If you’re like me, you’d rather count smog particles with a magnifying glass than try to merge onto the Third Ring Road. Driving in a foreign country can be daunting at the best of times, and then add to the mix the insurance, number plate rental, license conversion, etc., and most of us just prefer staying far away from it.
We decided on a spur-of-the-moment little beach breakaway and wanted something not too far away, since we are traveling with two under 2. We hoped to try out the first-class train seats for the first time, as they are not exorbitant for short trips. Alas, they were all sold out, and we were left pondering whether to brave it in commuter class with a family of five or find alternative means of travel.
Upon checking whether one could do long trips on DiDi, I found the trip from Beijing to Beidaihe (our chosen beach break destination) was RMB 2,000 with a six-seater vehicle. Now, before you do a spit-take, consider that first-class train tickets would have cost us just over RMB 1,700, plus the DiDi rides to and from the station and all the hassle of clearing security, going through the gate with the swarm of people (with two babies), and boarding and disembarking the train.
Once I saw the DiDi price, I decided to contact a few car services to see what they could offer, because I wanted to be able to book and confirm details in advance and have the flexibility of stopping along the way if needed.
While most of the car services quoted me prices higher than DiDi, May from Show Beijing was willing to organize a car for us that matched Didi’s rate. We decided to book the car for the trip there and economy-class tickets on the high-speed train for the trip back.
Pro Tip: May does more than just help you book show tickets and cars. She also has access to great masseuses and can help you plan amazing boat rides on the Liangma River.
What we loved about the car:
Convenience – With two little ones (one eager to run everywhere), it was so much easier to be picked up right outside our building and dropped off right in front of the hotel check-in. Especially since May and the driver took the time in advance to confirm the correct address with the hotel.
Comfort – The driver brought both ice-cold and room-temperature water bottles for the ride. The car was air-conditioned, and the six-seater gave us plenty of space for all our luggage and for us to sit comfortably.
Speed – Though the train is much faster, when you factor in the trips to and from the stations, along with all the checks, boarding, and queuing at the station, the car service ended up saving us time. With a total ride of about 3.5 hours, the train ride of 1.5 hours turned out to be a five-hour endeavor in total.
Care – May took extra care to check whether we needed car seats for the babies and to ensure that the car was clean and odor-free.
Things to consider:
Checkpoints – There are often police checkpoints when crossing provincial borders, so keep everyone’s passports handy for a quick grab if needed. Be prepared to sit tight for a bit as they ask the driver a few standard questions and give the car a quick scan while looking over your passports.
Munchies – We packed a few sandwiches, berries, grapes and dried fruit snacks (and coffee for the adults) as they were great, bite-sized, and mess-free treats that occupied our toddler and served as breakfast, allowing us an even earlier getaway.
Busy bees – We got one of those magnetic drawing boards and downloaded the Finger Sparkles and Fluid apps on our tablet, which kept our daughter wonderfully busy until she passed out cold.
After this experience, we will definitely be booking car services more often going forward. It is hassle-free and convenient, and when travelling with many passengers, it can end up saving money. With so many destinations within driving distance, it cuts out a lot of the 麻烦 máfan of traveling with toddlers. With everything running around in a parent’s mind (“Did I pack the swimming diapers?”, “Did I remember to turn off the AC?”) it is incredibly comforting having an entire aspect of the trip that you don’t need to spend any brain power on.
Images: Janita Shahsavari
