Plan your Beijing trip with confidence. Taxi fares start at ¥13 and a 20 km ride costs around ¥59. Full fare breakdown, scam tips, and app advice inside.
Beijing is a vast, fascinating city — and getting around it by taxi is cheaper than you might expect. With a base fare of just ¥13 and a meter system that's largely well-regulated, taxis are a solid option for most journeys. Here's everything a first-time visitor needs to know before flagging one down.
Beijing taxis use a metered system regulated by the city government. The meter starts at ¥13, which covers the first few kilometres. After that, you're charged ¥2.3 for every kilometre travelled. The minimum you'll ever pay is ¥13 — even for a very short hop. If you travel after 23:00, a night surcharge kicks in, so expect to pay a little more for late-night rides. There may also be small additional charges for fuel surcharges depending on current fuel prices, so your final meter reading could be marginally higher than the base calculations suggest. Always watch the meter and make sure it's running from the moment you set off.
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) is roughly 25–30 km from the city centre, making it one of the longer — and pricier — taxi rides you'll take. Budget around ¥80–¥100 for a metered taxi into the centre, depending on traffic and your exact destination. Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) is even further south, and a taxi into central Beijing can cost ¥120 or more. That said, there are excellent alternatives worth considering.
Beijing's taxi industry is generally well-regulated, but scams do exist — particularly around tourist hotspots and airports. Being aware of the most common tricks will save you money and stress.
Watch out for these Beijing-specific scam patterns: (1) Unlicensed 'black cabs' (hei che) — unofficial drivers who approach you at airports, train stations, and outside major attractions like the Forbidden City. They'll quote a flat rate that sounds reasonable but is typically three to five times the metered fare. Always use official taxis or DiDi. (2) Meter tampering — some drivers use rigged meters that tick over faster than they should. If the meter seems to be climbing unusually quickly on a short trip, note the reading and compare it against the fare table above. (3) The 'broken meter' excuse — a driver claiming the meter is broken and insisting on a flat fare is a red flag. Get out and find another cab. (4) Long-routing — on routes you don't know, some drivers will take unnecessarily long detours. Use Google Maps or Baidu Maps in navigation mode so you can see if the route looks reasonable.
For most trips under 3–4 km in central Beijing, the subway is faster and costs just ¥3–¥6. Beijing's metro network is extensive, well-signed in English, and far less affected by the city's notorious traffic congestion. Save taxis and DiDi for late-night trips or journeys with heavy luggage.
Official, metered taxis in Beijing are generally safe and reliable. Drivers are licensed, vehicles are marked with official signage, and the fare structure is government-regulated. The biggest risks are not physical safety but financial — unlicensed touts and occasional meter tricks. Stick to taxis hailed from official ranks or booked through DiDi, keep your destination written in Chinese characters (your hotel can help with this), and you'll have very few problems. Solo female travellers should note that DiDi offers in-app journey sharing and an emergency button, making it a particularly sensible choice for travelling alone at night.
How much does a taxi from Beijing Capital Airport to the city centre cost?
A metered taxi from Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) to central Beijing typically costs between ¥80 and ¥100, depending on your exact destination and traffic conditions. However, the Airport Express train is far cheaper at ¥25 and takes only about 20 minutes to Dongzhimen station.
Do you tip taxi drivers in Beijing?
Tipping is not customary in China and taxi drivers do not expect it. Simply pay the metered fare shown on the meter. Rounding up to the nearest yuan for convenience is fine but entirely optional — most locals don't do it.
What payment methods do Beijing taxis accept?
Most official Beijing taxis accept cash (CNY), WeChat Pay, and Alipay. Credit card acceptance is inconsistent and cannot be relied upon. If you're using DiDi, you can link an international Visa or Mastercard directly to the app, which is the most convenient option for foreign visitors.
When is the worst time to take a taxi in Beijing to avoid traffic?
Beijing's rush hours are brutal — avoid taxis between 07:30–09:30 and 17:00–19:30 on weekdays, especially on major ring roads. Friday evenings are particularly congested. For airport runs, always allow extra time during these windows. Outside rush hours, journeys are significantly faster and you're less likely to run up a high fare sitting in standstill traffic.
Check your exact route fare
Get real-time fare estimates with scam warnings — any city, any route.
Check Route Fare