Can taxis be cash only?

Okay, so you're wondering if you have to pay for a taxi with cash, right? I totally get it! It's super annoying when you're all ready to go and then realize you only have a card.

Well, honestly, it kind of depends. You see, a lot of taxis these days, especially the ones run by bigger companies, do take cards – debit, credit, the whole shebang. I remember this one time, I was rushing to the airport, completely spaced on hitting the ATM, and I was so relieved when the taxi driver had a little card reader thingy. Phew! Saved by the plastic!

But...and this is a big but... some of the smaller, independent taxi drivers, you know, the ones who are maybe just driving their own car, they might still be cash-only. I think some of them just haven't upgraded to the card machines yet, or maybe they just prefer cash. I get that, too, in a way. Less fees, I guess?

So, yeah, it's always a good idea to double-check before you hop in. Just a quick, "Hey, do you take cards?" can save you a world of awkwardness later. Trust me, I've been there, scrambling for change in the bottom of my bag. Not a good look! So, better safe than sorry, right?