Ireland / River Cruise

[*WDW*Groupie*]

Sayhello--as the OP says, don't let transfers dictate your decision. From HK or Shanghai public taxis are readily available. The cost from the Hong Kong airport to Kowloon or the island is about $30-40 usd. From Pudong to Shanghai city is about $40-50 USD. Obviously if you wanted to take a train or bus it would be much less expensive, but taxis are pretty reasonable and very well regulated in Asia. The taxi drivers tend to look at it as a career and my experience has been that they take alot of pride in their job.

We paid about $45.00 for the taxi from the Peninsula to the airport; we had the hotel call ahead and order it for us. They usually get the nicer taxis.

In Shanghai you *could* take the Maglev train directly to Pudong in 7 minutes and get a taxi from there to the hotel. A taxi from the Maglev station in Pudong to the Peninsula would be around 20 minutes depending on traffic.

I'm sure you could get more competitive rates at the hotels over the next few months. We had an executive Bund view suite at the Peninsula in Shanghai for our 3 nights post-trip and I think the rate was around $600.00 / night (I like large rooms lol). The rate included breakfast, early check-in and late check-out and one dinner at the hotel dining room. I'd recommend the Bund view room as it is lovely to look at the lights at night. Quite mesmerizing.

Since you start in Shanghai I definitely recommend going in a day or two early. Visit the fabric market and get some clothes custom made for yourself. Highly worthwhile and extremely reasonable price-wise. Dd and I both got 2 dresses and a romper. I also had 2 silk sleeveless tops made.

 

[sayhello]

We used miles. It's one of the perks of my husband being on the road 200 or so days a year. However I would pay cash if we didn't have the points. I have found that due to my height (and very long legs) I am not comfortable in economy class seats for any longer than 3 hours. As an aside I'm trying to book a Tanzanian safari next year after our Rhine River cruise (there is a direct flight on KLM from Amsterdam to Kilimanjaro once a day) and the only way I'll do it is in Business Class. If I can't make it work then we won't go. I'm currently working on the logistics (tour operators are A&K, Nat Geo & Tauck Bridges -- all about equal except A&K has superior accommodations and is 2 days shorter; Nat Geo uses 'luxury' tents that don't have running water and Tauck is somewhere in the middle of the two).

Thanks! (And by the way, no running water would be a deal breaker for me. )

We paid about $45.00 for the taxi from the Peninsula to the airport; we had the hotel call ahead and order it for us. They usually get the nicer taxis.

In Shanghai you *could* take the Maglev train directly to Pudong in 7 minutes and get a taxi from there to the hotel. A taxi from the Maglev station in Pudong to the Peninsula would be around 20 minutes depending on traffic.

I'm sure you could get more competitive rates at the hotels over the next few months. We had an executive Bund view suite at the Peninsula in Shanghai for our 3 nights post-trip and I think the rate was around $600.00 / night (I like large rooms lol). The rate included breakfast, early check-in and late check-out and one dinner at the hotel dining room. I'd recommend the Bund view room as it is lovely to look at the lights at night. Quite mesmerizing.

Since you start in Shanghai I definitely recommend going in a day or two early. Visit the fabric market and get some clothes custom made for yourself. Highly worthwhile and extremely reasonable price-wise. Dd and I both got 2 dresses and a romper. I also had 2 silk sleeveless tops made.

We start in Hong Kong. They've switched the trip around this year to include Shanghai Disneyland at the end. So I'm concerned about getting to the airport from the Shanghai Penninsula. But I guess I could do the opposite from what you posted.

I'll keep my eye out for a good deal on a Bund view room.

Oooo..... The fabric market & custom clothes sounds dangerously fun! How long does that take?

Sayhello

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

Thanks! (And by the way, no running water would be a deal breaker for me. )

Oooo..... The fabric market & custom clothes sounds dangerously fun! How long does that take?

Sayhello

I'd allow a few hours for the fabric market. It's 3 floors of vendors all with different fabrics and styles. You really can't beat the prices for custom items. We both LOVE our items and I know I'll get plenty of uses out of them! I'd definitely add an extra day in Shanghai. Your first day you pick what you want (dress, skirt, shirt and the fabric you want them in), then you go back the next day to try them on. If you are interested I can tell you which vendor we used as her tailor was amazing and everything fit perfectly. You can also take pictures of items you want made and they will make for you at a fraction of the cost (I didn't know this and used their designs, but most people take pictures). All of the vendors have someone in their booth that speaks English.

 

[sayhello]

I'd allow a few hours for the fabric market. It's 3 floors of vendors all with different fabrics and styles. You really can't beat the prices for custom items. We both LOVE our items and I know I'll get plenty of uses out of them! I'd definitely add an extra day in Shanghai. Your first day you pick what you want (dress, skirt, shirt and the fabric you want them in), then you go back the next day to try them on. If you are interested I can tell you which vendor we used as her tailor was amazing and everything fit perfectly. You can also take pictures of items you want made and they will make for you at a fraction of the cost (I didn't know this and used their designs, but most people take pictures). All of the vendors have someone in their booth that speaks English.

Yes, please!

Sayhello

 

[tgeorge]

I'd allow a few hours for the fabric market. It's 3 floors of vendors all with different fabrics and styles. You really can't beat the prices for custom items. We both LOVE our items and I know I'll get plenty of uses out of them! I'd definitely add an extra day in Shanghai. Your first day you pick what you want (dress, skirt, shirt and the fabric you want them in), then you go back the next day to try them on. If you are interested I can tell you which vendor we used as her tailor was amazing and everything fit perfectly. You can also take pictures of items you want made and they will make for you at a fraction of the cost (I didn't know this and used their designs, but most people take pictures). All of the vendors have someone in their booth that speaks English.

Yet another reason to go to China I was already planning on it within the next couple of years, but I had no idea you could get custom items made. That sounds awesome!