Spot the deadly fake taxi on your international travels!

Would you be able to pick out a fake taxi in a foreign land, where everything is new to you?
What if you're extremely tired from a long-haul flight? Or you've had too much to drink?
Can you spot the signs that this is a fake taxi?
Tip: right click the picture to open it in a new window, for a close-up view.
Once you have given the picture a good look over, scroll down to see the answers below.

It happens all over the world and has resulted in numerous rip-offs, robberies, sexual assaults, kidnapping and murder – taking a fake taxi could be your last trip.

All too often, most assume everything that looks like a taxi must be a taxi and therefore, by default, we numb our minds and jump-in without a second thought. More often than not, our minds are even more trusting of taxis in foreign lands where everything is new or when we have consumed considerable alcohol.

The most likely locations of taking a fake taxi are China, Lebanon, Colombia, Brazil, Belgium, France (Paris), and Nigeria though it has and can literally take place anywhere in the world.

Most fake taxi drivers do it for economic reasons – no insurance, no taxi license, and a cash only system that generates considerable profits.

Other fake taxi drivers have more nefarious objectives, such as:

• Purposefully rigging their meters to jump wildly (China, Thailand)
• Counterfeit money laundering (China)
• Violent robberies (Brazil, Colombia and Namibia)
• Intent to sexually assault women (Brussels, Paris, Toronto, UK)

How to spot a fake

There are some common things you should look for with respect to fake taxis:

• Different colour scheme from the dominant registered licensed taxis you see driving about
• No taxi license in the vehicle
• Cash only
• No presence of an actual meter
• Taxi driver approaches you and encourages you to use their vehicle versus waiting in a queue
• Physical characteristics (really a judgment call) on whether they look like an official taxi driver
• Several occupants in the vehicle
• Displayed photo identification does not match driver's facial features
• Removable or flimsy taxi sign on roof
• Substandard working condition
• Invalid or non-existent license plates
• Non-existent dispatch system
• No GPS in vehicle yet such units are readily seen in other taxis in the area you are visiting 7

How to avoid or deal with the fake

Tips on avoiding or dealing with fake taxis:

• Always travel with a companion, especially if you a woman leaving a bar at the end of the night - a fake taxi driver will be less likely target you if you are less vulnerable (with a companion)
• Do research on the internet (i.e. ihatetaxis.com) beforehand, to familiarize yourself with what official taxi cab companies operate in the city you are visiting OR upon arrival at the airport go to the information desk to ask "what does an official taxi look like?"
• Always call or book online for a taxi from a licensed company - Google such companies online, or have your hotel call you one (often called a 'radio taxi')
• If a radio taxi is not available, go to an official taxi queue line near a major hotel, shopping mall etc.
• The taxi driver should recite your name when picking you up, and if they don't, then they are not the designated pick-up person for you
• Always sit in the back seat of a taxi to avoid any contentious situation, albeit a legitimate taxi or fake one - you want to be unencumbered should you need to flee
• If there is a meter present, and it is behaving erratically without a legitimate explanation, if you are in a safe area, ask the driver politely to pull over, place the money on the seat and get out (while this may or may not be a fake taxi, there is a scam going on and best you remove yourself from the situation)
• Have your cellular phone charged up and ready to either videotape and or call the police at a moment`s notice
• Carry small change so as to avoid getting fake currency change back - you should also be able to drop the exact fare (or a bit more) on the seat and walk off in a dispute
• Under all circumstances, where possible, travel with your bags with you in the car and not the trunk (access to the trunk will be used as unfair leverage if you refuse to comply with unreasonable demands)
• If you are being attacked or placed in a very vulnerable situation, scream or yell to alert nearby people of your plight – this could force the driver to stop his nefarious plans with you

Truth be told, fake taxi drivers are getting more and more clever all the time in order to dupe travelers, but if you follow the above guidelines you should minimize your chances of being in a very unfavourable situation.



To the trained eye this is a fake taxi. It has magnetic removable sign on the door that is slightly misaligned, the top TAXI sign on the roof is out of proportion and the company's logo or dispatch telephone number do not appear on the rear of the vehicle.
So be it, ride it and you'll be unaware that the fare is then mechanically controlled by the driver who will charge at his own will, regardless of the destination or distance. Upon reaching your destination, the shocking high price will be demanded. Hanoi, Vietnam, SE Asia.
Source: Emilio Labrador on flickr (permission requested)

Have a scary story about a fake taxi? Please contact us so we can update our travel pages and alert other future travelers.

Related resources:

• What a real New York City cab looks like
• Beware the Fake Green Taxi: New Taxi Rule Causes Taxi Scam Problem
• How to spot a rogue taxi? (Ho Minh City)
• Dongguan taxi driver takes to Weibo to teach you how to spot a fake taxi
• Fake Chinese Taxi Takes Police Officer For a Ride on Its Roof
• Warnings Reissued – Never Trust Unlicensed Transfers

Smart travel advice from IHateTaxis:

• Dealing with Taxi Drivers
• Dealing with Touts
• Taxi Rates & Fares: Airport Taxi Advice
• Airport Arrival Advice

Layover Ideas: Frankfurt

Old Frankfurt
creativecommons image by fran001 on Flickr

Have a layover coming up in this great city? Wondering what you could do with your time? Here's a little inspiration.

