Taxis & Rideshare in Rochester (2026) - Grab, Uber & More
Find reliable taxi and rideshare options in Rochester to explore top restaurants, hotels, and things to do with ease and convenience.
Safety Tips
Look for Rochester-licensed taxis displaying a numbered city medallion on the rear fender and a roof light marked "TAXI", unlicensed cars rarely have both.
All Rochester taxis are required to use the meter. If the driver claims it's broken or has a flat rate, insist on the meter or exit and find another cab.
Locals rely on Uber and Lyft. Stick to these two apps and confirm the license plate and driver photo match before getting in.
For late-night rides from downtown or the East End, wait inside a bar or restaurant until your rideshare arrives and share your trip status with a friend, Rochester police patrol these areas. But rideshare pickup zones are still safer than curbside.
Common Scams to Avoid
Drivers leaving the meter off and quoting a flat fare that's 2, 3× the normal metered rate from the airport to downtown. Insist the meter is turned on before leaving the curb and note the taxi number if refused.
Taking an unnecessarily long route via I-490 or surface streets when a direct route on I-390 or NY-390 is faster. Track the ride on your phone's map and politely ask the driver to follow the shorter route if you see a major deviation.
Claiming the posted credit-card reader is "broken" and demanding cash, then adding a hidden surcharge on the paper receipt. State you'll wait for the terminal to reboot or pay only the metered amount shown on the dash display.