Las Vegas Taxi Tips
Image details: Blurred taxi served by picapp.com
Everyone knows that the purpose of taxis is to get you from point A to point B. However, if you’re not familiar with an area how do you make sure the driver isn’t taking you for a ride just to drive up the rate?
One common complaint about Las Vegas taxis is that drivers often taken tourists through what is called “the tunnel” – a drive that takes you underneath the McCarran Airport runway to I-15. This particular route may allow you to go a bit faster than side streets, but it’s not necessarily the shortest way to your destination, and may add up to $5 to your fare (however, it’s the best way to get to the residential areas).
If you’d like to avoid this, simply ask the driver to use a different route (he may even ask you if you have a preference), unless he or she advises otherwise (traffic or accidents, for example). Remember, the meter calculates the fare by combining the mileage and the waiting time, so if you’re stuck in traffic on a surface street because you didn’t listen to the driver, it could end up costing you more anyway!
Any taxi coming from McCarran Airport automatically has a $1.20 tax added to the meter – before you even get moving! This does not apply to cars coming into the airport, however. Also keep in mind that a large percentage of cabs are not allowed to hang out at the airport. They can bring you to it, but if you spot one that’s dropped passengers off and you try to hail it, don’t be surprised if they drive on by. If you see a red plaque on the rear fender, you’ll quickly know why. Cabs are restricted so that other areas around the city can be serviced. Either call ahead for a cab or check to see if your hotel provides a shuttle.
This restriction also applies to areas on the Strip. If you need a cab the best way to get one is to call. There are also locations along the Strip called taxi stands that allows you to grab a taxi. Any bar, gas station or convenience store should also have a list readily available that you can use to call from.
Be wary of the “zone charge.” While it’s safe to say most drivers aren’t out to screw you over, the sad truth is that there are some that will, and the zone charge is one way. They might say that your destination is located in “Zone 2″ or “3″ or whatever and therefor incurs a higher rate. Don’t believe them – there’s no such thing as a zone charge in Las Vegas!
Want an idea of what your fare might be from one place to another? Check out this handy chart to give you an estimation of how much you’ll be forking over. Note that this chart does not take into account waiting times at lights, etc!
If you suspect your driver may be operating on the shady side, you do have some recourse. Make sure you note your particular cab number and the day and time of your trip. Then call the Nevada Taxicab Authority at (702) 486-6532. They’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
13 Comments
I have to say, I don’t miss the taxi cabs in Las Vegas. I mean, I know they have their place and function, but they, like the CAT Bus drivers, seem to have their own set of traffic rules.
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By agreement with the IRS, Las Vegas Taxi Drivers are required (and are taxed) to declare Tips at a rate of 23% of the fares. Thus with an average fare now of $13, the IRS assumes you are tipping at least $3.
If you are tipping $2 as this website suggest, even for good service, you are stiffing your driver at a rate of 8% from what he or she is taxed at.
One rule of thumb on tipping should be this…how many times during a persons shift does he or she have an opportunity to earn a tip? Claiming it is fair to tip a doorman the same as a cabbie ignores the turn factor. A Hotel doorman may have the opportunity to earn a tip 30 to 50 times an hour. The same cabbie is regulated by the State at maybe 2-3 tries at a tip. What sense does it make to tip the doorman the same as a cabbie?
and people wonder why some cabbies may resort to shady practices?
If it makes “sense” to tip a bagman a $1 per bag for loading and unloading, why does this same logic not apply to a cabbie who has to unload the same bags? If there are 6 bags, why is it OK to simply tip a cabbie $2 for the unloading of the same bags AND driving you and your party to the airport? Seems to me the cabbie got stiffed $6 on the bags and a buck on the drive if you tip him a mere $2. Don’t assume we are going to look at you favorably if you ask for a five back from your $20 on a $12.50 fare.
Hi Unk, thank you for your feedback. I’m sorry you didn’t like the other article but I tried to find the most recent information I could on acceptable taxi tipping, including information from a current Las Vegas cabbie who states that the MINIMUM (as I also stated in the other article) should be no less than $2.
To be fair, the average taxi user really doesn’t have any way of knowing about the 23% taxation that the IRS places on you. Also, I wouldn’t condone shady business practices by anyone – if you have to resort to that perhaps it’s time for a career change.