Countries of the world have a lot of different features and services that make them unique to each other, but one of the things you can always find from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe is the humble taxi cab.
Of course not all taxis are equal; the cars used and more importantly the fares charged can vary greatly. If you’re interested in where your country stands or if you’re planning a trip abroad, Trip Advisor Japan has whipped up a quick and handy infographic ranking 25 places around the world by the rates of their taxis.
The taxis in these major cities are all ranked according to how far of a distance 1,000 yen (US$9.75) would get you. The rates were obtained by the cities’ tourism centers or taxi companies. Here they are from most to least expensive.
25 – Amsterdam, Netherlands (2.695km/1.674mi)
24 – Tokyo, Japan (2.896km/1.799mi)
23 – Rome, Italy (3.510km/2.181mi)
22 – Berlin, Germany (3.816km/2.371mi)
21 – Sydney, Australia (4.271km/2.653mi)
20 – London, England (4.741km/2.945mi)
19 – Toronto, Canada (4.748km/2.950mi)
18 – Cairo, Egypt (5.000km/3.106mi)
17 – Madrid, Spain (5.939km/3.690mi)
16 – Prague, Czech (6.385km/3.967mi)
15 – Hawaii, USA (7.313km/4.544mi)
14 – Paris, France (7.505km/4.663mi)
13 – New York, USA (8.403km/5.221mi)
12 – Johannesburg, South Africa (9.650km/5.996mi)
11 – Moscow, Russia (10.000km/6.213mi)
10 – Istanbul, Turkey (13.871km/8.619mi)
9 – Taipei, Taiwan (16.411km/10.197mi)
8 – Seoul, South Korea (18.159km/11.283mi)
7 – Singapore, Singapore (25.538km/15.868mi)
6 – Beijing, China (35.410km/22.002mi)
5 – Manila, Philippines (43.277km/26.891mi)
4 – Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (45.729km/28.414mi)
3 – Mexico City, Mexico (46.564km/28.933mi)
2 – Bangkok, Thailand (55.399km/34.423mi)
1 – Delhi, India (86.960km/54.034mi)
Well, we certainly suck. It would seem most of Asia aside from Tokyo enjoys very reasonably price taxi services. That being said, I’d probably be too scared to take any of the top four taxis.
It should also be noted that these rankings do not take into account waiting time charges, taxes, or tips where applicable. The complete lack of tipping for taxi drivers in Japan may help its dismal performance here.
In other news, Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport are considering loosening the caps on taxi and bus fares for the nation by 2.86 percent. The move is intended to help taxi and bus companies not to be affected by the rise in consumption tax next April. Raising the cap will allow the services to maintain their profits while passing the tax burden onto the consumer raising the base fare to 730 yen (US$7.13).
Son of a…
Source: TripAdvisor, Nihon Keizai Shinbun

Tokyo making big changes to taxi service and fares, looking for a few “testy” drivers
Tokyo’s new pre-fixed taxi fare smartphone service reduces the guess work of travelling by cab
Expat Insider’s Quality of Life survey 2017 reveals Japan has slipped down the rankings, but why?
Woman asks for eight-hour taxi ride in Japan, arrested when she doesn’t pay gigantic fare
Top 25 travel destinations in Japan, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum on top for second year in a row
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Mr. Sato shares his own secret Ministop hack to help save the ailing convenience store
Studio Ghibli announces first new short anime film in 8 years, exclusive to Ghibli Park
Temple with 600-year-old tree near busy Tokyo station is like a tranquil pocket dimension
Japanese government wants overseas anime market to roughly triple in 10 years, but are they crazy?
Pokémon hot spring footbath opening in Japan this spring
Starbucks Japan releases FIVE new Frappuccinos in a day, and we try them all in 90 minutes
Ghibli Park opens final area to first visitors, with stunning new attractions and shops 【Videos】
New interactive Pokémon attraction coming to Universal Studios Japan
Japanese-style afternoon tea in this Japanese manor house outside downtown Tokyo is something special
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Move aside, convenience store egg sando – there’s a better version of the iconic sandwich in Japan
Japan’s popular bead bonsai kit is as beautiful as it is gruelling to make
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Final version of Sanrio: Beginning of Kawaii exhibition opens in Tokyo[Photos]
Japan has new rules for bicycle riders, and these 14 things could get you a fine or a court date
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
The top-ranked restaurants in Japan, Asia and the world!
The top 10 universities in Japan determined by 2021 World University Rankings
The number 1 ‘most satisfying’ city in the world is….TOKYO!!!
‘So Glad I Went!’ 2013 Ranking: The Places In Japan That Made an Impact on Foreign Visitors
“Hey, Japanese taxi driver, take us to the best restaurant in Kobe!”
For all chip lovers around the world! This is the ultimate ranking of potato chips in Japan
Guangdong would rank as the world’s 12th most populous nation, and other fun with China’s census
“Hey, Japanese taxi driver, take us to the best seafood joint in Otaru!”
Sanrio Character Ranking results: Cinnamaroll’s five-year streak broken, poll still goes to dogs
2018 Top 20 Day Trip Onsen Hot Spring and Spa Ranking in Japan
“Hey, Japanese taxi driver! Take us to the best restaurant in Sendai!”
Roadside Station Ranking for 2015 is in, find out where you will be driving to in Japan
Kyoto voted as the Best Big City in the world by international travelers, beating out Tokyo
Japan’s 10 best cultural experience activities/tours, as chosen by travelers
Four areas in which Japan needs to improve if it wants to attract more overseas travelers