Taxis and Minibuses

If you are going to China, most likely, you will land in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou or Shenzhen. Unless you have arranged for somebody to pick you up from the airport, taking a taxi will represent your first experience of China. The taxi system in China is no different than taxi systems in the world. They use the meter.

Once you confirm your destination, the meter starts on a standard startup fare which differs from city to city. In a big city like Shanghai, the starting fare is 11 yuan. In a medium city like Yiwu, it is 6 yuan and in a small city like Xiangfan, it is 2 yuan. You can see that this varies quite a lot. Beyond the distance which is covered by the startup fare (usually the first few kilometers), you are charged for the additional distance you travel. If the taxi is stationary, then the meter "ticks" on a time-based basis. These are similar to taxi systems all over the world. Again, the distance and time-based fares vary from city to city. If you take a taxi after 11:00 pm, generally, you will be subjected to a 20% surcharge.

Most of the taxi drivers are professional and honest, especially in the big cities. Tourism is a very big industry in China. Therefore, every effort is taken to ensure that tourists and foreigners are well-treated and well-protected. However, there are some bad hats out to earn a few extra bucks from laowais. Be vigilant. If you come across any taxi drivers who offer to take you to your destination without using the meter, insist that the meter is used. If not, take another taxi. It will be wise to take down the driver's name and registration number of the taxi you are in just in case you have a dispute or complaint. This can normally be found on the Driver's registration placed prominently around the front panel. Also, always ask for a receipt.

Taxis in China also run between cities. For instance, if you need to get to Shanghai from Hangzhou or vice versa, you may use a taxi. It is faster and more comfortable than taking the buses. The normal price is around 100 yuan for a distance of about 150 kilometers. It costs about the same from Guangzhou to Shenzhen. Normally, you will be able to find these taxis around the bus stations. Just ask around.

Mini buses are also a popular form of transportation in China. These are buses with about 20 seats. There is not much leg room in these vehicles because the placement of seats is designed to maximize passenger intake. Bear in mind that the average Chinese is physically smaller than Westerners. So, if you want to travel in comfort, the wise thing to do is to take a taxi because the regular buses are incredibly crowded. Most of these mini buses are run privately. They cost slightly more than the regular public buses. The advantage of taking a mini bus is that you may flag down or stop the bus anywhere along the route.

Nowadays, there are fewer mini buses in the big cities due to the growing problem of traffic jams in big cities which makes it harder for the mini bus operators to turn in a healthy profit. Instead, mini buses are increasingly used for intercity commuting purposes. They are faster than the regular bus service and cheaper than taxis. Inter city mini buses are available almost round the clock unlike the regular buses that run on a fixed schedule. They are also much cheaper than the taxis over the same distance. For instance, you get into a small obscure city in the evening and the next regular bus leaves in 2 hours. This is a common scenario in China. If you don’t wish to spend so much on a taxi, your best alternative is the mini bus. The cost is around 20 yuan for a distance of about 100 kilometers. Again, the rates vary region to region but this is a good yardstick to judge if you suspect you are being swindled.

If you are traveling in a group, you may want to charter a mini bus to travel in comfort. Unless, you are conversant in Chinese, you have to engage the service of an interpreter. It is pretty much impossible that you'll find a mini bus driver that speaks or understands English. If you have a guide, it will be better. Depending on the season, distance and time you need to use the mini bus, the rates will be different. Also, you will be charged a premium for the exclusive use of the mini bus. Use your discretion when you are negotiating the cost of rental. If you feel uncomfortable, back off. Always remember that most things can be "arranged" in China.