It happens that travelers with a sufficient budget prefer to travel around a foreign country by taxi. It is much more convenient than public transport, although such a service is not cheap.

So, let's imagine (or this is already a reality for you) that you are in an English-speaking country and want to order a taxi. Of course, you will have to do this on. Have you ever wondered how to do it? Perhaps not yet, because everything comes as needed.

Let's learn how to communicate with a taxi ordering service and what English phrases to use so that you are understood correctly and you do not get into a mess. First, let's listen to the audio lesson, and then turn to the text for clarification.

How to call a taxi in English by phone

First, we can ask someone to order a car for us as follows:

Would you call me a taxi, please? I'm going to _____________ (destination).

Could you order a taxi for me? I need to get to ___________.

or another option:

Could you give me the number for a taxi service?
Could you give me the number of the taxi service?

Secondly, we can call the car ourselves. When you call a taxi service, you will first hear something like: Circle Taxi (Company name) . How can I help you? (How can I help you?) " or Yellow Taxi (Name).Where are you located? (Where are you at?) ”.
Accordingly, you will need to specify the address where you are (your location) and where you are going (your destination) .

Can I get a taxi to the airport? I'm at the Plaza Hotel.
Can I order a taxi to the airport? I'm at the Plaza Hotel.

We ask additional questions to the taxi dispatcher:

Can I schedule a taxi pick up for 5am tomorrow?
Is it possible to order a taxi for tomorrow at 5 am?
Is there a flat rate to the airport from here?
Is there a fixed fare from here to the airport?
Flat rate (flat fee)— fixed payment, which does not depend on the time or volume of work. For example, in contrast to the flat rate, hourly rate is hourly payment.
What will it cost me to go from my hotel to the airport?
How much will it cost to get from my hotel to the airport?
How long is the wait for a taxi right now?
How soon will the taxi arrive if ordered right now?

The standard way to call a taxi is to wave your hand on the road (flagging down a taxi)

In some places, you do not need to call for a car to pick you up. You can simply wave your hand when a car with a taxi sign approaches. This action is called in English "flagging (hailing) a taxi down" . Verb to flag has the meaning signal, signal . A to hail- to greet; call, call.

We speak English with the taxi driver

Questions a taxi driver might ask:

Where are you heading?
Where are you heading?
How will you be paying? (cash, credit card, debit, foreign exchange)
How will you pay (cash, credit card, debit card, foreign currency)
Do you want a flat fee?
Do you want a fixed payment?
Do you need a receipt?
Do you need a check?

We call the taxi driver the destination:

Can you take me to the airport, please.
Take me to the airport, please.
I'm going to the Star Motel downtown.
I'm heading to the Star Motel downtown.
Do you know where the Eagle Pub is?
Do you know where the Eagle Pub is?
I'm going to 110th St, please.
I need to get to 101st street.

Questions that may be useful to clarify information from a taxi driver:

Would you mind making a quick stop?
Do you mind if we make a short stop? (if you want to pick up someone or something along the way, the driver will most likely leave the meter on, even though you will not be in the car)
What's your exchange rate?
What is your exchange rate? (if you pay in foreign currency)
Do you have a flat fee to the airport?
Do you have a flat rate to the airport?
Do you accept credit cards?
Do you accept credit cards?
What do I owe you?
How much do I owe you?

Phrases upon arrival at the destination:

Keep the change.
Keep your change. (if you want to leave a tip (to offer a tip) Tip - colloquial tip; small (cash) gift
May I have a receipt please?
Can I get a receipt? (if you need it for work, for example)
Thanks for the ride.
Thanks for the trip.
Enjoy the rest of your day.
Have a nice day. (lit. enjoy the rest of your day)

A small glossary on the topic (some of the words have already been marked):

location- your current location
destination- destination
meters- taxi meter
fare- the amount you need to pay
tips- additional money for the provision of services as gratitude to the person who provided it; tips
car seat- child seat
luggage- baggage
cab (short for taxi cab) - taxi car
flag or hail down- stop a taxi on the road by waving your hand
pick up- pick up, pick up (taxi picks you up at the place where you are and takes you to your destination)
drop of- drop off (when the driver brought you to the appointed place)
van- a larger taxi with more seats

Despite the fact that any city abroad has a very well-developed public transport system, most foreigners still prefer to travel around the city by taxi. And sometimes we are very late or in a hurry for a meeting, and we don’t have time to go to a public transport stop and wait for the bus of the desired route or go down the subway, and then we call a taxi to quickly get to the address we need.

