To tell a taxi driver where to stop, say “Could you please drop me off at” followed by the address or landmark. Keep it short, polite and specific, and confirm the spot before the car stops.
Basic phrases
- “Please drop me off at the Vancouver Art Gallery.”
- “Could you please drop me off here?”
- “Would you mind dropping me off at Vancouver City Hall?”
- “Could you kindly stop at the corner of Georgia and Granville Streets?”
“Would you mind” and “Could you kindly” sound friendly and tend to get a helpful response. Adding “Thank you” at the end keeps the tone pleasant.
Be specific about the spot
Vancouver has many places with similar names, so give the exact area or landmark. Street names, landmarks and well-known buildings all work. You can add detail such as “It’s near the main entrance” or “It’s across from the Vancouver Convention Centre”. Other examples are “Next to the Vancouver Aquarium”, “Please drop me off at the entrance of Stanley Park” and “Please stop at the Vancouver Public Library”.
If you travel with a group or luggage, say so up front. For example: “Please drop me off near the entrance of the hotel, and I have two suitcases.” Then the driver can get you as close as possible.
Confirm the destination
Before the stop, check that the driver has understood. You can say “Just to confirm, you’ll stop at the library, correct?”, “Is this the right stop for Vancouver General Hospital?” or “Is this okay for you?”. You can also ask the driver to repeat the address back to you.
If you are unsure, show a written address or a map on your phone and describe nearby landmarks. Speak clearly at a moderate pace and repeat or rephrase if needed, especially if English is not your first language. Pointing to the area while you confirm helps too.