Beijing Taxi
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.
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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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.
Dial the number to call an official taxi. Extra CNY6 is charged when called over 4h ahead, and normal CNY5 within 4h.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Destination | Distance | Fare from Downtown |
---|---|---|
Capital Airport | 30km (19mi) | CNY100 - 120 |
Nanyuan Airport | 13km (8mi) | CNY50 - 60 |
Summer Palace | 20km (12mi) | CNY60 |
Fragrant Hills Park | 28km (17mi) | CNY90 |
Badaling Great Wall | 70km (43mi) | CNY500 - 600 for a round trip |
Mutianyu Great Wall | 70km (43mi) | CNY500 - 600 for a round trip |
Simatai Great Wall | 120km (75mi) | CNY700 - 800 for a round trip |

How to Hail a Taxi in Beijing
1. Hail a Taxi by Hand Signal
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2. Taxi Despatch Number: +86 010 – 96103
3. Online Car-Hailing Apps:
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
Tips on How to Take a Taxi in Beijing
1. How to spot available car & share a taxi
2. First come, first served & on queue in airport and railway stations
3. Walking or cycling rather than waiting
4. Easier access for less people with no luggage
5. Drivers speak little English
6. Official taxis & fake taxis
- Last updated on Dec. 25, 2019 -
Questions & Answers on Beijing Taxi
Asked by Parvz from UNITED KINGDOM | Dec. 24, 2019 02:12
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what is the best way to go from Beijing international airport (PEK) to Prime Hotel Wangfujing
2 Wangfujing Avenue, Dongcheng, 100006, China - 王府井大街2号, 东城区, (北京, 100006)??
Answers (1)
Answered by Andrew from POLAND | Dec. 24, 2019 23:57
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Take Airport Express to Dongzhimen Station. Then take metro line 2 to Gulou Street and transfer to metro line 8 to National Art Museum of China. Walk south around 300 meters to find your hotel.
Asked by Qing from USA | Dec. 18, 2019 12:03
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Beijing Capital Airport to Chaoyang District on Chinese New Years Eve and Cash?
Hi, Will there still be taxi drivers working between 4-5pm on Chinese New Years Eve at the PEK? Does the driver accept cash? Or just Wechat pay? Thanks!
Answers (1)
Answered by Steven from CANADA | Dec. 22, 2019 19:48
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Yes, you still can easily take taxi and pay by cash.
Asked by MonC from SINGAPORE | Dec. 14, 2019 06:22
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BJ Cap Intl airport to Wangfujing
We have 4 adults and 4 check in luggages. Are there MPV taxis at the airport I can easily hire when I arrive? Thanks!
Answers (1)
Answered by Phil from USA | Dec. 17, 2019 16:41
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Yes, don't worry. However, I am not sure whether if you can put the 4 luggage. If not, you should take two taxis.
Asked by Wang from SINGAPORE | Dec. 03, 2019 02:40
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Taxi to Delight Inn @ Badaling Town, Yanqing District, near the Great Wall
You mentioned the 1-way cab fare is CNY250. Is this metered or an amount agreed upon with the taxi driver? How do we go about booking a taxi that is guaranteed to pick us up from the hotel
Great Wall 2 days later - is it through the same driver that will drop us there?

Answers (1)
Answered by Ann from AUSTRALIA | Dec. 05, 2019 18:22
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If you take taxi from your hotel to Badaling Great Wall, it costs around CNY20. If you start from the Great Wall to the downtown, the cab fare is around CNY250-CNY300 and it is counted by taxi meter record. As for booking the taxi from your hotel to city center, it is suggested to ask for help from the hotel staff for recommendation.