But how to call a taxi in English? How to explain to the driver where we need to go and correctly indicate the direction? — we will consider these questions during our today's online audio lesson. Having studied the vocabulary on the topic " In a taxi”, you will also learn how to ask the price for a trip and forgive you to present an invoice, which is very important, since abroad there is a different system of tariffs and estimates. In addition, you will learn how to reprimand a taxi driver if he is driving too fast or violates other traffic rules.

See also related article At the airport in English to learn how to book a plane ticket.

To easily get to your destination and quickly call a taxi in English, listen to an online audio conversational English lesson with key phrases and questions on the topic “In a taxi”, and repeat each expression aloud many times to practice pronunciation of English words and sounds: /wp-content/uploads/2014/07/RUEN038.mp3 Regular speech practice will help you to easily navigate in an unfamiliar city and communicate with the dispatcher and taxi driver, which consists in listening to English language turns and, of course, in speaking English and pronunciation practice. Therefore, use this audio recording of the lesson for active language practice.

Communicating in English in a Taxi

Study not only the audio lesson, but a table with the text of all phrases to find out how they are written in English and use photographic memory for faster memorization. Try to memorize the expression immediately in English. The translation is given only so that you catch the essence of the phrase, but you should not memorize the exact translation.

Having learned all these expressions in English, you can easily take a taxi to the place you need and will not be late for an important meeting, business negotiations or a romantic date.

Also study online all 100 English lessons for beginners to enrich your vocabulary for communicating in English with native speakers.

By the way, not only the usual yellow taxis run in England, but also retro cars of various colors that work as an official taxi and entertain not only tourists for a triple rate, but also carry out regular orders at a fixed price. I wish you a ride on one of these cars and get a lot of positive
impressions! Good luck!

Edgar Allan Poe wrote: "No transport will be passing if you do not know where to go." Do you already know where you want to go? Then it remains only to find a passing transport. In this phrasebook, we will write useful phrases in English for communicating on a bus or train, ordering a taxi, and renting a car. Go!

We have written a simple travel phrasebook that contains dialogues, phrases and a dictionary on 25 essential topics. Go on a journey with the main character and improve your English. You can download the book for free at.

Modes of transport in English

And by tradition, at the beginning of our article we want to give a list of basic vocabulary that you will definitely need. These are the names of vehicles, the main types of cars in English, as well as other useful words.

Have you noticed that the word "bus" has two definitions: bus and coach? What is the difference? The word bus usually refers to a bus that is used within the city to get to work, school, etc. Coach is an intercity bus designed to travel on highways. It transports people over long distances, so sometimes it even has a toilet.

Let's try to figure out what word to call the metro in English. The word tube is widely used in the UK, while in this country the word subway refers to an underpass. And in the USA, on the contrary, they prefer to call the subway the word subway. The word metro is most popular in Europe, but can also be used in the US. The word underground is also used in different countries, but it is less common.

A list of words with types of cars will come in handy if you want to rent a car abroad: you will need to explain what kind of transport you need. So, for example, you can take a minivan (minivan) if you are traveling with a large group, or a small car (compact) if you want to save on gasoline.

To designate the word "crossroads" we also proposed a few words. Crossroads, as a rule, means the intersection of two roads at a right angle. T-junction - the intersection of two roads in the form of the letter T. Intersection - also a crossroads, this word is widely used in the USA.

Phrases in English for getting around on the bus or subway

So, you have decided to move around the city by bus or subway. In this case, you will need to find out which bus or train you take (to take a bus / the subway), where is the nearest stop and where you can buy a ticket (ticket). The phrases for traveling by metro and bus are almost identical, if necessary, just replace bus with tube, subway train. Use the following phrases for information:

You may be told the following:

If you intend to use public transport frequently, we recommend purchasing a single travel card instead of regular tickets. You can use it in different modes of transport within a certain territory. This pass will allow you to save up to 30-40% of the cost of tickets.

Well, here you sit on the long-awaited bus. Here you will also need to know some phrases in English, for example, to check with a fellow traveler when you need to get off or where to make a transfer.

On the bus, fellow travelers and the driver can answer your questions with the following phrases:

By the way, while traveling in public transport, you can see the inscription Reserved for the handicapped, the elderly and passengers with children. These are places for the disabled, the elderly, passengers with children.

