Taxis services are generally affordable and frequent in Miami. However, for people who are not frequent travelers to the city, have to consider certain important things in mind before taking a taxi either to downtown Miami, airport or to the neighborhood areas.

First of all, it is important to spot a licensed cab in the city. A taxi which does not have a license in Miami means that it is providing illegal services and can be extremely unsafe to ride. So, before you get inside the cab, check the word 'taxi' that should be properly displayed on both sides of the car.

Secondly, all licensed cabs in the city have telephone number that is prominently seen on both the sides. Make sure you see the license number that is also shown on the cab. Finally, you should check the license and the price chart that are displayed inside the cab or request the driver to five you one.

The taxicabs in Miami mostly run on meters. The exact fare is displayed on the meter and you are expected to pay that amount. The rate graph is such that for the first 1/6 mile, you should pay $2.50. And after every additional 1/6 mile, you pay $0.40. There are extra charges for waiting, and for airport-bound taxicabs.

You are expected to pay up for toll-free services. There are a number of taxi stands in the city so there would not be a problem to book the one closest to your place. The most popular taxi services include Miami-Dade Taxis, Yellow Cab, Flamingo Taxis and Rickenbacker Taxi, to name a few.

If you are looking to hail a cab in south Florida, it can be a challenging task. Some useful hints which can make your exercise easier are provided below to enhance your Miami travel information.

How to recognize a licensed Taxi in Miami

When a taxi becomes essential for you, always look for the licensed taxis because unlicensed taxis can potentially put your safety at risk when used. The following are the pointers to identify a licensed taxi:

- The word 'cab' 'taxi' or 'taxi cab' should be prominently displayed on either side of the vehicle.
- The telephone number must be appearing on either side of the vehicle
- The license number of the Taxi cab should be displayed at a minimum of six locations on the vehicle.
- Inside the vehicle, the driver's license and rate card should be displayed.

This web site provides detailed information on Miami taxi fares:

http://www.infotaxi.org/article_118.htm

Taxi fare calculation Miami

The general practice for Miami taxis is to run at metered rates. The meter should show the fare that you are asked to pay. The rate applicable for the first 1/6 mile is $2.50 with 40 cents being charged for every incremental distance of 1/6 miles. Each minute of waiting costs 40 cents and if your trip originates from the airport an additional $2.0 fee would apply.

Apart from this flat rate taxis are also available when you consider that a better option. Rides within Coral Gables for examples can cost anywhere between $14 and $19 or a trip between the Miami International Airport and the Sea Port at $24.0. Any toll fee necessary en-route your destination also should be paid by you. A gratuity of 15-20% is generally the norm.

One of the most important Miami travel information you should be aware of is how to get a Miami taxi from airport.

As a tourist, you surely do not want to deal with any inconvenience or hassle on your road travel. Not all tourists have friends in Miami who can pick them up after arriving at the Miami airport.

Here are some sites you can check to get more information on how to book for a Miami taxi from airport.

You can visit the official site of the Miami airport at http://www.miami-airport.com/html/taxi_and_shuttle_service.html. You can check this site for the different zone maps and the allowed meter and flat rates.

In Miami airport, you can see the taxis at the airport's ground level, which is the airport's arrival area. There are also available taxicabs that are accessible to wheelchairs, to make it more convenient for tourists who have physical difficulties.

Another helpful site is http://www.miamibeach411.com/trans_taxi.html. You can check this site for the different Miami taxi rates that apply to different destinations. You can also get the contact numbers of taxi cab companies in Miami.

You can also check out http://miami.airport-shuttle.com/taxi.html. This site highlights some essential information such as baggage limits and service standards.