Umm.how do I get a taxi?

Inexperienced midwestern guy is headed to the city

[MatthewHSE]

Everywhere I've ever traveled before, I've either driven myself or had someone waiting for me when I got there. But tomorrow I'm leaving my little Midwest town and flying into the Big City, and will need a taxi to get me from the airport to my hotel and back again.

I've never called a taxi before, but I'm pretty sure it's not as simple as just walking out to the curb and putting up your hand like they do in the old movies.

So what do I do? Can I call a taxi company and schedule a ride? Or do I just have to stand by the street until one happens to come by? And once I get where I'm going, do I have to pay in cash or do they take credit cards? Finally, is it customary to tip the driver, and if so, how much?

I know all this must sound fearfully naive, but in my area everyone has their own car. I've only ridden in a taxi once in my life, and that was so many years ago I don't remember a thing about it except that I thought it was insanely expensive for a little half-hour ride...

Thanks,

Clueless in Illinois

[encyclo]

1. Walk out the airport door.
2. Check signs for the taxi rank.
3. Get in the first one in line. ;)

Trust me, every airport has a line of taxis waiting outside. :) Often you can get a ride downtown for a fixed tarif - ask the driver. For getting back to the airport, the hotel can get one for you. Often they take credit cards these days.

The other possibility is cheaper: there are usually shuttle buses to take you downtown, which are slower but will cost a lot less.

[Terabytes]

Ask the hotel if they have a shuttle. Its usually free if they provide a shuttle. If the hotel chain is large enough.

you shouldn't have any trouble no matter how the transpotation works out.

[jimbeetle]

Yep, everything is clearly marked. From JFK to any point in Manhattan is 45 bucks plus tolls and tips, figure about $60 all told. Fare from any other airport is by the meter plus tolls and tip, as are all fares back out to the airport.

Drivers love cash and are supposedly required to take plastic. As they got a bad deal on the fees (5%), many are reluctant to do so, but for those working the airports there's usually no hassle.

There are other alternative such as shared vans. These are also clearly marked in the terminals, but you might wind up with a much longer trip.

Feel free to sticky me with any other questions.

[LifeinAsia]

When you get to the airport, check with the information desk. Tell them which hotel you're going to and they should be able to recommend the best transportation option. If you need to take a taxi, ask them about any special tariffs and the approximate amount it should cost (and the general route the driver should take), then head to the taxi line.

I usually look at a map before arriving to get a general idea of the lay of the land and major roads between the airport and hotel. Then I can see if the driver is opting for the "scenic" route to pad his fee.

It's never happened to me in the States, but in almost every foreign airport I've been to (except Canada), I've been approached before the taxi line by drivers offering to beat the taxi fare. I normally ignore them, but every once in a while I've taken a risk (it depended on the country), normally with OK results. I only did this when with someone else, but it's still risky and wouldn't recommend it generally. (You and your passenger may outnumber the driver initially, but there's nothing to prevent him from stopping just outside the airport to pickup an accomplice. And one driver a one gun trumps a pair of passengers.)

[edited by: LifeinAsia at 6:27 pm (utc) on Jan. 7, 2009]

[piatkow]

Don't know about the US but in London if you phone for a taxi the meter starts when the driver gets the call. In central London you would just hail a cab but at transport terminals the cabs may only be allowed to pick up at a designated rank.

Cities vary a lot, its always best to check out a locally based board or usenet group.

[g1smd]

*** In London if you phone for a taxi the meter starts when the driver gets the call. ***

Err, I hope not. It should start when you get in. It will have a minimum fee of at least 2 or 3 quid already loaded, as you set off. Beware of drivers taking the "scenic" route to bump the price up.

If you telephoned and got a "Private Hire" (same as a taxi but you can't just stop one and get in, they must be pre-booked) you might have another quid added at the end of the journey - 'cus the people taking the calls get paid too. They are also referred to as Mini Cabs by some.

In London there are a lot of unlicensed Mini Cabs. They are usually best avoided - especially those that approach you and ask if you need to go somewhere. In popular tourist areas they employ a lot of people to drum up business for them. There's issues with insurance and all sorts with those. In contract, Licensed Mini-Cabs will only accept a booking via their office, by telephone.

[piatkow]

At a previous company we were ordered not to phone for cabs because of the additional cost. Our West End location meant that you could usually get a cab within 2 minutes of walking out the front door.

[Yoshimi]

That certainly doesn't apply to the rest of the UK, generally a private hire is cheaper then a black cab too.

[Rugles]

I dont think anyone answered the question about a tipping. Its usually 15%, just like a restaurant.

I drove a taxi for close to 5 years, I can not tell you how important the tips were for my income. So if you like the driver and feel that they provided excellent service, feel free to go more than the 15%.

Remember (expecially you Europeans ;-) ) in North America people in the service industry are paid minimum wage and tips are usually half their income .... and this part is important. The income tax agencies (IRS or Revenue Canada) assume you made the 15% and will tax you on the 15% regardless if you received it from the customer or not. So if you do not tip your waitress or taxi driver, they paid income tax on it anyways. They lost money on you if you fail to tip them ... hence the dirty look as you left the restaurant or taxi.