Taxi Tips for Days When Time Is Tight

Taxis are one of the most convenient forms of public transportation because you don't have to share them with masses of strangers and they'll take you exactly where you need to go. Of course, one of the other main differences between taxis and other forms of transportation, like buses and trains, is that they're not timetabled. This means it's up to you to make sure you can get one when you need to.

It doesn't usually take too long to get a taxi, and in most situations, a few minutes here and there won't make a difference. But sometimes, time is important. Perhaps you're catching a plane or have an important job interview, and you need to know you'll be on time. Here are some tips to help you minimise delays and get where you're going without a problem.

Book in advance

The best way to ensure you get a taxicab when you need one is to book one in advance. As long as your local taxi company accepts bookings, you can be collected from home with plenty of time to get to your destination, so you can relax and know that everything is taken care of.

A lot of modern taxi companies have apps or other ways of booking online, making it much easier to arrange your lift.

Go to a taxi rank

In some places, there are taxi ranks where drivers sit and wait for fares. If there's one in an accessible location, you're almost guaranteed to be able to get right into a taxi. Airports and other transportation hubs are good places to find taxi ranks.

Hail from the right place

If you have no choice but to hail a taxi, make sure you do it from the best possible location. You want somewhere busy enough that there will be plenty of taxis, but not so busy that the competition is too strong.

Make sure you have payment with you

When you're paying by cash, make sure you withdraw some to keep in your wallet a day or two before your taxi journey. There's nothing worse than needing to go out of your way to find an ATM when time is tight.

Travel at the right time

At certain times of day, there will be more people trying to get taxis. This might increase competition and make it more difficult to find a taxi. Don't forget to factor in the amount of traffic and how that will impact your journey length as well.

If you're hailing a cab, these factors will be important for your success.