Taxis in San Diego
Opting for a San Diego taxi is by far the best way to explore this Southern Californian gem. The city is served by numerous San Diego taxi services. You can easily secure a ride by walking to a dedicated taxi rank, flagging down a cab on the street, using one of the San Diego taxi apps, or making an over-the-phone booking. All official San Diego taxi cabs belong to a specific company, and as such, taxis here come in various colors. Some are yellow, while others are yellow and green or white and green, but all have a ‘TAXI’ sign on the roof.
Most taxi cabs in San Diego are sedan-sized, but you’ll sometimes see larger vehicles like seven-seaters or minivans. In some cases, taximeters are used to calculate fares for most routes, such as from San Diego Airport to the city center.
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How much is a taxi in San Diego?
Taxi prices | Day time (05:00 - 24:00) | Night time (00:00 - 05:00) | Duration |
---|---|---|---|
FROM SAN AIRPORT TO DOWNTOWN | 18.40 € | 18.40 € | 10 MIN |
FROM DOWNTOWN TO CORONADO BEACH | 23.30 € | 23.30 € | 15 MIN |
FROM DOWNTOWN TO SAN DIEGO ZOO | 12.30 € | 12.30 € | 7 MIN |
FROM DOWNTOWN TO LA JOLLA COVE | 49.70 € | 49.70 € | 20 MIN |
FROM DOWNTOWN TO TORREY PINE STATE RESERVE | 69.50 € | 69.50 € | 25 MIN |
San Diego taxi prices
Taxi rates in San Diego are regulated by the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System, which takes care of both taxis and public transport. Official cabs are fitted with meters, and fares depend on the distance traveled and the time taken. San Diego taxi prices are the same regardless of the time of day, but surcharges apply in certain situations, such as airport pickups and drop-offs and tolls.
The current San Diego taxi rates are as follows:
Base fare: $3.80 (€3.50)
Price per km: $2.40 (€2.20)
Waiting time per hour: $32 (€29.50)
It’s worth noting that these are the maximum tariffs cab companies can apply. Some San Diego taxi services may operate using different rates so long as they don’t exceed the figures listed above.
On average, a San Diego Airport taxi to the Downtown area will cost around $20 (€18), while the drive from San Diego Airport to La Jolla will set you back approximately $53 (€49).
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How to get a taxi in San Diego
In general, finding a taxi in San Diego is pretty straightforward. Many people choose to book a ride by calling a local provider over the phone, while others might prefer to hail a cab from the street or stick to some of the taxi apps in San Diego.
Another option is to head towards one of the many taxi ranks in the city, many of which are located outside various transport hubs, popular hotels, malls, and busy tourist attractions. Only official cabs are permitted to operate in these areas, but always check for the ‘TAXI’ on top of each vehicle you get into and make sure the driver’s details are clearly displayed.
How to get a taxi from San Diego Airport
When you arrive at San Diego Airport, simply follow the signs for the Transportation Plaza, and you’ll reach the taxi rank. Cabs from multiple local companies serve this area. Once you’re here, a member of staff will guide you to your San Diego Airport taxi unless you specify that you want to travel with a particular operator. Standard and large vehicles are readily available here, and wait times are generally short, depending on how many other flights arrive at a similar time to yours.
How to get a taxi from San Diego Zoo
San Diego taxis are easy to find outside of the main entrance to the zoo. You’ll probably notice that there are primarily sedan cars working in this area, so you may need to wait a while to find a bigger vehicle, like a minivan or minibus.
How to get a taxi from SeaWorld
Many taxis in San Diego operate outside of the SeaWorld entrance in the car park area. If you only require a standard car, you can secure a ride quickly, but you might want to consider pre-booking a cab if you’re looking for something larger.
How to get a taxi from Fashion Valley Mall
There’s a designated transit center at the Fashion Valley. Follow the signage leading you to this area, and you’ll usually notice plenty of taxis parked here. Vehicles of various sizes can be found here, but most are sedan cars.
How to get a taxi from the Gaslamp Quarter
The Gaslamp Quarter lies in the heart of Downtown San Diego, meaning that you can typically wave down a taxi in minutes. You shouldn’t have much difficulty finding a taxi here, but if you do, it’s a good idea to walk towards the Convention Center or the Santa Fe Depot instead. It’s not often you’ll find anything bigger than a five-passenger car here, meaning waiting times can be extensive for larger groups.
Most popular San Diego taxi apps
If you’re struggling to find a taxi or would prefer to lock in a fixed price, you might find using some of the San Diego taxi apps helpful. Uber and Lyft are among the most popular apps amongst locals, but keep in mind that waiting times can be long during busy periods.
To avail of fixed fares without lengthy waits, you might be better off pre-booking your San Diego taxi. Top-rated companies like Welcome Pickups guarantee on-time pickups in modern vehicles for a competitive price. That way, you can travel with an easy mind.
Useful San Diego taxi numbers
Those of you who prefer to hail a cab over the phone can do so using your mobile device or ask your hotel or the restaurant you’re dining at to arrange one for you. In most cases, you’ll need to provide your name, contact details, and destination, and you’ll be able to wait for your taxi to arrive inside rather than on the street.
While it’s very convenient, this option sometimes comes with added costs like pickup surcharges.
These are some San Diego taxi numbers to make note of:
San Diego Yellow Cab: +1 (619) 444 444
Coastal Cab Company: +1 (619) 358 5230
EZ Cab Company: +1 (619) 855 1228
San Diego Dispatch: +1 (619) 226 8294
Booking your San Diego taxi in advance
Dealing with uncertain fares and waiting times can add unnecessary hassle to your vacation. To ensure your visit is as relaxed as possible, consider booking a San Diego taxi with Welcome Pickups.
We work with reputable English-speaking drivers who can take you where you need to be in a timely fashion for a fixed cost. In addition, we offer our customers a bunch of extras like flexible cancelation and 24/7 customer care.
San Diego taxi tips
- Larger groups should consider booking a taxi in advance to cut out long waiting times.
- Check the meter has been zeroed at the beginning of every trip.
- Always ask for a receipt, even if it was an enjoyable, stress-free ride.
- Traffic can be heavy in San Diego during peak hours, usually affecting your final fare.
- Confirm your payment options with your driver before setting off.
Wheelchair-accessible taxis in San Diego
In most standard taxis, you can store foldable wheelchairs in the trunk for free. However, adapted vehicles are often hard to come by without pre-booking, so it’s best to organize your transport in advance if you’re looking for a taxi with ramps and supports.
Some local operators with vehicles suitable for passengers with reduced mobility include:
San Diego Mobility Vans: +1 (619) 807 1050
All Points Assisted Transportation: +1 (619) 244 9929
Happy2Help Transportation: +1 (619)
Safety and complaints for taxis in San Diego
Thankfully, the vast majority of taxi drivers in San Diego are honest and trustworthy. If you find yourself dealing with a rude, dishonest, or dangerous driver, make a note of their name, identification number, and taxi company.
You’ll have a choice between contacting the specific cab company or filing a report with the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System. With the second option, you’ll need to call customer service at +1 (619) 557 4555 or use the online chat function.
Reading San Diego taxi reviews for the cab company you’re planning on traveling with in advance is always a good idea to ensure they offer a reliable service.