How to take a taxi in China?

For international visitors, taking a taxi in China’s mega and major cities is convenient and accessible via various options. Here are some recommended options:

1. Ride-hailing apps
You’ll need to register in advance to enable online payment.

Alipay

Open the Alipay app, tap “Transport,” then choose “Taxi”. Enter your pick-up and drop-off locations to book a ride. Alipay supports foreign bank cards, making payment easy for international users.

WeChat

Open WeChat, go to “Me” > “Services”, then scroll down to find “Transport Services” or “DiDi”. Enter your locations to book a ride.

DiDi app

Download the DiDi app (available in English). It supports registration with foreign phone numbers and bank cards. After registering, enter your pick-up and destination addresses, and choose your preferred service (e.g., express, taxi, premium, or Luxe) to book a ride.

2. Phone booking

You can call the taxi hotline 95128 to book a ride. This service is available in many cities.

3. Street hailing

You can also hail a taxi the traditional way. If you see one with a vacant sign, simply wave to stop it. Once inside, tell the driver your destination. However, if you are on a tight schedule or heading to an important appointment, online booking is recommended for greater reliability, as not all vacant taxis on the street will stop – some may already be on their way to pick up a passenger who booked through an app.

4. Tips & reminders
1. Enable location services on your phone to help apps locate you accurately.
2. Verify the license plate and driver info before getting into the car.
3. Always use official or well-known platforms to ensure safety and service quality.