Shanghai: Did It.
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Ah, speaking of hailing a taxi in Shanghai, it's truly a bittersweet experience! Every time I stand by the roadside, stretching my neck and waiting for a cab, it feels like I'm performing a kind of behavior art. Passersby might even think I'm doing a cosplay of a Longing-for-Husband Rock!
For those not familiar with the situation abroad, let me explain: Shanghai is a super-modern metropolis with incredibly high population density! Just imagine all those people,especially during rush hours or rainy days. With limited cars available, the competition to get one becomes a fierce battle!
Moreover, nowadays, everyone across China is used to hailing rides using their smartphone apps, like Didi Chuxing—which is similar to Uber or Lyft in your country. The drivers tend to prefer picking up orders from these apps because it’s convenient, they have navigation systems, and sometimes even earn platform rewards. So if you’re standing there waving on the street, many times empty taxis might pass right by you, because they’ve already accepted an order from the app—what a heartbreaking sight!
So if you’re visiting Shanghai and want a smooth ride, here are my hard-earned tips for you:
- Apps rule the day here!
- Before coming over, learn how to use Didi's international version, or consider using taxi services within Alipay or WeChat which can also be linked to foreign credit cards.
- Hailing through an app, even if your Chinese isn’t perfect, allows the driver to directly see your destination, saving you a lot of trouble in communication.
- Avoid peak times!
- Try to avoid the morning (somewhere between 7 AM and 9 AM) and evening commutes (around 5 PM and 7 PM), plus avoid rainy days—as they are like a nightmare when trying to hail a cab.
- Unless absolutely necessary, consider the subway—its extensive network, cleanliness, and efficiency make it a far more reliable alternative than getting stuck in traffic.
- Hotel assistance method!
- If staying at a hotel, ask the front desk to help arrange transportation. In most cases, the hotel has partnered cabs or can help call a taxi using its employees' Chinese-speaking ability.
️ Alert! Highlighting crucial points! ️- Watch out for unlicensed taxis!
- What is an unlicensed taxi? They're private vehicles without official operating permits, commonly found near train stations, airports, or popular tourist spots.
- Why are they troublesome? They typically don’t use meters, charge excessively, and if something goes wrong, you have no recourse!
- How to avoid? Stick to regular taxis with a "TAXI" sign on the roof and interior meter, or call a ride via a reputable platform app.
- Always insist on the meter being turned on before starting your ride!
- When taking a regular taxi, remind the driver "Please turn on the meter!" (Dǎ biǎo, xièxie! - Use the meter, thank you!).
- If the driver offers a flat rate quote, unless you know the local prices well, it’s best to stick to the metered fare.
- Prep your destination information in Chinese!
- Have your destination name and address already prepared in Chinese to show to the taxi driver, or select them in the app. Miscommunication can lead you way off course, so having a map also handy to ensure accurate tracking.
Ultimately, to have a peaceful ride in Shanghai, keeping calm and being prepared ahead of time will likely grant you a smooth trip to your destination! Enjoy your travels and have a successful journey in calling taxis!
- Apps rule the day here!
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LOL, how did your picture get stolen so quickly?