We've gathered the following resources - tips, stories and layover ideas - to help you get the most out of your time here... [read more].

Want more layover ideas?
• Read more stories on the LayoverIdeas Blog • Explore cities worldwide on LayoverIdeas.com

Related resources
Mugging: are you a target? 10 resources
Spot the deadly fake taxi on your international travels!
Dealing with taxi drivers
Dealing with touts
Airport arrival advice

Security issues threaten to define Uber in India

Will real and perceived security issues define Uber in India?
creative commons image by scrolleditorial on flickr

by Todd Romaine

Shiv Kumar Yadav, a Uber taxi driver from India accused of raping a passenger this past week, had a history of this same charge three years ago but was acquitted. Whether or not this man is guilty or not, Uber has now been banned in India as a result of its lack of proper security protocol.

More broadly, however, there are numerous actors lobbying governments to shut Uber down and rely on the existing licensed operators versus the more convenient taxi booking app that allows more availability and reduced fares for commuters. They are undoubtedly using this recent example as a broad stroke risk for allowing Uber market entry, even though they are numerous rape cases involving licensed traditional taxis which never warrant calls to shut down the entire taxi service for not properly vetting proper employees.

Truth be told, in most parts of the world, taxi operators are not the most ethical, law abiding and moral individuals. Many have spent time in jail or have had issues with the police. The profession, to many, is a last resort or a recurring opportunity to swindle people.

Obviously, there is natural sensitivity in India over the maltreatment of women and, as such, if Uber is creating unfavourable conditions for these events to continuously unfold, then their tenure in India will be short lived.

Uber was quick to defend itself as being responsible and that perhaps the issue has more to do with India’s lack of background checks in the commercial transportation licensing program. Needless to say, a new entrant that can seemingly skirt regulation (licensing), as well as impact existing monopolies, will face an uphill battle.

Ironically, it is the lack of regulation in the internet sector that will make it difficult for the Government of India to prevent people from using their smartphone to hailing a taxi through Uber. 

While this situation is most unfortunate, and lobby groups will attempt to maximize the fear as a mechanism to push out competition, Uber et al. will continue to make their advance on a growing market trend that is having major seismic impacts on how we hail a taxi. The Government of India should continue with reforms to ensure women are able to enjoy a safe existence in all aspects of life, but throwing Uber under the proverbial bus for one unfortunate incident would be regrettable.

Related Resources
Delhi to ban all internet taxi firms after Uber rape claim
In defense of Uber in India - Fortune
Uber provides the taxi industry a good kick in the pants

Layover Ideas: Edinburgh

Edinburgh at nightfall
image: creativecommons, Dimitri B on Flickr

Have a layover coming up in this great city? Wondering what you could do with your time? Here's a little inspiration.

We've gathered the following resources - tips, stories and layover ideas - to help you get the most out of your time here... [read more].

Want more layover ideas?
• Read more stories on the LayoverIdeas Blog • Explore cities worldwide on LayoverIdeas.com

Related resources
Mugging: are you a target? 10 resources
Spot the deadly fake taxi on your international travels!
Dealing with taxi drivers
Dealing with touts
Airport arrival advice

Swedish officials cracking down on Arlanda Airport taxi fraud!

New Arlanda Airport to Stockholm taxi regulations

It may be hard to believe that Sweden, of all places, deals with an epidemic when it comes to expensive taxi fraud. For many years, travellers have been swindled up to ten times the going rate for a simple trip from Arlanda International Airport (ARN) into Stockholm. Commonly, passengers fall prey to the confusing currency trick where the Swedish Krona (KRN) is commonly interchangeably with the Euro (EUR) and the traveller is told that the final price is in Euro, not Krona (1 Euro is about 9 Krona), thus expanding their profit margin on the dazed and confused tourist. This fraud practice has left many people with a bad taste in their mouth when it comes to visiting this Scandinavian country where prices across the board are already exuberant enough.

Swedish officials are finally clamping down on the fraud by requiring taxi drivers or their agents to discuss and agree upon the highest possible fare the passenger would be expected to pay for their entire journey the taxi leaves the curb. An example would be if the standard fare to Stockholm exceeds 500 Krona (about US$ 67 or EUR54) then the passenger must agree to this price before the taxi departs. Swedish officials are likely being proactive with the anticipation of Uber soon entering the Stockholm market with pre-paid fares as a mechanism to ensure travellers pay fair market price versus an almost guarantee fraud under the current status quo conditions. It does seem odd that for too long Swedish officials have turned a blind eye to the "unSwedish" behaviours in their capital city that have created a negative image for the country at the hands of some unethical taxi drivers in an oddly unregulated industry.

If you are heading to Stockholm anytime soon, then make sure you an agreement on the total maximum cost in writing (including what currency this will be in) before you jump into a taxi. If the taxi driver tries to justify an unwarranted increase at the end of your journey, then simply leave your money on the seat and walk away. As always with our recommendations anywhere in the world -- if possible carry all of bags in the backseat of the taxi and not the trunk to avoid any further scams occurring when you leave the taxi, including the taxi driving off with your personal luggage still in the trunk.

