Our first experience using taxi in Shenzhen was horrible. We took the taxi direct from Shenzhen Bao An International Airport to our hotel in town center. Before we board the taxi we ensure that the driver uses the meter to charge us. I know the rate roughly is around 130-150yuan but upon arrival at the hotel the taxi driver ask for 320yuan and obviously he did not follow the meter rate.
Well, since I was travelling with a baby, I do not want to argue and I just pay to the driver. Later that day, I have a little chat with the hotel staff and found out that the earlier taxi that we board is an illegal taxi. No wonder the so called “taxi” looks like a private car!
Anyway, we all learn from it and during our holiday in Shenzhen we board on a legal taxi and have no problem with the rate at all.
Below is a photo of a legal taxi. This is how it looks like, with Chinese words on the side doors and the local taxi is red in colour. So, make sure you only board on this kind of taxi (refer to the photo).
Legal Taxi In Shenzhen
Travel Note:
Always get the destination written in Chinese because most of the taxi driver can’t speak English. You can get the help of the hotel reception to write in Chinese for you before you go any where. Most importantly is your hotel name in Chinese. (Before you travel, it is possible to email the hotel to request the hotel name and address in Chinese.) Trust me, you need it!
The red taxi starting rate is 12.50yuan for the first 3km and then 2.40yuan for every additional km.
The yellow taxi has the same fee schedule as the red one. The yellow taxi only operates within the Special Economic Zone of Shenzhen while the red taxi operates within and out of the zone.
Beware of fake money; ensure you have loose change when travelling in a taxi.
The drivers in Shenzhen do drive like a “F1 driver”, they drive with no safety measure in their mind and they speed all the times. Be sure to seat tight, hold on tight and if travelling with baby, for safety purpose please seat behind.
