Beijing Capital Airport(PEK) to Datong?

The first train out of Beijing that you could make would be 1458 from Changpingbei.

It's a slow train that takes 7.5 hours and it leaves from an out of the way station.

If going to Liuliqiao you could take the bus to Beijing West Railway Station and then walk, but really I would take a taxi from the airport if arriving with my bags. Local Buses in China can be confusing, and that applies to the airport shuttles as well. A taxi is not an un-affordable luxury.

First thing you can do is consider flying from PEK. Not sure what your arrival date is, but right now through end of August, the 06:50 a.m. Air China flight CA1119 is RMB 260 all-in. Arrives Datong 08:00. So that's the prime first option.

Train is out, there isn't anything that works with your timing to get going immediately. That leaves bus. First bus out of Liuliqiao looks like 07:10, cost is RMB 145 and it will take you about 4.5 hours. You should be able to get a ticket on this bus as a walk-up. Assuming you are arriving on an international flight, with an on-time arrival you'll probably be through the entry process and ready for ground transport around 05:30. The easiest way is to just get a taxi from airport to Liuliqiao Bus Station and that's going to cost you about RMB 130. As for cheap ways: The regular shuttle buses will not have started running yet, and the only shuttle option is the Gongzhufen Night bus which won't leave until 06:00 but only costs RMB 30. By then subway will be running and you can take that for the last segment Gongzhufen-Liuliqiao. To me, a hassle just to save RMB 100. If you want to wait until the Airport Express first train out at 06:22, then you can take that to Sanyuanqiao then Line 10 all the way around to Liuliqiao, less hassle but won't make the first bus to Datong. Next bus out of Liuliqiao looks like 08:20 so maybe that's not a problem.

Wow great response! I just went onto the Air China website but only could login through airchina.sg and the price in Singapore dollars and found the flight but now it is showing 750. I then found it at et.airchina.com.cn charging 320 but the site was slow and I was unable to purchase. I also searched for the ticket through Star Alliance but price much greater so thinking maybe special price only in Chinese or maybe it is over? Well now we are not wanting to take the bus when we can fly at such a great price. If anybody knows how to book this flight? I will try again tomorrow and fingers crossed. Thanks

Try China Travel Depot ( http://www.chinatraveldepot.com/ ). I have and it appears to be the cheapest option. This site is advised in case that you plan to book the flight using your PayPal account.

Alternative is Ctrip ( http://english.ctrip.com/ ). Slightly more expensive, but also more credit card friendly.

#3 go to www.ctrip.com and use the English site. Don't use the Airchina website. They will charge a 4% surcharge for using a foreign credit card. Also www.9588.com which has an English site link at the upper left of the website. Not sure about their surcharge policy but foreign credit cards are usable.

Don't try to book a domestic flight yet if you are traveling beyond end of August, discounts may not be in the system yet.

Thanks for all the help I would have never looked to other sites to get a cheaper price than with the direct company!

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