Mugging: are you a target? 10 resources

This guy is definitely a target - are you?
creative commons image waldopepper on Flickr

Are you a target for mugging? You might be surprised.

Trust us, you don't want to lose your money, credit cards, identification, camera or anything while you travel. So read on...
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Here we share stories from seasoned travellers who have been duped and robbed -- along with 10 resources to help keep you and your valuables safe.

Lessons learned from Being Mugged Abroad - Yvonne Ivanescu
Just because you've travelled a long time with no major problems doesn't make you less vulnerable, it can make you more so. Here's a telling story from ThePlanetD:

Last month I celebrated the one year anniversary of an event that made a significant impact on my life and molded me into a more savvy, independent and conscientious traveler. In July 2012, I was mugged by thee individuals on a sunny afternoon while I was walking around in Valparaiso, located around 2 hours away from Santiago de Chile. After the event, I recounted my story to numerous eager ears only to be welcomed with blank expressions coupled with snide remarks that my actions had made me an easy target... [read what Yvonne learned].

After 62 Countries in 5 Years, We Were Robbed - Jeremy
Jeremy and Angie  have been travelling the world for years, and thought they had escaped the thieves, but, alas, it happened to them too. Here's their story from Living the Dream:

After 550+ days of travel since 2008, being gone for almost a whole year on this trip, and visiting hundreds of cities in 62 countries, our day finally happened in Puno, Peru. And we nearly lost everything. As we were in the bus station getting ready to leave for Cusco, I looked down and noticed something odd.  My bag containing a computer, expensive SLR, camera gear, passports, and emergency money was nowhere to be found. It didn’t take long to figure out what happened and we soon determined that we were victims to one of the oldest techniques in the book: the diversion... [read what Jeremy learned].

How NOT to Get Mugged on the Paris Metro (By an 8-Year-Old) - Down the Wrabbit Hole
The woman behind the wrabbit has travelled a lot, and thought herself pretty savvy, until she was outsmarted by a little kid. Here's her story from Down the Wrabbit Hole:

My story goes back to my Europe 2010 trip. I was with my 23 junior high students, 10 parent chaperones, and our fearless Explorica tour guide - and a partridge in a pear tree.  Or so it seemed.  Navigating that massive group through the streets of Paris without losing anyone had already proven to be a challenge, but not impossible.  Now we were headed for the underground Metro system, moving from the Eiffel Tower to our restaurant for dinner... [read what this traveller in Paris learned].

So... if it happened to them, it can happen to you!

Here are 10 resources to help protect yourself:

Warning in the Frankfurt Zoo
creative commons image sunixzs on Flickr

1. How to avoid being mugged - WikiHow
2. Theft by pickpockets in Naples, Rome, Florence and Milan, Italy - Bella-Toscana (GREAT RESOURCE)
3. Outsmarting thieves and pickpockets in Europe - Rick Steves
4. Tips for Not Getting Mugged in South America - Going Nomadic
5. Surefire Ways to Get Mugged on Vacation - HuffPost Travel
6. Anti Theft Travel Gear: 6 Ways To Keep Your Valuables Secure - IndieTraveller
7. Top 5 Anti-Theft Travel Bags for Women - Travel Fashion Girl
8. Make A Secret Pocket In Your Pants! - The Expert Vagabond
9. The Dummy’s Guide to Packing a Theft-Proof Backpack - Packsmiths
10. Seven Ways to Keep Your Stuff Safe When You Fly - Independent Traveler

Related resources
Spot the deadly fake taxi on your international travels! - IHateTaxis
Dealing with touts - IHateTaxis
Airport arrival advice - IHateTaxis
The world-wide bad reputation of Bogota taxis - IHateTaxis

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

New taxi scam at Sydney Airport (SYD)

Taxi in New South Wales

A new scam emerged in Sydney earlier this month. You could be prone to it if you take a taxi from Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD).

In this scam, the taxi driver says his electronic payment system is not working.

This is actually a very common scam around the world, but in this variation, the driver says he can process your charge on a manual machine. If you agree, what happens next is that your credit card number is fraudulently re-sold.

