How many people can the largest taxis accomodate, and how much luggage? We are interested from the standpoint of transportation to/from airports in Beijing, Xian and Shanghai, where we will be 4 people plus probably 3-4 suitcases. Also, in Beijing we will have a local person with us much of the time, a relative of a family friend, so we're wondering if the largest taxis can accomodate 5 riders -- or if we would need to move around in Beijing in 2 separate taxis (which could add up in price significantly, I understand, only for very long trips like out to the Wall or Summer Palace). I've seen some mention of van usage being common -- but are there van taxis that can accomodate more people? Thank you.

Topping to give it another try. We're thinking of prearranging van airport transfers to avoid having to use 2 taxis due to our luggage (3-4 suitcases plus 4 people). Any advice would be appreciated, thanks.

OK, I'll take a stab at this!

In big cities, like the three you mentioned, there are shuttle buses from the airport to the inner city. Most Chinese take these shuttle buses, so, sometimes it's pretty easy to just follow the crowd as it streams out of the airport and towards the buses. On the other hand, there are usually several buses and they go to different parts of the city. Traffic congestion is one reason why you would want to be on the right bus! If you get on the wrong bus, it could be hours before you find your way to your hotel. If you have a relative in Beijing, it might be best to have that person meet you at the airport in Beijing and guide you to the correct bus. Or, if one of your party speaks Chinese, have that person find out which is the correct bus. These buses are like Greyhound buses and have a luggage compartment on the side where you can store your luggage. Cost is minimal, like $2/$3 per person.

Xian is not bad. Getting on the bus is probably easiest there and it'll probably drop you off in the center of the Old Town, near the Bell Tower.

Shanghai, besides having the buses, has a superfast magnetic levitation line running from Pudong Airport to a metro stop. You can then take the metro to other parts of the city. The other Shanghai airport, the Hongqiao Airport, is serviced by buses.

Both Beijing and Shanghai have modern metro systems and I would encourage you to use these as often as possible. Not only are they inexpensive, but they can get you to where you want to go much faster than the congested surface streets.

In Xian, if you locate yourself as near the Bell Tower as possible, you can pretty much walk to everything. Except for the Terracotta Warriors, and for this you need to take a tour or get on a public bus.

Room in the taxis: no way, no how, are you going to fit 5 people into one taxi. You will be pushed to fit 4 people into a taxi!

Beijing has two kinds of taxis. One has a rate of 1.2 yuan and the other has a rate of 1.6 (marked in plain view on the windows). You absolutely will not be able to fit 4 in the 1.2 yuan taxis. If you get one of those rarities, a deluxe 1.6 yuan taxi (not just any 1.6 yuan taxi!), you will be able to fit 4. However, catching a deluxe taxi is a chancy thing, since you either have to flag down whatever is available or take the next taxi in line. With 5 people, take two taxis or take public transportation. There is plenty of public transportation and the cost is sometimes just pennies (US).

Lastly, may I suggest that you invest in some tour books? The 2004 Frommers is pretty current on practicalities, such as how to get from here to there, changing money, etc. The Rough Guide is excellent all-around, but the last edition that I know of is 2002; nevertheless, it is still excellent for places to see, history, etc. The best cultural guide is the Blue Guide "China" written by Frances Wood; however, this volume, in order to stay within reason, lacks in the practicalities area.

Hope this helps!

Thanks for your tips, Easytraveler. I've already got the Frommer's and Rough Guide, but these books are, of course, not clear about small variations on a theme. When we meet our friends' relative, in Beijing, I'll now assume we could never get 5 people into a taxi! In order to avoid needing 2 taxis, are there vans to hire, to get out to the Wall and Summer Palace? Anything like a "van taxi"?

Also, the question remains: Could the larger taxis accomodate all 4 of us plus our luggage from/to each of these airports? Taxis are so relatively cheap, it doesn't seem worthwhile to hassle with connections from public airport shuttles. I've found pictures of the taxis on a good website, "Beijingtraveltips.com", which is a great resource because it includes an extensive picture guide to various forms of public transport. However, it's impossible from the pictures to know if the trunks of the largest taxis can accomodate much luggage. We've had the experience in some countries, of loading a taxi at an airport, only to realize that we all had to sit with luggage on our laps because the trunk space was inadequate. Thanks again for any and all assistance.

We flew to Beijing in May, 4 people, and when we left the airport for the taxi ranks, we saw a people carrier type taxi on the right side, so took that and it was easy. It would have seated 9 people, you know the type I mean. When moving around Beijing, we managed to squeeze 3 in the back seat and one beside driver, depends on how big you all are I guess. We didn't pre-arrange anything, it all just fell into place, and if we had wanted to, am sure that people carrier vehicle would have been available if you asked him to take you around.

Thanks, Fenno. It sounds like there are van-type taxis available, too -- at least at the airports. Do you happen to recall if there was a meter, or if you had to negotiate rates for these vehicles? Also, do these things circulate on the streets, to be hailed like other taxis? Our friends' relative in Beijing, with whom we've now been in email contact, has limited English skills, and has written us something about getting a "loaf of bread car", which, from searching the Net, I believe to be some kind of squat van. That would help if we travel with 5 people, but I'm still wondering if the largest taxis would accomodate the 4 of us plus 3-4 suitcases.

"Loaf of bread car" is a rough translation of miandi, which is a portmanteau word made from mianbao ("wheat packet" or loaf of bread) and dadi (slang for taxi, more properly chuzuche). These vans were banished from Beijing streets before the 1999 'celebration' of 50 years of communist rule, although they can still be found in other towns and cities away from the international public eye, although perhaps not for much longer. They used to be the cheapest and most common taxis on Beijing streets, but if the term is being used here for larger and less polluting minivans, these are non-metered vehicles and relatively few in number, which may be hired at great expense through travel agencies and hotels.

There's a very small number of larger 'people carrier' type taxis in Beijing, and you may find one at Beijing airport, but as has been said here dozens of times (and as is probably said in both guide books), do NOT take one which isn't metered. The rate per km is clearly displayed on the side.

Taking the Beijing Airport run as an example, just reflect that getting from the airport to hotel with baggage in two taxis rather than one is likely to cost an extra $2 (max $3) per person, even though only the two most expensive varieties of taxi are available at the airport.

You can jump in an airport bus--the routes are mapped for you in English and there are people to help you get on the right one according to the name of hotel you give them--easily enough if you wish. The luggage usually does not go underneath in fact, but on the front few seats inside the bus. However, even supposing you are staying in a hotel directly served by one of the bus services, the cost for five will be Y80. The cost for two taxis will likely be around Y160 in total, or less than US$10 more for door-to-door service.

There are three main charging rates of taxis in Beijing, not two as stated above: Y1.2, Y1.6, Y2. Luxury sedans from outside luxury hotels (usually with highly dodgy meters) at higher official rates per km can be found but should be avoided as almost all will cheat you. It's common to travel with four in a Y1.2 taxi, but uncomfortable unless you are slender. The Y1.6 Fukang has about the same space but must better airconditioning, and the Y1.6 Santanas, and larger Y2 Santana 2000/Jettas are your best choice. You can take a Y1.2 cab to the airport, but you cannot get in one there (unless you are foolish enough to go with a tout). None of these taxis will take five (I've done five in a Y1.2 Xiali, but that was some years ago and alcohol was involved).

Peter N-H
http://members.shaw.ca/pnhpublic/China.html