We ask a passer-by where the nearest station is:

We communicate in the subway car / bus:

How to order a taxi in English

If in our native country our people do not go to the bakery by taxi, then abroad this type of transport is one of the most popular and convenient. Therefore, if you want to move around the city in comfort, learn the phrases that will help you order a taxi in English.

To get the phone number, ask the receptionist at your hotel: Could you give me the number for a taxi service? (Could you give me the taxi phone number?) Want to make it easy for yourself? You can ask the receptionist to call you a taxi. To do this, tell where you are going to go: Could you call me a taxi, please? I am going to the theater (Could you call me a taxi? I'm going to the theater).

Taxis can also be found on the street. To do this, use the following phrases:

To communicate with a taxi driver and resolve all issues, you can use the following phrases:

We ask the hotel administrator to call a taxi:

Conversation with the taxi driver:

Now look how to order a taxi correctly and communicate with a taxi driver in English.

How to rent a car abroad

What could be more convenient than getting around the city by taxi? Perhaps, only the movement in your own car, or rather in a rental car. Personal transport will allow you not to depend on the bus schedule and the taxi driver's driving style. If you are going to rent a car abroad, be sure to learn the modes of transport in English from our first table.

We recommend that you look on the Internet a few days before the trip, which companies provide cars for rent. You will be able to compare prices and terms of using this service even before your trip, thus saving a lot of time.

Be sure to check the driving conditions at your place of stay: in some countries you can use a license issued in your home country, in others you can only use an international driver's license.

So, you have found the company you need and you know what kind of car you need. Prepare your passport and driver's license, because they will be asked to present them for paperwork for renting a car. Use the phrases from the following dialogue to rent a car in English.

Any company will provide you with a list of special points (list of drop off locations) where you can return the car. However, in some cases, you can leave the car, for example, near the airport, and the representative of the company will pick it up from there. However, you will have to pay an additional fee for this service.

Usually the rental car is given with a full tank of fuel, but during the time you use it, you will most likely have to use the services of refueling. In addition, you may need an oil change or a mechanic. In this case, you will need to know a few phrases:

We offer you to watch a video on how to rent a car in English.

Orientation on the road

While driving, you may need to know the following symbols:

Have you noticed the interesting phrase dead end? Thus are called streets that end in a dead end. At the beginning of such streets, a sign with the inscription Dead end will definitely hang, so look carefully around.

On the road, you may need a map of highways (map of highways), as well as the knowledge of some phrases that will help you ask where you should go. Use the following questions:

To understand what they answer you, refer to the article "", and also look at the following phrases that a foreigner can use to help you reach your destination:

Now you know how easy it is to use public transport in English, order a taxi or rent a car. Learn phrases from our simple phrasebook before the trip, and then it will be easy and pleasant. We wish you only comfortable and memorable trips!

Complete list of words and phrases for download

We have compiled a document for you, which contains words and expressions on this topic. You can download it from the link below.

(*.pdf, 305 Kb)

To test your knowledge, try our quiz.

More meanings of the word and translation of TAXI from English into Russian in English-Russian dictionaries.
What is the translation of TAXI from Russian into English in Russian-English dictionaries.

More meanings of this word and English-Russian, Russian-English translations for TAXI in dictionaries.

• TAXI - taxi cargo taxi - taxi-lorry taxi driver - taxi-driver
  
• TAXI - with. non-cl. taxi(-cab); cargo ~ hire van; radio-equipped ~ radio-equipped taxi; catch ~ to catch a cab or a taxi …
  Russian-English Dictionary of General Subjects
• TAXI
  Russian Learner's Dictionary
• TAXI
  Russian Learner's Dictionary
• TAXI
  Russian-English dictionary
• TAXI - with. non-cl. taxi cargo taxi - taxi-lorry taxi driver - taxi-driver
  Russian-English Smirnitsky abbreviations dictionary
• TAXI - cf. ; non-cl. taxi (cab) taxi driver - taxi-driver take a taxi - call a cab, take a cab cargo taxi - ...
  Russian-English Concise Dictionary of General Vocabulary
• TAXI - hansom cab, cab
  Russian-English Dictionary of Construction and New Construction Technologies
• TAXI
  
