Best taxi service in Houston
There are 2,400 taxis zipping around the city of Houston, so catching a cab to your next exciting destination is always easy. Most of the Houston taxis are Yellow, though you can also see Hackney Black Cabs, white vehicles, and larger 6-seater taxis running around the city. Although there is no uniform sizing or coloration to the taxis in Houston, many companies choose to use the telltale “TAXI” light on top of their vehicles, making them easy to spot in the street. One thing that every taxi in Houston Texas has in common is that they must be fitted with a taximeter.
You can easily hail a taxi in Houston in the street, walk to a taxi rank, call a phone dispatch taxi, or use a Houston taxi app. For time-sensitive rides, such as your Houston Airport taxi, you can also pre-book with a private company to secure a guaranteed on-time pickup.
Hand picked & english speaking drivers
Same price as a regular Taxi from the line
Drivers are always on time
24/7 Email & Phone support
How much does a taxi cost?
| Taxi prices | Day time (05:00 - 24:00) | Night time (00:00 - 05:00) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| FROM DOWNTOWN TO HOUSTON SPACE CENTER | 64.00 € | 65.00 € | 40 MIN |
| FROM DOWNTOWN TO MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS | 12.50 € | 13.50 € | 11 MIN |
| FROM CBD TO GERALD D. HINES WATERWALL PARK | 24.00 € | 25.00 € | 18 MIN |
| FROM HOUSTON AIRPORT TO DOWNTOWN | 55 € | 56 € | 25 MIN |
| FROM HOUSTON AIRPORT TO GALVESTON | 165 € | 166 € | 85 MIN |
What are the Houston taxi rates?
As with most cities in the US, taxi prices in Houston are set by the city. The current tariffs are ensured by the use of officially calibrated taximeters installed in all Houston taxis. Houston taxi rates are calculated using both distance and time elements, with a slightly higher rate during the evening (20:00 to 06:00). There’s also a flat rate of $6 (€5) for any journey taken inside the Central Business District: bounded by Interstate 45, Interstate 10 and U.S. Houston taximeters work as follows:
Base fare day: $2.91 (€2.80)
Base fare night: $3.91 (€3.80)
Price per mile: $2.31 (€2.20)
Waiting time per hour: $24.00 (€23)
An exception to this rule is when taking a taxi from Houston Airport. These fares are fixed and based on zones. For example, taking a taxi from Houston Airport to the city will cost a fixed fare of $55.64 (€55) during the day and $56.64 (€56) at night.
It’s important to note that if you take a toll road or access bridge during your journey, this will also be added to your final fare.
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How to get a taxi in Houston
As there are many different taxi companies in Houston, there’s no official color or look to the cabs. However, many taxis in Houston are yellow and most have a “TAXI” sign on top.
Getting a taxi in Houston is extremely easy as you can hail one in the street by sticking out your hand, finding a taxi rank, calling a phone dispatch taxi, using a Houston taxi app or pre-booking important rides, such as your Houston Airport taxi.
How to get a taxi from Houston Airport
There are 4 dedicated Houston Airport taxi ranks available 24 hours a day. Each rank is located on the Arrivals Hal level, just outside of baggage claim. The doors will be marked with “Taxi”, and can be found:
Terminal A: south side, Door A-115
Terminal B: south side, B-103
Terminal C: south side, Door C-105
Terminal E: south side, Door E-103 B
Taxis front these tanks use fixed fares for all journeys into the city center, based on zones. For example, downtown is located in Zone 2, so a taxi from Houston Airport to the city center will cost a fixed fare of $55.64 (€55) during the day and $56.64 (€56) at night.
How to get a taxi from the Downtown Bus Terminal
The centrally located bus station offers service from all major bus companies in Houston. There’s a taxi rank that’s open 24 hours a day located just outside of the main exit doors. As you leave the Downtown Bus Terminal, you will head to your left and will see the taxis lined up curbside on Louisiana Street. Taxis from this rank use meters to calculate the cost of your fare.
Booking with a Houston taxi app
If waiting outside on the busy city streets isn’t your style, you can always use a Houston taxi app to book your rides. This will allow you to wait in the comfort of your hotel or restaurant, while your taxi driver comes to you. There are a few different taxi apps in Houston, with Curb, Uber, zTrip, and Lyft being the best-rated. Having said this, it’s important to remember that during peak travel times, there can be very long waits and raised prices for ride-sharing apps.
To avoid the frustrating wait times and unstable Houston taxi rates on the apps, you can always pre-book your taxi rides with Welcome Pickups.
Calling a Houston taxi number
Having to download multiple apps to your phone isn’t always the most convenient option, that’s why calling a Houston taxi number can be a better way to catch a cab. There are a few phone dispatch companies to choose from, with the following being the top-rated:
Houston Express Cab: +1 (832) 793-061
Lone Star Cab Co: +1 (713) 444-4444
Quick Cab: +1 (859) 693-2728
Houston VIP: +1 (281) 616-5838
Aarons Taxi Service: +1 (888) 610-7473
24hr Taxi of the Woodlands: +1 (832) 515-7779
Yellow Cab: +1 (713) 236-1111
You can also ask your hotel to call a taxi in Houston for you, however, they will often use an associated company, which could end up costing you more.
Pre-booking your taxi service in Houston
During late-night exploring or bad weather, trying to hail a taxi in Houston can be very challenging. You can pre-book your rides with a trusted company such as Welcome Pickups so to ensure you don’t waste any of your valuable time in Houston.
Welcome Pickups offers guaranteed on-time pickups, so you’ll never be left waiting for a ride. They also have 24-hour customer service and competitive fixed fares for every journey.
Houston taxi tips
- To avoid being overcharged, ensure the taximeter is reset to the base fare before beginning your journey.
- Senior citizens with valid identification are eligible for a 10% discount on all taxi fares.
- When traveling at night (20:00 to 06:00), you will be charged an extra cost of $1 (€0.90).
- If you use a toll road or access bridge during your ride, this will be added to your fare.
- You can usually pay for your Houston taxi by credit card. However, as issues can often arise with the card machines, be sure to carry cash in USD with you.
- Tipping your taxi in Houston TX is customary. Adding around 15 to 20% to your final fare is the general amount.
- Pre-booking your Houston taxi service will give you the peace of mind of guaranteed on-time pickups, hand-picked local drivers, competitive fixed-rate fares, and 24/7 customer support.
Wheelchair-accessible taxi in Houston
Although standard taxis in Houston don’t have ramps or lifts fitted to accommodate persons with mobility issues, there are many private companies available that specialize in these services. For example, H Town Transportation, Checker Yellow Cabs, and Wheelchair Jimmy all offer non-emergency wheelchair-accessible transportation around Houston.
Houston taxi safety and complaints
Taking a Houston taxi cab is usually a pleasant experience. Taxis are monitored and regulated by the City Council, so you can generally rely on the level of service and pricing. However, if you do experience a rude driver, overcharging, or feel unsafe during your journey, you can report a complaint directly to the Vehicle For Hire Department of the Council by filling out an online form.