For those seeking door-to-door convenience, Shanghai's taxi service provides a quick and affordable way to get around the city. With thousands of taxis operating around the clock, both visitors and residents can easily hail a ride or book one through ride-hailing apps.

How to hail a taxi

While it is still possible to hail a taxi by the road, the most popular way today is via online platforms. Major car-hailing service providers in China include Didi Chuxing, Xiangdao and Gaode.

Qiangsheng, one of Shanghai's major taxi operators, also offers English-language taxi service through its hotline 62580. Taxis can also be booked through the city's MaaS (mobility as a service) platform.

Fare

Taxi fares are relatively inexpensive in Shanghai compared to other major international cities, making it an attractive option for short trips or when carrying heavy luggage.

Starting Fare	Distance Fare (Beyond initial 3 km)
Electric vehicles: 16 yuan ($2.2)/3 km Standard vehicles: 14 yuan/3 km	2.7 yuan/km
Low-speed Waiting Fee	Surcharge
1.5 times the distance fare charged per 4 minutes of waiting or slow driving.	Spring Festival Holiday: 10 yuan/trip National Day Holiday & Labor Day Holiday: 5 yuan/trip

 

Other surcharges:

• Long-distance surcharge: You'll be charged a 50 percent higher rate per kilometer once you exceed 15 km.
• Night surcharge: Trips starting between 11 am and 5 am incur a 30 percent surcharge on both the base fare and the distance fee.
• Suburban regions: For suburban taxis operated in Pudong, Minhang, Baoshan, Jiading, Jinshan, Songjiang, Qingpu, Fengxian, and Chongming, fares are set by the respective district governments.

Tips for taking a taxi

• All taxis accept RMB cash and the Shanghai Public Transportation Card. In addition, 2,000 cabs operated by Dazhong, another major taxi operator in the city, now accept international cards with UnionPay, Visa, Mastercard, Diners Club, JCB, or American Express logos.
• Remember to request a receipt after your ride. It provides detailed information like fare, pick-up and drop-off times, the driver's license, distance, and waiting time.
• Avoid hailing a cab at intersections, as the drivers are not permitted to stop their cars within 50 meters of a crossroads to pick up passengers.

 

Sources: Shanghai Municipal Commission of Transportation, Shanghai Municipal Development and Reform Commission