[MrOogieBoogie]

I've lived in NYC for 20 years and I have never once hailed a taxi.

I commute every day by train/bus, going to and from Manhattan mostly (live in Brooklyn, but I travel all over... I basically live in the subway). It doesn't matter where I am or what I'm doing: I'll sooner wait half an hour for the train at 5:00 on a Sunday morning, drunk beyond belief, than even CONSIDER taking a cab. Being a cheap mofo will do that to you. That, and growing up as a kid with the wacky notion that regularly taking cabs = wealthy, something I am not.

[BigDug13]

Cabs in the U.S. are a ripoff. Even worse in Japan where it costs $13 to go 2 miles.

But some countries with large cities have much cheaper cabs.

So I assume you're asking about U.S. big cities only? I've lived in San Diego and only took cabs after getting drunk or sometimes if I had no one to take me to the airport.

I'm fairly sure people in L.A. end up using cabs as well. But these are cities that have crap public transport, like all western U.S. cities.

If you live in a city with fantastic train systems (New York, Washington D.C.), it's not needed. I get around Tokyo, Yokohama, etc just fine without taking cabs too because of the amazing train system.

[jeremy70583]

I live in Kansas city...the only time I use cabs are when I'm going to the clubs on the weekend so I don't have to drive after

[wenis]

almost never. expensive unless you got a couple people to go in or you know the driver.

[Divvy]

Haven't used a cab in ages. Zipcar has been pretty good for me.

[Quick]

I haven't really had to call on a taxi in Toronto. Public transit is there, and usually fast enough to get me to where I need to be.

In Manila, things get more evened out. When I lived there, it's either a taxi, a Jeepney, or a Tricycle. On my last visit, taxi was main mode of transportation since I stayed mostly within the busy part of the city, where you can't really find any Jeepneys or Tricycles.

[Manos: The Hans of Fate]

Never. I think I did once or twie for a business meeting...but usually that stuff is for tourists and travel to odd spots, otherwise subway!

[Sobriquet]

I used to use them a lot when I lived in Hollywood. I befriended a driver, so I could call him directly and he would take me anywhere for $20.

Now I'm in downtown LA and usually take a bus or the subway.

[xxracerxx]

No one I know who lives in a big city including me, would never ever commute to work by cab on a daily basis.

[Quick]

When I went to NYC, I actually took a cab from LaGuardia to my hotel. Not going to lie, I was sort of excited purely because of the many movies that have portrayed NYC cab drivers. Suffice to say, the erratic driving has lived up to my expectations. :lol

[Stasis]

My father and step-mother live in NYC and taxi everywhere, as I did with him and my mother while growing up there. When I lived there in my early 20's I'd mainly walk, but occasionally take a cab if the weather was bad or I was running late for something.

I'm not a huge fan of public transport, I'd much rather walk and in NYC that is totally doable and pleasant. I'd even walk back home after dropping my car off at the dealership. We're talking from 55th and 11th to 9th and 6th... a pretty long haul. I live in a suburb of Montreal now and I gotta say that Montreal is way less walk friendly than NYC. I tend to drive everywhere.

[Mully]

I live pretty close to NYC, so when I head out there for a day, I normally try to walk to most locations. However, if it's more than 20 blocks, I'll use the subway. Also, when I get obnoxiously drunk off one 4 Loko, I'll take a cab ride home.

[Xeke]

Pittsburgh here. When I'm drunk.

[Grimm Fandango]

Really only if I'm drunk and don't feel like taking the train.

Chicago btw.

[Dynamite Shikoku]

Sydney. Never.

[Tremas]

London here. Only ever got a cab once, on a very early Christmas morning after an all night binge, and only because no public transport was running. Otherwise, it's public transport all the time, including night buses when drunk.

[Gooster]

I only take cabs when I'm too drunk to walk home or mass transit.

[Salmonax]

I hail a cab or use Über to avoid drunk driving scenarios. So that's usually a couple of times a week or so.

[entrement]

Rarely. I have a friend who is addicted to them.

NYC here.

[relaxor]

In the year that I've lived in DC I've taken a cab twice. Both times I was wearing a suit and late.

[Sarcasm]

Bus and MRT for me.

[Zabka]

Very rarely. Only if I'm really drunk or if it gets paid for by my job.

[plasticpassion]

LA. Occasionally if drinking. Often when flying out of LAX.

[goodcow]

NYC and essentially never.

The only time I can recall was having to bring my cat to the vet during an emergency. When it's regular checkups I bring him on the bus.

[okno]

I live in NYC and I take them more than I should. I mostly take them when I'm drunk or if I'm reeeeeally late for something. I need to replace my stolen bike, because then I will almost never need to take a cab or the train ever again. As it stands, though, I really on them more than is necessary.

[Rokk]

Wellington, New Zealand here (not the largest city) and I'll get a taxi most weekends.

[.GqueB.]

I'd have to be very desperate to hail a cab in NYC. Too many ways to get around.

[DJ88]

Miami, and another one for the never column.

[Tenck]

Last time I took a cab was about 4 years ago, when I had to go to the airport. Cabs are expensive here. Doesn't help that some of them 'don't have change' so I either have to overpay, or use my debit card.

This is in Phoenix btw.

[Tristam]

Almost never. I live in DC; the public transportation system here is very good, and the taxis are a rip-off.

In Korea, on the other hand, I took cabs pretty often. They're super-cheap. (When I was last there, the standard cab meter started at 2,200 won, or about $2--and as a bonus, Korea has no tipping culture.)

[JeFfRey]

I'd rather walk than take a cab. Can't stand being gouged by taxi drivers.

[zoku88]

I'd rather walk than take a cab. Can't stand being gouged by taxi drivers.

pretty much this. The only time I've taken cabs was one I've been with someone who didn't want to walk a couple of miles.

[Tiktaalik]

I'm from Vancouver and it's a pretty young city with quite a few areas with no rapid transit (ie. Kitsilano, East Van) and so on some weekend nights I'll take a cab back from a venue if I'm in one of these areas with no transit at all. No real point in waiting 30 minutes for a bus in the cold.

edit: I'll often bike back home if its the summer.

[Pastry]

Born and raised in San Antonio and started taking cabs very frequently once I got to college. Moved to a much smaller town of 50,000, it's touristy so we have plenty of cabs, and I still take them just as frequently. I don't mind leaving my car places if I have had too much to drink and I'd much rather get home safely.