Cities With the Highest Taxi Prices Worldwide

Travelers may feel the pinch when hailing a ride in some global cities. Recent data reveals that a standard five-kilometer taxi ride costs roughly $27.30 in Zurich—making it the most expensive city for this short trip. A close second is Paris at around $26.50, followed by Luxembourg City at about $26.

These elevated fares stem from high living costs, pricey fuel, stringent regulations and elevated wage expectations in top-tier urban centres. European cities dominate the top of the list, with also Geneva, London and Milan featuring among the costliest locations for short taxi rides. Meanwhile, cities such as Cairo stand in stark contrast—experiencing fares around $1.90 for a comparable distance, thanks to lower cost bases and weaker exchange rates.

For travellers entering high-fare markets, this means factoring transportation into budgeting is crucial. In cities where taxi prices are steep, ride-sharing options, public transit or walking become more attractive. Likewise, timing affects cost—peak hours, night surcharges or premium zone pickups may swell the fare significantly. Students of urban transport policy also note that the pricey nature of taxi rides in such cities reflects deeper issues: labour regulations, vehicle maintenance costs, taxi-licence scarcity and overall cost of living.

In short: if your itinerary brings you to one of the costliest cities in the world for taxis, plan ahead. Knowing that a short hop could cost more than a whole ride elsewhere might steer you toward smarter mobility choices.