Travelling by taxi in Beijing is a breeze because there are plenty of cabs in operation. But it can be pretty hard in rush hour periods 07:00 – 09:00 & 17:00 – 20:00 due to heavy demand and the 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 a 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 if driving on the highway is needed.
Taxi Fare for Reference
Drivers use mileage meters for downtown travels, but negotiate a flat rate for long-distance trips. The taxi fare from Beijing Capital Airport to Tian'anmen is CNY100-140, and it costs CNY600-800 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.
How to Hail a Taxi in Beijing
1. Hail a Taxi by Hand Signal
Stand by the 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 on 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. The service fee is CNY6 when calling over 4h in advance, and CNY5 within 4h in advance.
3. Online Car-Hailing Apps:
Didi, Shouyue Limousine & Chauffeur ...
Payment: cash, Wechat Pay, Alipay, UnionPay; DiDi accepts MasterCard and VISA
Passengers can call a taxi or a private car using these apps. During rush hours, the price may be much higher or even doubled 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 Pay, Alipay and UnionPay, but international debit cards like Visa Card and MasterCard cannot work. Foreign visitors can now add their international cards to Alipay or WeChat Pay to pay for it.
Tips on How to Take a Taxi in Beijing
1. How to spot available cars & 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 is the passenger in the car is willing to share the ride. 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 normal, and walking or cycling to the destination outweighs waiting for a cab. In addition, many drivers are picky on short rides. At places like the Forbidden City, Summer Palace and Wangfujing Pedestrian Street, it can be very hard. Just walk further to hail one, or choose city buses or subways.
4. Drivers speak little English
Since most Beijing taxi drivers speak little English, do make some preparations to overcome the language barrier. A note with Chinese characters showing your destination and detailed address would help a lot. Or show 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.
- Last updated on May. 15, 2025 by Gabby Li -
