How to find a "safe" taxi?

[hanxue]

I'm going to BNU in a couple of weeks, and I'll be taking a taxi from the airport to my dorm. Now I know there are surely loads of rip-off taxi drivers around there, but there must also be the more legit ones.

On the BNU site they say a taxi ride from the airport to BNU should cost around 80 RMB, which is quite reasonable.

So what's the best way of not getting caught up in the rip-off? Is the only way just looking for those who will issue you a receipt at the end of the ride? Or should I be looking for a specific taxi company at the airport that you could recommend?

Thanks

[gougou]

There's a long queue of taxis (and sometimes, of people too) just outside the building. The taxis in there should definitely be legit. Apparently, some of those still try to squeeze out a bit more, but now that you have your reference price, you're on the safe side - the good thing about riding a cab is that you get the service first and then have to pay, i.e. you have a lot of bargaining power at the end of the ride. So if the price should deviate widely from what you've been quoted (i.e. more than 100 kuai), refuse to pay that and offer 80 instead, politely but firmly.

Ideally you'd double-check the price as Chinese websites are notoriously unreliable, but 80 kuai to BNU sounds about right.

[anon6969]

1. Ask what they think the price should be when you get in the cab.

2. Always get a receipt from Taxis in China - they have the unique cab number if you have left something in the cab, want to claim back on expenses or want to complain about the driver.

Really you are worrying way too much. It's not really illegal taxi drivers, its just sometimes they take the long route round when they see foreigners in the car - this is likely to happen when you take taxis in the city. There is not much way to stop it, unless you can speak some Chinese and then they won't if they think you know the city.

[doraemon]

Once you arrive in Beijing, legitimate taxis will be pretty easy to find since they're really obvious (Hyundai, all look identical to each other just like taxis in any other country).

[gougou]

It's not really illegal taxi drivers

Those do exist as well. There's some guys at the exit of the airport offering taxi services, which they're not supposed to do. Noticed that happening at Hongqiao a couple of times recently as well.

[wushijiao]

Just wondering...why not take the train or bus into town, and then get a taxi?

[jbradfor]

Just to reiterate what gougou said, if you take a taxi from the taxi stand, your odds should be good. Never take a taxi ride from someone in the airport not at the official taxi stand. That goes for Beijing and everywhere else.

I don't have nearly the experience as others here, but in my limited experience, taking taxis in China is better than most places. The biggest problem you might encounter is if the driver is inexperienced and doesn't really know his way around. [That and the crazy driving, but I digress.] Contrast this to my recent trip to Israel, for example, in which I was cheated (I think) or had issues with 2 out of 5 taxi rides.

[Xiwang]

I've never been overcharged on a taxi (as far as I know). The real "safety" issue for me is the common lack of seat belts in the back seat. That's why I usually prefer to sit in the front where the seat belt is more likely to be working.

Also, sitting in front allows me to watch the driver after I pay him. There are many stories about cab drivers who (1) switch your 100 RMB note with a counterfeit one and then claim that you gave him a fake bill, (2) give you a counterfeit 50 RMB note in your change, or (3) switch your subway card and give you an empty one in return. (In Beijing and Shanghai, at least in some taxis, it is possible to pay your taxi fare with a subway card.)

[hanxue]

Hey guys, thanks for your replies! So if I want to claim a receipt, how do I say it? Is it "发票"？

[abcdefg]

So if I want to claim a receipt, how do I say it? Is it "发票"？

Yes. You've got it right.

[taylor04]

The one way I play it safe (if you know Chinese) is act like you've lived there for a long time. It will be harder to pull off if you have all kinds of luggage, but say the university name, front or back gate, and the street name, with confidence. It will make him think you're just coming back. I do the same if I'm traveling, find the name/address of the place I'm going, write them down and then before I get into a taxi I just remember all the details and tell him, not giving him a look at my little cheat sheet. In all honesty, the only time I've ever felt cheated in a taxi is when I didn't know Shanghai taxis charge an extreme amount of money at night. This can be bargained, but the first time really surprised me. Two other rules I follow is never get in a taxi if the driver walks up to you, and if someone is already in the car. I'm paranoid but I've heard the stories of what can happen.

[Brian US]

At the Beijing subway I noticed a cab (all the pretty cab colors) with no license plate. When I asked him why he didn't have a license plate he told me because of the cameras. Now this could mean it was an illegal cab or a legit one that would get me to my destination in half the time, but I decided not to take my chances.

Another method I have tried is to just have your map out the whole time. Sure it is a dead give away you are a tourist, but I figured it showed the driver you know the shortest route.

[hanxue]

Hey guys, another quick question: do you have to tip cab drivers?

[jbradfor]

No. I've even had a tip refused in the rare times I felt a small one was warranted.

Some times I've found that when the fare is close to a round number (e.g. 19 yuan), and I give them the round number (e.g. 20 yuan), they are very slow in returning the change, but that's it.

It felt uncomfortable to me, but I can adapt.

[hanxue]

Good to know, thanks.