Related resources

'Wild west' taxi drivers face tough new rules
Spotify targets Stockholm Uber taxis
Stockholm taxi scam warning - Trip Advisor
Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN) transportation guide
Stockholm layover ideas and things to do in Stockholm

Jakarta Airport train construction begins

View outside gate at Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta International Airport
creative commons image by asiacamera on Flickr

Good news for travellers to Indonesia!

No longer just a promise, there is news today that construction has begun on a rail link that will connect Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK) with both East Jakarta Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport (HLP) and the city centre.

The new express train will reduce the travel time between the two airports from 1 to 3 hours by taxi, to just 30 minutes. This will help facilitate the transfer of more domestic airlines from the over-capacity Soekarno-Hatta Airport to Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in East Jakarta. Construction on the Soekarno-Hatta Airport train terminal has commenced.

Several new train stations will be built to serve the Greater Jakarta area. According to Muhammad Fadhila, KAI Railink's president director, in the Jakarta Post, new station locations are planned in Batu Ceper, Tangerang, and adjacent to the existing Sudirman station in Jakarta city centre.

IHateTaxis has heard of completion dates in both 2016 and 2017, so we'll have to wait and see, but this new Jakarta airport train service will be welcome, whenever it arrives!

Related resources
Jakarta airport begins construction of train station
19 investors eye airport express train project
Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK) transportation guide
East Jakarta Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport (HLP) transportation guide
Jakarta Layover Ideas and Things to Do in Jakarta

New Cab Share app is a mixed review!

Cab sharing = BFFL?
Image: richpompetti on flickr, creativecommons

by Todd Romaine

In the brave new taxi world of Uber, others are also creating innovations that link smart phone technology, the internet, and attempted cost savings to the consumer. For a few Canadian student inventors, their cabshare app (cabshareanada.ca, @cabsharecanada) is an attempt to link consumers into one taxi versus two by creating a social platform to connect passengers heading out in the same direction. And in theory, it makes total sense to cut down on fares but one wonders the actual practicality of it in real time. While it makes sense at an airport or train station to link up with another passenger to travel in the same direction, it is less likely to happen outside of major transportation nodes. And even if it does work, you would need to figure out who is paying what amount and by what means. It is highly improbable both random travelers are going to the exact address and, of course, whether or not a taxi driver will accept payments in half cash, half credit.

In other words, the bartering process could continue throughout your journey with both the other passenger and the driver. Also, all too often, taxi drivers are onto this perceived scheme and will attempt to double charge the fare and treat individuals seperately.

Also for those anti-social types, whom prefer to be using your smartphone for the whole ride to the airport or elsewhere you now are somewhat obligated to engage in idle chit chat with your new found friend. The same individual that may be creeping your Facebook profile later on and assuming a friendship exists because of awkward chat in a taxi?

All in all, is it really worth it? For some people, it will be, but for individuals like myself I would prefer avoiding the unnecessary complexities of a routine task of getting from A to B. The cost of privacy and a silent ride without potential haggling with the person next to you is worth the extra few dollars in my perspective.

Related resources
New Vancouver app provides alternative to Uber
Free Taxi Vancouver - one guy in a chicken suit
Dear Canadian Taxi Monopoly: your Uber Boogie Man doesn't scare me
Uber provides the taxi industry a good kick in the pants

Free Taxi Vancouver - one guy in a chicken suit

Yesterday, a new service, Free Taxi Vancouver, began offering, yes, free taxi rides in Vancouver.

Kyle MacDonald kicked off the campaign on Reddit:
I'm giving out FREE taxi rides tonight in Vancouver to raise awareness of taxi industry reform.

Reportedly wearing a chicken costume, and tweeting his location via @YesFreeTaxi, Kevin even scored a CTV interview, coverage on CBC radio, and more. Kyle has since updated his Reddit post with stories about the people he helped.

Kyle MacDonald is known to think out of the box: he's the Canadian famously known as the "Red Paper Clip guy" (http://oneredpaperclip.blogspot.ca). In this latest venture, Kyle is seeking to raise awareness about Canadian taxi regulations and the need or reform.

The free rides for a night is a repeat of a similar stunt back in June, when @YesFreeTaxi first offered its first free rides for a night.


Related resources
Assessing and Reforming Vancouver's Taxi Regulations (Bob Proctor, 2009)
Dear Canadian Taxi Monopoly: your Uber Boogie Man doesn't scare me
Taxi Truths campaign puts lipstick on a pig

Dear Canadian Taxi Monopoly: your Uber Boogie Man doesn't scare me

by Todd Romaine

 If you want to see the war on Uber in Canada, check out this recently compiled website that hopes to dispel the 'sensationalist' claims by Uber that it will offer consumers more affordable choices when it comes to ground transportation: http://taxitruths.ca/

A quick review of the website reveals an amateur approach to marketing, with disjointed arguments about the case against an alternative provider, mixed in with irrelevant facts about taxis in Canada. 

You see, the taxi monopoly in Canada has never had to market their services to consumers per se, but rather spends their time working on politicians to limit new entries to market and increase fares. They have been waging a war on consumers for years to force you to pay more and wait more. If you can control the supply side of things, you can manipulate the demand favourably. This is one taxi truth they don't want you to know about, but rather are creating the Uber Boogie Man to scare off consumers to the notion of "choice" which would increase supply, draw down demand, and reduce overall costs for the traveler.

