In short
Taxis at Nanjing Lukou queue at the designated ranks outside the arrivals level of Terminals 1 and 2 and operate around the clock. There is no official airport-to-city reference price: Nanjing publishes a government-guided metered tariff and drivers must use the meter. For an ordinary taxi the flag drop is ¥11 for the first 3 km and ¥2.4 per km after that; intermediate cars and pure electric cars charge ¥11 for the first 2.5 km then ¥2.9 per km, and premium cars ¥11 for the first 2 km then ¥2.9 per km. Operators may float the base fare up or down by 20%. Two extras matter on the airport run: a 50% return fee on the per-km rate beyond 20 km, which bites because the airport is about 40 km from the centre, and a low-speed charge when the cab averages under 12 km/h, billed per five minutes at the per-km rate and at 1.5 times that rate in the 07:00–09:00 and 16:00–19:00 peaks. Road, bridge and tunnel tolls are paid by the passenger on top. Third-party travel sites quote roughly ¥127–153 to Xinjiekou; treat that as a reference range, not an official figure. Pay the meter and take the receipt.
- Flag drop
- ¥11 (first 3 km, ordinary)
- Per km
- ¥2.4 ordinary; ¥2.9 intermediate, EV, premium
- Return fee
- +50% beyond 20 km
- Night surcharge
- +20% per km, 23:00 to 05:00
- Low-speed fee
- Under 12 km/h, per 5 min; 1.5x at peak
- Pickup point
- Rank outside T1/T2 arrivals
- Complaints
- 025-12328
Questions travellers ask
How much is a taxi from Nanjing airport to the city centre?
No official airport-to-city price is published, only the metered tariff. Third-party travel sites quote a reference range of about ¥127–153 to Xinjiekou; the actual figure is whatever the meter shows and moves with traffic.
What is the Nanjing taxi flag drop?
¥11 for the first 3 km in an ordinary cab, ¥11 for 2.5 km in intermediate and pure electric cars, and ¥11 for 2 km in premium cars, with the base fare allowed to float 20%.
Is there a night surcharge?
Yes. Between 23:00 and 05:00 a night fee of 20% is added to the per-km rate actually charged.
Where do I find a taxi at the airport?
At the designated taxi ranks outside the arrivals-level exits of Terminals 1 and 2; queue in order and follow the marshals.
Can I pay a Nanjing taxi with cash or by phone?
Licensed taxis widely accept cash plus Alipay and WeChat QR payment, though no official page lists payment methods, so this reflects common practice. Carry some cash just in case.
How long is the taxi ride to downtown Nanjing?
About 50 minutes and 40 km to Xinjiekou, depending on traffic, and noticeably longer at peak hours or in heavy rain.
Are there extra charges on the airport run?
Yes. A 50% return fee applies to the per-km rate beyond 20 km, and at about 40 km this always triggers; tolls are the passenger’s share, and traffic jams add the low-speed fee.
Can I agree a fixed price with the driver?
Do not. The airport tells passengers never to negotiate a fare and always to pay by the meter; a driver who wants to haggle is usually unlicensed.
What if the driver refuses me or will not use the meter?
Note the plate number, which is printed on the receipt, and call 025-12328; then go back to the official rank and queue again.
Taxi or metro from Nanjing airport?
Metro Line S1 is 35 minutes and ¥7, predictable and immune to traffic, but you change at Nanjing South. A taxi is door to door but far dearer and exposed to traffic, and it wins late at night, with heavy bags, or for three or four travelling together.
Is there a taxi at 3 a.m.?
Yes, taxis run 24 hours. By 3 a.m. the metro has stopped and Airport Bus Line 1 has finished with the last flight.
Do I need to tip the driver?
No. Pay the metered fare and take the receipt; tipping is not customary in taxis in China.