SCOOTing to Nanjing

[kevin301]

Would like to seek some user experiences about travelling to Nanjing via Scoot.

Some questions:

a) Was it easy/convenient to travel between Nanjing Airport and the city?

b) Any options for getting to the airport directly from neighbouring cities? I ask because I am intending to stay in Wuxi, and I read about there being a City Terminal in Wuxi. I was thinking of checking-in at the City Terminal, then catching the direct bus from Wuxi Bus Station to Nanjing Airport.
Bus Departure from Wuxi = 13:30
Journey Time = 2hrs
Flight Departure = 17:05

 

[beanstalk6]

The airport shuttle is easy enough. Fairly frequent and cheap. Only 40min ride to the railway station.

 

[kevin301]

The airport shuttle is easy enough. Fairly frequent and cheap. Only 40min ride to the railway station.

Thanks for your reply.
40mins travel, I presume you're referring to airport shuttle between Nanjing city center and airport.
I would actually not be in Nanjing city at all, but rather at Wuxi.

Do you advise:
a) Train from Wuxi to Nanjing, followed by airport shuttle to Nanjing airport

b) Bus direct from Wuxi Bus Station to Nanjing Airport (2hr journey)

Many thanks!

 

[ishoppersmarketing]

you can choose to take train from Nanjing to Wuxi, Suzhou and Shanghai.

 

[beanstalk6]

I have not done those journeys you quote, personally.
The information here is usually reliable:
Nanjing Airport Shuttle Bus to Wuxi, Yangzhou, Zhenjiang
The beauty about it is that there are direct bus links between Nanjing airport and nearby cities.

 

[kevin301]

you can choose to take train from Nanjing to Wuxi, Suzhou and Shanghai.

Thanks. But it looks like total journey time is approximately the same, not factoring in traffic jams etc.

For example, I saw that:
- Bullet train from Wuxi to Nanjing = 44mins
- Shuttle Bus to Nanjing Airport = about 40mins
TOTAL = 1.5hrs (not including waiting time etc)

- Bus from Wuxi Bus Station to Nanjing Airport = 2hrs

I still can't decide... haha

 

[kevin301]

I have not done those journeys you quote, personally.
The information here is usually reliable:
Nanjing Airport Shuttle Bus to Wuxi, Yangzhou, Zhenjiang
The beauty about it is that there are direct bus links between Nanjing airport and nearby cities.

Thanks for that link... haha yes I saw that too
I guess info (in English) is a bit limited.

I don't suppose you are familiar about the 'City Terminal' in Wuxi, at which apparently I can check-in and get boarding pass etc before catching the bus. So I won't be so stressed about reaching the airport slightly late.


Used a similar service in Seoul. Was able to check-in at the city terminal (including leaving luggage with them) then continue walking around the city. Reached the airport only an hour before flight due to depart, and went through special queue

 

[kevin301]

Nanjing city is not really on the way, hence considering the bus route.

 

[g_t2006]

Thanks for that link... haha yes I saw that too
I guess info (in English) is a bit limited.

I don't suppose you are familiar about the 'City Terminal' in Wuxi, at which apparently I can check-in and get boarding pass etc before catching the bus. So I won't be so stressed about reaching the airport slightly late.


Used a similar service in Seoul. Was able to check-in at the city terminal (including leaving luggage with them) then continue walking around the city. Reached the airport only an hour before flight due to depart, and went through special queue

And how familiar are you with the City Terminal operations? The only inter-city terminal I'm aware of, is for the Wuxi Airport for four terminals and Nanjing isn't one of it.

Have you been to China before? You check-in in Gangnam which is in Seoul for a flight departing Seoul. It's not like you check-in in Busan and they send your luggage to the airport in Seoul. Same works for HK too. I doubt the Chinese will send your bags from Wuxi to Nanjing. Unless you can provide me with more solid information if not I'm inclined to believe I'm right.

 

[beanstalk6]

http://www.njiairport.com/list/de_d_WBA5_detail__7473bef880244cb2b56868cc850c7b7f.aspx appears to indicate that Wuxi check-in and boarding pass issuance is available.

 

[lcpteck]

I've been to Nanjing a few times but not to Wuxi but have taken the gao tie (high speed rail) before. Not bad for someone can't read chinese.