Under their page of "The Truth", the Canadian Taxi Monopoly indirectly paints future Uber drivers as insecure and the service of limited value. In other words, you will be uninsured and be driven by some amateur driver versus a seasoned, professional taxi operator. That somehow driving a motor vehicle is a specialized skill set now that should disqualify people like you and I from entry into this exclusive market. And despite Uber's legitimate claim of insurance coverage exceeding that of the taxi industry, the Canadian Taxi Monopoly continues to spread untruths about coverage because ultimately their arguments are that weak.

Furthermore, as a final desperate plea for you to discard new entrants into the marketplace, the Canadian Taxi Monopoly is appealing to the consumers' moral compass to suddenly link Uber's entry as negative in the form of job losses and earning a decent wage. In other words, we are being told monopolies are good because they artificially keep some people in business.

The most hilarious part of this whole debacle is that somehow the Canadian Taxi Monopoly think that consumers will actually go to this website and become ardent supporters of theirs in this "selfless campaign". For too long the Canadian Taxi Monopoly has disregarded the consumer when it comes to professionalism, not hiring fluent and polite drivers and essentially cutting costs while lobbying for rising prices. Now they want us to get "educated" so that we can have more of the same!

No thanks.

I want choice and cheaper fares please.


Related resources
New website features 'Taxi Truths' and takes aim at Uber
UberX: Innovation or Anarchy? A Look at the Pros and Cons of Montreal’s New Ridesharing App
Stop Those Who Would Stop Uber
Taxi Truths campaign puts lipstick on a pig
Canadian Taxi Monopoly is attempting to curb consumer choice
Uber provides the taxi industry a good kick in the pants

Taxi Truths campaign puts lipstick on a pig

'Taxi Truths' letter to Canadians kicks off national campaign
Image by @MickCoulas

In the latest move of desperation, Canada's biggest taxi companies have banded together to launch national advertising and a new website.

They're calling it a conversation with Canadians, but it's a one-way campaign built on fear mongering anti-Uber campaigns to date in Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver.

The new website, Taxi Truths, touts the benefits of taking a licensed taxi, With a groovy website design (it's actually rather clever), and even implying it has own app, Taxi Truths is trying to show it is "with it", but it's clearly lipstick on a pig.

Armed with data and arguments on the side of safety, security and accessibility (the claim on value will be disputed), the Canadian Taxicab Operators fail to grasp the role sharing has on the psyche of Canadians on the move, in the time of the exploding sharing economy.

Will it work? Only time will tell, but we are clearly in the side if the skeptics.

The Canadian Taxicab Companies group lists its members in Calgary (Checker Group, Associated Cab Company), Edmonton (Taxi Service Group), Montreal (Taxi Diamond), Ottawa (Coventry Connections), Toronto (Royal Taxi) and Vancouver (MacLure’s Cabs, Vancouver Taxi, Yellow Cab, Black Top & Checker Cabs). Perhaps fearing it's next to hit Uber's radar, the site also lists Winnipeg (UniCity Taxi, Duffy’s Taxi) is also listed on the site.

Related resources
Taxi companies start national anti-Uber campaign
New website features 'Taxi Truths' and takes aim at Uber
Canadian Taxi Monopoly is attempting to curb consumer choice
Uber provides the taxi industry a good kick in the pants

Canadian Taxi Monopoly is attempting to curb consumer choice

Anti-Uber taxi protest chaos in London in June - is Vancouver next?
Creative Commons image by zongo on Flickr

by Todd Romaine

Desperate last straw efforts to save an archaic monopoly will be hitting Canadian airwaves in the coming days as the Canadian Taxicab Association (@CTA_Taxi) tries to argue that taking an “unregulated vehicle” is the same thing as having some stranger with no flying experience operate your flight.

Yes, this is how silly it is getting to try to convince consumers to stay with a system that profits handsomely by ensuring an undersupply of taxis and causing endless frustrations in commuters. The idea of introducing more drivers on the road whom will charge less money than the traditional monopolistic rates has this industry running scared that competition will mean less fares and more accountability to customer service.

In Uber’s defense, they do background checks on the drivers and look after insurance. Whether a taxi driver is better than a regular driver is highly subjective however.

To compare driving a motor vehicle to that of flying a sophiscated flying machine is just plain silly and is insulting to commuters that want to reduce their waiting time and the ensuing bill for their commute.

In Vancouver, a 6 month moratorium was placed on the issuance of more taxi licenses which thereby prohibits Uber from entering the market.

In addition, Vancouver cab companies have gone as far as to launch a lawsuit against Uber, even before they have actually started business in the city. Politicians have thus far weighed in on the side of the traditional taxi operators, but there is little doubt that the free market and providing consumers with greater choice will sweep over the old age era of convenient protectionism for those maintaining an arguably corrupt fiefdom that deliberately limits competition despite overwhelming evidence of increasing demand.

