Check whether the airport transfer in your package is shared or private, whether it covers both arrival and departure, and what happens if your flight is late. A shared transfer costs less but can mean waiting for other passengers. A private car leaves when you are ready.
After a long flight, the ride to the hotel is not the time to find out what was meant.
Shared or private: what changes on the day?
| Check | Shared transfer | Private transfer |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Lower, split among passengers | Higher, for your party only |
| Waiting | You may wait for other flights | Leaves when you are ready |
| Route | More than one hotel stop | Straight to your hotel |
| Bags | Space may be tight | Easier with heavy luggage |
| Suits | Fit travellers on a budget | Seniors, families, late arrivals |
Pick-up rules vary, so ask the agent to put the pick-up window and the meeting point in writing.
How far are the airports from the city?
Distance helps you judge how long the ride could be. Beijing Capital Airport is about 32 km northeast of downtown[1]. Guangzhou Baiyun is about 28 km north of the city[2], and Kunming Changshui is about 24.5 km northeast of central Kunming[3].
Chengdu Tianfu is about 51 km southeast of downtown[4], so a transfer from there feels longer. Road traffic changes the real journey time, so plan the first evening without a fixed commitment.
What if your flight is late?
Give your flight number to the agent as soon as you have it. Ask who tracks the flight, who you call if the driver is not at the exit, and whether a late arrival adds a charge. For a night arrival, check that the hotel knows to keep the front desk open.
Read hotel pickup versus a taxi if your package leaves arrivals to you.
Is the metro an option instead?
Some airports link to the metro. Kunming Airport station on Line 6 sits under Terminal 1[5], and Chengdu Line 18 links Tianfu Airport to Chengdu South in about 40 minutes[6]. That can be a good return option for fit travellers.
On the first day with heavy bags, stairs and a tired parent, a booked car is gentler. See transfers with heavy luggage for what to expect.
What should you do next?
Ask these four questions in writing: shared or private, arrival and departure, pick-up window, and what the late-flight rule is. Then read what packages usually leave out and rail and flight inclusions so the rest of the transport lines are just as clear.