Taxis & Rideshare in Providence (2026) - Grab, Uber & More
Find the best taxi and rideshare options in Providence-compare prices, availability, and travel tips for stress-free transit.
Safety Tips
In Providence, only get into taxis that display a current City of Providence taxi medallion on the hood and a visible taxi license plate. Unlicensed cars often cruise downtown after last call.
All licensed cabs in Providence are required to use the meter, confirm it's running at the start of the ride and ask the driver to reset it if it isn't displaying the base fare.
Locals rely on Uber and Lyft. Stick to these two apps and avoid accepting street-hail rides from drivers claiming to be '-app to reduce the risk of fare scams.
For solo or late-night trips, use the apps' in-app emergency button and share your live trip status with a friend; Kennedy Plaza and the Jewelry District can feel isolated after midnight.
Common Scams to Avoid
At T.F. Green Airport, some taxis without a medallion loiter in the baggage-claim area and quote flat "airport fees" that are double the metered rate. Insist on using only the official taxi queue outside the terminal where drivers must use the meter.
Around the Amtrak station and downtown hotels, drivers sometimes claim the meter is "broken" and propose a fixed fare that is 30-50 % higher; tell them you'll wait for another cab or offer to report the broken meter, most suddenly find it working again.
During WaterFire nights or Brown graduation weekends, a few drivers switch off the meter mid-ride and claim "special event pricing"; ask them to turn the meter back on or note the cab number and threaten to file a complaint with the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission.