China Travel Forum

[Nathan]

What time do buses and subways stop running in Shanghai and Beijing? I arrive in Shanghai around midnight, think my best bet to the hostel is a taxi? Thanks for the help!

[Paul]

The only way is by taxi. However, you will be attacked by the "cabbie vultures" as soon as you get out of the terminal, so be prepared. They will try and bargain with you for a set price for the ride but INSIST on going by the meter, and make sure before you get in that you get a cab with a meter. Generally if you get a dark red or turquiose taxi with a five digit number in a bubble on the side, they are generally pretty good. The fare is higher after 11pm so it will cost you more than it would during the day. So, just be forceful with them, show them a map and make sure they know where you want to go before you get in, and make sure the meter is running and you should be fine!