Taking a Taxi in San Antonio
Nearly one hundred taxi companies operate across the Texan city of San Antonio, making them an ideal transport choice for getting around. While the Riverwalk area is very walkable, a taxi is your best option if you’re planning on exploring the city or visiting a nearby town.
Taxis in San Antonio can be hailed from the street, or you can use a San Antonio taxi app to arrange a call-out. It’s also very common to use a taxi stand to grab a ride, or to phone an operator director.
With so many different companies, vehicles can range in size and color, although most vehicles can seat four passengers and are typically yellow with a “TAXI” sign on the roof. A taximeter should be used to calculate your San Antonio taxi fare, using prices set by the local council.
HOW MUCH DOES A TAXI COST?
| Taxi prices | Day time (05:00 - 24:00) | Night time (00:00 - 05:00) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| FROM SAT TO DOWNTOWN | 21 € | 21.50 € | 15 MIN |
| FROM SAT TO PORT SAN ANTONIO | 39.50 € | 40.40 € | 21 MIN |
| FROM DOWNTOWN TO SIX FLAGS FIESTA | 31.80 € | 32.70 € | 15 MIN |
| FROM DOWNTOWN TO THE RIVERWALK | 8.6 € | 9.5 € | 4 MIN |
| FROM DOWNTOWN TO SEAWORLD | 42 € | 43 € | 22 MIN |
San Antonio Taxi Rates
Taxi services in San Antonio calculate their fares using a taximeter, based on the time and distance traveled. Although many taxi companies operate in and around the city, they all must abide by prices set by the local government. The current prices are set at:
Base Fee: $2.50 (€2.27)
Cost Per Km: $1.62 (€1.54)
Waiting Time Per Hour: $24 (€22.82)
Rates can be applied to up to six passengers, and there is a nighttime surcharge of $1 (€0.90) between 21:00 and 05:00. On top of that, you’ll need to pay any road tolls and a 10-15% tip. For trips originating at the airport, an additional fee of $1.25 (€1.10) also applies.
For instance, the San Antonio taxi price from Downtown to Sea World should be about $49 (€42).
For competitive, set-rate fares and no hidden fees for your San Antonio taxi, it is recommended to pre-book your ride with Welcome Pickups.
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How to get a taxi in San Antonio
It’s easy to find a taxi in San Antonio, as many companies operate in and around the city. When you need a cab, you can hail one from the street by waving your arm. Official taxis should have a “TAXI” sign on the roof, which will be lit up when they are available.
Otherwise, you can walk to one of the taxi ranks located downtown, near all major tourist hubs and hotels, including the North Star Mall, the Rivercenter, and the Pearl.
How to get a taxi from San Antonio Airport
From the Arrivals Hall at Terminal A, follow the signs outside to the outer commercial curbside, where you’ll find a line of waiting taxis. If you need assistance, look for an Airport Ground Transportation employee who will be wearing a red shirt.
How to get a taxi from the Riverwalk
The most convenient way to find a taxi along the Riverwalk is to walk to the Rivercenter or one of the nearby Hyatt and Marriott hotels. Each of these have a designated taxi stand, and if there isn’t one waiting, you can ask the hotel concierge to phone one on your behalf.
It’s also possible to take a Rio San Antonio Riverwalk taxi. This is a network of water taxis with 40 designated stops along the riverbank.
How to get a taxi from the Amtrak Train Station
Taxis wait outside the main station entrance, although if you’re arriving late at night, you are less likely to find one here. Instead, you can use a taxi app to arrange a ride, or pre-book your taxi with a company like Welcome.
How to get a taxi from the Alamodome
Whether you need a ride before or after a game, taxis pick up and drop off in Lot A on the south side of the stadium. Unless you’ve booked a ride in advance, expect lengthy queues and surging ride-sharing prices.
Most popular taxi apps in San Antonio
For rides taken at night or to areas not serviced by public transport routes, it can be useful to use a San Antonio taxi app to arrange your ride. Some popular and well-known ride-sharing companies include Uber and Lyft, or you can use zTrip to book a regular taxi.
If you need to book a ride to the airport, we recommend using Welcome Pickups. We’ve all experienced that dreaded feeling of not being able to find a taxi when you need one the most. This way, you’ll be guaranteed an on-time pickup with a local driver, regardless of the time of day.
Useful taxi numbers in San Antonio
Each taxi in San Antonio has a number that you can phone directly to request a call-out service. This option is ideal if you don’t have an internet connection, if you’re traveling home from a restaurant or bar at night, or if you’re staying in an area without a nearby taxi stand.
We’ve shortlisted a few taxi companies, although there are plenty more to choose from, plus you can always ask your hotel concierge or waiter to phone a taxi on your behalf.
- National Cab: +1 210 434 4444
- Yellow Cab San Antonio: +1 210 222 2222
- San Antonio Taxi: +1 210 303 8787
- Alamo City Taxi: +1 210 439 7865
Benefits of Booking a San Antonio Taxi in Advance
Traveling can be stressful, especially if you are new to a city. The last thing you want to worry about is navigating San Antonio’s public transportation, or trying to find a cab on the street at night or during bad weather.
If you pre-book your San Antonio private transfer with Welcome Pickups, your personalized service will include guaranteed on-time pickups, door-to-door rides, premium 24/7 customer support, and friendly local drivers.
San Antonio Taxi Tips
- Please be aware that taxi prices differ depending on whether you travel during the day or at night.
- It is customary to tip your Texas cab driver; a minimum of 10% is required.
- If you are unsure of your taxi fare, you can always ask your cab driver for a price estimation before starting your journey.
- All taxis in San Antonio accept bank card payments, although asking your driver before starting your journey is always recommended.
- Companies may charge different prices per kilometer.
- San Antonio taxis can seat up to six passengers, with no extra applied.
- It is more common to take a taxi from a designated rank than to hail one from the street.
- The minimum taxi rate in San Antonio is $10 (€8.60).
Wheelchair Accessible Taxis and Transfers in San Antonio
Unfortunately, a standard San Antonio taxi service won’t be able to accommodate a wheelchair, unless you can fold and store your chair in the trunk.
However, various companies such as San Antonio Wheelchair Taxi, Alamo Wheelchair Transportation, and San Antonio Wheelchair Transportation specialize in wheelchair-accessible vehicles and can provide ramps and restraints.
Taxi Safety and Complaints in San Antonio
San Antonio taxis are generally safe and provide a practical way to get around the city. However, the quality of service can vary from one company and driver to another, and you may encounter a bad experience during your San Antonio taxi ride.
This can include rude or inappropriate behavior, reckless driving, and taking a longer-than-necessary route to increase the final fare price. In this instance, you can either call the taxi company directly to complain or you can call the Ground Transportation Unit of San Antonio at +1 210 207 7378 to discuss your experience and file a complaint.