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This article was first published 13 years ago

What a taxi ride costs around the world

Last updated on: April 28, 2011 12:37 IST

Image: Taxi fare varies across the world.
Photographs: Reuters
Transportation prices, especially taxi fares, vary dramatically around the world.

In an effort to find some method in the confusion, here is a list 20 cities ranked on the basis of highest and lowest taxi fare a three-kilometre ride would cost.

The fares are in price ranges, instead of average price, because many cities have different prices with each company or different price structures at night or on weekends.

* The figure (cost) given first (the one to the left) reflects little to no waiting in traffic, while the figure to the right reflects high-traffic situations plus night or weekend surcharges.

Click NEXT to see how much a taxi ride will cost in 20 global cities, including Mumbai and New Delhi...

What a taxi ride costs around the world

Image: Zurich has the highest taxi fares in the world.
Photographs: Reuters
1. Zurich: $20.22 - $26.97 (Rs. 898.6 - Rs. 1,198.5)

Public transport is extremely popular in Zurich and residents use public transport in large numbers.

About 70 per cent of the visitors to the city use the tram or bus and about half of the journeys within the municipality take place on public transport.

...

What a taxi ride costs around the world

Image: Oslo is one of the most expensive cities in the world.
Photographs: Reuters
2. Oslo: $18.62 - $24.21 (Rs. 827.5 - Rs. 1,076)

Oslo, the largest city in Norway, has been listed as one of the most expensive cities in the world along with such other major global cities as Zurich, Geneva, Copenhagen, Paris and Tokyo.

Oslo is the cultural, scientific, economic and governmental centre of Norway. The city is also a hub of Norwegian trade, banking, industry and shipping.

It is an important centre for maritime industries and maritime trade in Europe.

...

What a taxi ride costs around the world

Image: Monaco is regarded as a tax haven.
Photographs: Reuters
3. Monaco: $15.94 - $20.29 (Rs. 708.4 - Rs. 901.7)

Monaco is the second smallest country (by size) in the world; only the Vatican City is smaller. Monaco is also the world's second smallest monarchy, and one of the most densely populated countries in the world.

Monaco is often regarded as a tax haven, and many of its inhabitants are wealthy and from foreign countries, although they are not a majority.

...

What a taxi ride costs around the world

Image: Dutch government wants to discourage car use.
Photographs: Reuters
4. Amsterdam: $14.49 - $14.49 (Rs. 643.9 - Rs. 643.9)

Transportation within the city of Amsterdam is characterized by bicycles and public transportation. Large freeways only exist around the city.

Navigating by car through the city centre is discouraged, with the government sponsoring initiatives to reduce car usage.

...

What a taxi ride costs around the world

Image: Helsinki's transport system is diverse.
Photographs: Reuters
5. Helsinki: $14.06 - $20.29 (Rs. 624.8 - Rs. 901.7)

Public transport in Helsinki consists of bus, tram, metro, train and ferry services. The system is managed by Helsinki Region Transport.

The diverse public transport system of Helsinki region consists of trams, suburban metro railways, the subway, bus lines and two ferry lines.

Today, Helsinki is the only city in Finland to have trams or subway trains.

...

What a taxi ride costs around the world

Image: Nice is an ethnically diverse port city.
Photographs: Reuters

6. Nice: $13.04 - $17.39 (Rs. 579.4 - Rs. 772.8)

Nice is a popular destination for vacationers both young and old, with something to offer nearly everyone.

It is well known for the beautiful view on the Promenade des Anglais, its famous waterfront, and is an ethnically diverse port city.

...

What a taxi ride costs around the world

Image: Stockholm is at number seven.
Photographs: Reuters
7. Stockholm: $12.92 - $16.16 (Rs. 574.1 - Rs. 737.7)

Public transport in Stockholm consists of bus, metro, regional/suburban rail, light rail, tram and archipelago boat operation in Stockholm County.

The bus and rail is organized by Greater Stockholm Public Transport, which is owned by the Stockholm County Council.

The operation and maintenance of the public transport systems are delegated by SL to several contractors.

The airport rapid public transport systems are handled separately though.

...

What a taxi ride costs around the world

Image: Taxis supplement the rail system in Tokyo.
Photographs: Reuters
8. Tokyo: $12.64 - $15.66 (Rs. 561.7 - Rs. 695.9)

Taxis in Tokyo also serve a similar role to buses, supplementing the rail system, especially after midnight when most rail lines cease to operate.

People moving around the city on business often chose taxis for convenience, as do people setting out in small groups.

Most companies tend to raise fares by 20 per cent between 22.00-5.00, but some have kept fares low to compete in a crowded market.

...

What a taxi ride costs around the world

Image: Transportation in Dublin has undergone transformation.
Photographs: Reuters
9. Dublin: $11.59 - $17.39 (Rs. 515.1 - Rs. 772.9)

There are a number of modes of public transport in the Greater Dublin area run by a number of transport operators, most of them state or quasi-state entities.

Public transport in Dublin is overseen by the Dublin Transportation Office. It has undergone expansion in recent years.

...

What a taxi ride costs around the world

Image: Munich is the most expensive city in Germany.
Photographs: Reuters
10. Munich: $11.59 - $17.39 (Rs. 515.1 - Rs. 772.9)

Munich is the most expensive city in Germany. The best way to travel around Munich is the Tram (streetcar), bus, S-Bahn (metro railway) and U-Bahn (subway) system.

...

What a taxi ride costs around the world

Image: Kuala Lumpur has three types of taxis.
Photographs: Reuters
11. Kuala Lumpur: $1.32-$1.98 (Rs. 58.6- Rs. 88)

Red and white normal taxis are reasonably priced and probably the best way to get around, at least outside the congested peak hours.

