Taxi Fare Calculator
How much does a taxi cost? Enter your pickup and drop off, pick your city and get a metered fare estimate with surcharges, tolls and tip. Includes the NYC yellow cab rate card and the JFK flat fare.
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Not sure of the time? In a city, plan about 3 to 4 minutes per mile.
Traffic
How much does a taxi cost?
A taxi fare is made of a few parts. There is a starting charge when the meter turns on, a charge for each mile, and a charge for time when the cab is stuck in slow traffic. Some cities add fees at night, at rush hour or at airports.
This taxi fare calculator adds all of that up for you. Type your pickup and drop off, or enter the miles and minutes. Pick your city and the time of your ride. You get a fare estimate before you get in the cab.
For most US cities, a short city ride costs $10 to $25 before tip. Airport rides often cost $40 to $90.
Real rate cards
NYC yellow cab rates built in, plus other big cities.
Night and rush hour
Time based surcharges apply from your ride time.
Airport fares
JFK flat fare and airport fees where they apply.
Taxi vs Uber
See a rough Uber price for the same trip.
How to use the taxi fare calculator
Four steps. The meter updates as you change any setting.
- Pick your cityChoose a city to load its taxi rates. Pick Other city for a typical US rate.
- Add your tripType the pickup and drop off, or switch tabs and enter miles and minutes.
- Set the detailsChoose the ride time, traffic, extra fees, tolls and tip.
- Read the meterSee the fare, a full breakdown, a price range and a rough Uber compare.
How taxi fares are calculated
Taxi meters follow a rate card set by the city. The parts are the same almost everywhere.
The taxi fare formula
Fare = Initial charge + Per mile × miles + Per minute × slow minutes
Total = Fare + Surcharges + Tolls + Tip
In most cities the meter charges for distance when the cab moves, and for time when it is stopped or crawling. You do not pay both at once.
Initial charge
Also called the flag drop. You pay it as soon as the meter starts.
Distance
Charged in small steps, like every one fifth of a mile in New York.
Waiting time
Charged per minute when traffic is slow or the cab is stopped.
Surcharges
Extra fees for night, rush hour, airports, congestion zones and more.
NYC taxi fares: the yellow cab rate card
New York City taxi fares are set by the Taxi and Limousine Commission. The same rates apply to yellow and green cabs. The meter charges 70 cents for each fifth of a mile, or for each minute in slow traffic.
Trips between JFK Airport and Manhattan use a flat fare instead of the meter. Tolls, surcharges and tip are added on top.
| NYC yellow taxi charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| Initial charge | $3.00 |
| Per 1/5 mile or per minute in slow traffic | $0.70 |
| Night surcharge (8 PM to 6 AM) | $1.00 |
| Rush hour (4 PM to 8 PM weekdays) | $2.50 |
| Improvement surcharge | $1.00 |
| MTA state surcharge | $0.50 |
| JFK to or from Manhattan flat fare | $70 plus fees and tolls |
Taxi rates in other US cities
Typical metered rates the calculator uses. Cities update their rates from time to time, so treat these as a guide and check the card inside the cab.
| City | Initial charge | Per mile | Per minute waiting | 5 mile, 20 min ride* |
|---|
*Normal traffic, no surcharges, tolls or tip. Calculated live by the tool.
How much is a taxi in NYC? Example fares
These are sample yellow cab fares worked out with the calculator. They assume daytime, normal traffic and a trip in Manhattan below 96th Street.
Tolls and tip are not included. Add about 18 percent for a normal tip. At rush hour, add $2.50. At night, add $1.
| Trip | Miles | Time | Fare before tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short hop in Midtown | 2 | 12 min | about $16.10 |
| Midtown to Lower Manhattan | 5 | 25 min | about $28.88 |
| Upper West Side to Brooklyn | 10 | 40 min | about $49.00 |
| LaGuardia to Midtown | 9 | 30 min | about $45.50 plus tolls |
| JFK to Manhattan | flat | any | $74.75 plus tolls |
Taxi or Uber: which is cheaper?
It depends on the time and place. Taxis have fixed rates. Ride apps change prices with demand.
A taxi is often cheaper when
- Ride apps show surge pricing.
- You take a flat fare airport trip, like JFK.
- You can hail one right away on the street.
- It is late at night after an event.
A ride app is often cheaper when
- Demand is normal and no surge is on.
- You can share a ride or wait a few minutes.
- You are outside a big city center.
- The trip has a lot of slow traffic.
The calculator shows a rough Uber price next to your taxi fare.
How much to tip a taxi driver
In the US, tipping taxi drivers is normal. Most riders tip 15 to 20 percent. Tip more for help with heavy bags or great service.
Taxi fares to and from the airport
Airport trips are often the most expensive taxi rides. They are long and often add an airport fee or toll. Some airports use flat fares so you know the price before you leave.
Always use the official taxi line at the airport. Drivers who walk up to you inside the terminal are not licensed and may charge much more.
| Airport ride tip | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Use the official taxi stand | Licensed cabs follow the rate card |
| Ask about flat fares | Some routes have a fixed price |
| Check tolls on your route | Tolls are added to the meter |
| Avoid rush hour | Slow traffic adds time charges |
| Share with friends | One fare split many ways |
Ways to pay less for a taxi
Simple habits that cut your fare.
Skip rush hour
Rush hour adds surcharges in some cities and lots of slow time.
Share the cab
The meter does not change much for extra riders in most cities.
Know the route
Open a map so you can see if the driver takes a long way.
Walk out of traffic
Hail from a street that leads where you want to go.
Use flat fares
Ask for the flat fare on airport routes that have one.
Get a receipt
It shows the cab number if you need to report a problem.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers about taxi fares and how much a taxi costs.
How much does a taxi cost per mile?
In most US cities, about $2 to $3.50 per mile, plus a starting charge of around $3. New York charges $3.50 per mile.
How much is a taxi from JFK to Manhattan?
The flat fare is $70. With surcharges, tolls and tip, most people pay about $90 to $100 in total.
Do taxis charge for waiting in traffic?
Yes. When the cab is stopped or moving slowly, the meter charges by the minute instead of by the mile.
Do taxis charge extra at night?
Some cities do. New York adds $1 from 8 PM to 6 AM. Pick your ride time and the calculator adds it.
Is a taxi cheaper than Uber?
Sometimes. Taxis are often cheaper when ride apps have surge pricing or for flat fare airport trips.
How accurate is this taxi fare estimate?
It is a close guide. Your real fare depends on the route, traffic and stops. The range shows a likely low and high price.
Can I use it for any city?
Yes. Pick Other city and edit the rates to match the card in your local cab.
Do I pay extra for more passengers?
In New York, no. In some cities, like Chicago, there is a small fee for each extra rider. Set the number of riders and the tool adds it where it applies.
What is the minimum taxi fare?
Most cities have no set minimum, but the starting charge and fixed fees act like one. In New York, even a very short ride costs about $5 to $8 with fees.
Can the driver charge more than the meter?
Not in a licensed cab, except for tolls and listed fees. If you are overcharged, keep your receipt and report the cab number to the city.
Is the taxi fare calculator free?
Yes. It is free with no sign up.
Comparing with a ride app?
Get a full Uber and Lyft price estimate for the same trip.
Rates are for planning only. NYC rates follow the TLC rate card. Rates for other cities are typical approximate values. Always check the official rate card in your cab.