Negotiating with Taxis
 

I wish the MTR ran 24-hours but it doesn't...so sometimes I have to resort to taking a taxi which can run upwards of 150 HKD. I've had a 90% success rate of negotiating a 20% discount on taxi fares. They'll usually do it for destinations that are 50 HKD and up. I just walk up to a taxi and tell them my destination and ask them for 20% off the metered rate.

If you get turned down by the driver, just go to the next taxi. There's also special numbers you can call that will set up the 20% taxi for you at no extra charge.

I'm just putting this information out there so other travelers know and am also curious how many others get discounts on taxis. Also, is 20% off the max? Have you guys had any luck getting 25% or 30%?

Finally, the discount is always on the metered rate not including any tolls. So for example if the fare is 100 HKD and there was a 10 HKD toll and you negotiated a 20% discount, you'd end up paying 100 * (0.8) + 10 = 90 HKD.

I don't negotiate with drivers on the street. Instead, if I have a long fare (like to the airport, or across the harbor in the middle of the night), then I just call one of those "20%-off gangs" and arrange for pickups.

For visitors who are staying at a hotel and don't speak Cantonese, they can still ask the hotel concierge to do that for them. Much better than negotiating on the street, because those who drive around are not "20%-off gangs", and they need the full fare to make ends meet.

Going to the airport is an exception. Many drivers are willing to give you a discount to take you there, even though they're not part of a "20%-off gang".

BTW, in general, the "20%-off gang" gives you 20% off the meter for medium-haul. 30% for longhaul (HK$150 or more). Full toll, but no luggage fees. No tips necessary either. If one uses a particular driver or "gang" often enough, 40% to/from airport is possible. My cousin is a pilot with CX, and he gets 40% off from his usual "gang" between HKG and Ho Man Tin.

Anyways, my point is that there are two types of taxi operations in Hong Kong. Gang and non-gang. They have different cost, different clientele, different operations. Negotiating on the street is to force a non-gang member takes a pay cut to compete with the gang members. I don't think that's fair.

Let me clarify a thing. Official metered fare is going to change on Nov 30, with increased short-haul fare and decreased long haul. The discounts the "20%-off gangs" give out may change from then. I don't know what that will be.

I found a card of one of these operations. Here's the information printed on it:

- 20% off when meter rate is $60+
- 30% off when meter rate is $150+
- tolls extra
- one-way toll only for cross-harbour when fare is $60 or above (official rate is 2x cross-harbour tunnel tolls unless you get on a taxi at designated cross-harbour area)
- please call 15-20 minutes ahead for pickup. 30 minutes in remote areas in N.T.

This is true for all taxis in Hong Kong.

Correct. Since the Asian Financial Crisis of 1997-98. I have drivers rounding up the change to me too, so it's they who give me a tip. :)

it's illegal. Don't do it.