Las Vegas Taxi Tips-Don't Get Screwed!

Ways Not to Get Screwed by Your Las Vegas Cab Driver.

The Tunnel.  The "tunnel" connects the airport to I-15 and is the most common form of fare gouging in Las Vegas.  The tunnel adds 3-5 dollars to the average fare, and in some cases a lot more! Drivers may say that it will save time, however in my own tests, it actually added over a minute to the average destination.  The tunnel is  recommended to many residential areas, but not to the resorts.  The exceptions to use the tunnel (by taxi) are to Silverton, Vacation Village, the Klondike, Mandalay Bay and the Luxor.

The Shim.  The "shim" is a small piece of plastic  (or toothpick) that some drivers will place in the buttons of their meters to play a trick or two with the fare total. Most commonly used from the Airport or when someone leaves the cab to "run in" for something.  Presently, only two cab companies have "shimable" meters. I won't tell which two, just be on the look out for strange objects sticking out of buttons on the meter. This one is almost obsolete, as this type of meter is being replaced.  

Long Hauls.  "Long hauling" or taking the passenger out of the way to increase the fare is the most common type of ripping-off the public.  There are way too many ways of long hauling for me to advise on all possible situations, so you'll have to use your best judgment by reading about common reasons for fares to be higher and the cab fare chart (both below) to protect yourself. 

Zone Charges.  Every once in a while, a Las Vegas cab driver may try to impose a "zone charge". This will typically occur when the particular taxi ride is to one of Las Vegas' outlying areas.  "This is a zone 3 trip" the driver may suggest, trying to add a few dollars onto the meter fare.  Be forewarned, there are no zone charges for any Las Vegas taxi cab. 

If you encounter problems or disputes while in Las Vegas with any Las Vegas cab driver,  DO NOT EMAIL ME! I will not reply. There is nothing I can do to help you....

Your only recourse is to remember the cab number of the particular driver and the time and day of your trip.  All cab numbers in Las Vegas are unique, with every Las Vegas cab company assigned certain numbers.  For example, Desert cab numbers are all in the 400 range, while Western cabs are in the 100's. 

After noting the cab number, simply call the Nevada Taxicab Authority at (702) 486-6532,  24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

5  Ways to Really "P-O" Your Las Vegas Cab Driver

Puke in the Cab.  Usually a $25-50 "cleaning" fee.  And a really pissed-off cabby. 

1. Ask "Where're ya from?".  The first billion times I was asked was enough. 
2. Ask a Ton of Questions, and then don't tip. 
3. Fart in the Cab.  Those damn Las Vegas buffets! 
4. Pack Your Weight Training Equipment in Your Luggage, and then don't tip. 

Las Vegas Taxi Fare Chart

Taxi fares are NOT an exact science.  Variables as traffic, traffic lights and pedestrians can add quite a bit to the average cab fare.  When stopped or going slow, the cab meter shifts into a "time" mode, instead of the usual "distance" mode.  Clicking at a rate of 35 cents an hour, the time factor can add as much as $1.50 for a single red light! 

Also, fares to and from the same destinations can vary widely.  For example, an average fare from the MGM to the airport is about $7.00.  From the airport to the MGM is closer to $9-10.  The road in and out of the airport is a giant one-way horseshoe, making it a shorter distance to the airport than from the airport in almost every circumstance.

Plus, I have no idea if that rental car full of tourists in front of me is going to go through the yellow light or not. If I miss that light, add another dollar, or so, to your fare. 

Then you tack on the $1.20 fee to government has us collect from every trip from the airport and it does cost a little more leaving the airport than it does coming to the airport. 

Another example of how a fare to and from the same destinations can vary is the "left turn-right turn" syndrome.  If you take two right turns going...you'l probably take 2 left turns coming back.  Left turns cost more than right turns since "right turn on red" means no waiting. 

A trip from the center Strip  (Caesar's, Mirage, Treasure Island) to New York, New York or the Monte Carlo is $2-4 dollars cheaper than coming back.  Going north, from the Monte Carlo requires a cabby to cut across 7 lanes of traffic only to make an illegal u-turn on the Strip.  The only way is to go south on the Strip, west to I-15 or Industrial rd., then back north to the center Strip. It is the only way. 

In general, all trips going North on the Strip from the South Strip will cost a little more due to the traffic pattern.  Often alternates (Koval and or/ Industrial) should be used, especially on the weekends.  Often, cabbys exaggerate the traffic problem in an attempt to long haul.  It's pick 'em as far as which is right.

There are also times when it is beter to go a litle out of the way. For example, going from the MGM to treasure Island. Instead of plowing straight up the Strip, you're better off jumping on I-15 North, then getting off of Spring Mountain. Remember, you'll be paying 35 cents for EVERY MINUTE you're stuck in traffic.. 

So keeping all the honest variables in mind when using this chart, and you should be in the ballpark.  And Don't Get Screwed!