Beijing: the sprawling capital that 21 million people call home, or at the very least a stopgap in their lives. With a city bigger than Northern Ireland or the entire state of Connecticut, it can be quite a hassle to see all of the great sights that the city has to offer. The most popular attractions in Beijing are unfortunately located outside of the city such as The Great Wall, mountain hiking spots, and many lakeside views.
It’s almost impossible for you to avoid the grueling travel time to get to any of these beautiful sights. Unless you are already used to it, having to plan for transportation can be absolutely dreadful. However, it doesn’t have to be so terrible, as hiring a car and driver to avoid crowded public transportation is one popular way for families to explore the city. Here are some driving services in Beijing with English options for you and your family to enjoy journeys far from home. Please note that all the information is subject to change; contact the driver service if you need more details.
Mark’s Guided Tour
Mark’s guided tour service can take you and your family anywhere around Beijing, so long as the entire trip takes less than nine hours. His GL8 Buick minivan can fit up to seven passengers, and the price for the trip will be RMB 900 as long as fewer than seven people (including yourself) will be riding. The driver can speak English and will personally pick you up and take you to your destination, but tickets to any attractions are not included. (Phone number: +86 138 1016 3719)
Miles Meng Car Service
Beijing tours and layover tours are provided by Miles Meng Car Service, including Great Wall one-day eight hour tours, half-day Beijing night tours, and one-day to four-day Beijing tours. Places visited include the Great Wall (Mutianyu, Gubeikou, Jiankou, and Badaling sections), the Ming Tombs, and city tourist spots. There are two kinds of cars you can choose for English services – five-seater cars from RMB 800 to RMB 1500, and seven-seater vans from RMB 1000 to RMB1800; prices vary according to tour. (Phone number: +86 137 1786 1403)
Toni’s Private Car Service
Toni is a personal tour guide in Beijing, who works with a number of travel agencies. His driving service provides private tours and bus tours in Beijing, including the Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven, Ming Tombs and Great Wall. They have one-day packages to these sights at prices ranging from RMB 180 to RMB 360 per person, including pickup service from your location. (Wechat: k809919)
Eric’s Car and Tour Service
Eric’s Car and Tour Service offer private tours to places around Beijing such as the Great Wall, the Summer Palace, and the Forbidden City. The total price of the tours varies depending on the total length of the trip. A five-seater sedan will cost RMB 70 per hour, while the seven-seater minivan costs RMB 100 per hour. The rate does not include any entrance tickets or meals. The service employs experienced drivers who can speak fluent to moderate English, along with use of translator apps. (Phone number: 186 1163 3263)
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