Taxi in China: Hailing, Meters, and Ride-Hailing Apps

China’s taxis are metered, cheap by world standards, and easy to use once you know the basics — but ride-hailing apps have made them mostly optional.

For decades the street taxi was the way to get around Chinese cities. Today, most visitors split their time between flagged-down cabs and the ride-hailing apps that locals now prefer. Here’s how to handle a taxi in China, from hailing to paying.

The short answer

1. Flag a cab on the street or queue at a taxi rank — make sure the driver starts the meter.
2. Show your destination in Chinese on your phone; drivers rarely speak English.
3. Pay with cash or Alipay/WeChat — credit cards are rarely accepted.
4. For less hassle, use a ride-hailing app like Didi or Amap, where the fare is set in advance.

Hailing a taxi

• On the street: raise your arm at a spot where cars can pull over safely. A green or unlit “empty” sign (空车) means the taxi is available.
• At airports and stations: use the official taxi rank and follow the queue — don’t accept offers from touts inside the terminal.
• During peak hours or rain: taxis get scarce and some drivers prefer longer rides; be patient or switch to an app.
• Always confirm the driver uses the meter (打表, dǎbiǎo) before setting off.

How the meter works

Chinese taxi meters follow a standard pattern that varies by city:

• A flag-fall base fare covers the first few kilometers — in big cities this is typically a modest sum.
• Per-kilometer charges apply after the base distance, and time-based charges kick in when the car is slow or waiting.
• Many cities add a night surcharge (usually a small percentage after around 11 pm) and a small fuel or service fee.
• Tolls (for example to an airport) are added to the fare and paid by the passenger.

Fares are set by local authorities, and the total is always shown on the meter. There’s no haggling and no tipping expected.

Communicating with the driver

• Show the address in Chinese characters — a saved screenshot, a translation app, or a pin on Amap or Baidu Maps. A map pin is often best because the driver can follow it in their own navigation app.
• Have your hotel’s name and address in Chinese ready for the return trip.
• For simple requests, pointing and a printed card work surprisingly well.

Payment options

• Cash is accepted by essentially all taxis — carry small notes.
• Alipay or WeChat Pay — most taxis display a QR code for payment; with Alipay set up, you can pay by scanning like a local.
• Credit cards — almost never accepted. Don’t assume a taxi can take your Visa or Mastercard; see our guide to paying in China for what works.

Taxi vs ride-hailing

For most tourists, the app is the smoother option:

• Didi — China’s biggest ride-hailing app, with an English interface for international users. The fare is quoted before you ride, the destination is handled in-app, and payment is automatic.
• Amap (Gaode) — the popular mapping app has built-in ride-hailing and taxis; the interface is mostly Chinese, but it often finds cars fast and is a good backup.
• Street taxis — still common and fine for short hops if you have the address in Chinese and confirm the meter.

If the app is busy or you’re deep in a neighborhood, a street taxi may actually be faster. And when you’re leaving a tourist spot, the driver may be more familiar with the route than a GPS pin — but always confirm the destination before you get in.

Airport taxis

Airport trips work a bit differently:

• Fares are higher because of the distance and tolls, and some cities add an airport surcharge on the return leg.
• The official taxi queue outside arrivals is reliable; ignore drivers who approach you inside.
• For a fixed, transparent price, ride-hailing or a hotel-arranged car is a good alternative for airport transfers.

Avoiding common issues

• Confirm the meter — if a driver quotes a flat price instead, negotiate clearly or find another cab.
• Check the plate matches the app if you booked through Didi or Amap.
• Keep your destination written down so you can get back even if your phone battery dies.
• If you’re using a taxi to reach a train or bus station, allow extra time for traffic — Chinese cities move slowly at rush hour.

Before you go

• Set up Alipay so you can pay by QR without cash.
• Save your hotel’s Chinese name and address on your phone.
• Install Didi and Amap Maps, and keep an eSIM active so the apps work on the go.

Airport taxis in detail

Airport trips are where taxi and app advice most diverges. The official queue outside arrivals is metered and reliable; ignore anyone approaching you inside the terminal. Fares include the distance plus tolls, and some cities add an airport surcharge on the return leg. At peak landing times the queue can be long — the app (Didi) often finds a car faster from the airport’s designated pickup zone. A hotel-arranged car is the priciest option but the simplest for a first visit, especially late at night. Whichever you choose, have your hotel’s Chinese name and address on screen for the driver.

Reading the meter and avoiding overcharging

The meter (打表, dǎbiǎo) is your friend. When you get in, confirm it’s on before the driver pulls away — a small, honest cab always starts it. Flag-fall and per-km rates vary by city but are displayed on the meter and usually on a sticker in the window. If a driver insists on a flat price instead of the meter, politely decline and take the next cab (or switch to the app). Keep the printed receipt if you need an expense record. Overcharging exists but is rare; the far more common problem is a driver who simply doesn’t know a street — showing a map pin usually sorts that out.

Taxis vs the apps, city by city

The balance shifts by city. In Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou the metro plus Didi covers almost everything, and a street taxi is a fallback. In mid-size and tourist cities (Xi’an, Chengdu, Guilin), taxis are cheap and plentiful, and many drivers know the main sights — but they still won’t speak English, so a map pin matters. In smaller towns or for rural day trips, taxis may be scarce and the app thin on drivers; a hotel-arranged car or a local driver hired for the day (negotiated in advance) is more reliable. Match the tool to the place.

Night rides, receipts and etiquette

Late at night, most cities add a small night surcharge (usually after 11pm) — the meter shows it, so no surprise. Always take the receipt (发票) if you need it for expenses; the driver prints it on request. Etiquette: don’t slam the door (locals close doors gently — taxi drivers notice), don’t expect a tip, and it’s fine to sit quietly. Front or back seat: either is acceptable; tourists commonly sit in the back. If you need the driver to wait while you run an errand, ask at the start and settle a rough waiting cost before they agree.

Last updated: August 2026. Fares, surcharges and app features change by city — confirm before you go.