The Meter is Running

Worldwide, taxicab charges and practices are as varied as people and their customs. Here are a few of the ways they differ in some major cities:

CITY: Berlin

METERS: Yes

TIPPING: Not more than 10%

SURCHARGES: No

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CITY: Cairo

METERS: No

TIPPING: $3-$4.50 within city

SURCHARGES: No

CITY: Hong Kong

METERS: Yes

TIPPING: Round up to nearest Hong Kong dollar

SURCHARGES: For tunnels

*

CITY: London

METERS: Yes

TIPPING: 10%-15%

SURCHARGES: After midnight/luggage

CITY: Mexico City

METERS: All but yellow and white taxis, though meters may not apply Sundays or evenings

TIPPING: Only for luggage; 10%

SURCHARGES: No

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CITY: Paris

METERS: Yes, but rates vary according to time of day

TIPPING: Not more than 10%

SURCHARGES: Airport, train station departures, luggage

*

CITY: Singapore

METERS: Yes

TIPPING: No

SURCHARGES: More than two passengers, luggage, midnight charge, airport departures, reserved taxis, transit through downtown during certain hours

*

CITY: Sydney

METERS: Yes

TIPPING: No

SURCHARGES: Reserved taxis

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CITY: Tel Aviv

METERS: Yes, but rates vary by time of day; fare almost doubles during Jewish Sabbath TIPPING: No

SURCHARGES: To and from airports, two shekels per suitcase

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CITY: Tokyo

METERS: Yes

TIPPING: No

SURCHARGES: No

*

Source: Business Traveler magazine

(Answer: Costa Rica)