Tips for Hailing Taxis Overseas

In the wake of Uber taking the transportation world by storm, some foreign countries do not yet have the capability or technology to support the ride-sharing system. Other nations choose to forbid the cab-hailing company from taking business away from hardworking cabbies. As such, see below for a few tips on how to hail a taxi in a foreign country.

In major European cities, hailing a cab is as easy as waving your hand in the air. Similar to New York City rules, cabs are easy to find at cab stands outside hotels and near major attractions, or visitors can simply stand on corners and raise a hand to catch the next ride. Try to carry cash as not all cabs accept credit cards as a form of payment. Some mobile apps like MyTaxi take the place of Uber and connect travelers with local cabs, payable through the app.

In some Latin and South American locales, like Mexico City, cabs should only be hailed at designated taxi stands, not off the street. Inspect the cab for a meter and pay close attention to the route you are taking to avoid an unfair fee at the end of your trip.

Morocco offers visitors both grand taxis and petit taxis. The former are better suited for long-distance journeys, like a daytrip to the desert, while the latter are best for quick rides from the airport to the hotel, for example.

Southeast Asian nations like Cambodia and Thailand offer multiple forms of travel, from taxi cabs to tuk tuks; both can be flagged down on the street. Negotiate a price before you enter so as not to charged a surprise surcharge or unreasonable amount when getting out.