Water taxi facts for kids

A water taxi is like a special boat that carries people on water. It's also called a water bus or a sightseeing boat. These boats are used for getting around in cities that have rivers, lakes, or coastlines.

Think of a water taxi like a regular taxi, but on water! It can take you to specific places you ask for. A water bus is more like a regular bus. It follows a set route and stops at different places along the way, picking up and dropping off passengers.

Sometimes, people confuse water taxis or water buses with a ferry. A ferry usually travels between just two main points, often carrying many people and even cars across a body of water. Water taxis and water buses are more about moving around within a city's waterways.

What is a Water Taxi?

A water taxi is a type of watercraft (a vehicle that travels on water) used for moving people around. It offers either public transport (available to everyone for a fee) or private transport (hired by one person or group). These boats are perfect for cities built near water, like Venice, New York, or Amsterdam.

Water taxis are often smaller than ferries. They can be very flexible, sometimes picking you up and dropping you off exactly where you need to go, just like a car taxi. Other times, they might have a few set stops, similar to a bus route.

Different Kinds of Water Taxis

Water taxis come in many shapes and sizes, depending on where they are used and what they are for. Some are small and fast, designed for quick trips. Others are larger and more comfortable, perfect for sightseeing tours.

For example, in places like Dubai, traditional boats called abras act as water taxis, carrying people across the creek. In Venice, sleek motorboats are famous for being water taxis, navigating the city's canals.

Why Use Water Taxis?

Water taxis are a fun and often quick way to travel in cities with waterways. They can help avoid traffic jams on roads and offer amazing views of the city from the water. They are also popular for tourists who want to see famous landmarks from a different perspective.

Gallery

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  Water Taxis, Cowes, Isle of Wight

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  Water bus in Cardiff

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  Water taxi meets water bus in Rotterdam

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  New York Water Taxi

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  Tokyo Water bus

Images for kids

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  Water Bus in Tigre, Buenos Aires

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  Water taxi meets water bus in Rotterdam

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  Water taxi in Auckland

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  A water taxi operating on the waterfront in Puerto Ayora, Galapagos Island of Santa Cruz.

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  Abra in Dubai

See also

In Spanish: Lancha colectiva para niños