Wanderlust World Wanderlust World If you get into a cab and don't know where you are supposed to go ("I think it is uptown" is not an acceptable address) the cab driver will have a hard time taking you to your destination. Be sure you know if you are going to 8th Street, not 8th Avenue. And if you get into a cab that is heading downtown, and you say you are, too, but your destination is really uptown, your cab driver will be understandably upset.
New York City cabs are hailed on the street; they are not dispatched by radio. Stick your hand up and a cab with a lighted middle light should stop. If the lights are off, the cab has a customer; if all the lights are on, the cab is off-duty. Sometimes an off-duty cab driver will offer to pick you up if you are heading his way; note that it is extremely rude to get in, then announce you have a different destination.
If you are leaving a crowded Broadway show and they are many people seeking cabs, walk one block away to hail one.
An unengaged taxi must take you wherever you want to go.
From JFK airport to any Manhattan location, the flat fare is $45 as of 2009. This is per car, not per person. Any other fare is $2.50 when you enter, then $.40 for every 1/5 mile or 60 seconds stuck in traffic. There is a night surcharge of $.50 after 8 p.m. and before 6 a.m., and a peak hour weekday surcharge of $1 Monday through Friday after 4 p.m. and before 8 p.m. A tip of 10 to 20 percent is expected.
All cabs have been retrofitted with credit card machines, but some drivers are reluctant to use them, since they have to pay a fee. If you plan to pay by credit card, make sure the machine works before you start your ride.
Although children under four are required to ride in approved car seats, this does not apply to cabs, and almost no cabs in New York City provide car seats. If you have your own, you can install it.
There is no extra charge for luggage.