Why Do Taxis in Egypt Refuse Short Trips, and How Do You Book One on the Meter?

Some street taxi drivers turn down short trips because they would rather wait for a long one at a flat price, they fear getting stuck on a busy street, or they have no change. On Taxi Masr you see the meter fare before you request, and the captain sees the route and fare before accepting, so whoever accepts knows exactly what the trip is. A 2 km trip costs about EGP 33.50 in the daytime.

It is a familiar scene: you need to go just two kilometres, say from El-Galaa Street to the University district, with shopping, children or an elderly parent, and one taxi after another says no or asks for more than the trip is worth.

4 reasons short trips get refused

1. Waiting for the “big fare”

Some street drivers do not run the meter and prefer one long trip at a flat price. But cruising empty while they wait burns fuel and time, and two short trips back to back often pay better.

2. Traffic

A short trip in the city centre can mean entering a congested street that is hard to get out of, so the driver says no or raises the price.

3. Change

A thirty-pound trip and a rider holding a 200-pound note: awkwardness and an argument at the end of the ride.

4. High commission on some apps

When a platform takes a large share of a small fare, and the driver also travels to reach the rider, there may not be enough left, so the request gets ignored or cancelled.

How the meter makes a short trip worth taking

Taxi Masr's meter: EGP 20 to start + EGP 5 per km + EGP 0.50 per minute, a EGP 20 minimum, and 25% more from midnight to 5 am. Distances and times are approximate; the exact price appears in the app before you request:

• The starting fare guarantees the captain a reasonable amount on even the shortest trip.
• The commission is just 5%, so the captain keeps 95% of the fare, plus every tip.
• Back-to-back short trips within a district mean fewer empty kilometres between riders.

A short trip: street or app?

4 tips for booking short trips

1. Combine errands in one ride: the bank, then the supermarket, then home, by adding stops when you request. You pay the starting fare once and the whole route is priced; keep each stop short out of respect for the captain's time.
2. Pay without change: InstaPay for exactly the amount shown, or cash for the same amount.
3. Pick an easy pickup: the side of the road facing your direction, away from the junction, so the captain does not have to turn around.
4. Book for someone else: for your parents or anyone who does not use the app, in their name and with their phone number, and follow the ride from your phone.

Frequently asked questions about short taxi trips

What is the lowest fare for a short trip?

The minimum fare is EGP 20. A 1 km trip costs about EGP 27 and 2 km about EGP 33.50 in the daytime, and the price is shown before you request.

Does the captain know the trip is short before accepting?

Yes. They see the pickup, the destination and the fare before accepting or sending an offer, so there are no surprises afterwards.

What if nobody accepts my trip?

The search gradually widens to captains further away; if nobody accepts you get a notification and can request again shortly.

Does the price go up at school closing time or in the rain?

No. Taxi Masr has no surge pricing, and the price is fixed when you confirm. The only increase is 25% from midnight to 5 am.

No more “not going there”. Book your short trip with Taxi Masr and know the fare before you request.