Taking a Taxi or Rideshare
These phrases will help you confidently verify your ride, give route preferences, and handle the payment during a taxi or rideshare trip in a Spanish-speaking city.
Key Phrases
Buenas tardes, ¿es el coche que pedí para ir al centro?
neutralGood afternoon, is this the car I requested to go downtown?
A standard and natural way to confirm you are getting in the right vehicle.
Disculpe, ¿es usted el conductor que está esperando a un pasajero llamado Alejandro?
politeExcuse me, are you the driver who is waiting for a passenger named Alejandro?
More polite—use if you are unsure and want to respectfully verify with the driver.
Solo para estar seguros, ¿le sale el aeropuerto principal como destino en la aplicación?
neutralJust to be sure, does the main airport show up as the destination on the app?
Very common phrase to double-check the route at the beginning of a rideshare trip.
Creo que es mejor que vayamos por la autopista para evitar el tráfico de la ciudad.
neutralI think it's better that we take the highway to avoid the city traffic.
Uses the present subjunctive ('vayamos') naturally to suggest a better route.
Si no es mucha molestia, preferiría tomar la ruta de la costa hoy mismo.
politeIf it's not too much trouble, I would prefer to take the coastal route today.
Uses the conditional ('preferiría') to make the suggestion softer and more courteous.
Disculpe, ¿a qué hora calcula que llegaremos a la estación de tren principal?
politeExcuse me, what time do you estimate we will arrive at the main train station?
A respectful way to check your estimated time of arrival (ETA).
¿Sabes más o menos cuánto vamos a tardar en llegar a la dirección?
casualDo you know more or less how long it will take to get to the address?
Use 'tú' only if the driver seems around your age and the vibe is informal.
Hace bastante calor atrás, ¿podría poner el aire acondicionado un poco más fuerte?
politeIt's quite hot in the back, could you turn the AC up a little?
Using 'poder' in the conditional makes the request very polite.
Necesito sacar dinero. ¿Le importa que paremos un momento en el próximo cajero automático?
neutralI need to get some cash. Do you mind if we stop for a moment at the next ATM?
Uses the present subjunctive ('paremos') after a verb of influence ('importar').
Cuando lleguemos a la calle principal, me puede dejar justo en la esquina derecha.
neutralWhen we get to the main street, you can drop me off right on the right corner.
Uses the present subjunctive ('lleguemos') naturally for a future event.
Me vendría muy bien que me deje justo enfrente del edificio blanco, si es posible.
politeIt would be really good for me if you drop me off right in front of the white building, if possible.
Combines the conditional ('vendría') and present subjunctive ('deje') for a polite request.
Necesito el comprobante del viaje para el trabajo, ¿me lo puede dar ahora?
neutralI need the receipt for the trip for work, can you give it to me now?
Direct but perfectly acceptable for a standard service transaction.
No llevo dinero en efectivo encima, ¿habría algún problema si le pago con tarjeta?
politeI don't have any cash on me, would there be any problem if I pay with a card?
Uses the conditional ('habría') to politely introduce a potential payment issue.
¿Había mucho tráfico cuando venía hacia aquí? Las calles principales parecen muy transitadas hoy.
neutralWas there a lot of traffic when you were coming here? The main streets seem very busy today.
Uses the imperfect tense to casually ask about background conditions.