As a mechanism to bolster growing support in Vancouver, Uber launched a job fair for new drivers and has created an online petition (over 6,000 signatures to date) to be circulated to the City of Vancouver requesting entrance to address an arguably growing business need.

For the taxi monopoly, the age old tricks of lawsuits and intimidation will eventually backfire so its high time they accept Uber as a legitimate competitor and begin to enhance customer service and reduce fares if they wish to stay in business over the long term.

Related resources:
UberX targeted by cab companies with ad campaign over safety
Uber launches online petition to raise public support for Vancouver service
Uber block: Vancouver taxi companies seek injunction against ride-share service
Uber Vancouver to get undercover government checks to enforce taxi regulations
Cities must crack down on the scourge of convenient, efficient taxi service
Uber provides the taxi industry a good kick in the pants

Shuddle: Paying strangers to drive your kids? Yes, exactly!

A ride as safe as mom's?

A revolutionary offspring to Uber has recently been launched in San Francisco that will see parents paying strangers to drive their kids to ball practice, ballet, or other recreational / school events.

Shuddle was designed to provide parents with a viable option for a child-minded taxi service. Subject to proper screening (criminal record search, experience with children, and positive past job references), Shuddle's launch has led to more than 100 approved drivers to date (all females).

Parents will book their Shuddle rides no later than 10am the day before and will get a driver profile emailed to them, including a photograph, driving history and reviews. A password will provided by the assigned Shuddle driver to the parents prior to the children entering into this default taxi service, to confirm authenticity. Parents will strictly pay by credit card and, in addition, will be charged a monthly retainer fee of USD 9.00.

The resultant outcome, if it all comes together, will be a new service across North America that will provide a cheaper alternative to that of expensive taxis.

Of course it will likely just take one or two incidents to potentially cause a public relations nightmare for Shuddle. The day a child gets kidnapped, or there is a serious car accident, the uproar could derail this business during its initial launch. Optimistically, however, it is unlikely that one very bad experience will dampen the market demand for a reliable, secure and affordable option for parents desperately looking for someone to shuttle their kids to activities.

In a perfect world, parents would do this job full-time, but in an era of two parents working to make ends meet, this service will likely grow exponentially.

 Related resources:

• Uber provides the taxi industry a good kick in the pants - by IHateTaxis
• Shuddle is an 'Uber for kids' where parents pay and strangers drive
• Uber, But For Kids. What Could Possibly Go Wrong?
• Uber for KIDS: New ride sharing service with nannies as drivers launches
• Mom’s Van Is Called Uber

Layover Ideas: Cusco

Looking out at the rooftops of beautiful Cusco, Peru
(photo: creative commons ianz on Flickr)

Have a layover coming up in Cusco? Wondering what you could do with your time? Here's a little inspiration.

We've gathered the following resources - tips, stories and layover ideas - to help you get the most out of your time here... [read more].

Want more layover ideas?
• Read more stories on the LayoverIdeas Blog • Explore cities worldwide on LayoverIdeas.com

Related resources
Mugging: are you a target? 10 resources
Spot the deadly fake taxi on your international travels!
Dealing with taxi drivers
Dealing with touts
Airport arrival advice

Manila's latest colorum taxi scam

Light traffic in Manila
creative commons, wingmarc on Flickr

In late September, a new Manila colorum taxi scam emerged, targetting Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport passengers. 'Colorum' is a Filipino slang term used to refer to illegal vehicles.The incident occured in Makati, one of the 16 cities that make up Metro Manila.

In this latest Manila taxi scam, while travelling, the car's motor suddenly conks out, forcing the driver to pull over. After checking under the hood, the driver beckons for his passenger to get out, to observe or assist in some way.

Once the passenger is outside the taxi, the driver gets back in, miraculously starts the engine, and speeds off with the passenger's luggage and possessions, leaving the passenger stranded.

The entire incident is facilitated by a hidden switch which the driver uses to turn the engine off and on.

Tip: whatever happens, do not get out of your taxi, or if you must, take your valuables with you! Better yet, stick to official taxis.

There has been a crackdown on colorum vehicles (taxis, buses) in Manila since August 2014, taking hundreds of vehicles off the road.

Related resources:

• Makati police warns commuters of new colorum taxi scam
• Manila mayors declare ‘war’ vs colorum vehicles
• Philippine Taxi Operators Charge Uber With ‘Colorum’
• Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) transportation guide
• Manila Clark International Airport (CRK) transportation guide
• Dealing with Taxi Drivers - advice from IHateTaxis
• Headed to one of the most dreaded airports? (list includes MNL) - advice from LayoverIdeas

Headed to one of the 10 most dreaded? (2014)

* * Click HERE for 2016 * *

Headed to one of the 10 most dreaded? (2016)

* * Click HERE for 2016 * *

_______________________________________________________________

Read below for 2014:

The visually stunning architecture of the immense Hajj Terminal at
Jeddah KAIA Airport, built to handle 80,000 pilgrims simultaneously
(the holes in the roof elements allow natural air-conditioning).
Unfortunately it's still crowded and uncomfortable inside.
(creative commons, FoxyGuy on Flickr)

Yesterday, Sleeping in Airports announced the results of their Best Airports of 2014 and Worst Airports of 2014.

