Transport in Beijing - By Taxi

There are some 68000 taxies in Beijing, so getting one within a couple of minutes should be no problem even in the middle of the night (you might have difficulties finding a free cab when it is raining, though). They are also quite cheap. Prices have been unified recently and all taxi’s now cost 10RMB for the first 3 km and 2RMB for every additional km or for every 5 minutes you are stuck in traffic.

Between 11:00 pm. and 6 am fares increase by 20%, and flag fall is 11 RMB, not 10. Taxi capacity is 4 passengers. Occasionally they might take more, but if they get caught the driver will be fined, so he has every right to refuse to take more than 4 people.

Do not go with the “Hello taxi!!!” guys! They will rip you off. Always take an official taxi and check that the driver turns on the meter (say “dăbiăo” to the driver in case he does not). Also take the receipt at the end of the trip. Just in case you left something (like your mobile phone) in the car, this is your only hope to recover it, assuming you had an honest driver.