The most common and direct verb for using this mode of transport is simply "to taxi." For example, you might say, "We decided to taxi to the theater instead of walking." In a technical aviation context, "to taxi" specifically refers to an aircraft moving slowly along the ground under its own power before takeoff or after landing. However, in casual English, most people use phrasal verbs or "light verb" constructions rather than the standalone verb. Common alternatives include "taking a taxi," "hailing a taxi" (specifically when signaling one on the street), or "calling a taxi" (when booking via phone or app). In 2026, with the dominance of ride-sharing, the verb "to Uber" or "to Lyft" has largely replaced "to taxi" in colloquial speech, even when referring to traditional cabs. In formal writing, using "transported by taxi" or "traveled via taxi" is more common. Interestingly, the word "taxi" itself is a shortened version of "taximeter cab," referring to the device that calculates the fare based on distance and time.