Chicago Taxi Rides, Made Simple

Because I commute on public transit, I'm usually without my car in downtown Chicago. Though most of the time I walk where I need to go, I find I need to ride a taxi cab every once in a while. It didn't take long to get so comfortable with hailing and riding in taxis that I began to take riding a taxi for granted.

Often, when tourists stop me on the street asking directions to some place not close by, I tell them to hail a cab and give the driver their destination. It wasn't until I traveled with a relative from a much smaller city in another large urban center that I realized many people aren't comfortable with riding a cab. I realized that people were giving me confused looks, because they weren't entirely comfortable with riding a taxi.

For taxi riding newbies, here's a step-by-step primer.

One: know where you want to go
Knowing roughly how to get to your destination is a big help for several reasons. First, you can give the cab driver an address, which he can punch into his GPS if he doesn't already know where to go. Cab drivers are familiar with the locations of most of the downtown landmarks and hotels, but the more specific you can be about where you want to go, the easier things will go for you in the cab.

Besides that, if you know where you're going, you can calculate your fare in advance at Taxi Fare Finder. That can alleviate the common concern of novice riders that drivers will "rip them off." Expect to pay $2.25 for the first 1/9 mile or less, $0.20 for each additional mile, and $1.00 for each extra passenger in the City of Chicago. There may also be a fuel surcharge, usually about $1.00 to $2.00.

Two: carry cash and small bills
Yes, the cab drivers are required to take credit cards. But they don't really like to do that. I find it best to pay cash for short taxi rides and reserve the credit cards for rides costing more than $30. Having small bills on hand makes it easier to pay the driver.

Three: pick a good spot and be assertive
If you're staying in a hotel, the doorman will probably hail a cab for you. Otherwise, you can look for one of the many taxi stands downtown. If you're lucky enough to find a taxi stand, you are expected to hire the first driver in line. If you don't like the cab that's waiting first (I once walked away from a cabbie who was smoking in his taxi), you will need to go somewhere else and hail a taxi. You can't take the taxi that's next in line.

To hail a cab standing on the street, find a busy spot, such as a corner or a street with frequent taxicab traffic, and stand where the drivers can see you. Stand tall, hold your hand up high when you see a taxi approaching, and pretend you're in one of those movies about New York. Be assertive and look like you mean it. But don't yell "Taxi!" Nobody does that in Chicago, and the driver can't hear you anyways.

It may take several tries, especially during rush hour or if it's raining. Usually, a cab that doesn't stop already has another fare in the back seat.

If you are getting a cab at O'Hare Airport, look for the courtesy phones and call a cab company. They will give you a cab number and tell you where to wait for your cab. Don't accept rides from people soliciting for them at the baggage claim or elsewhere in the airport.

Four: negotiate any details before you get in the cab
Tell the driver where you want to go before you step in. If you're choosy about how cleanliness or smells, inspect the taxi as best you can before you get in. And if you need to conduct negotiations with the driver, do it before you enter the taxi.

Five: make small talk (or not) but behave yourself
It's up to you whether or not you want to chat with the driver, but keep it light and impersonal (say, about the weather or good restaurants he's been to). If you don't want to make small talk, that's also fine. Don't drink, do anything illegal, messy, or rude. Buckle your seatbelt. Note that it's not unusual for the driver to lock the doors when you get in. If you have a baby or young child with you, it's OK to use a car seat.

Six: tip the driver
If it's a short taxi ride, I usually give 20% of the fare or round up to the nearest dollar, whichever is more. If the cab ride costs more than $10, I give an extra 10% to 20% depending on how good the driver's service was. Remember to thank the driver when you get out of the cab.

Seven: check the back seat when you get out
As you are leaving the taxi, be sure that you are taking all your belongings with you. If you are traveling with small children, make sure they get out of the cab with you. Once you get out of the cab and the driver heads off to his next fare, you'll never be able to get back anything you've forgotten.