How to Hail a Cab

Co-authored by Kyle Hall

Last Updated: May 7, 2022 References

If you don’t want to end up stranded, it’s useful to know how to hail a taxicab. Fortunately, it’s a fairly simple process. We’re here to run through some of the basic cab-hailing rules so you can have a stress-free taxicab experience. Read on to learn more!

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Hailing a Cab in the Street

1
Stand to the side of the street. Stand on the side where traffic is moving in the direction you want to go. Stay on the curb and never put yourself in the path of oncoming cars.
- Stand in a spot with good visibility, like at a street corner. The easier it is for a cab driver to see you, the better your chances are of getting a ride.^{[1]
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2
Look for a cab that's unoccupied. Many cities have cabs with lights or signs that indicate if they’re in service or not. Look for a cab with a lit-up sign on the roof -- that usually means it’s open and unoccupied.^{[2]
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- If you’re having a hard time figuring out which cabs are taken and which are available, ask a local for help. If there’s no one around you, try looking it up online using your phone. Go to the official website for the city you’re in and look for tips on hailing a cab.
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3
Step off the curb. Once you've spotted an available cab, step off the curb to make yourself more visible. Don't step out too far into the street, and make sure you look out for oncoming traffic.^{[3]
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4
Stick out your arm. Be firm and confident so the cab driver knows you want to be picked up. Raise your arm up high to make it more visible to the driver.
5
Make eye contact with the driver. Look at them and smile so they know you’re interested in a ride. A cab driver that feels confident you need a ride is more likely to pull over.^{[4]
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Talk to the driver after they pull over. Politely tell the driver the address of your destination and then get in the backseat. If you’re hailing a cab in a busy area with lots of traffic, hop in the backseat of the cab before you tell your driver your destination so cars aren’t lining up behind you.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Hailing a Cab at a Cab Stand

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Find a cab stand near you. Cab stands are locations where cab drivers line up to wait for passengers. They’re usually located in high-traffic areas where drivers know they’ll get a lot of rides.^{[5]
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- If you’re trying to hail a cab at an airport, look for a cab stand outside the entrance/exit to your terminal.
- If you’re visiting a popular tourist destination or there’s one nearby, look around for a cab stand. They’re often located in areas where there are a lot of tourists.^{[6]
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- Ask the front desk at your hotel if there’s a cab stand outside. Cabs will often line up outside hotels and wait for guests who need a ride.^{[7]
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2
Wait in line. Don’t cut in front of other people or try to take their cab when it pulls up. Cab stands are first come, first served, so be patient and wait your turn.
3
Get in a cab when it's your turn. Give the driver the address to your destination and make sure you have cash to pay the fare and tip. Ask your driver about cab stands near your destination to save yourself the hassle of finding a cab later on.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Using an App

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Download a cab-hailing app. Look up which apps, if any, are available in your location. Be aware that most cab-hailing apps are city-specific, so you’ll need to do your research beforehand to find an app you can use. Download the app on your smartphone so you can easily access it when you’re ready to order a ride.^{[8]
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2
Share your location. Go into your phone settings and make sure location-sharing is turned on. Consent to sharing your location with the cab-hailing app if your phone asks for permission. This will make it easier for your driver to find you, and it allows you to order a cab from virtually any location.
3
Enter your payment information. A lot of cab-hailing apps allow you to pay with a credit card through the app itself. You might be able to tip your driver through the app as well, making apps a great option if you don’t like to carry around cash.^{[9]
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4
Order a cab. Once your location and payment information is updated, order a ride through the app. Keep in mind that there may be a delay between when you order your ride and when your driver shows up, so plan accordingly. Make sure you’re at the location you ordered your cab to at the scheduled pickup time.
5
Keep your phone nearby while you wait. Answer the phone if your driver calls. They might be having trouble finding you or have a question about your location.
6
Make yourself visible so your driver can see you. They might cancel your order if they can’t find you, so look out for their cab and flag them down when they arrive.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Calling for a Cab

1
Find a local cab company. Search online or call the local information hotline if you’re not sure what cab companies are near you. Most cab companies are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, but double check before you call.
2
Call and order a cab. Give them your address and ask how long it will be until your driver arrives. If you’re in a busy area, ask what the company’s cabs look like so you can spot your driver quickly.
3
Wait until your cab arrives. You may have to wait longer when ordering a cab over the phone. If you have a long wait, hang out inside your hotel room or go to a nearby cafe to pass the time. Make sure your phone’s on in case your driver tries to call you.
- Go outside 10-15 minutes before your scheduled pickup time in case your driver is early.