New York City Taxis

[j1smitu1]

:) Are Taxis expensive, do they charge on distance you travel or time, because i don't want to get stung in a traffic jam? for expample if i were to travel from the site of the world trade centre to the Empire Stae building how much may that cost? is the subway and buses easy to understand if your new to New York

[ZippyTheChimp]

Taxi fares (http://www.nyc.gov/html/tlc/html/passenger/taxicab_rate.shtml)

If the taxi is moving, the charge is by distance. If it is stuck in traffic, the charge is 20 cents per minute.

A trip from the WTC to the Empre State building is about 3 miles. The lowest fare would be about $8.50.

Subway map (http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/nyct/maps/subwaymap.pdf)

The signs are confusing at some places. If you use the map, the subway is easy to understand. Sometimes, routes are changed for construction or repair work. This usually happens on weekends, and when it does, everybody gets lost.

[lofter1]

As a long time NYer I say don't trouble yourself taxis especially during the day (at night if you just want to get back to your hotel is another matter). The subway is far cheaper and faster (while it can be confusing, you can always ask anyone on the platform for help / info and most will give you great directions). Taxis will suck the money out of your pocket. And going crosstown via taxi can be ridiculously expensive, slow and frustrating.

If you've got good legs walk as much as possible. Manhattan isn't all that big. The walk from WTC to ESB can be done in ~ 1 hour direct (with great neighborhoods along the way).

[Willy164]

Does anyone know of any "themed" taxi rides in the city (specifically Manhattan)? What I mean by themed is anything novelty related. I had once seen a taxi service that had the inside of their cabs lit up with neon lights and took you for tours of the city. (Am not sure if it was NYC). Finding a Taxi Cab Confessions ride would be cool as well. Any help would be appreciated as it is my wifes B-day this weekend and want to bring her into the city.

[Schadenfrau]

Try a bus. Taxis are strictly for travel.

[ablarc]

Last summer my wife and I checked out of our hotel the usual time at noon. Since our flight wasn't till early evening, we hailed a cab for an architectural photo-tour of recently-constructed landmarks like Bloomberg and Hearst.

I'd prepared an itinerary and assured the cabbie there'd be a big fat tip in it to compensate him that his meter would only get cranked once-- after which he could look forward to that profitable sprint to the airport. Turns out the reassurance was unneeded as the cab we hired was driven by a Russian who was himself a big architecture enthusiast. Not only did he tour us around with a glad heart but he added several landmarks of his own to our itinerary.

True to our word we left him a big, fat tip. The two-hour tour's over-$200 tariff seemed a bargain to us and a good deal to the cabbie.

[milleniumcab]

Take the subway or the bus if you don't have to transfer. If you do have to transfer, it can be confusing and time consuming. In that case, I would take a taxi...And also keep in mind that taxi is same price up to 4 people, subway and bus charge per person..;)

[Canadian]

I try to visit NYC at least twice a year. I walk miles and love it. Manhattan is very narrow & a great many of the sights are actually very close to one another. If I'm travelling north or south I take the bus.(I always buy the 7 day unlimited ride pass). Some of the routes are very scenic and others travel much of the route of the tour buses at a fraction of the price. One of the other posters can probably recommend some routes. I went on the subway once & that was enough for me!