New York City is a favorite tourist destination for Americans and foreign tourists alike.  In fact around 47 million tourists visit this city each year!  If you plan on visiting New York City (NYC) you will likely be taking a cab (or taxi) at least a few times during your stay in the city.  Most people get around by taxi at some point while they are in NYC.  Also, if you fly into one of NYC’s three regional airports (including: John F. Kennedy Airport, LaGuardia  Airport, and Newark Airport) you may need to take a cab to get into the city.  Here is a great video with all the information you need to know about how to take a cab in NYC.  First, you may want to review the vocabulary below so you can easily follow along with this video.

savvy – practical knowledge or understanding
hail a cab – to get a cab; to call or wave to get the attention of a cab driver
ripped off – to be taken advantage of financially by paying too much money
unscrupulous – having or showing no moral principles; not honest or fair
“cabby” – taxi driver; the person who drives a cab
the curb – the stone or concrete edging to a sidewalk
to spot – to see
off duty – not working; to stop working
“play it safe” – to avoid risk; to be cautious
entitled – to have the right or claim to something
boroughs – neighborhoods (often used when talking about neighborhoods in NYC)
contradict – to express an opposite opinion
medallion number – an aluminum plaque in every taxi in NY City that gives that taxi’s unique identification number
the meter – the device that measures how much you have to pay the taxi driver
surcharge – an additional charge or payment
tolls – a charge that one must pay to have permission to use a particular bridge or road
fair – the amount charged to ride in a taxi