Meter stays predictable when rideshare surges
From T at PDX to downtown, Radio Cab usually runs $30–40 on the meter, similar to a non-surge Uber but without surprise price jumps. One Reddit regular said they “always use Radio Cab” from PDX because drivers feel more professional and they like sticking with a local company.
Radio Cabs pull from the dedicated taxi queue outside the arrivals level at PDX, which sits closer to the terminal doors than the rideshare pickup in the parking structure. During normal airport operating hours, you almost always see at least a few cars waiting, so late flights around 11 p.m. still tend to find a cab without much delay.
The meter uses a starting charge plus a per-mile rate, listed around $2.70 per mile on Radio Cab’s fare page the last time it was updated. In light traffic, T to downtown runs about 20–25 minutes; in heavy traffic or during I-84 or I-205 choke points, plan on 40 minutes or more and a higher total fare.
User reports on Reddit peg PDX to inner southeast Portland at about $35 plus tip, putting it in line with a non-surge app ride but usually cheaper than high-surge pricing on busy Friday evenings. For longer suburban trips, some Yelp reviewers note that the meter can beat surge pricing one day, then end up higher than Uber/Lyft the next when traffic drags.
Watch out for occasional older vehicles in the fleet; a few Yelp reviews mention worn interiors and dated sedans, though most still call the rides safe and straightforward. If car age matters to you, glance at the first few taxis in the queue and skip any that look especially tired.
How to take Radio Cab from PDX
- 1. Land at T and collect bags. Grab luggage from baggage claim on the lower level; note your exact destination address or hotel name.
- 2. Follow signs to “Taxis.” Exit the terminal on the arrivals level and walk to the marked taxi queue just outside the doors, closer than the rideshare zone.
- 3. Join the taxi line. An airport attendant may direct you to the next cab; if not, just walk to the first Radio Cab at the front of the queue.
- 4. Confirm meter and estimate. Ask the driver to rough out the fare to, say, downtown or inner SE (typically $30–40 in light traffic) before you pull away.
- 5. Pay and tip. Radio Cab accepts cards and cash; tipping around 15–20% on a $35 ride is standard in Portland.
Practical move: business travelers on Reddit call Radio Cab as they taxi to the gate, then meet a specific driver at arrivals to skip any backup at the curb.