Got any advice on using taxis?

Here are my top tips for taking taxis in HK!

• Taxis aren’t allowed to stop on double yellow lines, so don’t try to flag one down there or you’ll be waiting a while! • Available taxis should have BOTH their roof “Taxi” lamp on as well as a small red circle “For Hire” light on their dashboard. Some have their dashboard light covered which means they’ve been pre-booked.

• Taxis can be hard to find on rainy days, so allow more waiting time, or consider public transport or other routes.

• If you want to pre-book a taxi, use the HKTaxi app. It’s very easy to use; it puts out a call to taxis around your location with your destination and whoever is interested picks up the job, just like an Uber does.

• You can request English-speaking drivers if you prefer, as sometimes they may call you to check pick-up location… and if you want to further entice a pickup, add a small tip to your destination request and you’ll soon get a bite! • Download the TakeTaxi app and have it ready in case you experience any language barriers when saying your destination. It’s a translation app that really works!

• Some taxi drivers are very polite and helpful – others aren’t so willing to open the boot or help you with luggage or a pram. Take it with a pinch of salt, it’s not personal!

Monica

While many streets have English names, they are pronounced very differently in Cantonese – so much so they are often completely different words. Download the TakeTaxi app, which translates addresses into Cantonese so that you can show your taxi driver. Also, you might want to avoid looking at your phone in taxis – some drivers seem to enjoy heavy breaking, which can often mean a bumpy ride!

Max

For the most part I’ve had great experiences; I speak Cantonese and I do think that helps. Have the address in Chinese ready, just in case – it’ll save so much time and effort. Finally, for those moments when you may have a slightly more difficult driver, I find patience helps – and don’t we all have those off-days?

Aline

Hong Kong taxi xi drivers are hugely professional and know their way around.

Dominique

Get the taxi app for translation of certain addresses, learn rn some basic Cantonese (especially your address), and carry cash. sh.

Sarah

LEARN THE BASIC “TAXI LANGUAGE”. STOP HERE. LEFT. RIGHT. KNOW HOW TO SAY YOUR ADDRESS IN CHINESE AS WELL AS YOUR DISTRICT.

Adam