If you encounter this scam, we advise that you say no to the manual machine, and pay cash.



Taxi line-up at Sydney Airport

If you've gone ahead and used the manual credit card machine, check your credit card statements. There are more details in the original article, Taxi credit card payment scam emerges in NSW.

Avoid the risk and arrive stress free: book a private car transfer from Sydney Airport from IHateTaxis.

Related reading:

• More taxi scams at Sydney Airport
• All transportation options at Sydney Airport
• Dealing with taxi drivers - advice from IHateTaxis
• Taxi Rates & Fares: Airport Taxi Advice from IHateTaxis

Avoiding taxi scams at Costa Rica's airports (SJO, SYQ)

"The taxi driver did not speak any English. He did recognize the name of the hotel and was able to get us back.
I took this picture from the backseat of his taxi as we zipped through the streets of San Jose, Costa Rica.
I thought the little Santas and the small shoe were interesting, as was the reflection
that I got of the front seat passenger and the driver."

randysonofrobert on Flickr

It's kind of important to have a taxi driver who speaks English, don't you think? For anyone who has been in the back seat of a cab with a driver who doesn't speak the same language, that would be an understatement. This is especially important if you are travelling to anything other than the most well known hotels.

So it might seem like a relief when, upon your arrival in Costa Rica, your San Jose airport taxi driver greets you with "Hello". It would be natural to think how great it is that you found an English speaking driver.

But that may not be the case.

In September 2013, an investigation revealed that hundreds of Costa Rican taxi drivers had fraudulently obtained their English diploma, which is mandatory to obtain an airport taxi license. The scam involved language-school workers selling fake English diplomas to drivers who had not attended a single class.

Dealing with the Fake English Diploma Scam: We suggest that some small talk as you greet your driver, and your bags are stowed, may reveal if your driver had adequate English to understand your directions.

Try conversing with your Costa Rican taxi driver before you get in the cab!

Costa Rica's capital city of San José is served by two airports. San José Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), handles most international flights, whereas San José Tobias Bolaños International Airport (SYQ) handles general aviation, private aircraft, charters, domestic flights and international flights to nearby Nicaragua and Panama. Costa Rica's 2nd busiest airport is Liberia Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR).

Related content from IHateTaxis:

• More information on San Jose Airport taxi scams
• The difference between the ORANGE and RED San Jose Airport taxis
• Book a private car transfer from San Jose Airport (SJO) from IHateTaxis
• Transportation information for all airports in Costa Rica
• Dealing with taxi drivers - advice from IHateTaxis
• Taxi Rates & Fares: Airport Taxi Advice from IHateTaxis

Avoiding scams at LaGuardia Airport (LGA)

It is unsafe to accept a ride from drivers who approach you at La Guardia.
Even if they look official, these pirate taxi drivers are breaking the law.

There are so many problems with travellers being scammed at New York's LaGuardia Airport that they have taken to placing free-standing signs around the terminal.

The best advice we can give you is the following:

Do NOT accept a ride from anyone who approaches you in the terminal. That includes:

• A driver who says they just happen to be returning to their car after stepping into the terminal to use the washroom
• A driver who tells you there are no taxis outside but you can skip the waiting line by going with him
• A limousine driver who says their passenger pick-up was cancelled at the last minute
• Anyone who offers to help you with your luggage

This is an airport where it really is important to use only official taxi and limousine providers.

Head directly for the taxi stand located outside each terminal for official taxi services. You will find uniformed LGA Taxi dispatchers available to assist you before you start your ride.

Taxi queue at LGA (Photo courtesy Grant Wickes)

You can also follow the signs to the Welcome Centre/Ground Transportation Counter (near baggage claim). The staff here can advise you on your options. Better yet, read up on your choices before you go with our LaGuardia Airport (LGA) Transportation Guide.

Bonus Tip: Ignore non-uniformed people offering to assist with baggage. Seek out uniformed porters or airline employees for baggage assistance.

