Whats the rule of thumb for tipping cab drivers?

Where? In NYC 15-20% is standard

You might want to repost this question with a title like
"tipping cab drivers in _______"

In the US? 10-15%

Give a NYC cabbie 10% and you will get a lot of dirty looks - if not more. These guys fight horrendous traffic, are paying a huge price for gas, as well as a fortune to pay off their city cab medallions. It's one of the hardest jobs in the city - and IMHO 10% is just too cheap.

We always tip 20% - unless it's a huge fare - and then may round to a little less.

20%. 10% is just downright cheap.

I'm another poster who goes with 20%.

I abhor tipping rules but as a frequent traveler and a person who dines out often I understand it is nearly a requirement so I do it.

That said, I do 15% but round up for meals but more like 10% for other services like taxis. If the driver gives me a bad look, so be it. And BTW, gas prices have only soared for the past 9-12 months and if they have to work their fannies off to pay off a medallion then IMO the medallion issuing agency should change this predatory practice and restrictive trade scam. I also don't think it is one of the hardest jobs to do, not even close.

What is the typical cost for a cab ride from La Guardia to downtown?...Then at your suggestions, a 20% tip over this?
I am usually familiar with "tipping procedures" when it comes to restaurants and other services but in our community there is rarely a taxi ride anywhere..so when I get in a cab, I am befuddled. Now, I realize, I have been tipping way too much...Thanks everyone.

I'm not sure of the cost of that particular trip, but, yes, 20% over the cost, unless you feel you got poor service for whatever reason.

Not sure where this disdain for cab drivers comes in. They do work very hard and it doesn't take much to be a decent human being.

FWIW, NYC's official tourism organization says 15%:

http://nycvisit.com/content/index.cfm?pagePkey=2081

Where? There is no taxi tipping rule for all of the United States.

Tipping (as in quasi-mandatory tipping) is a ridiculous custom. If an extra 15 or 20 percent is so vital and necessary, it should be added to the price, and that's all there is to it. .... Especially outstanding service and favors certainly rate a nice bonus.

Wyatt,

You think a 10% tip is downright cheap and 20% makes you a decent human being? Somehow you think the amount of money you tip is related to how good a person you are?

Mighty strange. Some taxi trips are over in less that 10 minutes, it's a simple service. There is nothing earth shattering going on here. None of this is disdain for cab drivers, it's just that I don't see this service as worth that much of MY money. All of which I earned without any tips, bonuses or pay incentives and all of which has already been taxed at nearly 40%. Also, many of us working types have gone years without raises.

nytraveler,
Any cab driver who gets an attitude with me over wanting a tip higher than 10% has a real problem. Perhaps they forget that all tipping is voluntary and they should be thankful for anything in double digit percent. Regardless, I'll stick to 10%, it's what I consider fair, I just don't see it as being cheap.

It would be nice if the cost of something was based on a set price. However, in the US at least, tipping is an important part of the income to be expected with certain jobs. Why this should be is not really in question, it just IS.

To me it makes no sense to say you get to decide what is "fair," and yet still refuse to be thought of as cheap. There is no "fairness" involved, just local custom. The difference with goods that have a set price--the meter fare allowed by local ordinance, the food and drink sold in the restaurant--is that if you don't like the price you can't have it. You can't ride in the taxi or order the lobster or whatever. And it is sad to me when someone thinks that they get to decide what is "fair," and tip accordingly. I have just as much right to think "cheap" rather than "fair," using my standards, if we are going to discount the usual and customary in tipping.

10% is just downright cheap.

On a recent trip from SeaTac Airport, an unsavory taxi driver drove us 3 miles out of our way on a 14-mile trip. When I gave him a 10% tip, he said, "Thank you."

Sorry, but I think 10% is cheap. And I'm a "working type" as you put it as well. My last pay raise was 1.5%. But I fail to see how that has any bearing on how I tip cab drivers.

I think generosity comes back to you in many ways. I've given some nice tips to cab drivers and the appreciation I get is overwhelming. They are people too and who doesn't appreciate being treated well? It certainly is your right to tip how you see fit, as tipping is voluntary and you clearly don't value the service very much and seem to think you work so much harder for "your money. But it's my right to think you're cheap.

It's one of the hardest jobs in the city????


riiiiiigght........

Would YOU like to contend with New York traffic your whole work day??? I certainly would not!

Regarding being driven 3 miles out of your way on a 14 mile trip, how did you determine that? Why didn't you speak up with your preferred route? Why tip ANYthing if you felt the driver was "unsavory"?

I never use a cab here in Portland, OR, but don't fares increases cover higher gas costs? I'd think so. So, why should a tip increase just because the price of fuel goes up?

Actually, no, fares do not increase just because gas prices go up.

And if anyone does not think driving a cab is hard, they should ask a cab driver in NYC or Boston if they could trade jobs for a day.