Bright blue executive taxis charge a bit more by the kilometre. There are also various small surcharges for radio call, baggage, etc.

While all taxis are supposed to use the metre, drivers may be reluctant to use it and will often demand a fixed price.

This is especially so when demand exceeds supply, such as during the rush hour or when it rains, when the price demanded can be up to 2-3 times the metre price.

...

What a taxi ride costs around the world

Image: Taxis are the best way to get around in Mexico City.
Photographs: Reuters
12. Mexico City: $1.29 - $2.14 (Rs. 57.3 - Rs. 95.1)

There are more than 250,000 registered cabs in the city and they are one of the most efficient ways to get around.

The prices are low. The night rates, supposedly between 11 pm and 6 pm are about 20 per cent higher.

Some taxis "adjust" their metres to run more quickly, but in general, cab fare is cheap, and it's usually easy to find a taxi.

At night, and in areas where there are few taxis, cab drivers will often not use the metre, but rather quote a price. This price will often be high.

...

What a taxi ride costs around the world

Image: A woman taxi driver in Fez.
Photographs: Reuters
13. Fez, Morocco: $1.28 - $1.91 (Rs. 56.8 - Rs. 84.8)

Petits taxis are the best way to move around Fez, they are metre operated and can be found parked all over the city.

...

What a taxi ride costs around the world

Image: It is easy to get around in Bali.
Photographs: Reuters
14. Bali, Indonesia: $1.27 - $1.73 (Rs. 56.4 - Rs. 76.8)

Because of the size of the island, it is not difficult to get around Bali by various modes of transportation.

The traditional types of transportation to the high class limousine are available for tourist to choose.

Taxi is the most efficient and convenience transportation in the island. Either chartered or metered one, they are everywhere and quite inexpensive compared to some other countries.

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What a taxi ride costs around the world

Image: Panama City has one of the cheapest taxis.
Photographs: Reuters
15. Panama City: $1.25 - $3.00 (Rs. 55.5 - Rs. 133.3)

Panama has a form of public transportation consisting of colourful painted buses colloquially known as diablo rojo.

A diablo rojo is usually "customized" or painted with bright colours, usually depicting famous actors, politicians or singers.

It is popular for bus drivers to customize the interior and exterior of their diablo rojo.

...

What a taxi ride costs around the world

Image: Taxis are popular in Manila.
Photographs: Reuters
16. Manila: $1.16 - $1.85 (Rs 51.5 - Rs 82.2)

Manila, being a major city, affords various transportation options. Famous of all these forms of transportation is the public jeepney, which has been in use since the years immediately after World War II.

Buses, air-conditioned metered taxi and Tamaraw FX mini-vans are also popular forms of transportation.

...

What a taxi ride costs around the world

Image: Taxis are not metred in La Paz.
Photographs: Reuters
17. La Paz, Bolivia: $1.15 - $1.73 (Rs 51.1 - Rs 76.8)

Although taxis are not metred, they are the easiest way to get around La Paz.

...

What a taxi ride costs around the world

Image: Taxis are cheap in Cairo.
Photographs: Reuters
18. Cairo: $1.01 - $1.68 (Rs 44.8 - Rs 74.6)

Solid-White Taxis: These are modern sedans equipped with metres that are usually used, AC, and run on natural gas.

Bright Yellow Taxis: Typically available by reservation only, but sometimes try to pick up fares while en-route.

Older Black-and-white taxis: These are the most common.

However, communication can be difficult as these usually have the oldest of drivers, and the metres are extremely outdated and thus not normally used.

...

What a taxi ride costs around the world

Image: Taxis arrived in Mumbai in 1911.
Photographs: Reuters
19. Mumbai: $0.67 - $0.99 (Rs 30.2 - Rs 44.3)

The Taxis arrived in Mumbai in 1911 to complement horse wagons. The black and yellow Premier taxis in Mumbai are integral part of the city's heritage and have been depicted in numerous Bollywood movies.

The current regular taxi fare in Mumbai is Rs 16 for the first 1.6 km and then Rs 10 per every subsequent km. The taxi bill goes up between midnight and 5.00 a.m. with a 25 per cent additional fare for the journey.

These metered taxis ply throughout Mumbai and have monopoly from Bandra to Churchgate on the Western line and Sion to Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus on the Central line.

Beyond Sion and Bandra auto rickshaws are not allowed and one has to hire a taxi.

However, between Sion to Thane and Bandra to Bhayandar, taxis and autorickshaws ply. A mechanical metre decides the fare and is proportional to the distance travelled.

Recently Radio cab services have been introduced by some private companies. These taxis are new air-conditioned cars fitted with GPS and electronic metres.

...

What a taxi ride costs around the world

Image: Taxis in New Delhi run on CNG.
Photographs: Reuters
20. New Delhi: $0.42 - $0.76 (Rs 22.0 - Rs 34.2)

In New Delhi, all taxis run only on compressed natural gas (CNG).

The taxi fare in Delhi is Rs 20 for the first km and then Rs 11 per every subsequent km. An additonal 25 per cent fare is to be paid for travel between 11.00 p.m. and 5.00 a.m.

Most of the traditional taxis in India are either Premier Padmini or Hindustan Ambassador cars.

In recent years, cars such as Maruti Esteem, Maruti Omni, Mahindra Logan, Tata Indica and Tata Indigo have become fairly popular among taxi operators.

Though easily available, taxis are not an integral part of New Delhi public transport. The Union tourism ministry and various private owners operate most taxis.

The tourism ministry grants private companies permits to operate taxis.

Recently, Radio Taxis have started to gain ground in New Delhi. Brands such as Mega Cabs, EasyCabs, etc, provide the on-call radio taxi service, which is slightly more expensive than conventional Black and Yellow taxis.