Taxi and minibus areas and fares

The Northern Territory (NT) Government sets and oversees maximum fares for taxis in the NT. This applies to areas declared for taxi operation.

Where taxis can operate

A taxi can only operate in the area specified in the licence issued to that vehicle.

There are 3 main journeys that can take place in and around a taxi area.

Each has individual rules on how a taximeter is used and what fares can be charged.

Operate only within a declared taxi area

The driver must operate the taximeter on the correct rate for the entire journey.

A passenger can't be charged more than the fare displayed.

Operate partly in a declared taxi area

The driver must operate the taximeter for the portion of the journey inside the area.

They can either:

  • negotiate a fare with the passenger for the rest of the journey outside the taxi area or
  • choose to use the taximeter for the entire journey and charge the metered fare at the end.

Operate outside the declared taxi area

The NT Government doesn't regulate fares for travel outside the declared taxi area. This means drivers may choose not to operate the taximeter.

Drivers can either:

  • negotiate a fare with the passenger before the start of the journey or
  • choose to use the taximeter and charge the metered fare at the end.

Minibus fares

Minibus operators must attach signs showing the fare inside the vehicle.

The signs must be clearly visible from all passenger-seating positions.

Minibus fares are not set by the NT Government. They're set by operators based on how far you're travelling.

Taxi fares

Taxi fares may vary based on the:

  • area you're travelling in
  • time of day, weekends or public holidays
  • type of travel - for example, high occupancy service.

While operators can offer lower fares to passengers at their discretion, you can't be charged more than the maximum set fare.

High occupancy rate

Groups of 5 or more people can be charged a high occupancy rate. This rate only applies to taxis that are designed and licensed to carry more than 5 passengers.

The rate changes depending on what time and day of the week you're travelling. They will increase further if you travel:

  • between 6pm and 6am, Monday to Friday
  • on weekends
  • on public holidays.

Read below to find out the flagfall and rates for your location.

Standard fare is flagfall + rate per kilometre + waiting time.

Flagfall Rate per kilometre Waiting time High occupancy
(5 or more)
Monday to Friday - 6am to 6pm $5.70 $1.86 10 cents for every 5.4 seconds Flagfall + wait time  + $2.49 per km
Monday to Friday - 6pm to 6am

All day Saturday, Sunday and public holidays
$6.90 $2.27 10 cents for every 5.4 seconds Flagfall + wait time  + $3.05 per km

Standard fare is flagfall + rate per kilometre + waiting time.

Flagfall Rate per kilometre Waiting time High occupancy
(5 or more)
Monday to Friday - 6am to 6pm $5.30 $2.34 10 cents for every 5.5 seconds Flagfall + wait time  + $3.14 per km
Monday to Friday - 6pm to 6am

All day Saturday, Sunday and public holidays
$6.60 $2.76 10 cents for every 5.5 seconds Flagfall + wait time  + $3.72 per km

Standard fare is flagfall + rate per kilometre + waiting time.

Flagfall Rate per kilometre Waiting time High occupancy (5 or more)
Monday to Friday - 6am to 6pm $4.90 $2.27 10 cents for every 6.6 seconds Flagfall + wait time  + $3.07 per km
Monday to Friday - 6pm to 6am

All day Saturday, Sunday and public holidays
$5.90 $2.86 10 cents for every 6.6 seconds Flagfall + wait time  + $3.83 per km

 FlagfallRate per kilometreWaiting time
Monday to Friday - 6am to 6pmN/A$11.10 per tripN/A
Monday to Friday - 6pm to 6am

All day Saturday, Sunday and public holidays
$4.10$2.24 per km10 cents for every 4.2 seconds

In Tennant Creek special journeys are charged at:

  • $58.90 for the first hour
  • $28.80 for each following hour or part of that.

Standard fare is flagfall + rate per kilometre + waiting time.

Flagfall Rate per kilometre Waiting time High occupancy
(5 or more)
Monday to Friday - 6am to 6pm $7.20 $2.42 10 cents for every 5.6 seconds Flagfall + wait time  + $3.25 per km
Monday to Friday - 6pm to 6am

All day Saturday, Sunday and public holidays
$8.60 $2.96 10 cents for every 5.6 seconds Flagfall + wait time  + $3.86 per km

In Gove special journeys are charged at:

  • $60.60 for the first hour
  • $29 for each following hour or part of that.

Prepaid fares

On Fridays and Saturdays, between 10pm and 5am, taxi drivers can request their passengers prepay their estimated taxi fare.

For more information about prepaid fares, read the CPV20 information bulletin PDF (708.4 KB).

A schedule of estimated prepaid fares is available for each declared taxi area. You can use it to calculate an estimate on your prepaid fare. The schedules are also available in each taxi.

DistanceEstimated fare for up to 4 passengersEstimated fare for 5 or more passengers
5km$16.90$21.25
10km$27.80$36.50
15km$38.70$51.75
20km$49.60$67.00
25km$60.50$82.25
30km$71.40$97.50
35km$82.30$112.75
40km$93.20$128.00

Get a printable version of the Darwin and Palmerston prepaid fares PDF (424.3 KB).

DistanceEstimated fare for up to 4 passengersEstimated fare for 5 or more passengers
5km$19.25$24.60
10km$32.50$43.20
15km$45.75$61.80
20km$59.00$80.40
25km$72.25$99.00
30km$85.50$117.60
35km$98.75$136.20
40km$112.00$154.80

Get a printable version of the Alice Springs prepaid fares PDF (424.1 KB).

DistanceEstimated fare for up to 4 passengersEstimated fare for 5 or more passengers
5km$18.70$24.15
10km$32.40$43.30
15km$46.10$62.45
20km$59.80$81.60
25km$73.50$100.75
30km$87.20$119.90
35km$100.90$139.05
40km$114.60$158.20

Get a printable version of the Katherine prepaid fares PDF (424.3 KB).

DistanceEstimated fare for up to 4 passengers
5km$14.75
10km$25.5
15km$36.25
20km$47.00
25km$57.75
30km$68.50
35km$79.25
40km$90.00

Get a printable version of the Tennant Creek prepaid fares PDF (424.3 KB).

DistanceEstimated fare for up to 4 passengersEstimated fare for 5 or more passengers
5km$22.20$27.30
10km$36.40$46.60
15km$50.60$65.90
20km$64.80$85.20
25km$79.00$104.50
30km$93.20$123.80
35km$107.40$143.10
40km$121.60$162.40

Get a printable version of the Gove prepaid fares PDF (424.2 KB).

Other fees, conditions and exemptions

The following may also apply:

  • You may have to pay for an exit toll when leaving the airport. This toll is charged by the airport and is not part of the metered taxi fare.
  • Taxi drivers may add a 5% surcharge on payments made with a debit or credit card.
  • If you soil a taxi, the driver can charge you a $50 cleaning fee.
  • If you're a member of the NT Transport Subsidy Scheme, you don't have to prepay.

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