3 Simply Ways To Save Money When Using A Taxi At The Airport
Airplane tickets can be expensive enough, but when you have to add in a ride from the airport to your destination, the cost of travel to get to where you are going only increases. If you want to save some money on your next trip, here are a few simple ways to cut down on the cost of your taxi from the airport to your final destination.
#1 Bring Cash With You
Although pretty much all cab companies now allow you to pay with either your credit or debit card, it is still a good idea to carry cash with you for your airport taxi. Many taxi companies add a surcharge onto your fair when you choose to pay with a debit or credit credit; it may seem like a small charge, but all those small charges add up and increase your travel spending.
When you pay in cash, you also ensure that you pay the exact fair and you don't have to worry about any errors occurring in the amount that your card is charged.
Bring with you a combination of small bills so that you can easily pay your cab driver; keep in mind that your cab driver may not be able to split a $100 for a $10 ride. Bring some ones, fives and tens with you so you can make the appropriate change.
#2 Find Out The Rates Before You Get Into The Cab
Next, before you get into the cab, make sure that you know what rates you will be charged. If you are using a regular cab company, the rates that they charge should be posted so that they are clearly visible inside of the cab. Any additional charges, such as a baggage charge, should also be clearly posted. It is a good idea to verbally confirm the rate with the taxi driver as well.
If you are using a ridesharing company, make sure that you check the app and are comfortable with the rates being charged.
Being clear about the fees before you get in can allow you to make sure that you stick to your budget and help you avoid any companies whose fees are too high.
#3 Know Where You Are Going & How To Get There
Finally, it is important that you know not only where you are going, but how to get there. Do not just jump into the cab and tell the driver that you are going to "Hotel X"; there could be more than one of those hotels around, and going to the wrong one is going to cost you money. You shouldn't assume, even in the age of smart phones, that your driver knows where your destination is. You should know the name of your destination as well as the address.
You should also research the fastest and most common routes from the airport to your destination. You can use this information to let your cab driver know what way you want to go. Or you can ask your driver what route they plan on taking, and make sure that it lines up with your knowledge of how to get there. If you are not familiar with the route, be sure to ask your driver their reasoning for choosing that route. This is a good way to make sure that your driver takes the most direct, fastest, and most affordable route to your destination.
You can help control the final cost of getting to your destination by using the three tips above when you need to take a taxi from the airport. Keep these tips in mind when riding with a company like Lincoln Yellow Cab.