Taking a taxi is the most convenient way for newcomers to travel around a metropolis like Beijing. There are over 70,000 taxis running in every corner of the city. Most of the taxi drivers in Beijing can speak some simple English, which offers western visitors a great convenience of being able to communicate with them. 
Beijing Taxi
In the daytime, the taxi flag fall is CNY10 for the first three kilometers, and it is CNY2 per kilometer for the remainder of the journey. If the journey is longer than 15 kilometers (8 miles), the charge rises to CNY3 per kilometer. From 23:00 to 05:00 the flag fall is CNY11 for the first three kilometers, and then CNY2.4 per kilometer, while CNY3.4 per kilometer for a journey over 15 kilometers (8 miles). Waiting and stationary time is charged is equivalent to 1 kilometer for each 5 minutes.
Generally, it will cost CNY100-200 from the Capital Airport to the city proper of Beijing, according to different distance. Badaling Great Wall is about 65 kilometers (40 miles) from the downtown area, which need some CNY200 to cover the expense by meter. Ask before getting on the cab, for most taxis do not meter while getting to those scenic spots, then you should negotiate with the driver about the fare. From Tiananmen Square to Badaling Great Wall, it costs a little bit more than CNY200, excluding the highway toll fare and additional fares for drive at night and slow-drive. To be notice, there is an empty run of about 50 kilometers (31 miles) while returning to the city center. So, few taxi drivers would like to have a single run to the spot. To rend a vehicle for a round trip, it perhaps takes you CNY500.
Usually, you can hail a taxi anywhere in Beijing. However, if there is a solid white line with polices around in the prosperous area, such as Tiananmen Square, the drivers will not stop for your hailing. In this case, you should look for the taxi stands or wait at the side streets. Additionally, if you know the way to your destination, please hail a tax on the correct sides of the road. 
Taxi Station, Beijing
It is recommended that tourists ask for a receipt when alighting from a taxi because the taxi details are listed in it. This is useful should you have any problems such as leaving property behind.
Tips
- It is easy to hail a taxi in Beijing, but make sure you use an official one with a taxi sign on the roof and with the driver's registration card.
- Ask someone to write down your destination in Chinese beforehand in case of getting lost.
- The taxi fare can be paid with Transportation Smart Card which is used to travel on Beijing trains and buses.
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Travelers' Voices on Beijing Taxi
1.
Nov. 19,2009 21:03 Reply
Ms.marshall(Australia) said:
Wanted to know approximately the cost of a taxi fare from Beijing Capital Airport to Wangfujing Grand Hotel. Also the approximate cost of hiring a taxi for the day to see the Great Wall.
Nov. 19,2009 23:15
Ms.hollyluo replied:
Ms.marshall:
It takes you about ￥150 from the airport to Wangfujing. The full day to the Great Wall costs you more than RMB 500. You can bargain with the driver.
Nov. 20,2009 15:39
Ms.Marshall(Australia) replied:
Thanks for your prompt reply.
2.
Oct. 27,2009 20:57 Reply
Ms.PRISNSTV(United States) said:
Arriving in Beijing Arprt Nov. 14, 9pm. Want to know how much taxi fare to expect for 4 persons; 2 pcs of luggage @25", and 4 pcs of carry-on size luggage @18"-22". Will we need to take two taxi's?
Oct. 27,2009 22:37
Mr.Kim replied:
You need to take as least two taxies, and the the fare depends on your destination.
Oct. 28,2009 07:36
Ms.Genis(United States) replied:
Thank you, Mr. Kim for your reply. I appreciate knowing that two taxis will be necessary. Will act accordingly.
Oct. 28,2009 08:09
Ms.PRISNSTV(United States) replied:
This is a 2nd inquiry. Will be hiring a car for sightseeing. Want to go to Mutianyu Great Wall, Beijing Hutongs, Birds Nest. Cannot do much walking but can leave car to see Great Wall. As Beijing's traffic is heavy, where should we go first if we're starting about 9:00 in the morning and would like to stop for lunch about 12:00 noon? Would be able to walk the Hutong area but not Tiananmen Square or Forbidden City and want to just drive by. Thank you!
3.
Oct. 22,2009 06:10 Reply
Mr.FORSYTH(USA) said:
THANK YOU FOR THE REPLY.
4.
Oct. 21,2009 06:21 Reply
Mr.FORSYTH(USA) said:
FIRST,LET ME SAY THANKS TO MR KIM FOR THE QUICK REPLY AND THIS WEB SITE FOR SUPPLING A VERY NEEDED AND APPRICATED WEB SITE.
I'M NOT SURE WHERE THE CRUISE SHIP DOCKS BUT THE ITINERARY SAYD "XINGANG" NEXT TO BEIJING. IS THAT NEAR WHERE I WOULD GET A TAXI TO BADALING,OR DO I STILL NEED TO GET A TRAIN? THANKS AGAIN.
