This is the second part of a three-part feature. For part 1 (weighing your options), click here.
Qu Na’er？
Always know where you’re going with these handy Chinese phrases
Stage 1:Check-In
SAY:
Is the flight on time?
航班按时起飞吗？
Hángbān ànshí qǐfēi ma?
Is it a full flight?
飞机有空位吗？
Fēijī yǒu kòngwèi ma?
Can you help get me seats together?
可以帮我们安排一起坐吗？
Kěyǐ bāng wǒmen ānpái yīqǐ zuò ma?
Can you get me an aisle seat?
可以帮我安排靠过道的座位吗？
Kěyǐ bāng wǒ ānpái kào guòdào de zuòwèi ma?
LISTEN FOR:
Please get to the boarding gate an hour before boarding.
请提前一个小时到达登机门。
Qǐng tíqián yīgè xiǎoshí dàodá dēngjīmén
Stage 2:Security
LISTEN FOR:
Do you have any electronics or liquids in your bag?
包里有电子产品或液体物品吗？
Bāolǐ yǒu diànzǐ chǎnpǐn huò yètǐ wùpǐn ma?
Please take off your belt/hat.
请把腰带/帽子摘下来。
Qǐng bǎ yāodài/màozi zhāi xiàlái
Please hold on to your passport and boarding pass.
请拿好您的护照和登机牌。
Qǐng náhǎo nǐn de hùzhào he dēngjī pái
Stage 3:At the Boarding Gate
SAY:
Why is the flight delayed?
航班为什么耽误了？
Hángbān wèishéme dānwu le?
How long will my flight be delayed by?
航班要耽误多久？
Hángbān yào dānwu duōjiǔ?
LISTEN FOR:
The flight has been canceled.
[Flight number] 航班已经被取消。
[Flight number] hángbān yǐjīng bèi qǔxiāo.
The boarding gate has been changed.
[Flight number] 登机门有变。
[Flight number] dēngjī mén yǒubiàn
The flight has been delayed.
[Flight number] 航班耽误了。
[Flight number] hángbān dānwu le
Stage 4:On the Plane
SAY:
Please give me a blanket.
麻烦您给我拿一张被子。
Máfan nín gěiwǒ ná yi zhāng bèizi.
If I’m sleeping, please don’t
wake me up for meals.
如果我在睡觉，用餐时请不要打扰我。
Rúguǒ wǒzài shuìjiào, yòngcān shí
qǐng bùyào dǎrǎo wǒ.
Where can I store my stroller?
把婴儿车放哪儿？
Bǎ yīng’ér chē fàng nǎ’er?
LISTEN FOR:
Please fasten your seatbelts,
the plane is about to take off.
请大家几好安全带，飞机快要起飞了。
Qǐng jǐhǎo ānquán dài, fēijī kuài yào qǐfēi le.
Please stow your luggage.
请放好你的行李。
Qǐng fànghǎo nǐn de xínglǐ
Stage 5:Immigration (International Flights Only)
LISTEN FOR:
Which page is your visa on?
签证在哪页？
Qiānzhèng zài nǎ yè?
Please show me your entry card.
请出示您的入境卡。
Qǐng chūshì nín de rùjìng kǎ.
SAY:
We’re transiting.
我们在途中。
Wǒmen zài túzhōng.
Where is the baggage claim area?
行李提取处在哪儿？
Xínglǐ tíqǔ chù zài nǎ’er?
Beyond Taxis
Five ways to reach Beijing International Capital Airport
Dididache 嘀嘀打车
How it works: Book a cab through the Dididache app by typing in your location, destination, and desired pickup time and date. Minimum lead time is 15 minutes and time slots are available in 15-minute increments.Available for iOS, Android, and Windows Phones.
Cost: Regular taxi fares apply.
Payment options: Cash or WeChat payment. If you’re having trouble getting a cab, there’s the option of incentivizing drivers by offering a tip.
Tips: Send your request early if you need a ride at an unusual hour.
Yidaoyongche易到用车
How it works: Yidaoyongche is a black car app with a flat rate for going to the airport. After specifying the time, date, pickup location, and terminal, your request will be sent across the Yidaoyongche network. Available for IOS, Android, and Windows Phones.
Cost: RMB 128 covers an hour and 30km, RMB 30 for every extra hour and RMB 3 for every extra kilometer.
Payment options: Cashless payment oonly (Chinese debit cards, credit cards, and online banking).
Tips: Take a regular cab unless you live really far and expect to rack up comparable fees. This app offers better value as a pickup service since taxi queues can be very long at the airport. Pickup costs RMB 148 (same conditions apply). However, you won’t be charged extra if your flights gets delayed.
Uber优步
How it works: The popular US app comes to Beijing. Users can book a taxi, private car, or rideshare. Just type your pickup location and destination in the app. Available for iOS, Android, and Windows Phones.Cost: RMB 250 flat rate for uberX (regular cars), RMB 300 for UberBLACK (luxury cars), RMB 0.35 per minute and RMB 2.17 per kilometer for People’s Uber (rideshares).
Payment options: Cashless payment only (Visa, Mastercard, or Alipay).
Tips: You can’t book a ride ahead of time, so use the app well before your intended leaving time. Ridesharing with People’s Uber is cheap and convenient, but sharing baggage space could be an issue unless you’re a light packer.
Airport Express机场快轨
How it works: The Airport Express is fast, cheap, and convenient, dropping passengers off at both Terminal 2 and Terminal 3. The ride from Dongzhimen takes 20-40 minutes while the ride from Sanyuanqiao takes 15-35 minutes.
Cost: RMB 25 one way
Payment options: Cash or Beijing subway card.
Tips: Boarding at Dongzhimen and snagging a seat by the door increases your chances of getting dibs on baggage space. It might also be easier to navigate the subway with a roller bag or backpack.
Beijing Airport Shuttle Bus 北京首都机场巴士
How it works: Beijing Capital International Airport operates a fleet of air-conditioned shuttle buses that travel between several locations in Beijing. Tickets can be purchased at the airport or from a ticket booth next to each stop. For details, visit en.bcia.com.cn/traffic/air-bus, or call 6457 3891 or 6459 4375/76.
Cost: Tickets cost RMB 15, 18, 21, or 24 one way depending on the distance from the airport.
Payment options: Cash only
Tips: This option is best for those who live far and/or plan to leave well in advance. Shuttle buses are subject to the vagaries of Beijing traffic and may not leave until they have a certain number of passengers.
This article originally appeared in the October 2014 issue of beijingkids. To view it online for free, click here. To find out how you can obtain your own copy, email distribution@truerun.com.
Photos: Ben Eng (Flickr)
