Been at Vegas for about a week so far, and will be here for the next few days before coming back here again in the Summer with friends for WSOP.

One thing I've noticed is that occasionally I get "long hauled" on taxi rides. For instance, from Caesars to MGM, the driver took a back route (instead of just down the strip) which ends up being like 13.50 or so, whereas my friend who went at roughly the same time from Venetian to MGM (which a slightly longer route along the strip if you didn't know) only had a toll of about 8 dollars just going down the strip. This was on a Thursday night fwiw, and it could've been an honest mistake/error of traffic judgment, whatever, I paid + tipped, and left.

It's not really the money thing that gets to me, but just the fact that I'm paying and tipping for a service wherein I'm being lied to and cheated out of extra money. Is this just a fact of life I'll have to get used to when I'm in Vegas? Do you guys say anything prior to make it such that he's less inclined to longhaul you (lately I've thought of saying something like "just finished lunch/dinner, going back to my hotel now" if they ask like "so what were you up to" or something)? I also don't want to start complaining mid-ride when I realize we're taking a different route, but I also don't know how standard it is to say "just take the strip" or something, especially if there are traffic conditions I'm unaware of, or if it's a destination I have no idea how to get to anyway.

Also, just a quick aside on tipping, I typically never end up with small paper change in my pocket by the time I hit the taxi, as I'll have tipped off any single dollars to dealers/cashiers/etc. so I'll often just end up with like a $10 for a ~$8 cab ride and tip him <2 dollars, is this fine? What are your tipping tendencies for cab rides of varying $ amounts? Should I just be more considerate of having the extra dollar bills etc. for the taxi ride?

Thanks

Taxi's cannot take you for a ride. You can legally not pay if a taxi takes you on a sightseeing trip.

just tell him which route to take and he will listen

A lot of times the strip is the worst choice, but obviously it depends on traffic conditions and where you're at.

Take down his taxi license # and call and complain to the taxi authority. They used to do stings here a few yrs ago for that, the drivers face big fines if they are caught longhauling.

The trip from Caesars to MGM usually should be done off-strip. I assume you mean Koval? It's not much longer at all, and the traffic around there on the strip can be brutal.

Giving $10 when the ride was $8 is fine. I typically won't tip less than $2 for any ride, assuming all was in order.

Depending on where you got your cab at Caesars, not going on the strip would be standard to the MGM imo. If I was driving in my own car, I would not be using the strip.

Likewise, from the V to MGM, I would not be using the strip. I dont know where the cab stand is at the V or if they have more than one, but you can exit onto Koval and be at the MGM within minutes.

Since the fare will be determined primarily by distance, the driver should take the shortest route. But sometimes the shortest distance takes the longest amount of time. This is often true for trips on and around the Strip. If the driver wants to take a longer route to save time, he should discuss this with you, and let you make the call. Sounds like he took the longer route to save time, but charged you the full fare instead of shutting the meter off at around the proper price. No tip for him IMO.

As far as tipping goes, I think a $5 minimum tip is appropriate, then add $1 for every $5in fare above $10. Examples: $8 fare, $5 tip, hand him a twenty and say "Give me $7 back."; $13 fare, $6 tip, hand him a twenty and sat "Give me a dollar back" or more balla "Keep it."; $25 fare, $8 tip, hand him two twenties and say, "Give me 7 back." Don't mess with coins. If the fare comes to $7.20, just round it up to $8. If you don't have change, the driver will make change, especially if he knows he's getting a nice tip.

The reason I recommend a minimum of $5 is because the driver may have been waiting a while to get a fare, and the larger tip helps compensate him if you just have a short trip. Loading and unloading takes some time also.

Make adjustments to this formula based on the level of service you received. Don't tip automatically, but reward a solid job.

Now I know many out there will say, "That's way too much!, or "That's way too little!" Tipping is a personal thing. Make adjustments to fit your style, but remember, "Cheap is not stylish."

So you are a cab driver? How much has the recession hurt your income?

I have driven taxi for a living off and on. Never drove taxi in Vegas. Just my opinions from behind the wheel.

Thanks a lot for the helpful comments everyone , clears up a lot.

$5 tip for a $8 cab ride is a little much imo. I usually stick to 15-20% of whatever the fare is just like I would tip a waiter in a restaurant.

lol.

RU out of your mind?



Here's how we do it in NYC:

10% plus change to next dollar amount. If it's $9 no way I'm giving more than $10 total.

Haven't seen any reason why that wouldn't work in Vegas as well.

I imagine getting taxi tipping advice from somebody who has driven a cab is like when I go out to eat with one of my friends who used to wait tables. You leave 15%-20% and they look at you like you just took a dump on the table.