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 | Beijing Taxis/Rickshaws Reviews | Tips 1 - 10 of 22 |  |  | |  |  | Taxis/Rickshaws: Airport taxis | Tip Rating:      |  |  | |  |
Taxi scammers will be on your case, as soon as you step out of the customs and you make your way out. The taxi people shouting for your attention are not honest drivers. The dishonest people you will identify in that they will approach you while you are walking somewhere and will tell you prices. The legal drivers do not tout for custom, so the best way to get an honest taxi driver is to go to the taxi queue at the airport. A regular taxi drive to the city centre (around Tiananmen Square) should cost around CNY100. There is road toll costing CNY10, which you will be asked to pay too, and do insist on the toll receipt unless the driver gives it to you automatically. To make the trip as smooth as possible, make sure you have the destination written in Chinese, and a phone number to call in case the driver does not know the place.
When arriving, follow the exit signs with taxis on them. There will be drivers trying to get your attention as soon as you get out of the customs, but just say no thanks and walk towards the exit and the taxi signs. When you come out, cross the first street and (most likely) to your left you will see an area that has been poled off for queueing. Most likely you will not be the only one queueing for a taxi so stand in line. When you get closer to the end, there is large (at least was when I was there) sign on a pillar to your left with typical fare prices for going to various big hotels in Beijing. There will be lots of taxis with proper taxi signs, and a guard in a uniform will show you to one. If he does not follow you all the way to the car, be sure to hold on to your baggage until you reach the car, where the driver will put your bagage in the trunk. Also be sure to take the brochure the guard will give you. He writes down the taxi ID number on the brochure, and the brochure itself contains information about taking taxis in Beijing, as well as a phone number to call in case you get into trouble. Make sure you have your destination address in Chinese. The guard will probably ask to have a look and then instruct the driver. The driver may also want to have a look, but will give it back to you once he does not need it. As long as you follow the official signs and official guards, you will be fine. I find legal taxi drivers are honest. The authorities have been clamping down hard on dishonesty, so a mere gesture of writing down the driver ID number visible in the front window, complete with the driver's photo and name, will get dishonest legal drivers getting back to the straight and narrow. Good luck!
Bus transfer to the hotel, a personal pick-up...
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 | |  |  | Taxis/Rickshaws: More Taxi Scams - Adjusted Meters | Tip Rating:      |  |  | |  |
When entering a Beijing taxi and the ride starts, always ask the driver to turn on the meter. Otherwise you'll end up paying at least 30% higher price. However, even if you do this, there can be unpleasant surprises. OK, this one is rare, but we encountered it. Near the Summer Palace, we were approached by a driver who offered his services (which they usually don't do - they're constantly on the move). His car was black Volkswagen (not red, as most Beijing taxis) and had no stamp stating the price per kilometer (they always have one on a window). Nevertheless, he had a meter. The meter though was running in an accelerated rate; when we pointed this out, the driver pretended he didn't understand English (funny, he invited us in...). Anyway, we got out after a while.
ALWAYS make sure the taxi has a blue label with price on its side window (1.20 or 1.60 per kilometer) AND a functioning meter. Leave a Comment
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