advice or comments please on early morning Beijing traffic, airport and Air China

Hi,

Hope there's a Beijing traffic and airport expert who can help answer/give an opinion on my questions

We will be staying at the Novotel Xinqiao in Beijing next month prior to flying down to Shanghai to start our cruise.

Our UK travel agent has us booked on an Air China flight leaving 7.15am on a Wednesday from Beijing Capital International to Shanghai Pudong. It has to be early in order for us to transfer to the cruise ship in time as it leaves early evening.

We have a transfer from the hotel to PEK included, however having read that it can take an hour by car, what time do you recommend we leave the hotel. I know it will be super early.

We have never been to China before, so unsure of how long it would take at that time of the morning or how long we can expect to go through everything at the airport.

To add to this, we are also having to do check in at the airport, because Air China does not allow us to access our reservation online, due to the flight not being booked on the Air China website.

Does Air China have a good record of not cancelling this flight?

Am wondering if I need to have a backup plan, in case something goes wrong, what would the advice be?

Many thanks and look forward to any replies, comments etc

I am surprised that you put you on such an early flight. You'll arrive in Shanghai at 9am for an early evening cruise.

You should leave your hotel 2 hours ahead of your departure, just in case. The taxi ride is probably 40-45 minutes at this time of the day, You need to check-in for your flight one hour ahead (check-in usually ends 45 minutes before departure). So you have a good cushion.

Flight cancellation are not much of an issue as there is a flight to Shanghai every 15 minutes. Flights delays are more of an issue. Beijing is one of the worst in the world. This is why a lot of people prefer the bullet train as it is very reliable. In any case, you have a ton of time before your cruise. You main worry will be what to do with luggage during the day as your visit Shanghai.

Try to get the phone number of the driver who will pick you up. If he is late showing up at the hotel, you can call him. If he is too late then just take a taxi. By the way, Air China will be in Terminal 3.

I am surprised that you put you on such an early flight. You'll arrive in Shanghai at 9am for an early evening cruise.

You should leave your hotel 2 hours ahead of your departure, just in case. The taxi ride is probably 40-45 minutes at this time of the day, You need to check-in for your flight one hour ahead (check-in usually ends 45 minutes before departure). So you have a good cushion.

Flight cancellation are not much of an issue as there is a flight to Shanghai every 15 minutes. Flights delays are more of an issue. Beijing is one of the worst in the world. This is why a lot of people prefer the bullet train as it is very reliable. In any case, you have a ton of time before your cruise. You main worry will be what to do with luggage during the day as your visit Shanghai.

Try to get the phone number of the driver who will pick you up. If he is late showing up at the hotel, you can call him. If he is too late then just take a taxi. By the way, Air China will be in Terminal 3.

Thanks, I appreciate your information. I now wish we were travelling on the bullet train instead, however this trip was all booked as a package.