How To Take a Cab in New York City

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There's more to taking a taxi in New York City than hailing it down. You've got to know how to survive the ride.

To complete this How-To you will need:

Attentiveness
Some street savvy
Money for the fare
Knowledge of your rights

Step 1: Know where you're going

Before you hail a cab, get a rough idea of how far you're going and how much it should cost. If you're not sure, ask a New Yorker. Most will be happy to help you avoid getting ripped off by an unscrupulous cabbie.

Step 2: Step off the curb

Step off the curb and face the oncoming traffic. Just don't step so far off the curb that you're standing in a lane of traffic.

Step 3: Hail a cab

Hail a cab by raising your arm when you spot one with its middle roof light on, indicating it's available. If no lights are on, it's occupied. If the outer lights are on, it's off duty. If it's a livery car or limo—and not a real yellow cab—it's not supposed to stop, so don't get in.

Step 4: Avoid busy areas

Don't try to hail a cab just slightly in front of someone else with their arm out—it's rude. If you're in an area where lots of people are trying to get cabs, walk a few blocks to a less competitive location.

Tip: New York cabs go off duty around 4:00 in the afternoon to change shifts, which makes finding a free one almost impossible. Try hailing an off-duty cab by indicating with your fingers that you're only going a short distance—if the cabbie is going your way anyway, he might just take you.

Step 5: Enter and exit on sidewalk

Play it safe by always getting in—and out—of the cab on the same side as the sidewalk.

Tip: Only four passengers are allowed in a regular-sized taxi—unless the fifth passenger is under 7 and seated on someone's lap.

Step 6: Know your rights

Know your rights. You have the right to tell the driver which route to take, you can ask him to slow down, and you are in control of the heat, AC, and radio. You are also entitled to be driven anywhere in the five boroughs.

Tip: If the driver says he doesn't go outside Manhattan, politely contradict him and make a note of his medallion number—located on the window shield dividing the front seat from the rear—so you can report him if need be.

Step 7: Buckle up

Buckle up. Better safe then sorry.

Step 8: Watch the meter

Watch the meter. When you hop in the cab, the fare starts at $2.50. The meter will increase 40 cents every fifth of a mile (approximately four blocks) or, if you're standing still or crawling along slowly, once every minute. There is no extra charge for luggage.

Tip: On weekdays from 4pm to 8pm, there's an extra $1 surcharge. And every night after 8 p.m., there is a night surcharge of 50 cents.

Step 9: Know airport fares

Know your airport fares. LaGuardia is a regular metered fare, but you're also responsible for any tolls along the way. If you're going from JFK to Manhattan, or vice versa, there's a flat fare of $45 plus tolls. If you're heading to Newark airport, there is an extra $15 charge plus return tolls to New York City.

Tip: Note that New York City cabs can drop you at Newark airport, but because it's out of state, they're not legally allowed to pick up fares.

Step 10: Pay the fare

Pay the fare, and unless you had the worst ride of your life, add a nice tip: cab drivers work hard for the money. 10 to 20 percent tip is customary.

Step 11: Get a receipt

Always get the receipt. It has the taxi's medallion number on it, which will come in handy if you accidentally leave something in the cab.
And before you get out, take a last look around... inside and out.

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Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• cab
• nyc
• new
• york
• city
• travel
• fun
• howto
• howcast

[Swampertchamp]

What if I run into the cash cab lol

[daftpunk618]

Step one: Wait until you see a taxi.

Step two: If you see the taxi, yell "TAXI! HEY YOU! YEAH YOU MOTHERFUCKIN' TAXI!"

Step three: If a cab doesn't come, rip off your clothes and run down the street naked crying.

[r0b0tj0n3s]

step one: leap head first in front of cab

step two: new yorkers do not like you, don't bother asking for help

step three: ??????

step four: profit

[ParkAvenueOrthodon]

Who would have known that there is a science to taking a cab?

[Lightning2659]

Step 1: Check if the driver of the cab is Ben Bailey. If it is him, Welcome to the CASH CAB!!!

[firelordzuko100]

the black taxi always stop for me

[Tokopol]

Step one: Make sure you're a white guy.

[bananassmell123]

@Swampertchamp that's in toronto ontario CANADA not new york

[NikkiRowCoxx]

He's such a hottie! I'd take a cab with him anytime!

[zsdg34]

In the Bronx there are rarely any yellow cabs only liveries and when you hale one they stop for you!

the bad thing is that liveries don't have meters or receipts so they can rip you off!

[Jzmis5]

Queentacos91 are you stupid ,this thing those not exist