In Beijing taxis and rickshaws try to get alot higher prices from foreigners. Generally you have to go thru 4-5 different ones to get a decent price.

If you take a taxi or rickshaw from outside the train station or airport you're going to get soaked. They know you need them and if you don't take their ride someone else will. Phone your hotel or ask someone which bus to take to get you to or closer to your destination. You'll find taxis and richshaws aren't so nuts when you aren't close to a super populated place so walking a couple blocks away could make your life easier.

The reason you try to use a set price rather than the meter is because taxi are known for taking long scenic routes to up the toll. Rickshaws you don't have to worry about because they don't feel like peddling around half the country to rip you off.

The fees for Rickshaw I paid were 5,6, or 8RMB. I used them daily. They asked 30RMB on average and as high as 50RMB.

The subway is 3RMB and the bus is 1 RMB.

Taxi meters start off at 10RMB in Beijing and go up 1.6RMB per kilometer and 1.6RMB per minute while stuck in traffic. From 23:00-05:00 the cost is more and after 15KM the cost per km goes up. Beijing traffic can be real bad during the day so if you don't set a price you can end up paying alot.

Bikes are the people's chosen mode of transportation here. Having a bike gives you alot of mobility and eliminates the need for taxis/buses.

On average a bike will cost you 160RMB-350RMB. If you want a flashy new spring loaded mountain bike you'll be looking at 450-600RMB. One of those electric bikes is 1200-2500RMB. A motorized scooter bike costs from 2500RMB-5000RMB.

The larger streets have bike lanes on either side and they are unidirectional just as the automobile lanes are. On the smaller side streets with less traffic you can ride anywhere on the road you want.

When you run into bike problems you can go to any one of the bike mechanics setup on street curbs all around the city. Using their air compressor to inflate your tires costs 0.20RMB. If you need other minor repairs like chain greasing or screw tightening it'll cost an RMB or two.

In the event it rains when you're biking just find some cover and signal over a yellow taxi bus. They'll take you and your bike to where ever you need.

If you are caught crossing when you shouldn't the policeman man will grab your bike, lock the rear tire with your lock and make you wait 30 minutes then give the key back.

If you buy a nice bike then ensure to lock it always. I have two locks. One to lock the rear tire to the frame and one to lock the frame to posts or other bikes. There are secure parking garages down various alley ways where you can park your bike for 12RMB/month. You can and go as much as you want but the garages lock up at 23:00

A city bus costs 1RMB per person. If you are planning to be in Tianjin for a while then its good to learn the buses on the routes you commonly take. I'd advise taking an umbrella with you if you are waiting for the bus.

There are two types of taxi here. The red taxis and yellow taxi bus'. They both start the metre off at 5RMB for 3 km. Then you are charged depending on which you use. A red taxi charges 1.5RMB/km beyond 3km and 1.5RMB/minute when you are waiting. The yellow taxi bus' are cheaper at only 1.3RMB/km or per minute idling.

RMB. On average I pay 6.5-12 for my trips around town but when traffic is bad I see upwards of 16.

During peak hours traffic gets heavy. Buses are filled up and taking a taxi means alot of idle cost. During times like this you don't want to take the bus as it stops often and that means no wind blowing inside to cool you off. Instead take a taxi and haggle for a set price. 12RMB should be good.