Taxis, New York City

On our first trip to NYC , when I was just a boy !! we basically took taxi cabs everywhere because I was too scared to walk arund Manhatten! You will never be waiting longer for a cab in New York , they are EVERYWHERE
!! . Most drivers will also give you plenty of info to help you make the most of your holiday

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A cab’s availability is indicated by the lights on the top of the car. When just the center light showing the medallion number is lit, the cab is empty and available. When no lights are lit, the cab is occupied by passengers. The act of flagging down a cab is called "hailing"; there's not much to it, just stick out your arm and pretend you're the Statue of Libery. Yellow Medallion cabs are the only ones authorized to pick up hails. Avoid "gypsy" cabs at all costs. These are regular cars that will take you from place to place; they usually cost more than cabs and aren't as well regulated (or as safe).

Taxis have meters. The total cost depends on the distance traveled and time spent in the cab. Taxi fares are $2.50 for the first 1/3 mile, then 40¢ each 1/5 of a mile thereafter, and 40¢ per 60 seconds when cab is not moving; a 50¢ night surcharge is in effect between 8pm and 6am; a $1 surcharge is in effect 4-8 pm weekdays (not including holidays). Any bridge or tunnel tolls will be added to the total charge; drivers might ask that you pay the tolls as you go through them. Taxi drivers are usually given a 15% gratuity on top of the final metered fare.

Taxi cabs are required to take you to your destination inside the metropolitan area. Record the ID number from any cabs that you have problems with and report them to the Taxi and Officially, taxicabs can take on only four riders -- 3 in the backseat, 1 in the front seat. Occasionally, the wider cabs will be willing to take 5 people, but they will usually ask the fifth person to duck down below the sight of the authorities.

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the Ubiquitous and World Famous Ney York Taxicabs are operated by private companies and licensed by the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission. "Medallion taxis", the familiar yellow cabs, are the only vehicles in the city permitted to pick up passengers in response to a street hail. A cab’s availability is indicated by the lights on the top of the car. When just the center light showing the medallion number is lit, the cab is empty and available. When no lights are lit, the cab is occupied by passengers.

Taxis have meters. The total cost depends on the distance traveled and time spent in the cab. Taxi fares are $2.50 for the first 1/3 mile, then 40¢ each 1/5 of a mile thereafter, and 40¢ per 60 seconds when cab is not moving; a 50¢ night surcharge is in effect between 8pm and 6am; a $1 surcharge is in effect 4-8 pm weekdays (not including holidays). Any bridge or tunnel tolls will be added to the total charge; drivers might ask that you pay the tolls as you go through them. Taxi drivers are usually given a 15% gratuity on top of the final metered fare.

The act of flagging down a cab is called "hailing"; there's not much to it, just stick out your arm and pretend you're the Statue of Libery. Yellow Medallion cabs are the only ones authorized to pick up hails. Avoid "gypsy" cabs at all costs. These are regular cars that will take you from place to place; they usually cost more than cabs and aren't as well regulated (or as safe).

Taxi cabs are required to take you to your destination inside the metropolitan area. Record the ID number from any cabs that you have problems with and report them to the Taxi and Officially, taxicabs can take on only four riders -- 3 in the backseat, 1 in the front seat. Occasionally, the wider cabs will be willing to take 5 people, but they will usually ask the fifth person to duck down below the sight of the authorities. The famous large "Checker" cabs are pretty much a relic of the past, although you can still see some servicing the town at limousine service rates.

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The ubiquitous NYC taxi cab is a huge part of the Big Apple landscape. And, used judiciously, they'll help you get around in town without busting your wallet up. And by judicious use, I mean that you use taxis only for medium distance trips. If you need to go 12-20 blocks and don't have time to walk, hail a cab. For long trips, try to stick with the subway.

And...WALK. It's a great city and I'd suggest walking wherever possible.

To hail a cab, just look for an empty and throw up your hand.

The cost, at regular weekday times, is something like $2.50 hail fee, and then 40 cents a quarter mile or 40 cents a minute stuck in traffic. So, for most short trips, you're talking $5-10, including a tip. Surcharges exist for late nights and early mornings.

As for airport traffic, the fare is "set" between Manhattan and JFK. The charge is $45 plus any applicable tolls. ($5, for example if your driver uses the tunnel from Queens into Manhattan). For trips from LaGuardia, the meter is what you pay... it should be comparable to the JFK charge, although in off hours, you might save a few bucks.

To travel between JFK and LaGuardia, it's approx $30. To travel between the Newark (NJ) airport and JFK, the cost is approx $95. Between the various terminals at JFK, the short cab ride will cost you $4 - $10.

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Taxis are pretty expensive in Canada so we tend to avoid them as much as possible. However, we quickly found out that if you don't feel like hauling your suitcase on-board a packed bus or subway, taxis are the way to go in New York City! Going from La Guardia to our hotel located in Lower Manhattan, there was a $30 flat rate, which means you don't have to worry about the price going up even when you're stuck in traffic. There was no flat rate on the way back, but it only came to $40 for a 30 minute taxi ride, and that included the tip and the little extra we had to pay for the toll bridge (the driver gave us the option between the less crowded toll bridge or the slower free bridge). Our driver was very courteous and it didn't take long for us to realize why there was such an impressive quantity of taxis in NYC - they truly are a convenient way to get around!

New York City taxis are regulated by the Taxi & Limousine Commission (TLC). If you need taxi, just stand at a busy street corner and flag one down!

definitely take a cab! dont transfer to LGA. that would take forever.

in nyc we tip cabbies, waiters at service restuarants & other people in service to you. i think 15-20% is expected based on the quality of service and your ability to give.

enjoy NYC!

If you are traveling in a group of more than two people and don't plan on going very far, it may be cheaper and more convenient to take a taxi as opposed to the subway. Subway fare in New York is more than $2 per person per one-way ride, so you'll have to do the math. Taxis in New York are plentiful and easy to hire. Their fares are also pretty reasonable in spite of what many people might think. Taxis in the city are also strictly regulated as far as the fares they are allowed to charge and driver conduct, making them a safe choice.

A useful fallback when you've had enough of walking. The taxis are ubiquitous, and in fact outnumber other road traffic. The prices are less than in the UK.

You must hail them from the correct side of the road, as they will not do a U turn to pick you up.