So many people travel by cab daily or hire one when they are out exploring a new city without considering they might be paying more than they have to.
You see there are a lot of ways you can save money on cab fares if you just pay a little attention. Doing very basic and simple things like comparing prices of different cab services and travelling during non-peak hours can save you so much money that you can spend on the more important stuff.
In this article, we are going to take you through some of the most effective tips that you can use to travel by cab at very affordable rates so stay with us till the end.
Here are a few things you can do to save money on cab fares
- Travel During Non-Peak Hours
- Go for Carpooling
- Compare Local Cab Prices
- Ask for Flat Rates
- Check for Special Online Offers
- Avoid After-Hours Surcharge
1. Travel During Non-Peak Hours
One common mistake people make that leads to them paying higher cab fares is that they don’t pay attention to the peak hours applicable in that area. In most cases, different fare is charged during the daytime when the demand for cabs is not that much.
As the night closes in and more people call for cabs to take them home from work , the fare starts to increase. The time between 7:30 am to 9 am and 4:30 pm to 6 pm usually falls under the rush hour category.
However, the duration of the rush hour can be different based on the region or country you are travelling in. Make sure to travel before or after this period as it will cost you much less for the same distance.
2. Go for Carpooling
If you don’t mind sharing your ride with friends or even strangers then this is a very economical option for you. By sharing your cab with a fellow traveller, you can reduce the fare to half or even less than half if you are travelling with more people.
This way of travelling leads to you paying even less than what you do on a means of public transport not to mention the comfort and luxury you get with it.
This simple hack ensures you can travel long distances without having to pay very high fares and at the same time enjoy the company of your fellow traveler.
3. Compare Local Cab Prices
Local authorities in different regions have a pre-defined structure that shows maximum chargeable fare for different distances, days, and times. Every professional cab service adheres to these fixed numbers.
So, next time you hire a cab online, make sure to compare their rates with the values approved by authorities.
If you cannot find the acceptable fares by local authorities then you can compare the prices charged by competitive cab services to find an option that is the most affordable.
4. Ask for Flat Rates
This is especially helpful when you are travelling long distances and you are low on budget. If you don’t go for the flat rates, then chances are you will be charged more.
For one thing, the roads can be unpredictable and you never know how many times and for how much duration the cab will come to a stop along the way. Moreover, different cab services have different rates and if you choose one with a higher rate, it can cost you even more.
Most professional cab services tend to accept your suggestion of taking a flat rate in advance. However, in case, the trip is very short or the fare you offer is very low, they will most likely refuse.
However, make it a habit to ask for a flat rate before riding a cab. In some instances, it can even save you at least 10% of the total fare.
5. Check for Special Online Offers
You can also go online, search for the best local cab services, and see if they are offering special discounts and offers. You can also negotiate special discounts if you plan on using the cab service regularly.
Most cab services will agree to a lower flat rate if you commit to using them for a specific period. Simply search on Google, or contact the local cab services directly to enquire about special cab discount offers.
6. Avoid After-Hours Surcharge
In most regions, travelling after 9 pm till 6 am makes you liable to after hour surcharge. Travelling at these times will add more to your travelling costs and that can drain you a lot financially.
Make it a habit to start your ride before this time to save some money. If you cannot make it at 9 pm, try calling the cab before this time. Some cab services do not charge after-hours surcharge if you call and book them before the said time.
Conclusion
Travelling by cab can be an affordable and comfortable way to move from point A to B if you know the right way around it. Hiring a cab from some reputable service can ensure you get a fair price and a very peaceful ride every single time.
If you pay attention to things like comparing local cab prices, avoiding after-hour surcharges and peak or rush hours, and asking for flat rates, you can easily reduce travelling costs.
This is especially helpful when you are out there exploring some unfamiliar city and you don’t have any clue about the acceptable fares.
Using these tips, you can easily ensure you don’t get ripped off by using a subpar cab service that doesn’t care at all about customer care and satisfaction. Contact us at Hala Cabs to get the top quality and the most affordable cabs for your next visit.