The taxis in DC are an economical and safe means of getting from point A to point B. They operate on a zone system rather than a meter and the rates are posted in each cab. If you get into a cab and they are not, insist that the driver show you the rates: it’s the law.
Cabs in the metro surroundings of Maryland or Virginia are allowed to take you from DC to a city within their respective state,ie if you catch a Virginia cab while in the District it can take you to a place in Virginia but not to other locations within the District.
To calculate a taxi fare between District zones click here.