Table Of Contents +
Understanding Your Taxi Rates
Charlottesville Taxi Rate Structure
Minimum Fares to/from CHO Airport
FAQS

Understanding Taxi Rates in Charlottesville ↑

  • The initial meter fare or the flag drop rate of $3 is the fare you see on the taximeter when the taxi driver turns on his meter. This is also called the base fare used in Charlottesville taxi rates.
  • The second component of your Charlottesville taxi fare is the distance based fare - here your miles traveled are computed with the per mile charge. For example, local taxi companies in Charlottesville charge a distance based taxi rate of $0.60 for every 1/6th mile traveled, which translates to $3.60/mile.
  • The 3rd component of your Charlottesville taximeter fare is the time based fare. For example, what happens when you stop at a light or slow down - situations where there is little to no movement of the car wheels? This is when the time based fare kicks in. For example, if your taxi is stuck in traffic, or your cab is in waiting mode, local cab companies charge $1 for each minute. So, if your wait time is 30 minutes - your calculated time based fare would be 30 minutes x $1.00 = $30
  • The final component of your metered Charlottesville taxi cost is surcharges - These are dollar values assigned for extras such as “after-hours night surcharge”, “grocery/laundry trip”, “inclement or hazardous weather” or any other trip extras the taxi company adds to their final fare. These surcharges are usually added with the extras button on the taximeter.
  • Some Charlottesville taxi companies charge a $2 surcharge for routes crossing into neighboring counties. Similarly, other taxi companies have specified variable late night reservation fees1 starting from $25 & possible fees for oversized luggage. Flat rates can also override these Charlottesville taxi fare estimates. Please note that most taxi companies in Charlottesville can charge up to $300 for any bodily discharge within the vehicle.

1As per Mario’s Cab Service

Charlottesville Taxi Rates - Structure ↑

Flag Drop Rates
Charlottesville’s taxi rate structure includes a flag drop/initial rate of $3.00 for the first 1/10th of a mile. This initial rate seems standardized amongst most cab companies operating in C’ville with the exception of iTaxi Charlottesville2 , which has a published rate of $2.50 for the first 1/10th of a mile.

2 As per iTaxi Rates

Additional Mile & Time Costs
After the initial rate, Yellow Cab of Charlottesville charges $0.50 for each additional 1/6th of a mile and each minute of waiting time also costs $0.50. Star Taxi rates are almost similar, with an initial $3.00 for the first 1/10th of a mile, but a slightly higher $0.60 for each additional 1/6th of a mile, and $1.00 for each minute of waiting. While the initial flag drop charges vary slightly, the subsequent per-mile and per-minute rates are relatively consistent across these companies.

Minimum Taxi Rates to/from CHO Airport ↑

Yellow Cab of Charlottesville has a minimum airport pickup fare of $17, while other cab companies charge between $45 -$65 as a minimum for airport pickups & drop-offs. We recommend you call your taxi company and confirm these rates.

FAQ’s ↑

Why do taxi rates vary in Charlottesville?

The city of Charlottesville has a progressive policy that allows taxicab rates to be established by open market competition. Every person owning or operating taxicabs within the city is required to file with the chief of police a schedule of the maximum taxi rates which that person or taxi company will charge for service within the city. This allows taxi companies in Charlottesville the freedom to publish and maintain their own taxi rate structure, as long as the maximum rates have been specified and approved by the Chief of Police.

What does the flag drop rate mean?

The flag drop rate is the dollar value displayed on the taximeter when the driver turns on their taximeter. The status here is “occupied”. For example, in Charlottesville, in most cabs, when your driver turns on the meter, you will see a displayed fare of $3.00.

What does the additional mile taxi rate mean?

This is the rate applied after the flag drop rate for every ⅙th of a mile traveled.

What does each minute or fraction thereof mean?

This is the waiting time which includes the time consumed while the taxicab is stopped or moving at a speed less than 15 mph. This also takes into account the time consumed waiting for a passenger beginning five minutes after the time of arrival at the place to which it has been called and the time consumed while it is standing at the direction of the passenger.

Why is there a minimum for airport pickups and drop-offs?