 

[kevin301]

http://www.njiairport.com/list/de_d_WBA5_detail__7473bef880244cb2b56868cc850c7b7f.aspx appears to indicate that Wuxi check-in and boarding pass issuance is available.

Thanks for the link!
hehehe testing my command of Chinese... will study it as best as possible.
Really hoping that I can make use of this service. I have a feeling though, that it may only be available for passengers travelling on the national carrier

 

[kevin301]

And how familiar are you with the City Terminal operations? The only inter-city terminal I'm aware of, is for the Wuxi Airport for four terminals and Nanjing isn't one of it.

Have you been to China before? You check-in in Gangnam which is in Seoul for a flight departing Seoul. It's not like you check-in in Busan and they send your luggage to the airport in Seoul. Same works for HK too. I doubt the Chinese will send your bags from Wuxi to Nanjing. Unless you can provide me with more solid information if not I'm inclined to believe I'm right.

ooops, I didn't mean to insinuate that I was familiar with the city terminal and forumer 'beanstalk6' was not. On hindsight I suppose the way I typed my sentence could have been interpreted in that way.
Am aware that Wuxi and Nanjing are separated by many many kilometres.

Got a bit excited when I read the following paragraph on wikipedia, regarding Nanjing Lukou International Airport:
The airports operates 14 "urban terminals" (Chengshi Houjilou) in these neighboring cities: Wuxi, Yixing, Huai'an, Yangzhou, Zhenjiang, Wuhu, Ma'anshan, Chuzhou, Xuancheng, Suqian, Shuyang, Jiangyin, Tianchang. At the urban terminals passengers can print out boarding pass, check real-time flight information, and take shuttle bus to the airport.

Was trying very hard to find out more info.

 

[mngedo]

Hi all,

I intend to take a train from Nanjing to Shanghai. My flight ETA Nanjing at 155 and To fully maximize my time, do you think i will be able to catch the 1806 train to Shanghai?

I am going to pre-book the tickets. Any advice would be helpful!

Thank you!!

 

[kevin301]

Hi all,

I intend to take a train from Nanjing to Shanghai. My flight ETA Nanjing at 155 and To fully maximize my time, do you think i will be able to catch the 1806 train to Shanghai?

I am going to pre-book the tickets. Any advice would be helpful!

Thank you!!

I think you should be able to make it from Nanjing Airport to the train station by 1806 to catch the train. In fact I think you might need less time than that.
Might be better not to book the tickets in advance? This would give you some flexibility. Any cost savings for pre-booking?

 

[mngedo]

Thanks for the feedback. I dont think there is any no cost saving...just that ive heard theres always a long que buying train ticket there and ticket might be sold out...not sure if it is true.

Sorry just to clarify that i arrive at 1550 hrs and leaving this Thursday.
Thanks again!!

 

[beanstalk6]

Buy your tickets with an agent to avoid the queues at the main station. The fee is very small.

 

[mngedo]

Hi beanstalk6, how do i get the agent? erm...would be helpful if you can provide further information.

Thanks!

 

[lcpteck]

High speed rail basics

I usually buy high speed rail (gao tie) tickets at the ticket counters and go for the 1st class tickets (not just in nanjing). By default it's a 2nd class ticket. Business class tickets are available if it's a 16 car train, 8 car trains do not have business class.

Business Class (Shang Wu wei)
1st Class (Yi deng wei)
2nd Class (Er deng wei)

Business class is more expensive than 1st class cause the seats can lie flat I think. Do note business class is super expensive but great for super long rides if you can afford it (Shanghai - Beijing by high speed rail is 5 hours 30 mins or so I found out from an attendant). Can't remember where I put my photos of the business class...

Longest ride I've taken was from Nanjing - Hangzhou via Shanghai. The new Hangzhou - Nanjing has been open since last year so cut travel time from 2-3 hours to just 1 hour.

Quite fun riding the high speed rail I must say since we don't have that here in SE Asia.

 

[lcpteck]

Hi beanstalk6, how do i get the agent? erm...would be helpful if you can provide further information.

Thanks!

You can also ask your hotel concierge to get tickets as well though usually there's an extra admin fee.

If I'm not wrong, foreigners are now allowed to buy online via their official website once you register for an account (if you can read chinese unlike me...). Then go to the ticket counter to exchange for your electronic paper tickets (size of a name card/credit card).

The good thing about buying ticket online is you get to choose your seat (like an airplane). Buying from counter you won't be able to choose.