One of the main taxi ranks in Belfast city centre is at the City Hall. Taxis are in the UK Black taxi style and they display a yellow disc on the car windscreen. By law, all taxis in Belfast are required to display coloured licence plates. Please ensure that you always take a taxi that displays a coloured plate. Black taxis display yellow plates and private taxis have a green licence plate displayed.

Belfast is a wonderful city full of things to see and do, with countless attractions, great shopping and a vibrant nightlife. Check out our top tips on how to avoid getting taken for a ride by Belfast taxis.

Firstly plan your route. The best way is to get a good map of Belfast city streets and its attractions, and find out where you want to go and see. If you’re venturing for sightseeing and shopping in Belfast, make note of how far you are from each place you want to visit. Many of the attractions including art galleries as well as historical and listed buildings are easily accessible on foot.

Make note of which attractions are serviced by Translink and the Belfast Metro. There are always alternative ways of getting to see the sights of Belfast. Getting public transport or walking has its advantages here.

For example, if you are planning to visit the Queen’s University Quarter, you could walk along the A1 towards Donegall Place and follow the signs for Queen’s University. You could also take the 8A or 8B to get to Queens by public transport.

Prior to your visit to Belfast, why not do a bit of forward planning and research? Get a list of taxi firms in the city and shop around and maybe ring up for taxi rate information. Getting an extensive list of operators gives you, the customer, great flexibility and choice and independence to make your own mind up and avoid paying large rates for a short trip!

Further to the above, if you are planning to take a tour of the city’s political murals and many attractions, the best way is to take a Black Taxi Tour of Belfast. Taxi Trax.com has a rate of £8 per person for a 90 minute sightseeing tour of Belfast. This is outstanding value – so it’s so important to plan in advance and shop around before you hop into a taxi in haste!

And if you’re arriving at Belfast International Airport or the George Best Airport, why not plan beforehand. Check online for taxi rates from the Airports to your destination, and shop around!

There will be plenty of taxis awaiting you at the airports in the ranks – so simply ASK how much it will cost to get to your destination and whether the service is metered. Try to know the location and road where your accommodation is as well as the public transport options servicing the area, and the key is to always, always plan ahead.

It has been said that metered taxis in Belfast are dearer than ones without a meter. For taxis that do not operate a meter, ask for the approximate cost to your destination.

Mairead Foley writes for the Ireland travel and accommodation website www.GoIreland.com where you can book quality approved Belfast hotels.