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Rank and hail taxi fares and charges

Regulated taxi fares

Taxi fares for trips hailed from the street or caught from a taxi rank are regulated by the government. The Transport for NSW fares order sets the maximum fare you can be charged. This includes the flag fall, distance rates, peak time charge and waiting time.

Taxi service providers and drivers must not charge more than this maximum for rank and hail services.

Fare setting by service providers

Taxi service providers must set fares for rank and hail taxi services. But these fares cannot exceed the maximum authorised fare set out in the fares order.

How to check the fare

Fare information must be clearly displayed inside the taxi. If you can't find it, you can ask the driver to show you.

If the taxi service provider has a website, fare information must also be there.

Fare information includes:

  • Set fares
  • any additional tolls, fees and charges, and
  • any different pricing arrangements that may apply to journeys, such as those taken at night or on public holidays

During your trip

Once your rank or hail trip begins, the fare calculation device (like a meter) must be turned on and running. It must be clearly visible.

Drivers can choose to charge you less, but they cannot go over the regulated maximum fare.

Why these fares are regulated

Rank and hail taxi fares are regulated differently to booked fares. This is because, unlike a booking, you can’t compare prices or shop around when you hail a taxi or get one from a taxi rank

Fare regulation is an important mechanism to protect customers from being charged excessive fares.

Taxi Transport Subsidy customers

Fares for Taxi Transport Subsidy Scheme customers remain regulated. The fare calculation device must be used for both booked and rank and hail trips, and you cannot be charged more than the maximum fare.

Remember: only taxis have the necessary safety equipment to be hailed from the street or caught from a taxi rank, and you cannot be charged more than the regulated maximum fare for a rank and hail taxi service.

Taxi fares and charges

Taxi fares and charges in NSW differ depending on whether you are travelling in an urban area or a country area. 

Taxis charge city and urban fares apply in:

  • Sydney metropolitan area
  • Newcastle
  • Wollongong regions
  • Local government areas of Blue Mountains
  • Gosford
  • Wyong
  • Shellharbour
  • Cams Wharf
  • Fern Bay
  • Minmi
  • Toronto
  • Williamtown
  • Medowie
  • Campvale
  • Ferodale
  • Raymond Terrace
  • Fassifern
  • Hexham
  • Maitland
  • Beresfield
  • Fullerton Cove
  • Tomago
  • Camden
  • Picton
  • Thirlmere
  • Tahmoor
  • Bargo

Your taxi fare is made up of different charges.

Here are the maximum amounts that rank and hail taxi companies can charge when travelling in an urban area.

  • Hire charge: $5.00.
  • Peak time hire charge: $2.56 (in addition to the hire chare for trips between 10pm and 6am on Fridays, Saturdays, and the night before public holidays).
  • Distance rate: $2.52 per km for the first 12 km, then $2.29 per km after that.
  • Night distance rate: $3.00 per km for the first 12 km, then $2.73 per km after that (for trips between 10pm and 6am).
  • Waiting time: $65.52 per hour (109.2c per minute) while vehicle speed is less than 26 km/h.
  • Cleaning fee: if you dirty the taxi, you may be charged up to $120. 

These fares and charges apply to rank and hail trips outside of Sydney and urban areas.

Exemptions

Some towns near the Victorian border are exempt from NSW maximum fares and charges. These include:

  • Moama
  • Barham
  • Tocumwal
  • Mulwala
  • Barooga
  • Deniliquin

Your taxi fare is made up of different charges.

Here are the maximum amounts that rank and hail taxi's can charge when travelling in country areas.

  • Hire charge: $5.11.
  • Distance rate: $2.41 per km for the first 12 km, then $3.30 per km after that.
  • Night distance rate: $2.87 per km for the first 12 km, then $3.93 per km after that (from 10pm to 6am).
  • Holiday distance rate: $2.87 per km for the first 12 km, then $3.93 per km after that (from 6am to 10pm on Sundays and public holidays).
  • Waiting time: $62.67 per hour ((104.5c per minute) when the vehicle is moving slower than 26 km/h.
  • Cleaning fee: up to $120 if you dirty the taxi.

A temporary Passenger Service Levy of $1.20 applies to all point to point transport trips in NSW (including taxis). If the service provider passes this levy on to passengers, your fare will increase by $1.32 ($1.20 plus 12 cents GST). Find out more.

Toll roads in Sydney

If your taxi ride travels on a toll road, the toll charges are added to your taxi fare:

If you travel on the Sydney Harbour Bridge or Sydney Harbour Tunnel, you will only be charged the toll during your trip, not for the driver’s return journey.

Check toll costs by road.

Sharing a taxi with a stranger

If you agree to share a taxi with a stranger, this is called a multiple hire.

If you agree to share a taxi with another passenger, this is called a multiple hire. You will each pay 75% of the maximum fare to your destination.

Multiple hiring must be agreed upon by the driver and all passengers. The driver cannot solicit or arrange for additional passengers.

This is useful during busy periods when passengers are heading in the same direction.

Sharing a taxi allows passengers to reach their destinations more quickly, without waiting for another taxi. It also means the driver gets paid more for the trip but each passenger pays less.

Note: When a group of friends, family or workmates travels together to one destination, it is considered a single shared ride, not a multiple hire.

Example

  • A couple take a taxi from Sydney Airport to Circular Quay.
  • At the same time, another passenger wants to go to Central Station.
  • They agree to share the taxi as they are heading in the same direction
  • When the taxi arrives at Central, the fare is $24. The solo passenger pays $18 (75% of $24 is $18).
  • The driver continues to Circular Quay, the fare is $36. The couple pay $27 (75% of $36 is $27).

Fares for maxi-taxis

Maxi-taxis can carry up to 11 passengers depending on the vehicle.

When hiring a maxi taxi at a rank or hailing it from the street with five or more passengers, the fare may be up to 150% of the regular taxi fare.

This surcharge also applies when requesting a maxi taxi at any Sydney airport taxi rank, except for wheelchair-accessible services.