Beijing Travel Answers

Tons of flights...around 280 to 560 yuan each way. Can be 733 or a 100 seaters flight, depends on carrier.

You can check it out yourself at: http://english.ctrip.com http://www.elong.net

Thank you both for your info.As I have not book any online flights in China before & assuming that I have "done deal" over the net...do they have any reference that I can print out for my flight later on ? Tks again.

Hi, I went around China by air mostly. Here's a tip for you. No use buying online now if you are not in China yet. Just useful to check out fare estimates for your budgeting purpose. Best deal, when you land in Beijing airport, find sometime to check out all the airfares from all the airlines counters there, compare fares after you have decided which date you wish to fly, you will definitely find something to your budget and timing. Apparently, there are various fares depending what flight you choose for the day. I learnt this trick after I tried to buy a sector from Hohhot to Beijing at the Xian airport. Oh, btw, most transactions in cash only yeah .. Personally, I find Air China which is China's largest domestic airline is quite reliable and comfortable. The others are also okay depending on which sector you are flying ie, North, East, Central, South. ... Yes, there are quite a number of domestic airlines for you to choose. And in Beijing airport, yes, you can get the airline desk staff to understand you in English no problem - just say the appropriate destination, flight date and time. Good luck!

actually, if you don't mid flying at odd hours like midnight flights, they are usually cheaper. You can buy them when you arrive in Beijing. You can also purchase a return flight if you are definite about your dates.

I did not have much luck with elong since they wanted me to sign and send over by post. I went to the local agent in Netherlands and they suggested me to come over first to buy. Well I took the advice, and I must say I would not do the same again. I just spent the afternoon sorting out my tickets, time which I would rather spend sightseeing. The price? The same as the one quoted back in the Netherlands. Except that paying is more difficult and expensive (credit card charge) and more likelihood of errors since the people here are less familiar with Roman alphabets (my name was spelt wrongly). So would you rather spend your time sightseeing than having to worry about finding an agent here in a foreign country and waiting for the tickets to be printed and delivered and how to pay for it? My suggestion: pop down to the local chinatown and find an agent. You can be pretty sure that their price would not be much different (if at all) compared to here. Elong is cheaper, but paying is a hassle.

Domestic flights get cheaper closer to the departure date. I have seen discounts up to 60% of list price. These are at the web address posted by someone else, also in the tip section of my china page. Be careful around holidays like Chinese New Year, early May and early October.

1) and 2) If you could tell me your dates of travel (VTMail is fine if you don't want it to be public knowledge) I'll quote you the flights, airlines, aircraft types and prices. I'll help you out with a booking if necessary, but that part is up to you.

Thank you all...thank you so much for all your valuable advise/tips.Mind if I add on three more questions:- 1. What time would the Badaling opens during winter? 2. What's number should I call for a cab to Badaling & its cost ? 3. What time is the Forbidden City operates ? 9am to 5pm during winter ? TQ.

1) 24 hours? 2) Call Mr Song at 13801358901. Cost to Mutianyu should be around 400-450 RMB, so I guess Badaling would be about 300 RMB. 3) Yes, that sounds right, last ticket sales at 1600.