Oct. 21,2009 21:53
Mr.Josh replied:
Hi, Mr.FORSYTH, The cruise ship dock "XINGANG" is in Tianjin, Tianjin and Beijing are two cities, you may visit this page to check the maps: http://www.travelchinaguide.com/map/
Besides, the ship dock is far away from Badaling Great Wall, you can take taxi directly, but it will cost around CNY1500.00 one way. As Mr. Kim said, bullet train should be more convenient and economical (CNY69.00 per ticket for soft seat). After arriving in Beijing, you may take a taxi from Beijing South Railway Station to Deshengmen(德胜门), and then take bus no. 919 to Badaling Great Wall. Or you can hire a cab to Badaling Great Wall, but it is hard to estimate the fee.
5.
Oct. 20,2009 13:51 Reply
Mr.FORSYTH(USA) said:
WE ARE GOING TO BE ON A CRUISE SHIP THAT COMES INTO SOMEWHERE IN BEIJING. HOW MUCH WOULD A TAXI BE FROM THE CRUISE SHIP TO BADALING GREAT WALL AND BACK? WE ARE GOING TO BE THERE 23 FEB 2010. WE WILL HAVE A CHINESE VISA. WILL THERE BE ANY PROBLEM GETTING AROUND? THANKS.
Oct. 21,2009 01:31
Mr.Kim replied:
The cruise ship should arrive in Tianjin, correct? If so, you’d better take the bullet train from Tianjin railway station to arrive in Beijing firstly, and then hire a cab to visit Badaling Great Wall, for the taxi fee will be very very high from Tianjin to the Great Wall directly.
6.
Oct. 10,2009 10:19 Reply
Ms.Yan(china) said:
i am planning a trip to beijing, and would like to know how much(approx) will it cost for taking taxi from Chaoyang District to Great Wall Mutianyu .
Oct. 10,2009 22:26
Mr.Frankie replied:
The Great Wall is located abou t80km away from the downtown Beijing, so the taxi fare should be no less than 400RMB.
7.
Sep. 23,2009 22:58 Reply
Mrs.Lim(Singapore) said:
How much is the taxi fare from Beijing airport to Hotel Kapok Beijing? It is near WangFuJing area. 1 taxi can take 4 adult and 2 big luggages? the luggage is 29 inches. Thanks
Sep. 24,2009 22:09
Mr.Eric replied:
The taxi fee is around CNY150.00 one way, but taxi is definitely not suibtable for your 2 pieces of 29 inches luggage.
Sep. 25,2009 01:16
Mrs.Lim(Singapore) replied:
thanks, Mr. Eric. Can I check with you the transportation smart card? Is it difficult to return the card? How long should i need to wait and get back my balance and deposit?
Sep. 25,2009 01:46
Ms.apple replied:
I think 4 adult need two cars and your luggage is oversize.
Sep. 25,2009 02:19
Mr.eric replied:
Mrs.Lim, usually there will be a long queue, the earlier you reach the station, the sooner you will get the refund. Try to avoid the weekend. Good Luck for you.
Sep. 25,2009 02:49
Mr.Hank replied:
For my own experience in Beijing last month. It is a Friday morning, I arrived at Fuxingmen station by subway around 07:40 since the Smart Card Refund Office is open from 08:00 to 19:00 (or 19:30, not sure). Haw, I was the first peopel arrived there, so I got my deposite and balance back quickly once the staff started working. I noticed that there were just a few (about 5~7)people there when I left. Maybe it would be busy in the afternoon. So, I think you could do this in early morning, too~
Sep. 25,2009 03:11
Mrs.Lim(Singapore) replied:
Thanks for all your reply. btw, 1 taxi should be able to fit 4 adults and 2 smaller luggages, right? too expensive to take 2 taxi.. :)I will reach Beijing around 7am Monday. If i take bus and subway, will it be very crowded since it is working hours?
Sep. 25,2009 03:37
Mr.Hank replied:
Yes, you four could take a cab together~ The public bus and subway may be a little crowded, but both of them depart frequently in the morning, so you may use them, too~
8.
Jul. 1,2009 09:28 Reply
Ms.Tan(Singapore) said:
For a group of 5 adults, would it be cheaper to hire a mini-van to move around Beijing instead of getting two taxis?
Jul. 2,2009 04:51
Mr.Sam replied:
I don't think so. It is beacuse most of the famous attraction of Beijing are very close to each other. The taxi fare is not so expensive in this case. And, Beijing's subway could take you around the city quickly, just for 2yuan/person/time. As for hiring a car just around the downtown area, you have to pay for 500yuan per 8 hours at least. Seems not a good idea! But you could hire a car to take you 5 to the Great Wall for a round-trip.
9.
Feb. 22,2009 20:47 Reply
Mr.Jacky said:
Tips for people from other places or foreigners: you'd better tinsist on asking the driver to use the meter. For juourneys out of downtown, you may need to negotiate the fare. But you should be clear about the price ahead of time, if not, using meter is the better way.
Mar. 9,2009 14:13
Ms.shelton(USA) replied:
I need the best estimate for taxi fare from Beijing airport to Soluxe Courtyard Hotel - I arrive after 9 pm.