What is the best way to get around Beijing -- taxi or subway?

We are staying close to a subway stop and wondered whether or not we should try and take the subway from the airport to the hotel or take a taxi? The subway will be less expensive; however, our concerns are more timing (arriving at 4:05 pm) and challenge in using the subway system with luggage.

Also, for those sights near a subway stop (such as the Olympic venues), is it just as easy to use the subway?

ment on the metro, buses, and in most taxis (although you'll get through your balance pretty quickly with taxis). If you pay ¥100, ¥20 is a deposit and the rest is credit. Your trip to San Yuan Qiao or Dong Zhi Men will cost ¥25, and if you carry on from there by metro you'll pay another ¥2. All other metro trips, no matter how often you change, are ¥2. The card just waved at a reader when you enter the station, and again when you leave, the terminal at each gate telling you your remaining balance, which you can top up at counters or machines with English menus at any station. No need for change, and no need to line up for tickets. In short, an essential purchase.

You'll hit town at about 5pm, which could hardly be a worse time. So unless you are staying at hotels on the northeast third ring, the subway's what you need. And access to the Olympic site is very easy, the station there being sufficiently swish to be worth a view in its own right.

Peter N-H

Sorry: Read this part first!

Short answer: subway.

Long answer: Subway does 70kph (in short bursts) and only costs ¥2 per trip (airport line excepted, which is ¥25). Traffic above ground does 50kph (in very short bursts) and more often 0-5kph, and costs a minimum of ¥10, with ¥20 a typical fare.

Of course, the taxi takes you door to door, although you'd sometimes be quicker walking, and there are occasional problems with rip-offs (although these are obvious enough to be avoided).

Certainly, if travelling between 7am and 9am, or between 4pm and 7pm in most parts of town, if you take a taxi at all it's usually best just to take it to the nearest subway/metro station.

In the case of your arrival, the airport express line is very well arranged and clearly marked. There are fixed-price porters to help with your luggage if you need (with signs telling you clearly not to tip, as you never do in China), but changing to other subway lines does usually involve taking escalators, or sometimes stairs, with lifts only available at a few stations. If you're wise enough to travel only with what you can manage then it's no problem, however.

You would be wise at the airport train ticket counter to buy an Yikatong (if you say 'I P kaaa' this will be understood. It's a stored value card good for pay

I just came back from Beijing and have found the subway system to be an easy and inexpensive way to travel, especially if your hotel is close to asubway station. Many attractions are close or quite close to a metro station, like the Temple of Heaven, Forbidden City, Lama Temple.

As I was travelling on a group, I shared the cost of taxis with other tourmates and the cost is pretty inexpensive.

I forgot to say that I did find the subway quite crowded during the day. But I was ok with it.

Took a taxi from the airport to my place to sleep (arranged in advance) and took a taxi back (arranged with the front desk). Though maybe not a "front desk" as you understand it. Just a lot of lovely, helpful, basic English speaking young women working in a hostel that was a bit special. For my time in Beijing (second visit) I used the buses and the metro.

Both buses and metro are great as long as you have a map, are self-reliant, and like an adventure.

Never took a taxi once I was in the City. Why would you?

But then it's budget specific, and I rarely take taxis at home either.

The subway is very good but it can get a bit crowded at times. It's only problem is that it's mainly the central area but I enjoyed walking there. A street map is a good investment.

Thanks for the input.

Subway it is .....