It’s easy to get here, and get around

As a major international city, and the capital of China, Beijing is easy to get to. You’ll probably be able to get a direct flight from your home country.

Once you’re here, things get a little more complicated… but the challenge is simply that you don’t know the geography or the language. The transportation itself is easy. Taxis are plentiful and cheap; you can cross the city for what costs just to get into a cab in cities like New York or London. And the subway is great! There are a lot of lines and fares are cheap (about 15 cents, US).

Here are a few tips that will help you get around better:

1. Always take a business care from your hotel. Always. With this on you, you’ll be able to give it to a taxi driver and get back. Without it… Well, good luck!
2. The official taxi stands at the international airport are downstairs. It’s a bit of a haul, but one you get there, you’ll be able to grab a cab quickly. Just wait in line for your turn.
3. Make sure the taxi drivers use the meter. You don’t need to be overly suspicious or anything, just don’t accept any offers a driver might try to give you. You’ll get ripped off.
4. If you’re going into the center of the city, the cost from the airport will be around 60 to 80 yuan.
5. There’s an Airport Expressway which goes straight from the airport to the 2nd ring road, so you’re ride into town should be very quick.
6. The Beijing map in the 2009 edition of Lonely Planet is inaccurate. It shows subways stations as “under construction,” when in fact they’ve been operational for years. And it gives them the wrong names. Be aware, and get a better map elsewhere.