Beijing Visitor's Guide: Using Taxi & Ride-Hailing Services

The Beijingers | Aug 4, 2024 2:15 pm | Add a comment | 295 reads

Ever since China began expanding its visa-free travel and 72/144-hour visa-free transit policies to more countries last year, have you had any friends or family members who have come to Beijing to visit since then? Anyone you know planning to come? What sort of essential tips would you give them? The Beijinger is running a new series providing such essential tips for short-term visitors to the capital. We hope it’ll make things easier for overseas visitors, and help make your life easier inviting and receiving visitors from back home. Check it out and give us your feedback below!

The first part of any trip, at least after you've arrived, gone through customs, and gotten your luggage, is to get from the airport and to your hotel or wherever else it is you need to be in the city. Thankfully, Beijing's airports are connected to a few.

From the Airport to the City:

Taxis are most tourists' first choice when arriving in Beijing. Follow English signs for the taxi queue. Service is available 24/7, with fares to the city ranging from RMB 60 to 200. Most drivers don't speak English, so print your destination's address in Chinese before arrival.

The Beijing Metro subway system is another option. Both airports have subway stations. Purchase a Metro card at station entrances via machines (WeChat Pay, Alipay) or manned counters (international cards, RMB cash).

Shuttle buses run from all terminals. Fares range from 20 to 55 yuan. Buy tickets at terminals from vending machines (WeChat Pay, Alipay) or booths (international cards). Staff likely won't speak English, so have your destination's Chinese address ready.

Ride-hailing: Didi, Beijing's most popular platform, has an English interface. Download the app and use an active phone number for ID verification. Airports have designated pickup areas.

Many hotels have their own shuttle services to and from the airport, while there are dedicated shuttle buses that will take you to various points in the city for a fee. Beyond that, the first best option for getting away from the airport are taxis and ride-hailing services, which we explain below.

How to call a taxi or use ride-hailing in Beijing

What is DiDi?

DiDi is the one stop key to ride hailing in Beijing. You no longer need to stand on the side of the road and wave your hand for a taxi – in fact, this is so obsolete now in Beijing that it would be extremely difficult to find a ride this way. Instead, you can it with the tip of your finger within minutes. DiDi is a safe, affordable, and convenient 24/7 transportation application with an English interface that allows passengers to hail various types of rides through independent contractors as drivers. All drivers must be trained and certified, and in case of any emergency, the DiDi Safeguard system will make a direct call to the closest police center. Learn how to install, set up, and experience your first DiDi trip – order to payment – all in this step-by-step guide with easy to follow pictures.

What Do I Need to Install DiDi?

  1. An active Cell Phone Number (Chinese and foreign numbers both work, pick one you would use in Beijing to register )
  2. Payment Method: Bank Account / WeChat Pay / Alipay Pay

*DiDi is not a cash-friendly transportation system.

How Do I Install and Use DiDi?

Step 1: Download the “DiDi: Ride Hailing in China” App on the Android or iOS App Store

Step 2: Follow Sign-In Instructions

  1. Click “Chinese mainland” as your region
  2. Allow DiDi to use your location while using the app (necessary for GPS)
  3. Sign-in with your phone number

Step 3: Order Your First Trip

  1. Click “Enter Destination” to enter a full-screen map.
  2. Type in your desired drop-off location (area/venue names are enough – no need for exact address details). Both English and Chinese inputs are acceptable.
  3. Select your preferred types of vehicle then click “Confirm Request”
  • On this screen, you will see the type of vehicles DiDi provides ordered by upfront fare cost. Under each vehicle type, you will see that there are either no nearby cars available, approximate wait time until pick up, or your position in a digital queue if you were to choose that vehicle type.
  • DiDi will search for your selected vehicle types that are within proximity and ultimately provide you with the type that is located closest to you – so the more vehicle types you select, the more likely you will find an available car near you quickly.

DiDi is now searching for your nearest trip.

  1. If you feel it is taking too long, you have the option of selecting additional vehicle types you originally excluded for a faster response. A description of the response time and upfront fare of each vehicle type can be seen.

If for any reason you need to cancel your trip, click “Cancel Trip.” No payment will be made.

  1. If you did not select additional vehicle types, the upfront fare of the final vehicle type used will be paid automatically once the nearest trip is confirmed (no action need). If you did add additional vehicle types, click “Confirm” to pay the new upfront fare.

Step 4: Take Your First Ride

  1. View a live display of how many kilometers and minutes your ride is away from your pick-up location on a map.
  2. Once your ride arrives at your pick-up location, spot your vehicle using its license plate number displayed on this screen.
  3. Once you enter the vehicle, show your driver the verification code displayed on this screen, which is the last four digits of your phone number to verify this is indeed your trip.

On this screen, you can perform a few other actions as necessary:

  1. Call the driver by clicking “Call” to share any immediate information – especially useful if your registered pick-up location is slightly different from where you actually are and would like to be picked up (i.e. on the opposite side of the street). Please be aware, most drivers only speak Chinese.
  2. Not a Chinese speaker? Don’t worry! Click “Message” to send frequently used messages with just one click that are automatically translated between Chinese and English. You can also add a new “Quick Message” that will be saved and listed on this screen next time.
  3. Click “Cancel” before five minutes pass since your trip request was confirmed to cancel your trip for free – the exact time of this is displayed on the bottom left of the screen. If you cancel your trip after the displayed time, a cancellation fee will apply (varies depending on how long the driver must wait).

Step 5: Pay for Your First Trip

  1. During the trip, you can check the live map on the DiDi app anytime to view the estimated time until arrival at the drop-off location and green, yellow, and red colors on your route for traffic indication.
  2. Once you arrive at your location, you can exit the DiDi without paying on site. This is extremely efficient when you are busy or running late to where you must be! The next time you open the DiDi app to order your next trip, you will need to go through the DiDi checkout process to pay for your previous trip.
  3. On this screen, you will see the final trip cost – for more details, you can click “Fare Breakdown”. Click “Pay” to meet the final cost not yet covered by the upfront cost.
  4. Select the payment method you would like to use from the list on the screen. Click “Pay ¥XXCNY”.
  5. Go through the payment and password process of your chosen payment method until you reach a “Payment Successful” page. The example below shows the WeChat Pay payment process.

READ: Welcome to Beijing: A Guide to Payment Services in the Capital

Images: Unsplash, The Beijingers