Shanghai Taxi Guide: Fares, Taxi App and Scam Prevention

I’ve taken hundreds of Shanghai taxis and DiDi rides. The one time I got badly overcharged was when I was tired at Pudong and accepted a “taxi” from someone who approached me instead of walking to the official stand. The meter was “broken”; the fare was three times what it should have been. That experience is why I always use the official queue or DiDi now—and why I wrote this guide.

Here’s how Shanghai taxis and the Shanghai taxi app (DiDi) work, what you’ll pay, how to pay with a foreign card, and how to avoid the main scams. Last Updated: March 2026

Shanghai Taxi Basics

Licensed Shanghai taxis run 24/7. Major companies include Dazhong (大众, light blue), Qiangsheng (强生, orange and green), and Jinjiang (锦江, white). You can try to hail on the street (look for the green 空车 “vacant” sign) or book via DiDi, which I recommend for most visitors: English interface, fixed price, and your trip is recorded. Street taxis use the meter; DiDi shows an estimate upfront. For late-night options see our night transport guide.

Fares (2026)

Flag fall (first 3 km): regular daytime ¥14, electric ¥16, night (23:00–05:00) ¥18. After that, roughly ¥2.7/km by day and about 30% more at night. Waiting is about ¥2.7 per 4 minutes. There are surcharges during Chinese New Year (+¥10), Labor Day/National Day (+¥5), and sometimes peak hour. Phone booking (e.g. Dazhong) may add ¥4.

Approximate trip costs: 5 km in the city ¥35–45, 10 km about ¥70, 20 km about ¥120. Pudong Airport to People’s Square ¥160–200 in the day; Hongqiao to People’s Square ¥70–100. Rush hour (07:30–09:30, 17:30–19:30) can double travel time.

Route	Est. fare (day)
5 km in city	¥35–45
10 km	~¥70
Pudong Airport → People’s Square	¥160–200
Hongqiao → People’s Square	¥70–100

Paying with a Foreign Card

Dazhong has 2,000+ taxis with contactless readers. Look for stickers showing Visa/Mastercard/Amex/JCB/Diners/UnionPay. Tap your card when you pay. All taxis accept Alipay and WeChat Pay (scan the driver’s QR) and cash. If you pay cash, watch your bills—fake bill switching can happen. Electronic payment is safer. For full app-based rides with foreign cards, use DiDi.

How to Get a Taxi Safely

Street hail: Find the green 空车 sign, wave, get in, and say 请打表 (qǐng dǎ biǎo)—“please use the meter.” Show your destination in Chinese on your phone if needed. Pay what the meter shows. Pros: meter rate, no surge. Cons: hard to find at rush hour or at night; some drivers refuse certain destinations.

DiDi: Book in the app, get driver and plate details, verify before boarding. Pros: 24/7, English, recorded, no cash needed. Cons: possible surge at peak times, needs internet. I use DiDi for almost every ride now.

Official stand: At airports and major stations, use only the designated taxi queue. Ignore anyone who approaches you saying “Taxi?” Those are unlicensed “black cars” (黑车) and the main source of overcharging and scams.

Scams to Avoid

Black taxis (unlicensed). Someone approaches you at the airport or station offering a ride. No roof sign, no company logo, no driver ID, or they quote a flat rate instead of using the meter. Risks: 2–10× overcharge, rigged meters, fake bill switches. Never get in. Use the official queue or DiDi.

Meter manipulation. The meter runs too fast. Check that the starting fare is ¥14, ¥16, or ¥18. Track the route on Baidu or Gaode Maps and compare to a DiDi estimate.

Refusal to use meter or “meter broken.” Insist on the meter (请打表). If they refuse, note the plate, take a photo of the driver’s ID if possible, and report to 962000.

Fake bill switch. You hand a ¥100 note; the driver says it’s fake and swaps it for a counterfeit. Pay with Alipay/WeChat when you can. If you use cash, mark your bills and watch the driver’s hands.

Scenic routing (绕路). Unnecessarily long route. Track on a map; you can say 走最近的路 (shortest route).

Luggage in trunk. Driver puts bags in the trunk, then drives off before you retrieve them. Keep bags in the back seat with you when possible, and don’t leave the car until you have everything.

Identifying a Legitimate Taxi

Real taxis have: a roof sign with company name and 空车/待运/停运; company logo on the body; driver ID on the dashboard; Shanghai plate (沪 B, C, or D); a visible meter. If any of these are missing, don’t get in.

Useful Phrases and Contacts

请打表 (Qǐng dǎ biǎo) — Use the meter please.
停在这里 (Tíng zài zhèlǐ) — Stop here.
请给我发票 (Qǐng gěi wǒ fāpiào) — Receipt please. Always ask for a receipt (发票); you need it for complaints or lost items. Police: 110 (English available). Taxi complaint: +86-21-6323-3215. Government services: 12345. Dazhong booking: 96822.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safer to use DiDi or a street taxi?
DiDi gives you a recorded trip, fixed price, and driver details. Street taxis are fine if you use the meter and official stands, but DiDi is easier for visitors and reduces exposure to touts and scams.

Do taxis take foreign cards?
Many Dazhong taxis have contactless readers (Visa, Mastercard, etc.). Not all do. Alipay and WeChat Pay work in all taxis. DiDi accepts foreign cards in the app.

What if the driver refuses my destination?
Note the plate, photo the driver ID if you can, and report to 962000. Then use DiDi or another taxi.

Do I need a Shanghai taxi app or can I just hail?
You can hail at official stands or where taxis stop, but a Shanghai taxi app like DiDi is easier for visitors: English, fixed price, and you can also book official taxis through the app. Street hailing is unreliable at rush hour and at night.

Conclusion

Shanghai taxis are generally reliable when you use the meter and official stands—or when you skip the hassle and use DiDi. The main risk is unlicensed cars and touts at airports and stations. Use only the queue or the app, verify the plate and driver, pay electronically when possible, and get a receipt. For app setup and late-night rides, our DiDi guide and night transport guide have you covered.

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