Townsville taxi: the best way to get around
Townsville is a coastal city in northeastern Queensland, Australia and it’s an ideal base for exploring the Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest coral reef system. Along with its many tropical islands, lush rainforests and national parks, Townsville is a unique destination to immerse in nature.
Taking a Townsville taxi or pre-booking a personalised private transfer is the best and fastest way to move around the city or nearby destinations; it will save you time and you’ll avoid the hassle of navigating the local public transport network.
Using a Townsville taxi is perfectly safe for tourists and scams aren’t common as all taxis are metered. You can find a taxi 24/7 almost anywhere and you can hail one from the street or locate the nearest taxi rank. There are also different operators to book a taxi in Townsville online or you can call a Townsville taxi number if you don’t have internet access.
Hand picked & english speaking drivers
Same price as a regular Taxi from the line
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How much does a taxi cost?
| Taxi prices | Day time (05:00 - 24:00) | Night time (00:00 - 05:00) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| TOWNSVILLE CITY CENTRE TO STRAND PARK | 7 € | 8 € | 6 MIN |
| TOWNSVILLE CITY CENTRE TO CASTLE HILL LOOKOUT | 10 € | 11 € | 10 MIN |
| TOWNSVILLE CITY CENTRE TO BILLABONG SANCTUARY | 32 € | 33 € | 17 MIN |
Townsville taxi service prices
Operators providing Townsville taxi services are required to use a taximeter to calculate the maximum payable fare for all journeys. You may negotiate your fare for your journey with the driver, for example for long-distance trips, but the driver must always turn on the taximeter at the beginning of the journey; at the end of the journey, you’ll pay the lower of the metered fare and the negotiated fare.
The following tariffs apply to calculate the fare based on the total distance travelled and waiting time:
Tariff 1 (07:00 to 19:00 on weekdays, excluding public holidays)
Minimum charge – €2.05 (AUD 3.40)
Rate/km – €1.56 (AUD 2.58)
Rate/min – €0.56 (AUD 0.93)
Tariff 2 (all other times)
Minimum charge – €3.30 (AUD 5.50)
Rate/km – €1.56 (AUD 2.58)
Rate/min – €0.56 (AUD 0.93)
The waiting time fee is charged for each minute the taxi is stationary in traffic or in case the hirer asks the driver to wait. There is no additional fee for carrying luggage and receiving assistance from the driver but there is an additional fee for standard pre-booked Townsville taxi services.
If you prefer to know the exact fare in advance, the best choice is to pre-book your Townsville taxi with Welcome Pickups; you will pay online in advance and avoid hidden fees or surprises at the end of the ride.
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How to get a taxi in Townsville
Finding a taxi in the city couldn’t be easier as Townsville taxi service is available 24/7. Most licensed Townsville taxi operators use white cars with the typical taxi sign on the roof, which is lit if the taxi is available; in that case, you can wave to the driver and they’ll pull over to pick you up.
If there aren’t any taxis around, you can locate the nearest taxi rank, which shouldn’t be difficult as you can usually find them at popular and busy locations like malls, tourist attractions, bus and train stations, and the airport. On Friday and Saturday nights, you can head to the secure taxi rank in Townsville on Flinders St approaching Denham St; secure taxi ranks are staffed by taxi rank marshals and security guards, and monitored by CCTV, ensuring safe and reliable transportation after hours.
Finally, you can request a taxi to pick you up wherever you are by ordering one online through a taxi-hailing app on your mobile device, like Uber, or by keeping a Townsville taxi phone number handy; some reliable options are:
Black & White Cabs: +61 (7) 3860 1800
13cabs Townsville: +61 (7) 4778 9500
Townsville Taxi: +61 (7) 4778 9555
If having your transfers booked in advance sounds like a more convenient option, you can always pre-book your Townsville taxi with Welcome Pickups and ensure peace of mind throughout your trip.
Pre-book reliable Townsville taxi service
Moving around by taxi in Townsville is the best way to enjoy quick and comfortable transportation from one attraction to the next. To save time and money and secure reliable, top-rated service, there’s an even better option: pre-book your taxi in Townsville with Welcome Pickups and take your experience to the next level from the moment you land at the airport.
With Welcome, you get 24/7 service to ensure you won’t waste time looking for a taxi or waiting for the local bus. All Welcome drivers are hand-picked professionals, trained to provide friendly and personalised service, making sure you feel comfortable and ensuring you have all the information you need for your stay.
The booking process takes only a couple of minutes and with a few clicks, you’ll get a quote as soon as you enter your pickup and drop-off locations. You’ll be able to pay low fares for your transfers online in advance, which allows you to budget your trip beforehand and guarantees a smooth experience; no hidden fees or additional charges to worry about at the end of the ride.
Townsville taxi tips
- You can pay for your taxi in Townsville by cash or card but there is a 5% card transaction surcharge unless you book in advance online.
- A taxi driver may legally require a deposit of the estimated fare in certain circumstances so don’t be alarmed if that happens to you.
- Multiple hiring is permitted in Queensland with the consent of the first hirers if passengers are travelling in the same general direction.
- Smoking and/or the consumption of food or drink is prohibited in a Townsville taxi.
- Wearing a seatbelt is mandatory for passengers using a Townsville taxi.
Wheelchair-accessible Townsville taxi services
Townsville is a wheelchair-friendly city with many transportation and accommodation options for people with reduced mobility. Accessible Townsville taxi services are available across Queensland; they’re usually referred to as ‘maxi taxis’ and can carry one mobility scooter or two wheelchairs.
You can hail a vacant accessible Townsville taxi or queue at a taxi rank with a rank marshal and request an accessible taxi. To have a taxi pick you up wherever you are, you can call a Townsville taxi number like +61 (7) 4778 9500 for 13cabs Townsville. To ensure your accessible vehicle is given priority over general bookings, you can mention on the phone that the taxi is to transport a person who uses a wheelchair or mobility scooter.
Townsville taxi safety and complaints
Townsville taxi service is a reliable and safe transportation option if you stay clear of unlicensed drivers. You can identify official taxis by their registration plate with the letter T and five numbers in maroon and white colours. Also, approved security cameras are installed in most taxis both for the driver’s and the passenger’s safety.
If you wish to file a complaint regarding service issues, like the condition of the vehicle, driver courtesy, etc., it’s best to contact the service provider first to try and resolve the issue. If your complaint relates to a serious compliance issue you can contact the Department of Transport and Main Roads by emailing [email protected] or calling 131 230, or calling the Queensland Police Service by calling 131 444. In any case, you will need to write down the driver’s name, registration number and license plate; you can find this information on the driver display card which must be displayed in the taxi.