China Taxi Fare Calculation Method and Payment Guide

1. Taxi Fare Calculation Method

The pricing rules for taxis in China are uniformly established by the transportation departments of each city, mainly including the following components: 1. Base Fare
- The base fare varies across different cities, for example:
- Beijing: 13 RMB (includes 3 km)
- Shanghai: 14 RMB (includes 3 km)
- Chengdu: 8 RMB (includes 2 km)
- The base fare includes a fixed mileage, after which charges are calculated based on mileage.

1. Mileage Fee
2. After exceeding the base mileage, charges are applied per kilometer, for example:
   • Beijing: 2.3 RMB/km (daytime)
   • Shanghai: 2.5 RMB/km (daytime)
   • Guangzhou: 2.6 RMB/km (daytime)

3. Nighttime Surcharge: Most cities add 20%-30% extra fees between 23:00 and 5:00 the next day.

4. Low-Speed Waiting Fee

5. When the vehicle speed drops below 12 km/h, fees are charged based on time (for instance, Beijing: 0.8 RMB/minute).

6. Long-Distance Surcharge

7. Some cities impose additional charges for trips over 15-20 km (e.g., Beijing: 50% of mileage fee).

8. Other Fees

9. Highway tolls and bridge fees must be paid by passengers (drivers usually inform in advance).

2. Payment Methods

1. Cash Payment

2. Taxis in China still support cash payments, but it’s recommended to prepare small bills as drivers may not have change for large notes.

3. Mobile Payment (Mainstream Method)

4. Alipay/WeChat Pay: Over 90% of taxis support QR code payment (requires binding an international bank card or using services like “TourPass” for foreign cards).

5. Binding Process:

   • Alipay: Enter the "Travel" page and select the "Taxi" function.
   • WeChat: Use the "Didi Chuxing" mini-program or directly scan the driver's QR code.

6. Credit Card Payment (Less Common)

7. Some high-end taxis (such as "Shouqi约Che" in Beijing) accept credit cards, but confirmation should be made in advance.

3. Practical Suggestions

1. Confirm Pricing Rules in Advance

2. Check if the meter resets to zero when getting in and confirm that the driver uses the meter for billing.

3. Use Ride-Hailing Apps for Convenience

4. Recommend installing "Didi Chuxing" (requires binding a phone number), which allows you to estimate fares, choose car types, and make online payments (supports Visa/Mastercard).

5. Request Invoices

6. Invoices include the license plate number and trip information, which can help in case of lost items or complaints.

7. Avoid Common Pitfalls

8. Avoid unlicensed taxis ("black cars") at airports/stations.
9. If the driver refuses to use the meter, call 12328 (the national transportation service supervision hotline) to file a complaint.

4. Cost Reference (Example for a 10 km daytime trip)