NYC Taxi Guide: Fares, Tips and How to Ride

Movies and TV shows taught us to recognize New York taxis, those twelve thousand plus yellow vehicles that are icons of the city. They're the famous Yellow Cabs.

They've also taught us that passengers often fight over them and that most of the drivers are Arab or Indian (it's very common in NYC for certain communities to dominate certain trades, Korean laundromats being another classic).

Below I'll give you tips for grabbing one of New York's taxis like a local (and also how to take an Uber or Lyft).

How to hail a taxi

There are unwritten rules that will save you trouble if you follow them:

1. The best place to catch a cab is on corners. If you see a line of people standing there, they're waiting for a taxi, so check who's last and respect the order (otherwise there will be fists).
2. You'll know a taxi is available because the light on the roof is on. If it's off, the cab is taken, so don't bother.
3. Raise your hand as soon as you see an available taxi. That way you mark your territory and anyone who shows up later knows you were waiting and should respect the order.

New York taxi fares

For short distances, especially after midnight when subway and bus service thins out, taxis are worth it if you're traveling in a group of 3 or 4:

• The base fare is $3.30 and it goes up 50 cents roughly every four blocks (1/5 of a mile) or every minute (this site will help you estimate the fare for your trips).
• During peak hours, between 4 pm and 8 pm Monday through Friday, you're charged $1 per 1/5 mile (peak surcharge), which can get very expensive.
• At night, between 8 pm and 6 am, the night surcharge is $0.50 per 1/5 mile (night surcharge), which is manageable when split between several people.
• If for some reason you make the driver stop or wait, you'll pay an extra 40 cents for every minute that passes.
• If the route crosses bridges or tunnels with tolls, those costs are paid by the passenger.

How to pay

Most taxis have terminals for paying by credit or debit card, but it's still smart to carry cash in small bills, since drivers don't keep much change.

After paying, remember to ask for your printed receipt. It has the taxi's license number, which you'll need to contact the driver if you leave something behind or want to file a complaint with the Taxi and Limousine Commission, the agency that regulates the service.

Tipping in New York taxis

The tip is most drivers' actual wage, so it isn't optional.

The right amount is 15% to 20% of the total, but never give less than a dollar. It's common to round up to the next dollar if the math leaves you with change.

Plenty of meters will suggest a 30% tip, but that's excessive. No New Yorker pays that.

Taxis outside Manhattan

The yellow New York taxis are exclusive to Manhattan. In the other boroughs (Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island) they work the same way but they're green taxis.

The boroughs also have private car services where you agree on the fare before getting in.

If you're not comfortable negotiating fares or hailing a cab on the street, ask at your hotel, they always have trusted drivers they work with.

Airport taxis

The most comfortable way (also the most expensive) to get from the airport to your hotel is by taxi, though if you're traveling with 3 or 4 people (the max) it can pay off.

Use these prices from each airport to Manhattan as a reference (tip and tolls included):

• From JFK: $70 to $80.
• From LaGuardia: $35 to $45.
• From Newark: $80 to $110.

If you're heading to Manhattan, take the official airport taxis, since they charge a flat rate into the city.

For destinations outside Manhattan the taxis run on the meter (the flag drop starts at $3.30).

Either way, it's always a good idea to ask the driver before you get in. Read more details in our guide to New York's airports.

Good to know: there's no extra charge for luggage like in other parts of the world, though if the driver was helpful it's customary to add a dollar per bag to the tip.

If you're staying in New Jersey, ideally you'd fly into Newark. If not, check how to get from New York to New Jersey so a taxi doesn't cost you a fortune.

Addresses in New York

The general consensus is that New York cab drivers are honest and know the fastest routes around Manhattan and to the various NYC airports.

That said, if your destination is in another borough, it's worth having the route directions ready to give the driver, otherwise you'll take a few unnecessary detours. Our advice is to plan the trip with Google Maps.

Uber in New York

A very popular alternative to taxis in New York is Uber (Uber is also widely used in Chile). It's a phone app for finding cheaper rides.

In New York it's a completely legal service, so go ahead and request one without worry.

How Uber works

They're so popular that this explanation is probably unnecessary. But it's always someone's first time, so here it is to help you out 🙂

First, install Uber on your phone and add a valid credit card. Then just follow the app's instructions: set your pickup point, enter the destination address, and request the ride.

The driver will pick you up at the time shown and you won't hand over a cent, since the fare and tip are charged directly to the credit card you linked. Very modern, as you can see 😉