Some random questions I'm having trouble getting answered

[jbradfor]

One of the workers in the program office suggested I go down to the airport a day early, but I don't really want to sit at the airport for 10+ hours

I assume what the person meant was to go to a hotel near the airport a day early, spend the night there, and then the next morning take the hotel shuttle / taxi / whatever to the airport. I assume there are cheap hotels near the Beijing airport?

[abcdefg]

One of the workers in the program office suggested I go down to the airport a day early...

Agree with @jbradfor that it might relieve some stress to go a day early. Put you large bags in storage at the airport and then spend a pleasant night before departure at a nearby hotel. Leave Beijing well rested.

保管行李 = bǎoguǎn xíngli = store luggage

For another option, have a look at this recent thread: http://www.chinese-forums.com/index.php?/topic/29490-showershourly-hotel-in-beijing-capital-airport/

[Holly]

No, they didn't mean stay in a hotel. And I'd rather not spend the money on one, to be honest... I've spent so much already, I don't have much to spare.

[gougou]

To pick up your earlier question, it usually is very easy to get a taxi at night. Obviously depends a bit on your location, but generally supply outstrips demand by far at those hours.

Why do you have to be there three hours earlier? Check-in only closes an hour in advance.

[Holly]

People at the airport said I needed to be there by 5 at the latest. I had to be at my flight to China 2 hours in advance as well. That's standard for internatonal flights, as far as I know.

[gougou]

That's what they say. I never was there 2 hours in advance, and never had any trouble. Your call ;)

[Holly]

Better safe than sorry! ;)

[roddy]

If you get there at 5am you'll be sitting at the gate twiddling your thumbs by 5.45am.

[Holly]

Well, I estimate I'll get lost at least 5 times, so... :rolleyes: I got lost a lot at the one in Chicago. This ones about 5487457 times as big.

Again, better safe than sorry. I want at least 2 hours AT the airport, just to be safe. I need to pay my $150 as I'm bringing an extra carry on, too. I don't mind twiddling my thumbs for an hour or two.

[roddy]

You might want to have a look at the car+driver ads on thebeijinger, or ask if your friends know anyone - getting someone to turn up at your door, help you load the car, take you to the airport and help you to check in at the other end might be worth the extra cost. Don't know what they'd want for getting up at the time of night though.

Also, if you come across any friendly taxi drivers beforehand, see if they're interested in an early morning taxi run.

[Holly]

I've had really horrible luck with thebeijinger. All of the addresses I've used from there turn out to be incorrect. Will I have better luck with what you're talking about?

[roddy]

Unsurprisingly, I have no idea. Good luck.

[Holly]

Well, might not bother, then. Thebeijinger has caused me enough grief already. Extremely unreliable. <_<