How to Take China Taxi: Apps, Payment & Tips for Foreigners

Compare China taxi apps like Didi (AKA Uber in China) & street taxis. Learn how to take China taxi, fare estimates, QR payments, and safety tips for tourists.

How much is China Taxi - App Fare vs Street Taxis

Source from Unsplash

Beijing Taxi Fares

• ​Base Fare: 13元 (covers first 3 km)
• ​Distance Charge: 2.3元/km after 3 km.
• ​Night Surcharge: +20% on base fare and distance charge (23:00–5:00)

Shanghai Taxi Fares

• ​Base Fare: 14元 (3 km for standard taxis); 16元 (3 km for electric taxis)
• ​Distance Charge: 2.7元/km after 3 km.
• ​Night Surcharge: +30% on base fare and distance charge (23:00–5:00)

Example: A 10 km daytime ride in Shanghai costs ~45元 for taxis vs. ~35元 for Didi Express—but Didi could surge to 60元 during rush hour

Regular China Taxis vs. Ride-Hailing Apps

• ​Regular Taxis: Limited during rush hours or in suburban areas. Reliant on street hails
• ​Didi: Wider coverage (including suburbs), 24/7 availability, and carpool options to reduce wait times

#1 China Taxi App | Didi Chuxing - How to Ride

Follow these steps to book your first ride:

Step 1: Download the App

• iOS/Android: Search “DiDi” or “滴滴出行” in your app store.
• Alternative: Use Didi’s mini-program directly in WeChat (search “滴滴出行” in WeChat’s “Discover” section).

Step 2: Register

• Sign up with your ​international phone number (supports +86 and foreign numbers).
• Verify via SMS code.

Step 3: Set Pickup/Drop-off

• Type your destination in ​English or Chinese (e.g., “Beijing Railway Station” or “北京站”).
• Use landmarks if addresses are unclear (e.g., “near Starbucks, Xidan”).

Step 4: Choose Your Ride

• Swipe to compare options: ​Express (快车), ​Premium (专车), etc.
• Check estimated fares and ETAs.

Step 5: Confirm and Track

• Tap “Confirm Ride (确认叫车).”
• Track the driver’s arrival in real-time. Match the ​license plate and ​car model to the app details.

Step 6: Payment

• Fare auto-deducts post-ride via your linked payment method.
• Rate the driver (5-star system) for better service matching.

#1 China Taxi App | Didi Chuxing - Taxi Types

Didi Chuxing (滴滴出行) is China’s top ride-hailing app, offering multiple services tailored to different budgets and scenarios. Here’s a breakdown:

Pro Tip: ​Express (快车) is ideal for most travelers. Avoid surge pricing by booking outside rush hours (7–9 AM, 5–7 PM).

Instead of juggling VPNs or hunting for SIM cards, China eSIM lets you stay connected to apps like ​Google Maps, Instagram, LINE and more from the moment you land.

#1 China Taxi App | Didi Chuxing - Payment Methods

Didi and Meituan support ​cashless payments to streamline your ride. Here’s how to pay:

Important: Cash is rarely used. ​Always confirm payment options with your driver before starting the ride.

#2 China Taxi App | Meituan Taxi - How to Ride

Follow these steps to book your first ride:

Step 1: Download the App

• ​Android: Get Meituan from Google Play or Chinese app stores (e.g., Huawei AppGallery).
• ​iOS: Download from the Apple App Store.
• Alternative: Use Meituan’s mini-program within WeChat (search “美团打车”).

Step 2: Create an Account

• Sign up with your ​international phone number (including Taiwanese numbers).
• Enable SMS permissions to receive verification codes.

Step 3: Set Up Payment

• Go to “Wallet” (钱包) > “Payment Methods” (支付方式).
• Link WeChat Pay, Alipay, or a credit/debit card.

Step 4: Book Your Ride

1. Open the Meituan app and tap “Taxi” (打车).
2. Enter pickup/drop-off locations. Use landmarks (e.g., “near Beijing Hotel”) if addresses are unclear.
3. Select your ride type (Economy, Comfort, etc.).
4. Confirm the fare estimate and tap “Call a Car” (叫车).

Step 5: Track and Ride

• Match the driver’s ​license plate and ​car model to the app details.
• Share your trip in real-time via WeChat for safety.

Step 6: Post-Ride

• Payment auto-deducts from your linked method.
• Rate the driver (1–5 stars) to improve future matches.

#2 China Taxi App | Meituan - Taxi Types

Credit: Unsplash

Meituan offers a range of vehicles to match budgets and travel needs:

Pro Tip: ​Carpool (拼车) cuts costs by up to 40%, but add buffer time for pickups/drop-offs.

#2 China Taxi App | Meituan - Payment Methods

Meituan supports most international and local payment options:

Important: ​UnionPay is widely accepted, but foreign cards may require SMS verification.

Useful Phrases for China Taxi Ride

Save these phrases on your phone to show drivers or practice pronunciation:

1. Basic Ride Requests

• ​我要去这里 (Wǒ yào qù zhèlǐ)
  "I need to go to there"
  Then show the Chinese address on ur phone, and confirm with the drive.
• ​请打表 (Qǐng dǎ biǎo)
  "Please use the meter."
  Use this to avoid overcharging in traditional taxis
• ​可以支付宝/微信支付吗？(Kěyǐ Zhīfùbǎo/Wēixìn zhīfù ma?)
  "Can I pay with Alipay/WeChat?"
  95% of drivers accept mobile payments, but confirm first

​2. Navigation & Urgency

• ​请在这里停车 (Qǐng zài zhèlǐ tíng chē)
  "Please stop here."
  Use for drop-offs at landmarks instead of exact addresses
• ​能开快点吗？(Néng kāi kuài diǎn ma?)
  "Can you drive faster?"
  Add urgency: ​我要迟到了！(Wǒ yào chídào le!) – "I’m late!"
• ​别绕路 (Bié rào lù)
  "Don’t take a longer route."
  Say this firmly if you suspect detours

​3. Fare & Safety

• ​多少钱？(Duōshǎo qián?)
  "How much is the fare?"
  Always ask before paying cash
• ​别乱打表 (Bié luàn dǎ biǎo)
  "Don’t tamper with the meter."
  Use if the fare seems suspiciously high
• ​我要投诉你 (Wǒ yào tóusù ni)
  "I want to file a complaint."
  Use this phrase for unlicensed "black taxis" or scams