Beijing Taxi

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.
 

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.
 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.
 

Destination	Distance	Fare from Tian'anmen
Capital Airport	30km (19mi)	CNY100-140
Daxing Airport	50km (31mi)	CNY180-250
Summer Palace	20km (12mi)	CNY70-90
Fragrant Hills Park	31km (19mi)	CNY90-120
Badaling Great Wall	65km (40mi)	CNY500 - 700 for a round trip
Mutianyu Great Wall	73km (45mi)	CNY600 - 900 for a round trip

 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

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.
 Didi,  Shouyue Limousine & Chauffeur ...
Payment: cash, Wechat Pay, Alipay, UnionPay
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.
 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.
 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.
 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 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.
 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.