Beijing - Essential Information
Airport
The Beijing Capital International Airport is located around 27 kilometers north of Beijing´s city centre. At present, the airport consists of three terminals.
The cheapest way to into town is to take CAAC´s comfortable airport shuttle bus. Tickets cost RMB 16 and the ride takes between 40-90 minutes, depending on traffic and origin/destination. The shuttles leave the airport from outside gates 11-13 in the arrival level of Terminal 2. Buses depart every 15-30 minutes.
There is also an airport express train called ABC or Airport to Beijing City. The airport express covers the 27.3 km distance between the airport and the city in 18 minutes, connecting Terminals 2 and 3, to Sanyuanxiao station in Line 10 and Dongzhimen station in Line 2. The one way ticket price is RMB 25.00.
Public Transport
The subway is the best way to move around the city and avoid traffic jams in Beijing. Currently, there are 8 lines in operations, including the newly-opened ABC, or Airport to Beijing City airport line, Line 10 and the Olympic Branch line.
The five existing lines are, Line 1, Line 2 or the Loop Line, Line 5, Line 13 and the Batong Line. The subway runs from 5 am to midnight daily. Subway stations are marked by blue signs with a "D" (for Ditie or subway) in a circle. Tickets cost RMB 2, regardless of distance or destination. Route signs are in Bilingual.
Taxi
Taxis are the default mode of transportation for most foreigners in Beijing. As many as 3 million people take the cab everyday so fear not, you will never ran out of taxis in this city. There are at least 70,000 cabs in Beijing. The flagfall route is RMB 10 for the first three kilometer during the day and RMB 11 from 11 pm until 5 am. The costs of a ride is RMB 2 per kilometer, RMB 3 after 15 kilometers. Have your destination written down in Chinese.
Beijing taxi drivers are generally honest and friendly. Expect to get your change and tipping is discouraged. Taxi from the airport to the city centre takes approximately around 50 minutes, depending on the traffic for roughly RMB 90, inclusive of a RMB 10 toll fee. Ask for your receipt by saying "Fapiao."
The Beijing Bureau of Communications takes complaints concerning taxis, minibus or other vehicles. No operator, but an English recording that gives instructions for faxing your complaint—which of course will mitigate your anger right away. Tel No. +86 10 6835 1150.
Post
Jianguomen Post Office
Pharmacy
Shidai Golden Elephant Pharmacy
Dentist
Beijing International Medical Centre
Telephone
Country code: +86
Area code: (0)10
Electricity
220 Volt