Here are some other interesting stories about ground transportation at La Guardia:

• Why is there no subway or train service to LaGuardia Airport?
• Only You Can Help Prevent Airport Taxi Scammers

Related content from IHateTaxis:

• More information on LaGuardia Airport taxi scams
• Taking a bus from LGA to the subway
• Ground transportation guide to New York La Guardia Airport (LGA)
• Book a shared shuttle from LaGuardia Airport from IHateTaxis
• Book a private car transfer from LaGuardia Airport from IHateTaxis
• Dealing with taxi drivers - advice from IHateTaxis
• Taxi Rates & Fares: Airport Taxi Advice

The best and worst cities to take a taxi

How safe is it to take a taxi in Namibia? How worthwhile is a minimum fare in Tokyo? Why is Bogota, Colombia the worst city to take a taxi?

If in Colombia there is suspicion of this public service, it is worth considering what other countries stand out for unreasonable charges and, likewise, what cities - despite high prices - provide safety, security and comfort.

Kienyke consulted Todd Romaine, marketing manager for the website IHateTaxis.com, which specializes in offering ground transportation guides for airports, terminals and tourist attractions around the world. The company stresses that it is difficult to generalize about a country, as there are a range of fares, experiences and perceptions that tend to be concentrated in the large cities.

The best countries and cities to take a taxi

The IHateTaxis.com website was created by two Canadian brothers who were scammed by a taxi driver, and decided to face a common problem. Romaine stresses that Canada, the United States, New Zealand, Australia, Japan and much of western Europe have the best taxi service.

Here we take into account several factors, such as distance from the city centre to the airport, taxi availability, surcharges and gratuities, among others.

"Although several countries have high rates, and while taxi drivers hate short trips and controls in the pricing system, 70% of the people who consult our website are satisfied with the service of these countries in general," said Romaine.

Also online company Hotels.com released its annual survey of global taxis, which highlighted four cities that demonstrated the best taxi services.

It took into account five categories: knowledge of the area, cleanliness, safety and security, ride quality and friendliness. London, New York, Tokyo and Shanghai were chosen as the best cities for taxi services by more than 1,600 respondents.

The worst cities to take a taxi

IHateTaxis.com has identified six cities where tourists perceive they are most exposed to taxi scams, such fake surcharges, unwarranted stops, altered taximeters or broken meters.

Bogota is the worst by issues of security, according to 15,777 negative reports by users who complain of constant theft or violent crimes (such as the famous 'Millionaire Walk').

Here's how the "Paseo Millonario" (Millionaire Ride or Express Kidnap) works: Once you are in the taxi, the driver will stop and pick up accomplices (sometimes taking a detour to do so) and together they rob you. But they do not stop there. They will demand that you withdraw cash from your debit card and credit card at ATMs, and they will drive you around until your withdrawal limit is reached. (source: IHateTaxis)

Stockholm, Sweden is unregulated and, according to IHateTaxis.com, drivers have exaggerated rates.

Although the service is convenient, 1,500 respondents have reported earning to IHateTaxis.com that in Bangkok, Thailand many rate-related scams occur. A similar case is presented in Cairo, Egypt and Rome, Italy.

"It is also noteworthy that in India, China and most of Africa the general chaos that occurs as a result of traffic, unsafe areas, and constant haggling, represent a major threat to users".

The most expensive fares

The worst news for a company is when one of its employees returns from Tokyo with a taxi bill for travel expenses. The receipt can reach €300 average, with can be a surprise to superiors.

As a tip, a ticket on the Narita Express train (€28) will be 150% cheaper to travel from the airport to the city centre by taxi.

"The results differ if we look at the cost per mile versus the overall fare. While the ranking of most industry articles is measured by the cost per mile  … what matters to travellers is the total cost, from the airport to the city centre", said Romaine of IHateTaxis.com.

The cities with the cheapest taxi fares

The basic cost for a city centre - airport varies between a price of just over a half euro and the three euros. With the following table you can find the cheapest rates to travel by taxi.

Luxury brands, classic and other models used by taxi drivers

Manganese Bronze Holdings plc is a company specializing in the manufacture of the famous London black taxis. Although it has more than 68 years of experience in the design of the historical models, excessive debt forced its owners to sell the company.

