Xian Taxi

Xi’an Taxi  is a key public transport option in the historic city, covering all 13 districts—including Xincheng, Beilin, Lianhu, and Yanta—and major tourist attractions, airports, and train stations. Taxis provide convenient, direct access to destinations such as the Terracotta Warriors (兵马俑), Giant Wild Goose Pagoda (大雁塔), and the Ancient City Wall (古城墙).

Taxis operate both as traditional street-hail vehicles and via ride-hailing apps (e.g., Didi 滴滴出行). Many taxis are now electric, offering a quieter, more environmentally friendly ride, equipped with modern amenities.

Taxi Types and Standards

Main Models

• Electric Taxis: Predominantly BYD and Geely EVs. Comfortable, zero-emission, some with ventilated seats and heat-pump air conditioning. The city has ~2,687 taxis, around a quarter of all taxis.
• Vehicle Specifications: Green body with black roof; recognizable city taxi markings, “No Smoking” and fare labels inside. Minimum wheelbase 2,650 mm, length ≥4,600 mm, range ≥450 km.
• Onboard Equipment: Intelligent meters, recording & GPS, emergency alarms, service evaluation, real-time status indicators for empty, occupied, or offline.

Operating Hours and Coverage

• Coverage: All Xi’an districts and surrounding areas (e.g., Xianyang, Lintong, Zhouzhi). Trips outside city limits require driver confirmation.
• Hours: 24/7 service. Daytime (06:00–23:00) taxis are plentiful; early morning (00:00–06:00) fewer. Shift handovers are 15:00–16:30—taxis refusing service during this time may be reported.

Fare Structure

• Base fare: 8.5 RMB for first 3 km (9.5 RMB at night 23:00–06:00)
• Distance charge: 2.0 RMB/km beyond 3 km
• Long-distance surcharge: Beyond 12 km, +50% per km (3.0 RMB/km; night 3.45 RMB/km)
• Low-speed waiting: ≤10 km/h, 5 min = 1 km fare; peak hours (07:00–09:00, 17:00–19:00), 4 min = 1 km fare
• Extra fees: Tolls, parking, and customer-requested stops paid by passenger
• Package & intercity trips: Negotiable market rates, advance confirmation required

Meters measure distance to 500 m, time to 2.5 min, fares rounded to nearest yuan.

How to Get a Taxi

1. Ride-Hailing Apps (Recommended)

• Platform: Didi (滴滴出行)
• Features: Chinese/English, fare estimate, vehicle tracking, advance booking
• Payment: WeChat, Alipay, bank cards, in-app cashless
• Tips: Cancel within 5 minutes free; use “One-Click Taxi” for elderly users

2. Street Hailing

• Allowed on non-restricted roads; avoid bus lanes and intersections
• Peak hours, bad weather, and shift changes (15:00–16:30) may limit availability
• Core districts (Bell Tower, East Street, South Street) have designated taxi waiting points

3. Phone Booking

• Hotline: 95128 (24h, elderly-friendly)
• Local numbers: 029-82102666, 029-82102200
• Services: Taxi dispatch, road info, complaints, lost & found

4. Taxi Stands at Hubs

• Locations: Xi’an Xianyang Airport, Xi’an Railway Station, Xi’an North & South Stations
• Queue-based, regulated boarding ensures no overcharging or refusal

Practical Travel Tips

Popular Routes

• Airport → City: 25–40 km, 50–80 RMB, 30–60 min
• Train Station → Attractions: Xi’an Station → Terracotta Warriors ~40 km, 80–120 RMB; → Giant Wild Goose Pagoda ~8 km, 20–30 RMB
• Between Attractions: Short trips (Ancient City Wall, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Bell & Drum Towers) often fall within base fare. Long trips (Terracotta Warriors, Huaqing Palace) should be booked in advance to avoid no-availability or extra fees.

Saving Tips

• Short trips: standard taxis (first 3 km 8.5 RMB)
• Long trips: negotiate round-trip price to avoid extra surcharge
• Peak-hour driving: use secondary roads to avoid traffic delays
• Group travel: cost-effective; shared rides often 60% of solo fare

Essentials

• Documents: Mobile phone, ID; Chinese address or hotel name for foreign visitors
• Payment: Cash (≤100 RMB), WeChat, Alipay, Didi app
• Preparation: Check traffic (Gaode/百度 Maps), confirm luggage, inform driver of landmarks to avoid detours

Safety & Regulations

• Only use official taxis: green body, black roof, top light, meter, license inside
• Verify meter reset before departure, request receipt
• Driver rules: no refusal, no overcharging, no meter tampering
• Passenger rules: no illegal goods, no unsafe requests, follow no-smoking rules
• Night travel: prefer ride-hailing; share trip info with friends/family
• Complaints & lost items:
  • Xi’an Transport Hotline: 029-96716
  • National Transport Supervision: 12328
  • Local government & price hotline: 12345 / 12358
• Child safety: bring portable seat if needed; children must be accompanied

Pet Policy

• Small pets in carriers allowed with driver consent; large pets prohibited

Common Questions

• Taxi shortage: Avoid shift changes (15:00–16:30) and peak hours; use apps or phone booking
• Night taxi difficulty: Pre-book via Didi or 95128 hotline; wait near main roads
• Driver unfamiliar with route: Use phone navigation or indicate landmarks
• Long-distance trips: Allowed with advance negotiation; intercity trips must be confirmed