Inspired by the Worst list, our sister-site, LayoverIdeas.com, wrote a corresponding blog post of layover ideas, in case you are headed to one of these famously dreaded airports:

1. Islamabad Benazir Bhutto International Airport (ISB)
2. Jeddah King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED)
3. Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM)
4. Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL)
5. Tashkent International Airport (TAS)
6. Paris Beauvais International Airport (BVA)
7. Frankfurt Hahn International Airport (HHN)
8. Milan Bergamo International Airport (BGY)
9. Berlin Tegel International Airport (TXL)
10. New York LaGuardia International Airport (LGA)

Click here to read Layover Ideas for the World's Worst Airports.

Enjoy!

Make your own bed and sleep in it at Westin!

Do you feel like making your own Heavenly Bed at Westin?

The Westin Hotel chain is now offering you money to make your own bed!

If you ever plan to spend a night or two at Westin Hotels & Resorts in North America, you will now be offered up to $5.00/day voucher for meals or club points to forego housekeeping. The Make a Green Choice microsite touts the green benefits of the promotion. As Westin is part of the Starwood Hotel & Resorts brand, the club points available for those who opt in are Starwood Preferred Guest (aka SPG) points.

The $5 a day can add up quite quickly, if you are a frequent traveler and spending multiple nights in the same hotel chain. And let's be perfectly honest here - who really needs their room cleaned every day anyhow? There are enough towels in the room to last several days and most of us are quite hygienic to avoid daily bed sheets being changed.

Do I get a treat for making my own bed?

Undoubtedly what Westin is doing will spread amongst other competing hotel chains, where the practice of incentifying customers with discounts, in order to pass on expected hotel services, will become the norm. Arguably, this could be yet another silent war to reduce the costly requirement of human labour in society, but ultimately, in the era of reward points, it will likely be widely popular among consumers.

At Westin, the front desk staff will offer you this incentive once you check-in, but thereafter they place the onus on you to bring down your coupons upon check-out or earlier in order to cash-in. If you forget these coupons in your room, or misplace them somewhere else, then your benefit becomes null and void and the hotel wins free and clear.

The program is also loaded with restrictions. You can't, for example, use your $5 towards an alcoholic drink. While you can use the coupon at the local Starbucks, how far does that $5 go? A small coffee, perhaps?

And how green is printing all those coupons? "If this was a truly green choice there should be an option not to get the cards and for Starwood to just post the points or take $5 off your bill for services. It can't be that hard to do it electronically and it would save paper," argues OasisNYK on  FlyerTalk forums.

Regardless, the truth is in how the program is working out - from the customer's perspective. A quick read of the Make a Green Choice Issues thread in the FlyerTalk forums reveals many inconsistencies, from coupons promised but not delivered and hotels running out of the cards, to inadequate garbage cans for guests to dump their own trash in to promised SPG rewards not assigned. Or how about the room cleaning that takes place despite opting in - or, worse, no room cleaning for guests who opt out of the program entirely? It does seem guests are spending an inordinate amount of time chasing down the supposed benefits of going green.

The hotel's argument is about "making a green choice" but let's get real: ultimately, this about saving money and passing a (small) portion of such reductions onto the consumer. Is it worth it to you as a guest?

Look for Westin Hotels & Resorts to extend their program globally later on next year. Let's hope they make it a whole lot greener (goodbye paper cards?), simpler and consistent before doing so.

Related resources:

• Travel trend: Make your own bed at some hotels and get a reward
• What is Westin Heavenly Bed?
• Westin Heavenly Bed Review - Sleep Like the Dead
• 5 lies Westin told me at Content Marketing World - @chiefmartec
• Book your next Westin room with IHateTaxis

Travel in the time of Ebola

Perhaps a fitting symbol for worldwide sadness about Ebola
Photo: John LeGear, creativecommons (more info)

With all the buzz about Ebola and airport screenings, what's a traveller to do? Is it really OK to be "out there"? In a word, yes.

 If you already travel saavy, you know about - and hopefully practice - road warrior street smarts: wash your hands (frequently, with soap), wipe down surfaces, carry sanitizer (but don't overuse it), drink plenty of sealed bottled water, get plenty of sleep and enjoy your journey.

Weighing in on the subject, is Robert L. Quigley, MD, D.Phil, Regional Medical Director and Vice President of Medical Assistance, Americas Region, International SOS. In his piece, Ebola Outbreak Spreads Across Three Countries: What Do Travelers Need to Know? for @HuffPostTravel, Quigley advises, "For travelers, it means staying away from affected areas, and avoiding contact with people who are sick as well as practicing strict attention to hygiene."

Unless you are travelling to one of the Ebola hot zones in Africa (it's a big continent), then these actions will serve you well. Of course, pay attention to travel advisories for your destination, and check for updates periodically. Common sense will get you further than panic.

DON'T be alarmed if you see overt health screening in an airport. Rather, see this as the authorities taking the necessary measures to protect everyone.

An excuse to buy gloves?

If you tend towards the panic end of the spectrum, then add some face masks and disposable gloves to your backpack. Hopefully, knowing they are there, will help you relax. Heck, pick up a lovely pair of gloves on your travels and wear them whenever you feel like it (who cares how silly you look?). They won't necessarily protect you how you imagine they will, but if they keep you from giving in to panic, then fine, whatever it takes.

