Taxi Service in Washington DC
Washington DC taxis are the quickest, easiest, and most comfortable way to get around and they are available 24/7. You can choose to either hail one from the street, walk to a taxi rank, or call one of the official phone dispatch companies.
Official meters will calculate your taxi cost in Washington DC which are surprisingly affordable when contrasted with other US cities. If you want an efficient, professional service so you can explore the city hassle-free, taking a taxi in Washington DC is the best way to travel.
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| WASHINGTON UNION STATION TO WASHINGTON MONUMENT | 15 € | 15 € | 10 MIN |
| DULLES AIRPORT TO CITY CENTER | 55 € | 55 € | 40 MIN |
| WASHINGTON WATER TAXI FROM THE WHARF | 25 € | 25 € | 30 MIN |
| DULLES AIRPORT TO BALTIMORE | 112 € | 112 € | 1 H 10 MIN |
How much is a taxi in Washington DC?
The Department of For-Hire Vehicles sets and regulates all Washington DC taxi prices throughout the district. The latest Washington DC taxi rates were set in January 2018 and are still in place today. All Washington DC taxis charge using a taximeter based on the distance you travel or the time you wait, rather than a set-rate fee.
Base fare (including first 1/8 mile) – $3.50 USD (€3)
Price per mile – $2.16 USD (€2)
It’s also worth noting that there will be extra charges for things such as keeping your driver waiting for an hour ($25 USD (€21)) booking a taxi over the phone ($2 USD (€1.70)) and using a taxi during a declared snow emergency ($15 USD (€13)). To enjoy a set-rate fee, you will need to book a private taxi or shuttle service.
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How to get a Washington DC Taxi
Like most cities in the United States, you can easily hail a taxi from the streets of Washington. Simply check for an empty cab, stick out your arm, and hail one down. However, if you prefer, you can also walk to one of the designated taxi ranks located all around the city. You can find the Washington DC taxi ranks at the airport, all the major hotels, and the most popular sites such as the Martin L. King Jr. Memorial, Washington Capital, Air and Space Museum, Nationals Ball Park, and the Convention Center.
How to get a taxi from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
There are taxi stands located at both terminals at DCA Airport. At Terminal 1, leave the exit doors after baggage reclaim and turn right to find the taxi queue. For Terminal 2, head to the lower level (Level One) by baggage claim. Walk through Doors 5 or 6 and exit the terminal building. The taxi rank is clearly signposted. You should be able to get a Reagan Airport taxi 24/7 year-round, regardless of the terminal you arrive at.
How to get a taxi from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Dulles Airport taxis are available at all hours from the lower level of the terminal building. Go down the ramp, following the signs to “Ground Transportation & Taxis”, and exit from Door 1 or Door 7. If you need help finding a suitable vehicle, customer support is available at the taxi stands.
How to get a taxi from Washington Union Station
The taxi stand at Washington Union Station is located just outside the Main Hall entrance, on the front portico. You can find taxis here from 08:00 to 01:00, Monday to Sunday.
How to get a taxi from The Wharf
If you’re visiting the spectacular Wharf on the water in DC, you’ll need to take a water taxi. Tickets cost $22 (€20) per person. Departures begin at the Wharf at 11:45 and continue every 30 minutes.
Note: The water taxi in Washington DC only operates from October to March due to weather conditions.
Most popular Washington DC taxi apps
Using a taxi app in Washington DC can be useful if you’re struggling to hail a cab on the street. Uber, Welcome Pickups, Lyft, and Curb are all popular options.
If you want to ensure a top-quality service with no surge charging or inconsistent service, you can pre-book your taxi in Washington DC with a top-rated company like Welcome Pickups.
Useful Washington DC taxi numbers
If the weather is bad, it’s late at night or you’re not near any of the taxi ranks, you can always call a Washington DC taxi number. Simply give them a call, state your name and location, then tell them where you’re heading. They will begin the taximeter once you get in the taxi, not from the moment they leave dispatch, but there is an added fee of $2 USD (€1.70) for using a phone dispatch Washington DC taxi service. The companies available to call are:
Diamond Cab Association: +1 (202) 387-6200
District Cab: +1 (202) 398-0500
VIP Cab: +1 (202) 269-9000
United Ventures Consortium: +1 (202) 269-1100
Yellow Cab Company: +1 (202) 544-1212
Benefits of booking a Washington DC taxi in advance
Although there are plenty of DC taxi cab services available in Washington, during peak summer months or crazy snowy winters, it can be extremely hard to find an empty one. Calling one of the phone dispatch taxi companies can take hours and waiting around in the street will simply waste your precious time in the city. Instead, you can book your Washington DC taxi in advance with Welcome Pickups and enjoy 24/7 customer service, on-time pickups, and unbeatable prices.
Washington DC taxi tips
- Make sure your driver resets the taximeter to the base fare before you begin your journey.
- You will be charged a $1 USD (€0.80) fee for any additional passengers after the first passenger.
- Charged wait time begins 5 minutes after your driver arrives at the designated pickup location if you've called a cab.
- All Washington DC taxi drivers must display their photo ID on the front passenger visor and the passenger information monitor located on the back of the main passenger seat.
- Washington DC taxis don’t come with a baby seat as standard but you can bring and fit your own for free.
- Taxi rates in Washington DC are reasonably priced compared to most other USA cities.
- Tipping is expected and welcomed in DC. Around 10-20% of your final fare is an acceptable rate.
- The majority of the taxi ranks dotted around the city are located close to tourism areas or major transportation hubs.
- You can pay for your taxi fares in Washington DC by cash or card. If you want to pay by card, we recommend checking that the driver’s machine is working.
- If you have any issues with your driver and would like to make a complaint, ask for a receipt at the end of the ride. You’re legally entitled to one and this will help you with your claim.
- All payments must be made in US Dollars.
Wheelchair-accessible taxis in Washington DC
Unfortunately, the taxis that are available to flag down on the streets of Washington DC aren’t wheelchair accessible. However, two different phone dispatch companies offer wheelchair-accessible Washington DC taxi cabs: Royal Taxi (+1 (202) 398-0500) and Yellow Paratransit (+1 (202) 544-1213). You can either call them on the numbers listed or book a taxi ride online in advance. The wheelchair-accessible taxis can fit 3 to 4 extra passengers after the wheelchair user is situated.
Washington DC taxi safety and complaints
Washington DC taxis are some of the safest in the world. They are extremely closely monitored by the Department of For-Hire Vehicles, which sets the rates and regulations for the entire district. Having said that, if you do experience any issues during your ride or any discrimination, you can make a formal complaint quickly and easily by calling +1 (855) 484-4966 or +1 (202) 645-7300 or by filling in this simple online form. Just be sure to have the driver’s name, license number, ID number, or personal vehicle identification number (PVIN) to hand when filing your complaint.