• TAXI
  British Russian-English Dictionary
• TAXI - Cab
  British Russian-English Dictionary
• TAXI - with. non-cl. taxi(-cab); cargo ~ hire van; radio-equipped ~ radio-equipped taxi; catch ~ to catch a cab or a taxi
  Russian-English Dictionary - QD
• TAXI - with. (taxi)cab, taxi, (motor) cab - cheap multi-seat taxi - fixed-route taxi
  Russian-English automobile dictionary
• TAXI is an undercover nickname for "Jexie", homosexual representatives of the "stable". It is somewhat outdated, because now “taxi” are mostly called either “ladies”, ...
  English-Russian-English dictionary of special services
• TAXI - cf. non-cl. taxi(cab) taxi driver - taxi-driver take a taxi - call a cab, take a cab cargo taxi - taxi-lorry ...
  Big Russian-English Dictionary
• TAXI - taxi taxi
  Russian-English Dictionary Socrates
• TAXI - 1. noun. taxi 2. Ch. 1) take a taxi Syn: go by taxi 2) take a taxi 3) aviation. …
  
• JITNEY - 1. noun 1) Amer. five cents 2) taxi or bus 3) old car; jalopy 2. adj. cheap, penny, inexpensive, …
  Big English-Russian Dictionary
• HOP - I 1. n. 1) a) jump, jump hop, step, and jump sport ≈ triple jump hop, skip, and jump sport ...
  Big English-Russian Dictionary
• HACK
  Big English-Russian Dictionary
• CAB - I 1. n.; abbr. from cabriolet 1) taxi by cab, in a cab ≈ by taxi to call a cab ...
  Big English-Russian Dictionary
• TAXI - taxi.ogg 1. ʹtæksı n 1. taxi taxi driver - taxi driver, taxi driver taxi rank /stand/ - taxi rank air taxi ...
  English-Russian-English Dictionary of General Vocabulary - Collection of the best dictionaries
• CAB - _I 1. kæb n 1. taxi cab fare - taxi fare to call a cab - take ...
  English-Russian-English Dictionary of General Vocabulary - Collection of the best dictionaries
• CAB - I cab n.; abbr. from cabriolet1) taxi by cab, in a cab - by taxi call a cab - take ...
  Tiger English-Russian Dictionary

Taxi.

Tell me, are you just a taxi or a kind taxi? - From the movie "Taxi".

I knew right away that he was a jerk. How he maneuvered between cars, dodged trucks, slipped right in front of the noses of passers-by! But then I got really scared. When we arrived, he took out a magnifying glass to look at the counter! - Faina Ranevskaya.

I will take care of your business card. - From the movie "Taxi".

Do you often take a taxi? Since I often come back relatively late from my students and don't drive a car, I take a taxi.

Interestingly, taxi drivers are all different. With some you can talk all the way, while others do not show miracles of sociability. Taxis can come in handy for a variety of occasions, even if you prefer to drive your own car.

An interesting fact: it is very difficult to get the profession of a taxi driver in London. It is considered a prestigious profession, because in order to memorize all these countless streets, you need to have an excellent memory. Only 4 people out of 10 pass the exam and reach the end.

Reminds me of Sherlock. What a smart and cunning taxi driver there was.

Let's consider a dialogue.

Taxi Driver: Hi, where are you going?

Passenger: To the airport, please

Taxi driver: Shall I put your bag in the trunk ?

Passenger: Yes, please. How long does it take to get to the airport?

Taxi driver: About half an hour. Are you in a hurry?

Passenger: Yes, I am afraid of traffic jams on the road. The plane leaves at 5.

Taxi Driver: Ok. We can take expressway. But there is an extra charge. $10

Passenger: OK. Here you are.

Taxi Driver Thank you. Fasten your seat belt. We'll arrive in 20 minutes.

Passenger: Great

Taxi Driver: Here is the airport.

Passenger: Thank you. How much is it?

Taxi Driver: 60 dollars plus fee for expressway. 70 dollars

Passenger. Here you are. Keep the change.

Taxi Driver: Have a nice flight. Hey! Don't forget your things!

trunk - trunk

does it take to get - how long will it take

in a hurry - in a hurry

traffic jams

expressway - freeway

extra charge - additional charge

fee - fee

seat belt

keep the change - change is not necessary

Dialogue number 2.

Taxi Driver: Hello, miss, do you need a taxi?

Kate: Yes.

Taxi Driver: Do you have any baggage/luggage

Kate: I've got a handbag and one heavy suitcase .

Taxi Driver: Ok, I'll put it in the back. Where are you going?

Kate: To the train station

Taxi Driver: Is it you first time in London?

Kate: Yes, it is. Like it very much. I have never been to London before. How long does it take to get to the station?

Taxi driver: About 1 hour, but there is a little traffic jam. There might be some accident.

