Introduction
This free taxi fare calculator helps you estimate the cost of a cab ride before you get in the car. Pick your city, enter a pickup spot and a drop-off spot, and the tool estimates your fare. It uses each city's published meter rates, like the flag drop, the distance charge, and the waiting-time charge, and for London the typical fares Transport for London publishes, to give you a clear cost estimate.
You can choose your vehicle type, add passengers, switch between miles and kilometers, and see how a tip changes your total. The calculator also shows a full fare breakdown, a step-by-step explanation of how the price was found, and a route map. It currently covers New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, Boston, and London, with popular airports, colleges, landmarks, and neighborhoods built right in as quick-pick locations.
Whether you need to budget for an airport taxi ride, compare cab costs between cities, or just want to know what a fair fare looks like, this calculator gives you a reliable estimate so there are no surprises when the meter stops.
How to Use Our Taxi Fare Calculator
Enter your trip details below to get an estimated taxi fare. You will see a cost breakdown, travel time, distance, and a route map.
Select Your City: Type a city name into the search box or click a shortcut button to filter by airports, cities, or colleges. This loads the taxi rates for that area.
From (Pickup Location): Type your pickup address, choose a point of interest from the dropdown, or click "My Location" to use your current spot.
To (Drop-off Location): Type your drop-off address, choose a point of interest from the dropdown, or click "My Location" to use your current spot.
Number of Passengers: Pick how many people will ride in the taxi. Chicago charges $1.00 for the first additional passenger aged 12 to 64 and $0.50 for each one after that.2
Payment Method: Choose Cash or Credit/Debit. Chicago adds a $0.50 convenience fee for electronic payment.2
Distance Unit: Choose Miles or Kilometers to set how distance is shown in your results.
Pickup Day & Time: Enter when the ride starts, in the city's local time. It starts at the current time in the city you pick. The time sets the rush-hour and overnight surcharges in New York City and Chicago, and the tariff used for London's typical fares. In New York City, the rush-hour surcharge does not apply on holidays.1 In London, public holidays use Tariff 3.4 Tick Public holiday for those two cities when the ride falls on one. In London the calculator already uses Tariff 3 on 25 and 26 December and 1 January.
Vehicle Type: Choose Standard Taxi or Wheelchair Accessible. Both use the regular metered rate, because taxi services may not charge higher fares for carrying riders with disabilities and their equipment.5
Calculate Fare: Click the "Calculate Fare" button to see your estimated taxi fare. Your results will appear below with a full cost breakdown, step-by-step math, and a route map.
Route Preference: After your results load, switch between Fastest Route and Shortest Route to compare fares for each option.
Tip Amount: Use the tip buttons to pick 10%, 15%, 18%, or 20%. You can also click Custom to enter your own tip as a percent or flat dollar amount.
How Taxi Fares Work
A taxi fare is the price you pay for a cab ride. Most taxis use a meter to track your cost. The meter starts with a base fare the moment you get in. In New York City it then adds 70 cents per 1/5 mile when the cab is moving above 12 mph, or per 60 seconds in slow traffic or when stopped.1 In Boston, waiting time is billed at $28.00 per hour on top of the distance charge.3 In Los Angeles the $3.10 flag drop covers the first 1/9 mile, and each additional 1/9 mile costs $0.33, or $2.97 per mile.6 Waiting time and traffic delays there cost $0.33 for each 37 seconds.6
What Makes Up a Taxi Fare
Every taxi fare has three main parts. The base fare (also called a flag drop) is a flat fee you pay just for starting the ride. The distance charge adds a set amount for every mile the cab drives. The time charge covers time spent in slow traffic or waiting. Chicago charges elapsed time as well, at $0.31 per 45 seconds.2
On top of these, extra costs can apply. New York City, for example, adds a $1.00 overnight surcharge from 8pm to 6am and a $2.50 rush-hour surcharge from 4pm to 8pm on weekdays, and passes tolls on to the rider.1 New York City has no charge for extra passengers, luggage, or paying by credit card1, while Chicago charges for extra passengers and electronic payment. Los Angeles adds a $4.00 surcharge to trips that start at LAX, with a $16.50 minimum fare on those trips, and charges a flat $51.15 between LAX and Downtown.6
Why Taxi Fares Change by City
Each city sets its own taxi rates. A cab ride in New York City costs a different amount per mile than one in Chicago or Los Angeles. Local taxi commissions decide the base fare, the per-mile rate, and the per-minute rate. This is why it helps to know the rates for the city you are in before you hail a cab.
Tipping Your Taxi Driver
In the United States, it is normal to tip your taxi driver. Most riders tip between 15% and 20% of the metered fare. Tipping is less common in some other countries, like the United Kingdom, but rounding up the fare is still a kind gesture. Your driver relies on tips as part of their income, so a good tip for good service is always appreciated.
Taxis vs. Rideshare Apps
Taxis and rideshare services like Uber and Lyft both get you from place to place, but they price rides differently. Taxis use a regulated meter with fixed rates. Rideshare apps use surge pricing, which means fares can jump much higher during busy times. A taxi meter gives you a more predictable cost, especially during peak hours when rideshare prices spike.
Tips for Saving Money on Cab Rides
To keep your taxi fare low, choose a shorter route when possible. Avoid riding during heavy traffic, since the time charge adds up fast when the cab is barely moving. Share a cab with friends to split the cost. And if you are near a train or bus stop, using public transit for part of your trip can cut the fare down a lot.