Get around Shanghai by Taxi

Taxi is another convenient way to get around Shanghai . Taxi is paid by meters and starts 11RMB for first 3km and then 2.1RMB per km after that. If you take the taxi 11pm – 5am, night fare applied which 13RMB for the first 3km and 2.6RMB per km after that.

You can pay the taxi fee by cash or public transportation card. Do ask for the receipt which is a printed out slip. It helps if you lost anything on the cab or you would like to complain if the driver overcharges you.

Usually you can get hold of a taxi in the street, but you will find it is extremely difficult to get a taxi during rush hours in the business area. So plan your trip earlier if you do need a taxi in the rush hour. I recommend you to book a taxi in advance by phone to secure one. It does charge 4RMB as the book fee if you book a taxi by phone. Usually they will ask your mobile number for contact.

There are four major and well known taxi companies in Shanghai . You can recognise them by the painted colour on the car.

Dazhong: Light green

Qiangshen: Yellow

Bashi: Green

Jinjiang: White

Major taxi booking hotline as below:

Shanghai Taxi Service Information Centre: 96965

Dazhong: 96822 (English service available)

Qiangshen: 62580000

Bashi: 96840

Jinjiang: 64648888

You can also text message to order a taxi via your mobile:

China Mobile : 555596965

China Unicom: 2196965

Below is the normal rate if you take a taxi from the airport to city centre for your reference.

From Pudong airport – city centre: about 150RMB

From Hongqiao airport – city centre: about 50RMB