NY transport: Yellow cabs, Limos or Subway

New York have a 3 main forms of transport; yellow cabs, limos and subway. If your destination have a subway station, this might be the cheapest form of transport. However, both yellow cabs and limos in New York can be very affordable and you should certainly try them out.

The yellow cabs are both loved and hated by New Yorkers. Loved because there are so many and after all, they are rather cheap compared to London cabs.
Yellow cabs serve as a quick and easy means of transportation across Manhattan on routes not amply served by the subways. The downside with having plenty of cabs are traffic-jams across the central parts of the city.

Where to book taxis and limos?

It is often easy to hail a yellow cab, while NY limos should be booked in advance.
You can book cabs at yellowcabs.com in case you don’t want to hail one at the street.

How to hail a cab in New York

It works just like in London. Only yellow cabs can be hailed, just like in London where only black cabs can be hailed.

NY limos vs taxis

While limousines usually charge by the hour, yellow cabs are charged by the meter. You’d be suprised that prices are not that much different between limos and yellow taxis.

Good occasions to rent a limo in NY

Party, arriving in style, going to the airport in style, long shopping tour.

How much cost taxis in New York?
Yellow cabs fares can always be paid in either cash or by credit/debit cards. Make sure to have small notes (1 and 5 usd notes), since cabbies are often not able to break anything higher than $20. The costs for yellow cabs are as follows:

Prices as of august, 2012:
Initial fare………….$3.00
Each 1/5 mile (4 blocks).$0.48
Each 1 minute idle…….$0.48
Peak extra charge……..$1.20 (after 4pm until 8pm Mon-Fri)
Night surcharge……….$0.60 (after 8pm until 6am)
New York State tax…….$0.60

Not that taxi fares in New York don’t include road tolls and gratuity (15-20 % is standard). For longer journeys such as airports, yoy can usually get fixed price. The more people you are in a taxi, the more economical since prices don’t rise for additional passengers.

What to do if having problems with cabs or limos in NYC?

If you’ve been unlucky enough to face any problems with taxis or limos during your New York visit, make sure to contact the Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) as soon as possible. Regardless if you lost a bag, mobile phone or been overcharged – it’s always possible to call TLC at +1 212 692 8294.

For more information on taxi problems in NYC, visit Department of Transportation.