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Australia

Sydney

Australia's harbourside gateway. Ferries are part of the commute here, so getting around is sightseeing in itself.

Taxis and rideshare

The rules split in two: taxis from a rank or the street are bound by capped fares and a meter; app-booked cars price freely but cannot move until you accept the upfront estimate. Never get into a car that approaches you.

Updated on August 2, 2026

How to ride

  1. 1
    Decide whether to hail one or book one
    Only taxis can be flagged down or taken from a rank - always book Uber or DiDi in the app before you get in.
  2. 2
    In the app, accept the fare estimate first
    Booked services must quote a fare before you travel; check the plate and the driver against the app before boarding.
  3. 3
    In a taxi, watch the meter start
    Once you move off, check the meter is running - if you cannot see it, you may ask the driver to show you.
  4. 4
    If asked to pre-pay, go along with it
    Taxi drivers may ask you to pre-pay an estimate; refuse and they need not take you, but the difference is settled at the end.
  5. 5
    Pay by card, or let the app do it
    In a taxi you pay by card on the terminal; rideshare defaults to the card on your account, though Uber now also takes cash.

Typical costs

Fixed-price routes1

Airport taxi rank to the CBD
From the airport taxi ranks only, not rideshare; $80 is the maxi-taxi rate. Tolls and levy included.
60〜80 AUD ≈ $42–56

How the meter adds up6

Taxi hiring charge (rank and hail)
Urban-area maximum, revised 1 June 2026; each taxi company may charge this or less.
5.17 AUD ≈ $4
Taxi distance rate (per km)
$2.61/km for the first 12 km, then $2.37/km, charged while the taxi is doing 26 km/h or more.
2.37〜2.61 AUD ≈ $2
Taxi night distance rate (10pm-6am)
Trips starting between 10pm and 6am carry a 20% night surcharge on the distance rate.
2.82〜3.1 AUD ≈ $2
Taxi peak time hiring charge
Added to the hiring charge for trips starting 10pm-6am on Fri, Sat and the night before a public holiday.
2.65 AUD ≈ $2
Taxi waiting time (per hour)
Charged by the minute whenever the taxi is moving slower than 26 km/h, including in traffic.
67.78 AUD ≈ $47
Passenger Service Levy
Applies to taxis and rideshare alike; added to your fare if the provider passes it on. Runs to end-2030.
1.32 AUD ≈ $0.9

Estimates use exchange rates as of November 3, 2026

Payment

Tap to ride
Taxis take cards in the car; the surcharge is capped at 5% of the fare
App tickets
Uber and DiDi charge the card on your account automatically
Cash
In a taxi it depends on the driver; Uber now takes cash, DiDi does not

Quick facts

Hours
24 hours
Fares from
60 AUD+

Heads-up

  • Never get into a car that approaches you in the street

    Never get into a car that approaches you on the street. Only taxis may be hailed or taken from a rank, and only taxis are required to carry safety equipment such as security cameras.

  • Complete the booking in the app before you get in

    With rideshare, complete the booking in the app before you get in. Hire vehicles are not required to carry cameras, and the booking record is the only thing that identifies the car and driver afterwards.

  • Refusing a fare or not using the meter can be reported

    A taxi refusing your fare, not using the meter, or demanding a set amount is an offence. Report it to the 24-hour Taxi Fare Hotline on 1800 500 410 with the plate number, date and time.

Timetable

Operating hours 24 hours
Typical duration Transport for NSW itself points to taxis at night when your origin or destination is not near a stop or station
Check the official site for the latest times and service status
Editor Naotaka