Taxis in Beijing are plentiful, metered, relatively cheap, air-conditioned and clean.Taxi fares depend on the vehicle type: these start at CNY 10 for the first 3 kilometers, and go up by CNY2.00 per extra kilometer; the per-kilometer charge is based upon the make and model of the vehicle. After 10pm the base fare goes up to CNY 11. There are also HongQi taxis which operate at a 2.00 rate, however these are a rarity and not commonly seen. Idling time is also factored into the total fare. All legal cabs will be part golden yellow in color, and display their permits and paperwork on the dash and windshield.

Beijing Taxi are also many illegal cabs known as Black Cabs in Beijing, which operate via a pre-negotiated fare. A significant proportion of taxi drivers operate scams where they drive foreigners to destinations other than where they intended, claiming a commission if the foreigner makes a purchase at the alternative destination e.g. taking the foreigner to a different hotel and claiming a percentage of the nightly rate they pay.

Taxi-like services, including Pedicabs, are also widely used. A motorized or manual bicycle is probably the most commonly seen form, although pedicabs are still available in certain parts of the city. These quaint modes of transportation also employ the pre-negotiated fare system

In 1999, the environmentally unsound "bread cars" (Minivans)(mianbao che, a.k.a miandi) were decommissioned in a stringent manner. They used to charge CNY 1 per kilometre. Although it was sound, budget-wise, their poor environmental record and an increasing consciousness of the image of the capital were the factors that landed them in the dumpster. As of 2004, 1.20 RMB/km taxicabs are being phased out, and as of 2006 all taxi fares are 2.00 RMB per km with the same 10 RMB starting fare for 3km rule. Hyundai Elantra is becoming the common new type of taxi, along with Volkswagen Jetta CiF.

A taxicab, also taxi or cab, is a type of public transport for a single passenger, or small group of passengers, typically for a non-shared ride. A taxicab is a vehicle for hire, with a driver, which conveys passengers between locations of their choice. In most other modes of public transport, the pick-up and drop-off locations are determined by the service provider, not by the passenger, although demand responsive transport and share taxis provide a hybrid bus/taxi mode.