And if you do feel yourself starting to get run down, take it as a sign to take time out - get a decent place to stay, curl up with a book, eat well and rest. Then hit the road again. Your immune system will thank you.

In her piece for @Forbes, Ebola, Erupting Volcanoes, Terrorism: Travel Tips For Scary Times, author Lea Lane brings much needed perspective, "The bottom line is to keep traveling: using your head, trusting your gut, controlling as much as you can — and realizing that you can’t control everything."

We couldn't agree more.

"Travel should continue and be an exciting adventure. With the right precautions in place, it should also be a safe endeavor," says Quigley. 


Related resources:

• What the Ebola Outbreak Means for Travelers - Travel+Leisure  
• Ebola Outbreak: Know the Facts Before You Travel 
• Isis and Ebola in Europe: Am I still safe to travel this half-term?  
• Why The Ebola Outbreak Shouldn’t Keep You From Traveling in Africa 
• Ebola and Why I Am Still Travelling to West Africa
• Overseas Travel Medical Considerations - advice from IHateTaxis

Layover Ideas: Oslo

Oslo's Parliament buildings

Have a layover coming up in Oslo? Wondering what you could do with your time? Here's a little inspiration.

We've gathered the following resources - tips, stories and layover ideas - to help you get the most out of your time here... [read more].

Want more layover ideas?
• Read more stories on the LayoverIdeas Blog • Explore cities worldwide on LayoverIdeas.com

Related resources
Mugging: are you a target? 10 resources
Spot the deadly fake taxi on your international travels!
Dealing with taxi drivers
Dealing with touts
Airport arrival advice

Renting diesel in North America

By Todd Romaine
A cheaper alternative when renting cars in North America is….DIESEL!

The Diesel engine and fuel were invented by the
German mechanical engineer Rudolf Diesel (1858–1913).
Read about his mysterious disappearance and death.

When most of us think of diesel vehicles, we think of large pick-up trucks with Albertan or Texan license plates rolling down the highway making a lot of noise. The driver possibly wearing a white tank top, goatee and those cheap white framed sunglasses with a Calvin & Hobbs sticker on the back window.

Let’s be honest here, most of us only have limited experiences with diesel. Admittedly, my only experience was when I accidentally filled up my car with diesel at a local gas station. A hundred dollars later at the service station and the issue was embarrassingly rectified.

My short lived conviction at the time that combining gas with diesel resulted in a ‘super fuel’ was short-lived. Not many people in North America drive diesel vehicles, though they are on the increase. Many of us have been deterred by getting such a vehicle because naturally we are worried about the lack of readily available businesses offering diesel fuel. That being aside, people are becoming increasingly cost conscious when it comes to vehicles and especially car rental agencies.

Hertz Car Rental in the United States has been testing out the consumer market to see if people would consider renting a diesel car that has better fuel mileage than a traditional gasoline one. The other selling feature, arguably, is that using a diesel vehicle is better for the environment (using less fuel to get from A to B than a gas guzzler).


If you can't see the Hertz Green Traveler Collection video above, click here to view it on YouTube.

So far, so good, with Hertz locations offering diesel expanding in the USA, and into Canada as well. Hertz markets these cars as part of its Green Traveler Collection.

If you decide to rent from Hertz, and are interested in their diesel fleet, make sure you inquire about their Volkswagen Jetta TDI. Anticipate other rental car agencies to follow suit if there is sustained interest from the cost conscious public.

If you go down this path, make sure you avoid my mistake of turning your brain off at a gas station and assuming gas and diesel are interchangeable!

Related resources

• Hertz Reinvents Newark Airport Car Rental Experience - MarketWatch
• Would You Drive a Clean Diesel Rental Car? Hertz Sure Hopes So - Jaunted
• Accidentally Fueling a Diesel with Gasoline - About.com
• Book your Hertz diesel rental car with IHateTaxis
• How to protect yourself when renting a car - Smart Travel Advice from IHateTaxis

Layover Ideas: San Juan

Old San Juan oozes charm
Creative Commons image bz3rk on Flickr

Have a layover coming up in historic San Juan? Wondering what you could do with your time? Here's a little inspiration.

We've gathered the following resources - tips, stories and layover ideas - to help you get the most out of your time here... [read more].

Want more layover ideas?
• Read more stories on the LayoverIdeas Blog • Explore cities worldwide on LayoverIdeas.com

Related resources
Mugging: are you a target? 10 resources
Spot the deadly fake taxi on your international travels!
Dealing with taxi drivers
Dealing with touts
Airport arrival advice

You can't plan to visit Midway Atoll Airport

Midway Atoll Airport is more important than you might guess

Where, exactly, IS Midway Atoll Airport?

Midway Atoll, an unincorporated territory of the United States, is situated in the North Pacific Ocean, roughly equidistant between North America and Asia. Longitudinally, the atoll lies almost halfway around the world from Greenwich, UNited Kingdom. Midway Atoll is situated 259 kilometres (161 miles) east of the International Date Line.

