Taxis may be one of the more expensive ways to travel around a city, but they're also one of the most essential modes of transportation, especially for tourists. When you first arrive in a new city, you can't be expected to navigate the public transit system with all of your luggage, especially when you're not really sure how to get where you want to go. In situations like these and in many other situations, you simply call up the local cab company and order a taxi or even an Uber. It's the safest, easiest, and quickest way to get to your hotel or conference center.
In movies, characters frequently stick their hands up on the side of the road and shout 'taxi' to bring a yellow car to the side of the road, ready and waiting to take you where you need to go. However, this only really works in downtown New York City. If you want to find a taxi in a city like London, your best bet is to phone the taxi company's dispatch and tell them where you are so they can send a car to get you. If you're in a neighborhood you're not sure of and it's after dark, always call your taxi from inside the building and only go outside when you see your cab arrive. Calling #taxi on your mobile phone will connect you to an available local cab company no matter where you are. Sponsorship provided by Bearequipment.com
The cost of travelling by taxi varies depending on the city, but generally speaking you will be charged an initial rate plus mileage or time spent enroute as indicated by a meter displayed on the dashboard of the cab. A twelve block run between the hotel and the theater may cost you $10 or less but expect to pay $50 or more for a ride into town from the airport. It's up to you whether or not you want to tip your driver, but most people like to give a little extra if the driver has gone above and beyond in their service, such as finding an alternate route to avoid traffic, waiting outside while you do an errand, or helping you with your heavy luggage.
If you're worried about the cost of taking an Uber or taxi everywhere you need to go, try to find some other people who are going your way and offer to split the cost of the taxi with them. It's especially important not to balk at the cost of a cab late at night or when you are intoxicated, as the likelihood of something bad happening to you if you walk or take a bus is increased. Most cabs are equipped with debit and credit machines these days, so you don't even need to worry about having cash on you to pay the driver.
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