TAXIS
Melbourne taxis are numerous and reasonably priced if your trip is short and there a few people sharing the cost.
Cabs often wait in designated ranks that are clearly signposted at central locations like major hotels in the CBD, or busy spots such as Flinders Street Station. You can also hail a taxi in the street by raising your arm up in the air when the rooftop light is illuminated, meaning the taxi is available for hire. You can also book a taxi by telephone.
Outside Melbourne, taxis widely operate in Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo, with additional cabs at country towns throughout the rest of the state.
Fares
Late night taxi trips must be paid for in advance. Between 10pm and 5am in Victoria, the driver will ask you for an up-front deposit, based on a table of point to point estimates. You can use the fare estimator to work out what your up-front costs are likely to be.
If you're in a group of five or more, book in advance and ask for a "maxi taxi". Taxi meters are usually clearly visible, so you can keep check of your fare. Melbourne cabs also attract additional fees including a late night surcharge from midnight to 6am, and charges for phone bookings and using the Citylink toll-road to Melbourne Airport.
Accessibility
For wheelchair-accessible taxis, contact Central Booking Service on 03 9277 3877. 13 CABS and Silver Top Taxis also coordinate and despatch wheelchair-accessible taxis.
Call a cab
13 CABS on 13 2227
Silver Top Taxis on 131 008
Embassy Taxis 131 755