What are NYC taxis called?

Taxicabs are the only vehicles that have the right to pick up street-hailing and prearranged passengers anywhere in New York City.



New York City taxis are most commonly called "Yellow Cabs" or simply "Cabs." Officially, they are known as Medallion Taxis because they are the only vehicles authorized to pick up passengers via street hails anywhere in the five boroughs. The "Medallion" refers to the physical plate attached to the hood of the car that serves as its license. In addition to the iconic yellow cabs, NYC also has Green Taxis (officially called Street Hail Liveries or SHLs). These were introduced to serve the "outer boroughs" (The Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island) and Upper Manhattan; they can be hailed on the street in those areas but are prohibited from picking up hails in the "Yellow Zone" of Manhattan's central business district. In 2026, these taxis are increasingly integrated with the Curb and Arro apps, allowing users to hail them digitally just like an Uber. Despite the rise of ridesharing, the "Yellow Cab" remains the ultimate symbol of New York City transit, instantly recognizable by its vibrant paint and illuminated rooftop "off-duty" signs.

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What is correct in New York City, taxi or cab? Both are correct as the terms originated from the original word “taxicab”. Most people do call them taxis here.

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The results might shock you. She found that without tips or surge pricing, hailing a cab was always less expensive than an UberX or a standard Lyft. Cab prices averaged 35-83% less than a ride-share. Prices for the same rides on the taxi cab app CURB varied.

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The results might shock you. She found that without tips or surge pricing, hailing a cab was always less expensive than an UberX or a standard Lyft. Cab prices averaged 35-83% less than a ride-share.

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You can pay for your NYC taxi ride either in cash or via debit/credit cards. All taxi drivers are obligated to accept both payment methods.

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Tips are big business in New York, as they are in the rest of the US. But sadly you'll be expected to pay over the odds in the Big Apple. 20% of the fee is the recommended amount. If you're paying with card instead of cold hard cash, the amount of gratuity will automatically be added to the charge.

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First Things First: How To Hail A Taxi Cab In NYC While it might take some finesse and a bit of New York confidence, it's nowhere near impossible, even for a newcomer. One good tip for newcomers is to allow someone else to do the work for them - i.e., the hotel doorman or concierge.

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According to Yellow Cab Co. tradition, the color (and name) yellow was selected by John Hertz as the result of a survey he commissioned at a local university, which indicated it was the easiest color to spot.

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Hailing a cab in NYC is not as intimidating as it seems. While it might take some finesse and a bit of New York confidence, it's nowhere near impossible, even for a newcomer. One good tip for newcomers is to allow someone else to do the work for them - i.e., the hotel doorman or concierge.

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AirTrain + Subway from JFK to Manhattan This is by far the cheapest (and surprisingly easy) option to get from JFK to wherever you are staying. Using a combination of the light rail AirTrain to connect with the subway system is a very easy way to reach Manhattan.

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A subway ride and AirTrain costs $11.15. A faster commuter train to and AirTrain costs between $13.25 to $15.25. A shared shuttle van costs between JFK and Grand Central is $20 per person, while a shared shuttle from JFK to your door starts at $40 per person and up.

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For years 20% has been considered a generous tip when dining in at a restaurant, but according to the magazine, 20% is now the bare minimum and anyone who leaves anything less is rude. Additionally, the magazine says you should be leaving $1 whenever you pick up a coffee and tipping at least 10% when you grab takeout.

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How to get a taxi in New York City
  1. Dial 7: +1 212 777 7777.
  2. Brooklyn Taxi & Limo: +1 917 999 9396.
  3. Queens Medallion Leasing (NYC Taxi Yellow Cab Company): +1 718 784 9292.


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From Driver Rule 54-20 (in PDF): It is against the law to refuse a person based on race, disability, or a destination in New York City. A taxicab driver is required to drive a passenger to any destination in the five boroughs. You can make a refusal complaint by calling 3-1-1.

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A taxi in NYC has three basic light signs on the roof of the car: If only the numbers in the middle are lit, then that cab is waiting for you to flag it down. If only the outer lights are lit, then that cab is off-duty and headed back to the depot for a shift change, but it may still be possible to get a short ride.

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