Taxi cab fare negotiation

Question

When my wife and I traveled to Mexico, we often had to hail a taxi cab and negotiate the price for the trip. I would usually begin by asking "?cuanto por un viaje a ______?"

This was my attempt at "how much for a trip to _______?" Is this a good way of asking the question, or is there a better way to ask about the price of a taxi ride? What are some other phrases you might use to ask about the cost of a taxi ride?

Answer 1

I always go for super polite in Mexico, where I travel frequently. So, if I am in the situation you describe, I might start out with,

¿Pudiera decirme cuanto va a costar para llevarme/nos de/desde aquí a/hasta... (tu dirección)? Many times, especially outside of DF (where you would NEVER hail a cab, right?) politeness really helps.

Buen suerte,

J

Podría decirme? Y, cuánto cuesta.... Es mejor, ¿no? - Sheily, Aug 19, 2010

?Que es mejor: "un paseo," o "un viaje?" - icepickthornton, Aug 20, 2010

Answer 2

Interesting questions. I get along just fine in Central America but I would hardly be mistaken for fluent. So... it is my understanding that the imperfect subjunctive is used for "proper" manners, primarily with querer and podrer. In using the construction I showed as an answer above, I am really saying, (Si) pudiera decirme... cualquiera, (me gustaría). The words in parenthesis are implied but not said.

So in reply to Sheily's comment, no to the "Podría decirme" comment (to be very polite, that is). But yes, creo que "cuánto cuesta" es mejor como lo que dije arriba.

icepickthorn, I agree with you, paseo is better than viaje...

Thanks for your comments,

J