In short
Hangzhou cruising taxis run on the tariff set by Hangzhou Development and Reform Commission notice 455 of 2019: a ¥13 flag drop covering the first 3 km, then ¥2.50 per km, with a 50% empty-return surcharge beyond 10 km that takes the rate to ¥3.75 per km. A low-speed waiting fee applies below 12 km/h, charged at ¥3.75 per four minutes between 07:00 and 09:00 and ¥2.50 per four minutes at other times. Between 23:00 and 05:00 the distance rate rises by 30%, an extra ¥0.75 per km, and over Chinese New Year, from New Year’s Eve to the sixth day, ¥10 is added per hired car on top of the meter. A fuel surcharge linked to fuel prices may also apply, though no official figure for its current amount could be found. Amounts are rounded to the nearest yuan and road tolls are paid by the passenger as incurred. No official airport-to-city-centre price is published; third-party travel sites quote a reference range of ¥115–150 and 40–50 minutes, which is a reference only and not an official fare. To board: T3 has its rank outside Gate 14 on the arrivals level, T4 on the corridor between the terminal and level F1 of the transport centre.
- Flag drop
- ¥13 for the first 3 km
- Distance rate
- ¥2.5 per km
- Beyond 10 km
- ¥3.75 per km (+50%)
- Low-speed waiting
- ¥2.5 per 4 min (¥3.75 at 07:00–09:00)
- Night uplift
- +30% on distance, 23:00–05:00
- Spring Festival
- ¥10 per hired car
- Pickup points
- T3 outside Gate 14; T4 corridor
- Road tolls
- Paid by the passenger on top
How to take each option
How to get a taxi
- After baggage claim follow the taxi signs: at T3 the rank is outside Gate 14 on the arrivals level, at T4 it is on the corridor between the terminal and level F1 of the transport centre.
- Enter the marked queuing channel and board only at the position staff direct you to; ignore anyone inside the terminal who offers you a fixed-price ride.
- Show the driver your destination written in Chinese; a hotel card or a screenshot on your phone works well.
- Check that the meter is reset and running as you set off, and state any route preference right then.
- On arrival pay the amount shown on the meter plus road tolls, and ask for an invoice.
The airport runs a supplementary-passenger scheme for short trips under 15 km, so a driver may not refuse you or demand a negotiated fare because your trip is short. If one does, contact staff on the spot and gather evidence; the traffic enforcement complaints hotline is 0571-85463212.
How the fare adds up (from the official formula)
- The first 3 km cost ¥13.
- Kilometres 3 to 10 are charged at ¥2.50 each, so 7 km costs ¥17.50.
- Beyond 10 km the rate is ¥3.75 per km; on a hypothetical 30 km run that is ¥17.50 plus 20 km at ¥3.75, or ¥92.50.
- Add the three parts: 13 + 17.5 + 92.5 = ¥123, rounded to the nearest yuan, plus road tolls.
- If you are stuck below 12 km/h, another ¥2.50 is added every four minutes, or ¥3.75 between 07:00 and 09:00.
The 30 km here is an assumed distance used only to demonstrate the formula, not an officially published airport-to-centre distance; the real figure depends on route and traffic.
Night, Spring Festival and the fuel surcharge
- Between 23:00 and 05:00 the distance rate carries a 30% uplift, described officially as an extra ¥0.75 per km.
- Over Chinese New Year, from New Year’s Eve to the sixth day, ¥10 is added per hired car on top of the meter.
- A fuel surcharge is linked to fuel prices, and no official figure for its current amount could be found, so go by what the meter shows.
- The waiting fee applies whenever the car is below 12 km/h in jams or at lights, charged once every four minutes.
A late-night meter reading already includes the night uplift, so nothing extra is owed to the driver on top of it.
Payment and your rights
- Pay the metered amount without bargaining, and ask for an invoice.
- Refuse ride-sharing; if a driver refuses you or drops you mid-trip, you have the right to refuse payment.
- Road tolls are paid by the passenger as incurred, on top of the metered fare.
- Smoking is banned in the car, and you may refuse to pay if the driver smokes while driving.
No official statement was found on whether airport taxis accept QR payment or foreign bank cards, so carry some cash. The complaints hotline is 0571-85463212.
Questions travellers ask
How much is a taxi from Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport to the city centre?
Only the formula is published, not an airport-to-centre price: ¥13 for the first 3 km, ¥2.50 per km, and ¥3.75 per km beyond 10 km. Third-party travel sites quote a reference range of ¥115–150 and 40–50 minutes, for reference only.
What is the Hangzhou taxi flag drop?
¥13 covers the first 3 km, then ¥2.50 per km, rising to ¥3.75 per km for the part of the trip beyond 10 km.
Is there a night surcharge?
Yes. From 23:00 to 05:00 the distance rate rises by 30%, described officially as an extra ¥0.75 per km. The meter reading already includes it.
Where do I find a taxi at the airport?
At T3 the rank is outside Gate 14 on the arrivals level; at T4 it is on the corridor between the terminal and level F1 of the transport centre. Use the marked queuing channel and board where staff direct you.
Can I pay by card or phone?
No official statement was found on QR payment, Alipay, WeChat Pay or foreign bank cards. What is officially stated is metered payment, invoices and refusing ride-sharing, so carry some cash.
How long does the taxi take to the city centre?
No official journey time is published. Third-party travel sites quote 40–50 minutes as a reference; the real figure depends on route and traffic, and the 07:00–09:00 peak carries the highest waiting fee.
Who pays the road tolls?
The passenger pays them as incurred, on top of the metered fare, and the driver should hand you the toll receipt.
Taxi or metro from Hangzhou Airport?
Line 19 is 22 minutes and ¥7, with a fixed time and no traffic risk, but you handle your own bags and change at Hangzhou East. A taxi is door to door and runs 24 hours but works out far dearer on the meter. Choose the taxi for late arrivals, heavy luggage, or three or four people sharing.
What if the driver will not use the meter?
Insist on the meter and do not negotiate. The airport’s supplementary-passenger scheme covers short trips under 15 km, so a driver may not refuse you on that basis. Contact staff on the spot, gather evidence and call the complaints line on 0571-85463212.
Do I need to tip the driver?
No, just pay the metered amount; tipping is not customary and change is not disputed. If you need help with bags, sort that out before you set off.
Are there taxis at 2 or 3 a.m.?
Yes, taxis run 24 hours. By then the metro has stopped and the Wulin Gate coach only follows flight arrivals, so a taxi is the one certain option; note the 30% uplift between 23:00 and 05:00.
How much is a taxi to Hangzhou East railway station?
No official airport-to-station fare is published, so it is metered: ¥13 for the first 3 km, ¥2.50 per km and ¥3.75 per km beyond 10 km, plus tolls. Line 19 does the same trip for ¥7 in 22 minutes, so even in a hurry a taxi is not automatically quicker.