know that I had to dissemble and pack my bike! Yikes!

So thanks for the heads up.

Do you think a dissembled bike might fit into the shuttle bus? Would that be an option?

I'm considering leaving my bike here in China for the next time I come back (hopefully soon).

Thanks for all your help, guys!

Randall

[cdn_in_bj]

I'm surprised that no one has suggested this, but you should try hiring one of the new London-style taxi cabs. They're designed for people in wheelchairs, so I'm sure you'll have no trouble getting your bike in there (along with your other luggage). You should call the taxi company ahead of time to explain your situation and arrange pickup.