Kate: Ok. Then I will go by subway. Let's go to the nearest subway station

Taxi driver: Ok. The fee will be 30 dollars

Kate. Ok. Let's go!

baggage/luggage - luggage

handbag - hand luggage (handbag)

suitcase - suitcase

in the back - in the trunk

accident - accident

subway - subway

fee - payment

Expressions that may come in handy.

On my way.

Where can I take you? Where to take you?
Where are you going? Where are you heading?
What's your destination? What is your destination?
I don't know that place. Do you have a map? I don't know this place. Do you have a map?
Can you show me on this map? Can you show it to me on a map?
Are you in a hurry? Are you in a hurry?
It is very close. It's very close
It is pretty far away. It's far enough from here
It will take about 15 minutes. This will take about 15 minutes.
It takes about one hour to get there. About an hour to get there
It is faster to take the expressway but you have to pay the toll . Faster to go on the freeway, but it is paid.

in the understanding of the passenger.

Speak slowly, please. Please speak slower
Sorry, I can't catch it. Sorry, I can't understand.
Yes, I understand. I'll take you there. Yes, I understand, I'll take you there.
Please ask someone to write it in Thai / Chinese.Please ask someone to write it in Thai, Chinese.
no problem. No problem

Traffic assessment.

It's rush hour. Peak hour!
There's a traffic jam. Traffic jam.
The traffic is bad over there. You'll get there faster if you walk from here. The traffic is very bad here. You'll get there faster if you walk from here.
I think there's been an accident. I think there's been an accident.
I'll try a different way. I will try another way

In payment

The total price is $10 . Ten dollars for everything.
Thank you for the tip. Thanks for the tip
Do you have smaller notes/bills ? Do you have smaller denominations?
I don't have any change. I don't have change.
The customer pays for the expressway OK? Passenger pay for freeway.
Are you in a hurry? Take the expressway? Are you in a hurry? Drive on the freeway?
There is a tollway fee. You pay the fee, ok? Here is the fare.

Special instructions, requests.

I'll put your luggage in the boot / trunk . I'll put your luggage in the trunk.
Put on your seatbelt, please. Put on a belt, please.
Is it okay if I open a window? Is it okay if I open the window?
Is the air-conditioning okay? Normal air conditioning?
Please don't eat in the car. Please don't eat in the car.
No smoking, please. Please don't smoke.
Do you want me to wait? Do you want me to wait?
I have to get some gas. I need to fuel up.

Farewell phrases.

Watch out for motorcycles before getting out! Be careful when you go out. There are motorcycles everywhere.
Don't forget your things. Don't forget your things.
Thank you for your business. Thanks for your business.
Hope to see you again. Hope to see you again.
It's been nice chatting with you. It was great to chat with you.
Enjoy your stay in Thailand. Have a nice stay in Thailand.
You're welcome. You're welcome.

What can we talk about.

Have you been here before? Have you been here before?
Are you from around here? Are you from here?
How do you like Bangkok? How do you like Bangkok?
Are you here on business? Are you here on business?
Are you staying long? How long will you stay?
G ood weather, huh? Not too hot, not too cold. Nice weather, right? Not too hot, not too cold.
I hope the weather gets better for you. I hope the weather will be better.
How many people can you fit? How many people will fit?
How long will it take? How long will it take to get there?
Please wait for me. Please wait for me.
You can keep the meter running. You can turn on the counter.
Do you have a flat fee to the airport? Do you have fixed fares?
I'm in a bit of a rush. I'm in a bit of a hurry.
Can we get there by 10 o'clock? Can we get there by 10 o'clock?
Could you slow down, please? Could you drive slower?
Is this the quickest way? Is this the fastest way?
Do you take credit cards? Do you accept credit cards?
Do you have change? Do you have change?
Keep the change. Keep the change.
Thanks for the ride/lift. Thanks for the toss.

Keywords.

passengers: passenger
destination : destination
map: map, route.
inahurry : in a hurry, hurry
expressway / motorway : freeway
tollway : toll freeway
toll: fee
boot / trunk: trunk
seatbelt : safety belt
accident: accident
fee: cash contribution
note/bill: banknotes
boundaries : (cities, countries)
fare : fare
flat fee/ fixed price: fix price
in a rush: in a hurry

Idiom.

to hail a taxi. Catch a taxi.

See if you can hail a cab. I don't want to walk home in the rain.

Let's see if you can get a taxi. I don't want to go home in the rain .

Have a great day