Taxi areas, meters and fares
There are declared areas for taxis to operate in the Northern Territory (NT). Taxi fare charges vary depending on what area you are travelling in.
Where taxis can operate
A taxi can only operate in the area specified in the licence issued to that vehicle.
There are three 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.
1. Operate only within a 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.
2. Operate partly in a taxi area
The driver must operate the taximeter for the portion of the journey inside the taxi area.
They may negotiate a fare with the passenger for the portion of the journey outside the taxi area.
Or, the driver may choose to use the taximeter for the entire journey and charge the metered fare at the end.
3. Operate outside the taxi area
The driver does not have to use the taximeter. They may negotiate a fare with the passenger before the start of the journey.
Or, the driver may choose to use the taximeter and charge the metered fare at the end.
Maps of taxi and minibus areas
Find out the taxi and minibus areas for the region you live in.
- Alice Springs taxi and minibus area PDF (375.1 KB)
- Darwin and Palmerston taxi and minibus area PDF (339.5 KB)
- Gove taxi and minibus area PDF (318.3 KB)
- Katherine taxi and minibus area PDF (120.5 KB)
- Tennant Creek taxi and minibus area PDF (114.0 KB)
Fares and charges
If you need a taxi you will be charged different rates depending on the following:
- the time of day
- weekend
- public holiday.
Groups of five or more people can be charged a high occupancy rate. This rate can only apply if the vehicle is designed to carry more than five passengers.
The rate changes depending on what time and day of the week you are 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.
Darwin and Palmerston
| Flagfall | Rate per kilometre | Waiting time | High occupancy (5 or more) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6am - 6pm Monday - Friday | $5.40 | $1.54 | 10 cents for every 6.5 seconds | Standard fare + 77 cents per km |
| 6pm - 6am Monday - Friday All day Saturday, Sunday and public holidays | $6.50 | $1.89 | 10 cents for every 6.5 seconds | Standard fare + 94 cents per km |
Alice Springs
| Flagfall | Rate per kilometre | Waiting time | High occupancy (5 or more) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6am - 6pm Monday - Friday | $5.00 | $1.94 | 10 cents for every 6.6 seconds | Standard fare + 97 cents per km |
| 6pm - 6am Monday - Friday All day Saturday, Sunday and public holidays | $6.20 | $2.30 | 10 cents for every 6.6 seconds | Standard fare + $1.15 per kilometre |
Katherine
| Flagfall | Rate per kilometre | Waiting time | High occupancy (5 or more) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6am - 6pm Monday - Friday | $10.40 | included in flagfall | included in flagfall | Standard fare + 95 cents per km |
| 6pm - 6am Monday - Friday All day Saturday, Sunday and public holidays | $3.90 | $1.86 | 10 cents for every 5.1 seconds | Standard fare + $1.18 per km |
Tennant Creek
| Flagfall | Rate per kilometre | Waiting time | High occupancy (5 or more) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6am - 6pm Monday - Friday | $4.60 | $1.89 | 10 cents for every 8 seconds | Standard fare + 95 cents per km |
| 6pm - 6am Monday - Friday All day Saturday, Sunday and public holidays | $5.50 | $2.37 | 10 cents for every 8 seconds | Standard fare + $1.18 per km |
In Tennant Creek special journeys are charged at:
- $48.90 for the first hour
- $23.90 for each following hour or part thereof.
Gove
| Flagfall | Rate per kilometre | Waiting time | High occupancy (5 or more) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6am - 6pm Monday - Friday | $6.70 | $2.01 | 10 cents for every 6.8 seconds | Standard fare + $1.00 per km |
| 6pm - 6am Monday - Friday All day Saturday, Sunday and public holidays | $8.00 | $2.46 | 10 cents for every 6.8 seconds | Standard fare + $1.12 per km |
In Gove special journeys are charged at:
- $50.30 for the first hour
- $24.10 for each following hour or part thereof.
Other fees, conditions and exemptions
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.
You may be asked to pre-pay your fare if travelling on a Friday or Saturday night between 10pm and 5am.
If you are a member of the NT Transport Subsidy Scheme, you don't have to pre-pay.
Multiple hires
If you agree to share a taxi to different destinations and are paying separately, each hirer will pay 75% of what the actual fare would have been if you travelled by yourself.
Last updated: 17 February 2020
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