Hail a Cab in Paris
Hailing a cab in Paris can be a difficult experience. You typically have to go to a designated area, called a "taxi rank," where you stand in line and wait your turn to take a cab. You can also hail a cab on streets where a rank is not nearby. The steps below detail how to effectively hail a cab in Paris.
Contents
Steps
- Locate a taxi rank. Taxi ranks are located at most major intersections throughout the city, consisting of tented areas and street corners with a "Taxi" sign prominently displayed. You can find one using maps, phone and computer applications, and by asking locals.
- Wait for a taxi to approach. You need to stand in line in the rank area and wait your turn for a taxi. If you are within 50 m (164 feet) of a rank (but not at the rank itself), taxis won't stop for you. If you are outside of a rank's designated 50 m (164 feet) range, you can freely hail a cab.
- Ensure the taxi is licensed. It's important to ride only in licensed taxis, as you'll have no legal recourse if cheated by an unlicensed taxi driver. Taxis in Paris come in numerous colors and car types, but you can tell if a taxi is licensed by looking for these things:
- A "Taxi Parisien" sign on the roof
- A working fare meter
- A taxi license plate on the front right wing of the vehicle
- A display on the back of the taxi that monitors its daily usage
- Take the taxi to your destination.
Tips
- Typically, you should pay for taxi rides with cash. Some taxis have credit card machines but not all. Taxis that accept credit cards require a minimum charge for use of the machine.
- The three small bulbs on a taxi indicate which rate system the taxi is operating on. There are separate fares for weekdays, evenings and Sunday mornings, and Sunday afternoons; the bulb that's lit tells which rate the taxi is using.
- If a taxi's main light is on, it means that it is available. If the main light is off, it means the taxi has passengers.
- You can call a cab company to have a cab pick you up at a specified area. Note that most companies require their drivers to start charging the fare from the outset of their trip, before picking you up.
Warnings
- Taxi drivers might pass you by if you are with more than three people and you have large items to stow. Some drivers consider these customers too much trouble to deal with.
- Don't ask to sit in the shotgun seat, otherwise the cab driver might give you the dirty eye.
- There is usually a minimum charge for using the cab that you must pay, even for short trips. There are also extra charges for luggage, large items, and for each passenger after the third. Rates for each charge change depending on the day, time, and area you are traveling in.
