Taxis

Getting around by cab — the difference between private (dar bast) and shared taxis, the ride-hailing apps, and how to avoid overpaying.

Taxis are a vital part of getting around Qum, offering convenient and affordable travel for residents and visitors alike. There are two main types: private (dar bast, literally “closed door”) and shared, a cab you share with others heading the same way, much like carpooling.

Private taxis

Yellow cabs

Distinctive for their colour and commonly found near the shrine, yellow cabs are generally considered reliable, as they must be registered to operate — though they tend to be pricier than other options. A key advantage is their licence to access restricted roads, getting you closer to your destination or there more quickly. Drivers also tend to know the city’s roads well.

Radio taxis

Like yellow cabs, these are registered and can be summoned by dialling 133 from any landline or mobile. The operator asks for your pickup and destination and gives an approximate wait; the driver usually signals arrival with a honk, and tells you the fare once you reach your destination. Women can call an all-women radio taxi on 321 000 — both operator and driver are female, though waits are usually longer.

Local telephone taxis

Every area has several small taxi agencies, each running two to four private cars. You register with your address and number and are given a customer number (ishtirak); after that, the operator just needs your destination (your registered address is the default pickup). During peak hours, though, securing a cab can take a while.

Taxi apps

One of the most convenient and affordable options today is ride-hailing. Several Uber-style apps exist, the most common being Snapp and Tapsi. The big advantages: you see the price in advance (no haggling), and can add second destinations or arrange return journeys. Enter your origin and destination accurately so the driver knows where to go, and add credit by bank card in advance to pay without cash.

Unmarked vehicles

Some individuals offer rides in unmarked cars. These are generally less reliable and potentially less safe — especially for women travelling alone — as they may not be licensed or regulated. Some drivers offer rides as salawati, meaning free in exchange for reciting salawat or prayers for the driver, often as a good deed since they’re heading that way anyway.

Shared taxis

Shared taxis, known locally as taxi khutoot (route taxis), are a popular option. Usually small cars, they run on fixed or semi-fixed routes without timetables, departing once most seats are filled. You can wait at designated taxi stands — near busy intersections or transport hubs — or flag one down along its route, as the driver can stop anywhere to pick up or drop off.

Fares are fixed: lower than private taxis but higher than buses, at around 20 cents per single journey, paid in cash to the driver before or on arrival. Shared taxis are quick and convenient, and faster than buses since they make fewer stops.

The trade-offs: they can fill up at peak times, leaving little personal space; being used by all members of society, men and women may end up seated beside one another; and the fixed routes may not align perfectly with your destination, sometimes needing a short walk or onward trip.