Taking a taxi in China can be a difficult task for us expats. Sprawling cities can be difficult to navigate, especially with the language barrier. But public transportation for foreigners doesn’t have to be a mess of squinting and confused looks. With a combination of awareness, practise and confidence, there is little reason to fear that lonely ride with a taxi driver. Here are a few key points to keep you on track.

1) Know and understand basic directions in Chinese
It is easy enough to learn how to say the streets of your destination, but knowing how to direct your driver is an essential skill. Specifying the right place to stop and confirming the fastest route with the driver will save you time, not to mention lots of flustered moments of pointing and yelling “Stop here! Here!”
Right turn – Yòu guǎi 右拐
Left turn – Zuǒ guǎi 左拐
Turn around – Diàotóu  掉头
Stop here – Tíng zhè lǐ 停这里
Go straight – Yīzhí zǒu  直走
Give me the receipt - Gěi wǒ fāpiào 给我发票

2) Make sure you can see the running metre
Make sure that your driver drops the lever on the metre, prompting the whirring of the receipt ticker. Old receipts may be covering up the total amount, so remember to check that the starting fee is correct and that it’s not going up too high. If you cannot see the running tally, you run the risk of an inflated rate and a more expensive ride. Don’t worry about calling out a driver if the ride goes way over; most will know when they’ve been caught and will accept the normal rate.

3) Always get the fa piao
Remember the receipt! This is your best way of confirming if you were overcharged. With the distance, price, and driver information in your hand, you can complain to the local taxi service about a slow route. Sometimes you can even get your taxi fare refunded, although the red tape makes this difficult. If you ever leave your cell phone in the backseat at 4am, the receipt can also help you track down any lost items by dispatching the car you were in. Also, check if your employer ever does taxi reimbursement: keeping receipts can have its benefits.
Shanghai – Tel: 962288
Beijing – Tel: 6835 1150
Guangzhou – Tel: 020 8360 0000
Shenzhen – Tel: 755 8322 8000

4) Be wary of non-standard cars and touristy areas
If you see a Ford Taurus with “taxi” scrawled on the passenger door, don’t get in it. While a few companies have different sizes or models of taxis, it’s best to stick to the standards, complete with mounted signs, installed metre machines and that plexiglass partition.  If you are in a taxi without a metre, it is best to get out immediately. If you’re a keen haggler, you can try your hand at negotiation, but this will be at your own risk, as you never know who is driving an unofficial taxi.
This problem is more prevalent in touristy areas, with drivers assuming foreign visitors have no idea about what taxis look like or what the prices are likely to be. Be careful of groups of sketchy looking taxis next to hotels. If you are stuck in a normal cab in a touristy area, try to speak some Chinese right away to establish that you won’t get pushed around.

5) Don’t be too obnoxious
Cab drivers in China usually pull 12 – 16 hour shifts, so their tolerance for loud foreigners is usually very low. A cab stuffed with drunken expats is much more likely to get ripped off. If you are calm, polite, and appear to know your way around, drivers will generally respond well and get you to that destination quickly. If you’re lucky, the cab driver may even engage in a pleasant conversation with you. This can even be a good way to practice your Chinese skills, and perhaps hear some remarkable stories from the city you live in.

Overall, be aware, but don’t be scared. Most of the time, drivers will be straightforward and will get you to your destination without too much trouble. Cab drivers are people too, so remember that everyone is different and keep the trip as simple and unobtrusive as possible. Take note of the increased rates during late-night hours, and the gas tax that can be added on, and you will certainly be able to survive the chaos of Chinese taxis with ease.

Related links
Freaky or Funny? Crazy Chinese Taxi Stories
The 10 Worst Cities in the World for Getting Taxis

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