Holidays are a crazy time of the year. Families are going out for celebrations, tourists are visiting the coast and locals are taking time off from work. During the holidays, getting a taxi can be really hard and stressful. But don’t worry, there are different ways to avoid the stress and get a taxi when you need it.
In this guide I would like to provide you with some basic tips to help you with getting a taxi during the holidays. If you are going to the airport with your family or coming back from a hard day at the beach and need a taxi, these tips are going to help a lot.
Book Early to Secure Your Ride
In the holidays and during busy hours, it is normal for taxis to be fully booked and not available. The best way to avoid this is to make a booking. For example, if you know you need a ride to family gathering, a dinner, or to the airport, make an early booking.
Booking a taxi ahead of time not only gives you peace of mind but also allows companies to better manage their schedules. Christmas and New Year are busy times of the year when the taxi drivers are working longer hours, so you won’t be left waiting if you book a taxi ahead of time.
Select local taxi services
One of the best ways to ensure you get a ride in a timely manner, is to use a local taxi service rather than a ride-share app. Local drivers are also aware of the high traffic areas and how to avoid them. They can reach your location and drop you off in time regardless of traffic.
For instance, during the peninsula drive, a rosebud taxi is usually best than waiting for a rideshare. Local drivers know the areas better and avoid the worst traffic during the holidays.
Avoid Peak Travel Times if You Can
There are certain times when taxis are in high demand. Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, public holidays, and weekend evenings are best to avoid. If you can plan your trips outside these times, you will find it much easier to book a taxi.
For example, when going out for dinner, you might choose to make reservations for slightly before or after the peak dinner rush. When going to the airport, try to leave in the morning rather than waiting to go in the afternoon. Even little adjustments to your travel plans can save you a ton of waiting time!
Give Getting a Cab the Old College Try
Though telephone bookings have not completely disappeared, most of your neighborhood cab services have gone modern and allow for the booking of cabs over the internet or have even developed smartphone apps. These modern conveniences serve as great time savers and allow you to know when a cab driver has accepted your booking and will be making the pickup.
In case you need to book a cab, save the number of your go to cab service. You then have a way of contacting them directly should there be a lapse in time when booking them through the app. You should also have multiple services saved incase one service is too busy and you need to book a cab quickly.
Be Specific When Getting a Cab
When the time comes to request a ride, make sure you provide the driver with precise and clear travel directions to avoid any confusion. Specify the pickup location, and the time you want the driver to leave.
This makes it easier for the company to send the right car for your trip, and it minimizes confusion, so your ride is much more comfortable.
Make Sure to Plan for Airport Transfers
Airports tend to be busy during the holidays, so make sure you plan ahead for your transfers. You don’t want to miss your flight. To avoid any mishaps, order your airport taxi a couple of days in advance and make sure to plan for extra time in case of traffic.
Airport travel is easier with premium taxis, especially when you have a lot of luggage, are travelling with a large group, or during the holidays. You’ll want to make sure your ride is stress-free, so you can focus on your holiday.
Be Flexible and Compliant
You can be sure that no matter how you plan, there will be delays during the holidays. You can plan for heavy traffic and longer events. Being patient with your taxi provider is very important.
If you taxi driver is delayed, don’t worry. They are also caught in heavy traffic and the demand for taxis is very high. Having a calm mindset and a lot of extra time will make your journey much easier.
Prioritize Safety
During the holiday season, there are often parties, late nights, and big celebrations. After a night out, taxis are one of the safest options to get home. When you order one, make sure to choose a licensed taxi company to know that you are safe.
Most local taxi drivers know the community and can get you home without hassle. This is especially true if you are coming home late. In this case, taking a taxi is a much better option than driving yourself or taking public transport which is often unreliable.
Support Your Community
Local taxis also mean you are supporting the drivers in your community. This is much better than ride-sharing apps which can connect you with a driver from a different area. Local taxis know the roads, shortcuts, and the best times to avoid the worst traffic.
Local taxis do ease the trip, but they also help community small businesses stay afloat during the holiday season which is the busiest time of the year.
Conclusion
There is no need to get stressed while booking a taxi for the holidays. You can take comfy, safe, timely rides all summer long with the right taxi service if you plan a bit. Just remember to book in advance, try local services, plan for off-peak times, and be specific when ordering.
It can be helping a relative get back home, a friends night out, a taxi to the airport, or any of other taxi rides you planned these simple tips will help you get there without any of the holiday hassle.
