Sydney Taxis

Info for Catching a Cab

Catching Sydney taxis is a reliable and quick way to get around town.

On this page I give information about the city's taxi services.

This includes contact details for major taxi companies, the location of cab ranks, and information about the taxi services including fare charges and payment options.

Popular Taxi Companies

Most major cab companies offer online and phone booking services.

For phone bookings, companies often charge an extra fee, which is added to the pickup fee. Most phone booking services are automated so be prepared to talk slowly and clearly.

An Australia-wide taxi service is available by ringing 131008. This service will put you in contact with the first available taxi located in your immediate area.

Popular Sydney taxi companies include,

• Taxis Combined – 133300 or 131008
• Premier Cabs - 131017
• Silver Service Cabs - 133100

Major Sydney Taxi Rank Locations

The city ranks listed here are supervised with security guards every Friday (till 5am) and Saturday (till 2am):

• Alfred Street, Circular Quay
• Carrington Street, Four Seasons Premier Menzies Hotel
• Park Street, McDonalds
• George Street, Four Seasons Hotel
• Phillip Street, Chifley Towers
• York Street, Grace Hotel
• Market Street, Centrepoint and Pitt Street Mall

Major taxi ranks are also located at Sydney Airport and Central Station.

Sydney Taxi Information

Unlike many major cities around the world, all Sydney taxis are licensed. This means that a standard fare is charged, and cannot be negotiated.

Taxis are available for hire if the light on the top of the roof is on.

Note: I recommend booking taxis ahead for important journeys. Taxis that are pre-booked are always reliable and generally on time.

Regular taxis accommodate four people.

Larger maxi taxis can be ordered specially to accommodate larger groups of up to eleven people, and have wheelchair access. Maxi taxis cost more to hire than regular taxis.

Most cab companies also offer special cabs with booster seats for children.

There is a taxi change over time in Sydney at 3.00am and 3.00pm daily. This can make it a challenge to hail a taxi at that time, especially on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

Drivers are heading home, and there are also many people on the streets trying to hail the few taxis that are around, so a lot of patience is usually required.

Taxi Charges in Sydney

To hail a taxi costs $3.50. Fares are then charged at $2.14/km.

Taxis charge a night-time surcharge of 20% of the km charge.

When booking a taxi by phone a charge of $2.40 is applied.

Any road, ferry, tunnel or airport tolls are charged to the customer.

The Harbour Bridge toll is charged both ways for any journey.

The Sydney Airport toll is $3.

The CBD measures about 3km from Central Station to Circular Quay. A good cost estimate for taking a taxi in the CBD is around $12.

The fare from the CBD to Sydney Airport International Terminal should cost no more than $35.

It is worth mentioning that Sydney runs a Taxi Transport subsidy scheme that allows fare subsidies for people with disabilities.

Fare Payment

All taxis take cash, Eftpos, credit cards and Cabcharge.

Taxis are permitted to charge a merchandising fee if paying with cards.

It is not required to leave a tip with the taxi driver. Though I would recommend doing so as most of the taxi drivers provide a good service and are friendly.