Smart Moscow - ordering a taxi in Moscow

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Sightseeing in Moscow

Ordering a Taxi in Moscow

Taking a taxi in Moscow is an experience unto itself. There are two types of taxis : official and unofficial. The official taxis are licensed by the city of Moscow. They are found mostly at the airports or hotels. Unofficial taxis, known as Chastniki, outnumber official taxis many times over. That's why most people end up using Chastniki.

You can flag down almost any car in Moscow. Most cars will act as a taxi. You just have to wave down the car like you would a taxi. You'll be surprised at the number of cars that stop. Often they will line up waiting 3 or 4 cars, waiting to negotiate with you. You should ALWAYS negotiate the price before you get into the car. When the driver hears your foreign accent, he might try to take an extravagant fare, so always bargain first. Simple safety rules of thumb for taking a private car in Moscow : 1) never get into a car that has another person besides the driver. 2) If you feel the driver looks suspicious or drives like crazy, don't get into the car. 3) Women should avoid taking private cars by themselves.

Prices for Chastniki within the Garden Ring are typically 150 to 200 rubles during the day. During the evening, especially on weekends, the price will rise.

If you'd like to order a taxi and have it come pick you up, I recommend several services. They all have an operator who speaks English. When you order a taxi, it will usually be more expensive. For instance you will pay 250 rubles just to have the car pick you up and then a rate based on the distance you travel. An official taxi ride within the Garden Ring will set you back about 500 rubles.