How To Use Taxi In South Africa

What is Taxi?

A taxi, also known as a taxicab or simply a cab, is a type of vehicle for hire with a driver, used by a single passenger or small group of passengers, often for a non-shared ride. A taxicab conveys passengers between locations of their choice.

This differs from public transport where the pick-up and drop-off locations are decided by the service provider, not by the customers, although demand-responsive transport and shared taxis provide a hybrid bus/taxi mode.

How To Use Taxi In South Africa

Here’s a quick guide to some of the taxi hand signals you’ll see and can use in Johannesburg.

 One finger pointed in the air will stop you from a taxi traveling to downtown Johannesburg (Noord or Bree which are the two main taxi ranks in the CBD). Pointing your index finger down means you’re going local.

How do taxis in South Africa work?

Minibus taxis in South Africa are owned and operated by taxi operators, who hire taxi drivers or drive themselves.

Taxi operators must obtain a license from the relevant transport authority and also join or form a taxi association with permission to operate along certain registered routes.

What is the etiquette for taxis in South Africa?

 Every door has its own personality, do not open it rough, if the door falls off when you open do not make eye contact with the driver and pretend to know how to fix it until he comes. No matter what the taxi driver says or does, HE IS ALWAYS RIGHT. Don’t back-chat him.

Why do people use taxis in South Africa?

Taxis are the most popular mode of transport in urban areas for the majority of South Africa’s population. The South African taxi industry plays an important role in the economy considering that the majority of South Africans are poor and dependent on public transport.

How much is the taxi fare in South Africa?

Taxi Fares in South Africa

CityTaxi Start (Normal Tariff)Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)
Durban25.00 R10.00 R
Johannesburg25.00 R15.75 R
Port Elizabeth34.50 R8.00 R
Pretoria20.00 R22.50 R