Leave Early for the Airport and Other Beijing Holiday Tips

This is a bit of a skills review for the experienced traveler, but as holiday travel is always a bit more intense than normal, some of these tips are worth repeating.

1. Leave early for the airport. Beijing Capital International Airport (BCIA) is not the world's most fun airport, but it's serviceable. As such, get there early. On Monday, lines at customs were short – but the line wrapped around the area three times as security staff did the whole "everybody beeps in the metal detector so we'll pat you down" pantomime. It's a holiday, give yourself a break and leave a little earlier.

2. Bring your own food. Now is the best time to following one of the Talking Travel desk's golden rules: do not rely on airlines to feed or entertain you. Sure, they'll put a tray of something in front of you, but it may not be good, and it may not be enough. On a trans-Pacific or trans-continental flight, that means you will be unhappy for hours. Do this instead: go to your favorite baozi or jiaozi place, or just your favorite restaurant, and get something you like, to go. One nice thing about traveling in China: security people respect food, they will not mess with your lunch unless it's mostly liquid. Take that onboard, and when the question "chicken or beef," you can respond, "pork and jiu cai, actually." Just spare a thought for your fellow passengers before choosing any strong-smelling dishes.

3. Bring your own entertainment. See the golden rule above. Charge all your devices, bring power cords that fit two, vertical flat-prong electrical sockets, and load your phone, tablet, and laptop with video content, books, games, or whatever will occupy you for unbroken hours. It's likely your airline will offer something, but you never know when you're going to get a seat with a faulty audio system, or the entire video system fails – both of which I have experienced. Besides, your taste is better.

4. Prepare for sleep. Get an eyeshade from somewhere. Sleep is the ultimate cure for long-distance air travel. It's not likely you'll arrive at your destination feeling refreshed, but at least you can arrive less destroyed.

5. A toothbrush, toothpaste, and a fresh shirt will take you a long way. If you bring along a toothbrush, a travel-sized toothpaste, and a clean t-shirt, and spend 10 minutes in the airplane's bathroom (or airport's bathroom after you land) about an hour before arrival, you'll arrive feeling much better.

Wherever you're headed for this holiday season, have a safe trip.

More stories by this author here.

Email: stevenschwankert@thebeijinger.com
Twitter: @greatwriteshark
Weibo:​ @SinoScuba潜水

Photo: EfficientAsianMan