8 Hour Layover in Beijing (PEK)

[Guest shockdevil]

Does anyone have any idea what it is like to have a layover at the Beijing China Internaitonal Airport?

 

I am hoping that there is internet access available for my laptop and some food shops or something in the transit area of the international terminal. Their website really does not give definitive answers to any questions travelers may have.

 

I saw there was a Premium Lounge there like the one in Hong Kong however, it does not say if you can pay for access to the lounge if you are not traveling in Business or First Class.

 

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

[Gaybutton]

I've never been there, but have you tried asking your airline for information about that airport or where you could get information from? You might also contact the People's Republic of China Embassy at: http://www.china-embassy.org

[fedssocr]

 

Depending on your airline you check to see which terminal you will be in. Apparently the new Terminal 3 is supposed to be pretty nice.

 

You may want to try a website like flyertalk.com to ask this question

[Guest fountainhall]

With all respect to GB, I doubt if the Chinese Embassy will come up with anything.

 

I assume shockdeveil is transiting in Terminal 3. I was in and out of that terminal several times after it opened early last year. The first thing you notice is that it is absolutely huge - the largest airport building in the world - larger than all of London's five Heathrow Terminals put together!. It is also beautiful, as well as bright, airy and with lots of facilities for passengers, including restaurants, cafes, book stores and lots of other shops. There are also quiet areas to sit, as well as hotel type facilities like showers and day rooms, but I presume one has to pay for the latter. The airline lounges certainly have free internet facilities.

 

You also get a pretty good idea from the comments on this site -

 

http://www.airlinequality.com/Airports/Airport_forum/pek.htm

 

However, there is conflicting advice about wifi internet access. One reviewer (see 10 March) says its available free; another says its available at a fee (24 December).

 

According to another site -

 

http://www.china-travel-golden-route.com/b...ng-airport.html

 

- there is a Plaza Premium Lounge with the following facilities

 

Open daily 0600 - 2400

One stop shopping for

* All Day Food & Beverages

* Mini Golf Putting

* Internet Access

* Newspapers & Magazines

* TV Channel

* Flight Information

* Free Local Calls

 

But if I had 8 hours in Beijing and had not visited before, I'd get myself a single entry visa, take a taxi to The Forbidden City (approx. 40 minutes - US$15), spend a couple of hours visiting one of the world's great sites, and then be back at Terminal 3 in time for some noodles, an hour catching up on the internet, and then off to the gate for my flight. Assuming my incoming flight arrived on time, of course!

 

Hope this helps.

[Guest fountainhall]

Forgot to add one thought to my earlier post. Although Terminal 3 is technically one terminal under one huge roof structure, it is really more a series of much smaller terminals all linked by train. Check-in is all done in one section, but the automatic train then delivers passengers to several different sub-terminals A, B, C etc. Since each of these has its own immigration counter, I am not sure how possible it is to transfer from one to the other unless you are transiting internationally from one carrier to another. I assume shockdevil it transfering from Air China to Air China which I guess means you may be stuck in one sub-terminal.

 

I make this point only because the location of the Plaza Premium lounge therefore becomes kind of crucial. I suggest you either ask Air China, or enquire at any Premium lounge elsewhere for a detailed list of their lounge locations.

[Guest]

I think most airlines also offer a one day pass. Check with the airline that is your original starting point and see if they have an agreement with one in the airport with a stopover.

 

I know the NWA in Tokoyo has a great free shower and one of the fastest Internet connections I have seen. I am sure China will have similar.

[Guest fountainhall]

I am sure China will have similar.

 

I'm sure you're right. But it's still important that shockdevil find out the location of the lounge in Terminal 3. It's not much use if it's in Section E, say, and you are stuck during your transit in another section. As I mentioned earlier, I seem to recall that you can not wander freely between the various sections.