I recently asked Nashville visitors what they thought about taxi services in the city, and the response was overwhelming. What started as one traveler's scary experience turned into a flood of warnings from people who've been there.
A Frightening Experience on Broadway
A solo female traveler from the U.K. shared a disturbing story that got everyone talking. She took a taxi from Broadway and the driver quoted her $50 for a trip that cost just $10 earlier that same day. When she refused to pay, he locked her in the car. She eventually paid $30 just to get out safely.
The scary part? She's far from alone.
This Happens More Than You'd Think
“Unfortunately, this happens all the time in Nashville with taxis quoting you one rate and then when they get to your destination, telling you another rate,” one commenter explained.
Another visitor from the U.K. described shopping around between taxi drivers. “We asked each driver sitting one would say 50 next one 60 then just kept asking till we had to pay 30 for a 7 min journey,” she wrote. She heard about other travelers who were dropped in the middle of back streets when they wouldn't pay $100 for a short ride.
One local who works on Broadway put it bluntly: “DO NOT take taxis in Nashville! The cab drivers are out of control.”
The Locking-You-In Problem
Several people focused on the most alarming detail — being locked in the car.
“The fact that he locked you in the car, that is not OK!!! he needs to be reported!!” wrote one commenter.
Another suggested the situation might even be serious enough for police involvement: “Not sure, but i think that if he tries to lock you in the cab, that might be enough to go to the police with kidnapping/unlawful imprisonment.”
“Call 911 if they lock you in the car,” advised another.
Why Are Taxis So Expensive (And Unpredictable)?
Some commenters pointed out that prices do change throughout the day. Uber and Lyft use something called surge pricing during busy times, and taxis seem to follow the same pattern.
“It's supply and demand. The more demand for a service the more the price increases,” one person explained. Another shared that in Memphis, a $20 afternoon ride cost $120 after a show that night.
But here's the difference: Uber and Lyft tell you the price before you get in. Taxis? Not so much.
“One tried overcharging me and I refused to pay,” a visitor recalled. “From what I could understand, he said he was going to call a cop. I said please do. And that was the end of it.”
What You Should Do Instead
The advice from locals and repeat visitors was basically unanimous: skip the taxis entirely.
“Never ever take taxi's here, so over priced and they're so dangerous so their driving,” one person wrote.
“First mistake was using a taxi. Uber and Lyft are much better and cheaper options,” another added.
Here's what people recommend:
Use Uber or Lyft. You'll see the price before you get in, and there's a record of your trip and driver.
Walk a block or two away from Broadway. The rates drop when you're not in the most crowded area. “We learned from being at 12South yesterday that if you walk a few blocks from crowded areas then Uber rates go down substantially,” one visitor shared.
Never approach a vehicle and ask for a ride. Always book through an app.
Choose highly rated drivers. One woman had an Uber driver cancel on the app right as she was getting in, then demand $60 instead of $25. She was alone and not fully sober. Please make sure you're picking highly rated drivers with lots of ratings and history,” she warned.
Some Alternatives Worth Knowing
A few people suggested women-only driving services like Nash Pink and Ladies in Transit.
Others mentioned asking your hotel for preferred taxi services. One visitor had good luck with a fixed-rate taxi to the Opry arranged through their hotel.
Can You Report Bad Taxi Drivers?
If you do have a problem, several people suggested contacting the Metro Transit Authority, which regulates taxis in Nashville. You can also report to the taxi company itself if you have the taxi number.
“They keep a log,” one commenter explained. “Call the cab company. Where he picked you up and the time. Where he was taking you.”
The Bottom Line
One local summed it up: “I live here and work on Broadway. DO NOT take taxis! Take Uber or Lyft.”
Even with surge pricing, at least you'll know what you're paying before you get in the car. And you won't end up locked in a vehicle, scared and alone, just trying to get back to your hotel.
