Travelling by taxi in Beijing is a breeze because there are plenty of cabs in operation. During off peak hours, that is, but very hard in rush hours periods 07:00 – 09:00 & 17:00 – 20:00 due to heavy demand and terrible traffic jam. Beijing taxis are available day and night, and each car holds normally four adult passengers.
Beijing Taxi Price
| Flag-down Rate | CNY13 for the first 3km (2mi) |
| Unit Fare | 1. CNY2.3/km over 3km in the daytime
2. CNY2.76/km from 23:00 to 05:00 the next day |
| Low-Speed Drive and Waiting Fare | Extra CNY4.6 for each 5mins' waiting or driving with the speed of lower than 12km/h during rush hours. CNY2.3 during other time. |
| Empty-run Fee | CNY3.45/km for the extra distance beyond 15km (9mi) |
Notes:
1. The price is usually rounded up/down to a whole number of Chinese Yuan. For example, CNY16 will be charged if the taximeter shows CNY15.7.
2. The toll fee should be paid by passengers. |
Taxi Fare for Reference
Drivers use mileage meter for downtown travels, but negotiate a flat rate for long-distance trips. The taxi fare from Beijing Capital Airport to Wangfujing is CNY100-110, and it costs CNY500-600 for a round trip by cab from the airport to Badaling Great Wall. Generally, an 8-hour day taxi rental with a dedicated driver costs CNY500-800 in downtown Beijing.
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How to Hail a Taxi in Beijing
1. Hail a Taxi by Hand Signal
Stand by roadside or at a designated taxi stand in Beijing and wave down a cab. Avoid intersections; otherwise, the driver won’t stop. Do not do it at the Ring Roads, urban expressways, and highways.
 | | Beijing Taxi | |  | | Taxi Stand | |
2. Taxi Despatch Number: +86 010 – 96103
Dial the number to call an official taxi. Extra CNY6 is charged when called over 4h ahead, and normal CNY5 within 4h.
3. Online Car-Hailing Apps:
Didi, Uber, UCAR Inc., and Shouyue Limousine & Chauffeur offering barrier-free MPVs.
Payment: Wechat, Alipay, UnionPay, Paypal……
Passengers can call a taxi or a private car using these apps. Off peak hours, it is competitive with street price, but reaches twice as much in rush hours, particularly in bustling areas like
Wangfujing,
Xidan and
Sanlitun Bar Street.
How to Pay the Taxi Fare
The payment may be by cash,
Beijing Transportation Smart Card, Wechat, Alipay and UnionPay, but not on international debit card and credit card like Visa card and MasterCard cannot work.
Tips on How to Take a Taxi in Beijing
1. How to spot available car & share a taxi
Cabs with the light behind the windscreen on are available. If the light is off, the taxi is occupied. An exception to the rule when the passenger in the car is willing to share the ride. Then the driver may pull over to carry additional passengers going in the same direction. When sharing, each passenger pays 60% of the total fare.
2. First come, first served & on queue in airport and railway stations
A number of passengers may hail a taxi simultaneously near subway stations, bus stops, shopping malls or attractions. The person gets the door first wins. So be fast! However, this doesn’t apply in airports and railway stations, where there are designated waiting zones and long queues for cabs.
3. Walking or cycling rather than waiting
Rush hours traffic jam in Beijing is impossible, and walking or cycling to the destination outweighs waiting for a cab. Don’t even think of it when raining when most cabs are occupied. In addition, many drivers are picky on short rides. At places like the Forbidden City, Summer Palace and Wangfujing Pedestrian Street, it is hard. Just walk further to hail a cab, or choose city bus or subway.
4. Easier access for less people with no luggage
Although they cannot refuse passengers, most drivers want to carry less load. It is strongly recommended to book a cab in advance if you are going in a group with lots of baggage.
5. Drivers speak little English
Since most Beijing taxi drivers have limited English, do make some preparations to overcome the language barrier. A note with Chinese characters showing your destination and detailed address would go a long way. Or present the driver a map with your destination clearly marked. Experienced drivers know the city well. From a hotel, ask the concierge to call a taxi for you.
6. Official taxis & fake taxis
Official cabs in Beijing have “TAXI” shown on the canopy and the license plate number prefix with “B”. These cars have running taximeters and the company name and the driver’s name placed on the dashboard on the passenger’s side. Fake cabs with cloned taximeters should be avoided. For safety, avoid those who offer you easy access and low price at airports and railway stations with their unlicensed cars. Official taxis provide receipts on which the distance, fare, and plate number are printed. If there are left personal belongings, the receipt is very important means to tracing the car.
