Dalian Transportation

Like other cities in China, the streets of Dalian are filled with taxis. Taxis are a convenient means of getting around, although obviously it is much more expensive than taking the bus. Most of the taxis are of a blue and white color. The starting fare is 8 yuan for the first 3 kilometers. After that, it's 1.20 yuan per kilometer. When it's time to pay, most taxi drivers would round the final cost to the nearest yuan.

Dalian has something you don't usually see in other Chinese cities, street cars. These very modern street cars are air-conditioned and quiet. But like buses, they can become pretty crowded. There are three street car routes: 201, 202, and 203. Route 201 runs between the Dalian train station and the Shahekou train station; 202 runs through the Shahekou District toward Xinghai Square; and 203 runs between the Dalian train station and Donghai Park. The cost is 1 yuan.

Taxis are always a good option in China.

In Dalian it is not different, because taxis here are also cheap.

Basic fare is RMB 8,00 (US$ 1,00) plus RMB 1,20 (0,15 cents) / km.

Just follow the basic rule: if you don't speak any Chinese, have with you a card with the written address where you intend to go.

In some of the squares there are little 3 wheeled blue things. Similar to a micro-machine British Reliant Robin (1974-89). If you don't care how long it takes to get some where and you are only going about 10 blocks, this is for you. These things only hold two passengers and don't go quite as fast as the Robin... Actually, I have been passed by people on bicycles more than once, especially if you are going up hill. If you don't mind the constant vibrating and road noise, this isn't a bad choice.

Negotiate prices with motorcycle drivers. These are great when you aren't in too big of a hurry and are traveling alone or with one other person (as long as neither of you are incredible obese). Tell the driver where you are going and compromise on a price. To go about 4 blocks it costs about 3 or 4 yuan.

Taxis are great. Sure they aren't all air conditioned and some of the taxi drivers like to talk to you a lot, even if you don't speak Chinese they just keep talking.

The best thing about the taxis is you can bargain. After 10:00 pm (also when most of the buses stop and when the taxi prices go up) you can, for the most part, bargain prices. If you know how much the ride would cost during the day, that would help. Just tell the driver where you want to go then suggest a price, they will probably roll their eyes and gesture to get in the taxi or just laugh and say no. I saved a lot of money that way.

If you don't have exact fare when boarding a bus you can pay with a higher amount and get your change by getting the money off passengers that board after you. For example if the fare is one kuai and you only have five kuai. Pay with the five and get one kuai from the next four passenger that board after you. This is a perfectly normal thing to do here in Dalian.

I dont know how Chinese call those little means of transportation. I would call it Di di. That means "younger brother" in Chinese. And somehow they look like the younger (much younger) brother of the buses.

Anyway, I never drove with "Di di", I think in the bus its more comfortable.

Oh, yes, I (!!!) gave those means of transportation that nickname, better not to ask someone that you wanna use a "Di di"....