Not to be confused with Chicago's Midway Airport (MDW), Midway Atoll Airport (MDY) is located on Sand Island, the largest of the two biggest islands in the atoll. TtIt's not an airport you should expect to ever visit.

MDY airport plays an important role as an emergency diversion point for what is referred to as Extended range Twin Operations, or ETOPS. In layman's terms, ETOPS diversion points provide a safe place to land an aircraft experiencing difficulties while flying over vast oceans.

It is occassionally used, as recently as July 2014.

It happened when a Guam-bound United Airlines Boeing 777 from Honolulu began experiencing electrical problems. The incident began with the smell of electrical smoke. Shortly after, the radar failed and smoke began to fill the cockpit. Thankfully, the pilot was able to make a safe emergency landing at Midway Atoll. The passengers departed, flying back to Hawaii just a few hous later, on a replacement plane [read the story].

In another recent incident, in July 2011, a Delta Boeing 747-400, enroute from Honolulu to Osaka, made an emergency landing at Midway Atoll when the cockpit's windshield cracked. Although the plane hit a couple of birds on its approach, the pilot made a safe landing.While the runway could handle the aircraft, the tiny airport was not equipped to handle a 747, and did not have roll-up stairs that would reach the doors! While the passengers waited onboard for a replacement aircraft to arrive, the resourceful workers quickly built some wooden stairs on top of existing stairs to literally fill the gap. Less than 24 hours later, the airport was quiet again, the passengers arriving at their destination 16 hours late on the replacement plane, and the original plane had also departed [read the full story].

MDY is next to the Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge

More interesting facts:

• Midway was the focal point of the Battle of Midway, one of the most important battles of the Pacific Campaign in World War II
• The Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge encompasses 590,991.50 acres (239,165.77 ha) of land and water (mostly water)
• The refuge and most of its surrounding area are part of the larger Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument
• Midway Atoll NWR is the world's largest nesting albatross colony  

For more on Midway Atoll Airport (aka Henderson Field), visit our Midway Atoll Airport (MDY) guide.

Related resources

• Midway Journey - a Kickstarter funded film 
• Midway Atoll: The Plastic Plight of the Albatross
• Midway Atoll (28° 15' N - 177° 20' W) - CoRIS (Coral Reef Information System)
• Midway Islands Travel Guide - wikitravel

Layover Ideas: Montreal

Vieux-Montréal, or Old Montreal

Have a layover coming up in the great city of Montreal? Wondering what you could do with your time? Here's a little inspiration.

We've gathered the following resources - tips, stories and layover ideas - to help you get the most out of your time here... [read more].

Want more layover ideas?
• Read more stories on the LayoverIdeas Blog • Explore cities worldwide on LayoverIdeas.com

Related resources
Mugging: are you a target? 10 resources
Spot the deadly fake taxi on your international travels!
Dealing with taxi drivers
Dealing with touts
Airport arrival advice

Layover Ideas: Paris

Summer layover in Paris? Check out Paris Plages, on the banks of the Seine.

Have a layover coming up in Paris? Wondering what you could do with your time? Here's a little inspiration.

We've gathered the following resources - tips, stories and layover ideas - to help you get the most out of your time here... [read more].

Want more layover ideas?
• Read more stories on the LayoverIdeas Blog • Explore cities worldwide on LayoverIdeas.com

Related resources
Mugging: are you a target? 10 resources
Spot the deadly fake taxi on your international travels!
Dealing with taxi drivers
Dealing with touts
Airport arrival advice

Geological explosions to rock Iceland and disrupt your air travel?

Iceland's Bardarbunga volcano

By Todd Romaine

Things are brewing in cold, rugged Iceland. Another earthquake hit the Icelandic volcano (Bardarbunga) earlier today. This is not to be confused with the other volcano - Eyjafjallajokull) that erupted back in 2010. This recent shake was the largest of the multiple earthquakes to hit over the past week, sending out suspicions of a volcanic eruption in the coming days. Such an eruption would disrupt air travel across Europe and possibly North America. Many transcontinental flight hover in and around Icelandic air space and several include regular stops in the capital, Reykjavik.

Eyjafjallajokull's eruption in 2010

Like me, many would think the reason for disrupted travel in the event of a volcanic eruption is that it affects visibility and hence it becomes a safety issue without basic navigation abilities through a thick plume of smoke. But truth be told, volcanic ash contains glass and pulverized rock particles that are bad for airplane engines. Apparently such particles can erode the engine compressor or even solidify on the turbine blades, blocking the engines. That being said, the grounded flight option for 6 straight days like such as occurred in 2010 is unlikely to ever repeat itself again. Airlines have relaxed their policies since such time and increasingly comfortable on flying through ash or deviating around the perimeter of the eruption and its smoke trails. So if this sucker explodes soon, you may be delayed but most likely you will viewing some possible impressive views between North America and Europe or vice versa.

Eyjafjallajokull's ash cloud

And if you are delayed for a day or two, feel free to spend some time exploring (if time permits) in and around your departure city rather than being cramped and stressed at the airport. You may need to extend your car rental which likely can be done over the phone or when you return back to the airport. So keep your eyes frequently on the news and be prepared to have a few buffer days planned for in the event you are temporarily stranded because of an explosion on some remote island in the middle of the North Atlantic!