6 ways to save money on taxi

1. Try not to use taxis at peak times

When there are too many orders in your area, taxi app algorithms automatically increase prices to attract drivers. This usually happens during rush hour - around 8:00 and 18:00 on weekdays and around 22:00 on weekends.

In addition, prices go up if it starts to rain or snow in the area. Therefore, choose your order time wisely (of course, if you are late somewhere, this advice will not work).

2. Think about the path in advance

Most taxi apps calculate the price based on the distance the car has to travel and the estimated or actual duration of the trip. So consider both of these factors if you want to save money.

For example, instead of calling a taxi directly to your location, try to find a point nearby that will be less driving. Especially if you are near one-way roads - the need to turn around can add several tens of rubles to the price.

And don't forget about traffic jams. Try to find a route where you can avoid congested roads. Remember: the faster the path, the lower the price.

3. Don't ride alone

One of the easiest ways to pay less is to split the cost of your trip with someone else. Most applications allow you to add other users to the order. This option may not always be available, but you should not forget about it - especially if you often spend time with a large group of friends and acquaintances.

4. Install multiple applications

Each service for calling a taxi has its own price calculation algorithms. Therefore, in the same situations, different applications will offer different travel costs. It's a good idea to install several programs on your smartphone at once. If the price in your favorite service seems overpriced to you, check how much the same order costs in the rest. So you can save a lot even on one trip.

5. Order in advance

There are situations when we know for sure that a taxi will be needed at a certain time. For example, to catch a plane or leave a party when it's over.

Especially for such cases, some applications allow you to "book" an order in advance. This is especially true if the trip takes place during a busy hour. You will pay the price that was at the time of booking, and the multiplying factor will not affect it.

6. Do not use taxi services at airports and train stations

Drivers, who can be found at train stations, airports and other crowded places, often inflate prices several times. Especially if they are dealing with newcomers. The taxi driver deceived the Icelander and drove him to the center for 50 thousand rubles.

So, if you have an important trip ahead - you need to get from the airport to the city center or catch up with a departing bus - you better use the application. Programs do not care where and why the user goes, and they do not try to cash in on his ignorance of tariffs.

We make this section together with the Citymobil taxi ordering service. For Lifehacker readers, there is a 10% discount on the first five trips using the CITYHAKER promo code *.

* The promotion is valid in Moscow, Moscow region, Yaroslavl only when ordering through a mobile application. Organizer: City-Mobil LLC. Location: 117997, Moscow, st. Architect Vlasov, 55. PSRN 1097746203785. The duration of the action is from 7.03.2019 to 31.12.2019. Details about the organizer of the action, about the rules of its conduct, can be found on the organizer's website at:.