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Bad for taxi drivers, good for tourism. I've done business in both Tokyo and Hong Kong. Historically, a taxi in Tokyo has been ~3x that of the same distance in

Bad for taxi drivers, good for tourism. I've done business in both Tokyo and Hong Kong. Historically, a taxi in Tokyo has been ~3x that of the same distance in Hong Kong. When considering where to Holiday, that significant additional expense is a consideration. I'd also be interested, if there is enough sensitivity in the data, to see a correlation between taxi cost and DUIs.

neuronexmachina 10y ago
What are some popular cities where Uber/Lyft is unavailable or regulated in a way that makes it difficult to use? It would help me make sure I don't plan any vacations there.
- rdl 10y ago
  Vancouver, BC, Canada. :( I fortunately live close enough that I just drive up there and thus have my car, but otherwise it sucks -- especially since so much of the interesting stuff is in more suburban parts. Austin, TX (recent change)
- s0rce 10y ago
  Calgary, AB is another one. Felt like going back in time when I visited from the bay area.
- aianus 10y ago
  Berlin and Germany in general I think.
  - dx034 10y ago
    It's all of Germany, uber got basically banned by court order. In Berlin they coorporate with a local taxi company, but uber as in other countries cannot exist in Germany.
- kartan 10y ago
  > It would help me make sure I don't plan any vacations there. Is this your number one priority to visit a city? Cultural offerings, architecture, meeting new people, that are my priorities. Which brands of private transportation by car are available or not is not a worry for myself. As is difficult to picture it by myself, what makes it so important for you that you have or not that brands over other considerations?
  - ghaff 10y ago
    That comment floored me as well. I spent almost a third of last year traveling for both business and pleasure, in both the US and overseas and maybe took an Uber four or five times. I can't begin to imagine a mindset that would lead me to plan trips around Uber availability.
  - govg 10y ago
    Maybe it's just convenience. If I was traveling in a pair or so, having Uber/Lyft in a place I would go would immediately give me a way to get around the city.
aninhumer 10y ago
I don't know if taxi prices are as relevant in a city like Tokyo which has excellent public transport.
- 11thEarlOfMar 10y ago
  Haha.... Absolutely, Tokyo is mind-boggling in the sheer numbers of people they move daily. For the same reason, taxis are generally preferred by those who just don't want to deal with those crowds. I lived in Tokyo for a couple of years, losing 15 pounds in the process. When people commented on my new svelte physique, I joked that I was "on the JR Exercise Program". (JR = Japan Railways)
  - ekianjo 10y ago
    more likely the effect of food change and not eating meat with hormones.
    - 11thEarlOfMar 10y ago
      Definitely was from walking to and from train stations, standing on trains, sometimes for multiple hours/day, running to make connections and walking up and down a couple dozen flights of stairs. Not sure why that earns a down vote, but there you have it.
      - lacampbell 10y ago
        None of those things exert many calories at all. People usually over estimate how much exercise contributes to their weight. Last year I had a job where most of my commute was sitting or standing in a bus. Now I have a 10km round trip which I cycle or walk. It's had no effect on my weight what so ever.
        onlyrealcuzzo 10y ago
        You're correct. The affect of exercise is vastly overrated on weight loss [1]. The more you exercise, the hungrier you get, the more you eat. That being said, you're healthier if you're overweight and exercise than if you're overweight and don't exercise. BUT, if you're going form COMPLETELY sedentary to walking to and from train stations, up and down stairs, and standing on the train -- that's likely to have a dramatic effect. Completely sedentary lifestyles and depression and obesity tend to go hand and hand because of hormonal / neurotransmitter issues. In any case, changing your diet is likely much more effective for losing weight. [1] https://www.dietdoctor.com/does-exercise-promote-weight-loss https://www.dietdoctor.com/does-exercise-promote-weight-loss

neuronexmachina 10y ago

What are some popular cities where Uber/Lyft is unavailable or regulated in a way that makes it difficult to use? It would help me make sure I don't plan any vacations there.

rdl 10y ago
Vancouver, BC, Canada. :( I fortunately live close enough that I just drive up there and thus have my car, but otherwise it sucks -- especially since so much of the interesting stuff is in more suburban parts. Austin, TX (recent change)
s0rce 10y ago
Calgary, AB is another one. Felt like going back in time when I visited from the bay area.
aianus 10y ago
Berlin and Germany in general I think.
- dx034 10y ago
  It's all of Germany, uber got basically banned by court order. In Berlin they coorporate with a local taxi company, but uber as in other countries cannot exist in Germany.
kartan 10y ago
> It would help me make sure I don't plan any vacations there. Is this your number one priority to visit a city? Cultural offerings, architecture, meeting new people, that are my priorities. Which brands of private transportation by car are available or not is not a worry for myself. As is difficult to picture it by myself, what makes it so important for you that you have or not that brands over other considerations?
- ghaff 10y ago
  That comment floored me as well. I spent almost a third of last year traveling for both business and pleasure, in both the US and overseas and maybe took an Uber four or five times. I can't begin to imagine a mindset that would lead me to plan trips around Uber availability.
- govg 10y ago
  Maybe it's just convenience. If I was traveling in a pair or so, having Uber/Lyft in a place I would go would immediately give me a way to get around the city.

aninhumer 10y ago

I don't know if taxi prices are as relevant in a city like Tokyo which has excellent public transport.

11thEarlOfMar 10y ago
Haha.... Absolutely, Tokyo is mind-boggling in the sheer numbers of people they move daily. For the same reason, taxis are generally preferred by those who just don't want to deal with those crowds. I lived in Tokyo for a couple of years, losing 15 pounds in the process. When people commented on my new svelte physique, I joked that I was "on the JR Exercise Program". (JR = Japan Railways)
- ekianjo 10y ago
  more likely the effect of food change and not eating meat with hormones.
  - 11thEarlOfMar 10y ago
    Definitely was from walking to and from train stations, standing on trains, sometimes for multiple hours/day, running to make connections and walking up and down a couple dozen flights of stairs. Not sure why that earns a down vote, but there you have it.
    - lacampbell 10y ago
      None of those things exert many calories at all. People usually over estimate how much exercise contributes to their weight. Last year I had a job where most of my commute was sitting or standing in a bus. Now I have a 10km round trip which I cycle or walk. It's had no effect on my weight what so ever.
      - onlyrealcuzzo 10y ago
        You're correct. The affect of exercise is vastly overrated on weight loss [1]. The more you exercise, the hungrier you get, the more you eat. That being said, you're healthier if you're overweight and exercise than if you're overweight and don't exercise. BUT, if you're going form COMPLETELY sedentary to walking to and from train stations, up and down stairs, and standing on the train -- that's likely to have a dramatic effect. Completely sedentary lifestyles and depression and obesity tend to go hand and hand because of hormonal / neurotransmitter issues. In any case, changing your diet is likely much more effective for losing weight. [1] https://www.dietdoctor.com/does-exercise-promote-weight-loss https://www.dietdoctor.com/does-exercise-promote-weight-loss