Catching a cab in a new country can be a challenge on a par with attempting to speak the language. Do you hail that taxi or call ahead? Haggle with the driver or insist on the meter? Take a fancy cab or opt for something cheaper? Travel writer Ben Groundwater breaks down the cultural barriers

Hail!
Methods of flagging down a cab vary throughout the world. If you’re in New York there’s no point meekly waiting on the sidewalk – you’ll need to step all the way into the road and wave your hand to get attention. In San Francisco, however, there’s no need to leave the pavement. Simply wait in relative safety in the ‘Statue of Liberty pose’, and someone will stop for you. The same applies in London, and most other European cities.

To tip or not to tip?
In most countries, rounding the fare up is sufficient. In the USA, however, a 10 per cent tip for the cab driver is the least that’s expected, and 15 per cent should be given for especially good service. In New York, meanwhile, the expected tip can be up to 20 per cent, particularly in Manhattan.

When to turn to tech
Catching an iconic black cab in London is an essential part of experiencing the capital and its culture – not least because of their knowledgable and witty drivers. But gone are the days of having to physically hail one down in the street, thanks to Hailo, an app that lets customers order licensed taxis in the capital on demand – as an added bonus for Executive Club Members, you can also collect one Avios for every £1 spent on a journey. Trying to hail a cab in Los Angeles? Good luck. Taxis are notoriously sparse in this city where everyone owns a car, and by far the best way to get a ride is to book an Uber. The ride-sharing app is also essential in Washington DC and Boston, and is even taking off in cities such as Johannesburg.

Prepare to haggle
You’ll have to beg to use the meter in cities such as Mumbai or Bangkok. It’s the same in much of Southeast Asia and the sub-continent, where there is a serious aversion to meter usage, and you’ll have to be firm if you hope to see it clicking over. It’s much more common to haggle over price, particularly if you’re travelling by

Is that a… taxi?
In Tehran, locals have come up with an even simpler ride-sharing system: strangers will offer lifts to those in need. Every car in Tehran is a potential taxi – just be prepared to haggle like a demon.

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This article has been tagged Opinion, Travel Tips