Taxi companies have to bear fuel costs, commercial insurance, car maintenance, vehicle depreciation, property taxes, registration and other expenses. If a customer is located near the airport and is traveling 2 miles to reach CHO airport, the meter fare would come up to $10.20 (Base fare $3 + 2 miles x $3.60/mile). For this ride, the driver may have to drive 10-15 miles to the customer’s location & back to his regular service area. This would likely total 25-30 miles, which would cost him ~ $4 in gas. Add to this the taxi company vehicle overheads ~ $2 for this ride. So, this ride would probably net the driver $4.20 for an hour of driving. This is why taxi companies in Charlottesville and many other cities have minimums set for airport drop-offs. Similarly, when a customer requests a pickup from the airport, the driver may incur airport fees, fuel charges, wait times and other costs. This is why there are minimum fares from the airport.

Is there a per-minute waiting charge?

Yes. Yellow Cab charges $0.50 per-minute of waiting time. While other local taxi companies charge $1 per-minute. Taxi waiting time can be defined as the rate charged when the vehicle is either stopped or traveling at a speed of under 15 mph.

Are there different taxi rates for different times of day?

Yes. Yellow Cab charges a $1 surcharge for travel between 10 P.M. through 6 A.M. This is usually called a night or after-hours surcharge. This is added to the taximeter via the extras button.

Are there different taxi rates for weekend or holidays?

From our understanding, most taxi companies in Charlottesville do not charge extra surcharges on holidays or for weekend travel. However, please check with your cab company to be sure.

Are there any surcharges for extra passengers?

No. Unlike cities like Richmond VA which charge for additional passengers, Charlottesville VA taxi companies do not charge any surcharge for extra passengers. However, there may be a maximum passenger limit based on the vehicle type. Usually sedans can accommodate up to 4 passengers and SUV's or minivans may accommodate up to 6 passengers depending on vehicle model.

Are there any charges for luggage or oversized items?

From our understanding of the Charlottesville taxi companies rate policies, there is usually no charge added for luggage pieces and oversized items. However, it is always recommended to ask your taxi company before you ride.

Are tolls included in the taxi fare?

No. Tolls are not included in the taxi fares in Charlottesville. If applicable, they are added separately as extras at the end of the ride. Some taxi drivers may add them to the extras on the taximeter at the beginning of the ride. But this is rarely done unless the toll rate is a multiple of the extras rate assigned to the taximeter. What this means is that the taximeter features an extras button which the driver can use to add surcharges. For example, in Richmond VA, the extras button is used for adding additional passengers at the rate of $1 per extra passenger. Now, if the toll is $4.75, there is no option for the driver to add this unless it is a multiple of $1, which in this case would be ~$5. So, taxi drivers would ideally add the toll after the ride is completed.

Is tipping customary or expected? What is a recommended percentage?

Most taxi drivers work "for" a taxi company and are not the actual owners. Taxi companies with fleets usually pay their drivers an hourly wage. It is always recommended to tip the driver unless you feel that the service offered was poor or sub-standard. As for tipping, it is recommended to pay 15%. If the driver went out of their way to help you with loading/unloading luggage, made multiple stops, waited patiently or was exceptionally professional, you may even consider a 20% tip. In case you cannot afford to pay a tip, a "Thank you for getting me here safely. I really appreciate your help" can be the nicest tip for the driver. At the end of the day, its totally your call whether to tip or not.

What is the taxi fare when there are multiple passengers getting off at different stops along the way?

In these cases when more than one passenger enters a taxicab at the same time bound for different destinations, the fare shall be as follows: Whenever a passenger gets out and pays the fare, the meter shall be reset upon that passenger's departure, but when passengers getting out do not pay the fare, the fare shall be paid by the last passenger delivered. (as per Charlottesville taxi rate ordinance Sec. 32-94

Can I download/print these taxi rates?

Sure! Please use these links. Download Local Taxi Rate Card

Download Yellow Cab Rate Card

Airport Taxi permits & rates in Charlottesville are regulated and administered by the Charlottesville Public Safety Department. 100 Bowen loop, Suite 200 Charlottesville, VA 22911.