Need for early morning taxi use
There are many occasions when you may want to use an early morning taxi. Boarding an early morning flight that cannot be made by the first train, preparing before a wedding or funeral, an early morning hospital visit or a trip to the golf course. However, it is also a difficult time to get a free-flowing taxi. In particular, between 3:00 am and 6:00 am is the time when the previous day's crew and the next day's crew change, which means that the number of vehicles being sent around increases and most companies have very few vehicles available for allocation. Therefore, advance booking is necessary to ensure a reliable arrangement.
Notes on early morning taxi bookings
When using taxis late at night and early in the morning, a late night and early morning surcharge (from 22:00 to 5:00 the next morning) is usually added to the normal fare. Furthermore, a booking fee is also added if you make an early morning reservation. Note that some taxi companies may charge a pick-up fee.
Cancellation fees also vary from company to company, so check with them. Booking congestion also depends on the weather. Competition increases when it rains, for example, because there are more enquiries. Last-minute bookings may not be accepted.
So make your reservation as early as possible, or at the latest by the evening of the day before. If you arrive on the day without a reservation, there is a high probability that you will not be able to secure a taxi.
A 20% fare increase applies to taxis in general for the hours between 22:00 and 05:00.
Timing of early morning taxi bookings
The timing of early morning taxi bookings varies from company to company. Generally, some companies start taking reservations a month before the day of use, while others accept reservations a week in advance. During the early morning hours, the number of taxis is reduced due to the shift work on the previous day and the next day, so there are more vehicles to turn around and a limited number of vehicles that can be allocated. Weather and other factors also need to be taken into account. It is therefore recommended to make reservations as early as possible.
Use of jumbo taxis and wagon taxis
If you have a large group or a lot of luggage, consider using a jumbo taxi (wagon taxi). They have medium and large vehicles such as the Alphard, Hiace and Grand Ace, which can carry from five to nine people or more, making them ideal for transporting large numbers of people and luggage. Don't worry if you have a lot of suitcases or luggage. They are useful in situations where a large number of people need to be transported, such as to and from the airport, to and from hotels, for sightseeing, company inspections and event transfers. Most companies accept reservations for jumbo taxis (wagon taxis) for one month or more in advance, so you can travel early in the morning.
Jumbo taxis (wagon taxis) are a reservation-based hire service where reservations are generally made and there is no additional basic booking fee. Furthermore, as they use a time-stamped fare, a flat rate is charged regardless of the distance travelled or the number of people on board. The larger the group of passengers, the lower the cost per person.
When booking an early morning taxi, choose the right plan according to your usage style and budget. Jumbo taxis (wagon taxis) are the best option if you have a large group or a lot of luggage. Furthermore, they are ideal for planning trips and events, as they can be booked more than a month in advance.
summary
Advance booking is required for early morning taxi use. Note that different taxi companies have different booking methods and restrictions on areas of use. Reservations should be made as early as possible and last-minute bookings should be avoided. In addition, late night and early morning taxi usage generally results in increased fares. If you have a large group or a lot of luggage, consider a jumbo taxi. Act early to ensure a reliable and comfortable journey!
