In a Taxi – Giving Your Destination

Welcome to Hello English! Hailing a taxi in a US city is easy—but knowing how to clearly give your destination in English ensures you get where you need to go without confusion. This lesson gives you a realistic conversation and essential vocabulary for one of the most common travel interactions.

Watch this short, realistic conversation between a passenger and a taxi driver. Perfect for listening practice!

Taxi Conversation

Characters:
• Nina – the passenger
• Carlos – the taxi driver

Nina: Hi!
Carlos: Hey! Where to?
Nina: Downtown, please.
Carlos: Sure. Any specific address?
Nina: Yes, 320 Main Street.
Carlos: Got it. Near City Hall?
Nina: Exactly.
Carlos: Should take about 15 minutes.
Nina: Great.
Carlos: Meter’s running—$3.50 base fare.
Nina: Okay.
Carlos: Can I take the highway?
Nina: Yes, that’s fine.
Carlos: We’re here!
Nina: Thank you!

💡 This dialogue is perfect for audio or video practice! It’s set in a real US taxi ride and uses short, clear sentences with practical terms like “downtown,” “320 Main Street,” and “meter’s running.” The rhythm is natural and easy for beginners to follow and repeat.

Essential Taxi Vocabulary

Learn these key terms to communicate your destination clearly:

Where to? – the driver’s common first question
Downtown – the central area of a city
320 Main Street – a full street address (number + street name)
Near City Hall – a landmark to help with location
Meter’s running – the fare is being calculated automatically
Base fare – the starting price (e.g., $3.50)
Highway – a fast road (may cost more due to tolls)

Other Useful Phrases

“How much will it cost?”
“Can you drop me at the corner?”
“Is there a flat rate to the airport?”
“Do you take card or cash only?”

Practice Tip

Practice saying “Downtown, please” and “320 Main Street”—these are the two most common ways to give your destination in a US taxi!

Why This Matters

Whether you’re:
• Arriving at an airport and heading to your hotel
• Going to a meeting or event in the city
• Traveling without a car in a new place
…this conversation helps you get to your destination smoothly and safely.

Now you’re ready to give your destination in a taxi in English—clearly and confidently! Bookmark this guide, or try our interactive quiz to test your travel vocabulary.

Safe rides and happy learning! 🚕

At the Hotel – Checking In

Welcome to Hello English! When you arrive at a hotel in the US, the check-in process is your first interaction with the staff—and knowing what to say in English will help you get settled quickly and politely. This lesson gives you a realistic conversation and essential vocabulary for a smooth hotel arrival. Watch this short,…
At the Dry Cleaner – Picking Up Clothes

Welcome to Hello English! If you’ve ever dropped off clothes at a dry cleaner in the US, you know you’ll need to pick them up later—and that means a short, polite conversation in English. This lesson gives you a realistic dialogue and essential vocabulary to handle this everyday task with confidence. Watch this short, realistic…
Giving Directions Using Street Names

Welcome to Hello English! When someone asks for directions in a US city, using street names clearly and confidently helps them find their way without confusion. This lesson gives you a realistic conversation and essential vocabulary for giving accurate, street-based directions—just like a local would. Watch this short, realistic conversation between a pedestrian and a…
At the Airport – Checking In for a Flight

Welcome to Hello English! If you’re flying from a US airport, knowing how to check in for your flight in English will make your travel experience smoother and less stressful. This lesson gives you a realistic conversation and essential vocabulary for one of the first—and most important—steps of air travel. Watch this short, realistic conversation…
At the Post Office – Sending a Package

Welcome to Hello English! Whether you’re mailing a gift, returning an online order, or sending documents, knowing how to send a package in English is a useful real-life skill. This lesson gives you a realistic conversation and essential vocabulary—all using everyday US English. Watch this short, realistic conversation between a customer and a postal clerk….
At the Pharmacy – Asking for Medicine

Welcome to Hello English! If you’re feeling unwell while in the US, knowing how to ask for medicine at a pharmacy is essential. This lesson gives you a realistic conversation and key vocabulary—all using everyday US English phrasing you’ll actually hear. Watch this short, realistic conversation between a customer and a pharmacy technician. Perfect for…