There are three types of available fares for travel in these taxis, which depend on the days and hours when the journeys are made. A journey of 40 minutes can go for about €60 euros.


In a few years, the classic "black cab" will disappear from the streets of
London to make way to less polluting vehicles

The Ford Crown Victoria Taxi is perhaps one of the most recognized brands in the world. While on the streets of the New York City there remain more than 13,000 vehicles in this category, 2011 was the last model year built. If you arrive at John F. Kennedy International Airport and your destination is Manhattan, it will take approximately $52, plus tips, for a taxi ride. 


The mayor of the Big Apple has not yet replaced these models.
It is expected that in four months the company Nissan
will secure the public tender.

Although it may seem exuberant, in Moscow the companies decided to bet on the comfort of its customers with luxury transportation. Only on the streets of the Russian capital can you find a Maybach 62 red. The price of a run from the airport to the city centre can cost €40, relatively high value if you consider that the trip is made in a vehicle that is worth about €300,000. 


German made Mercedes-Benz were positioned as taxis 
several years ago in Russia

By Camilo Hurtado (@cahurtadokyk) for Kienyke

Follow IHateTaxis on Twitter: @IHateTaxis

Read the original version of the story on Kienyke: Las mejores y peores ciudades para tomar taxi

Note that the above is an English translation of the Spanish original.

Las mejores y peores ciudades para tomar taxi

¿Qué tan seguro es tomar un taxi en Namibia? ¿Cuánto vale una carrera mínima en Tokio? ¿Por qué Bogotá tiene el lugar número uno de las peores ciudades a la hora de acceder a un taxi?

Si definitivamente en Colombia se desconfía de este servicio público vale la pena tener en cuenta cuáles son los países que destacan por sus cobros irracionales y así mismo, las naciones o ciudades que a pesar de tener altos precios, ofrecen seguridad, garantía y comodidad.

Kienyke consultó a Todd Romaine, gerente de mercadeo de la página IHateTaxis.com, especializada en ofrecer una guía de transporte terrestre en aeropuertos, terminales y lugares de interés turístico en todo el mundo. [siga leyendo en Kienyke]

Bogota: The world-wide bad reputation of Bogota taxis

Bogota taxi

The creator of the website www.ihatetaxis.com says that Bogota deserves being labelled, by tourists, as the most dangerous city to take a taxi. The businessman Uldarico Rock responds that the most honest cabdrivers are Colombians, especially in the capital. Plus tips for how not to be swindled.

While Bangkok and Cairo are perceived by tourists as the cities where one is most exposed to swindling by cabdrivers, Bogota is seen as the most dangerous place to flag a taxi on the street. At least that's what www.ihatetaxis.com reports, a website that reports on local transportation in different cities around world, based on experiences shared by travellers.

Todd Romaine, one of the Canadian brothers that created the site in 2008 after being swindled by a cabdriver in Bangkok, says that there can be more dangerous places than Bogota to take a taxi, like Afghanistan, Tajikistán or Somalia, but as these places are little visited, there are not many recorded reports on them.

"I would say that, in general, Honduras, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, Madagascar, South Africa and Colombia compete for being the places on the planet with the greatest frequency of robberies directed at taxi users", he says.

The major danger in taking a taxi in Bogota? Being a victim of the "millionaire walk", says Romaine. The perception seems to vary a little with local users.

Here's how the "Paseo Millonario" (Millionaire Ride or Express Kidnap) works: Once you are in the taxi, the driver will stop and pick up accomplices (sometimes taking a detour to do so) and together they rob you. But they do not stop there. They will demand that you withdraw cash from your debit card and credit card at ATMs, and they will drive you around until your withdrawal limit is reached. (source: IHateTaxis)

According to http://www.denunciealtaxista.com/, a website created by citizens and focused in Bogota, of the 15,777 negative reports, the major percentage correspond to the category ‘taximeter altered’ (26.6%) and, in second place, to ‘illegal collection’ (20.3%). The second category refers to collection of a fare higher than the taximeter rate (common when the user does not know how units are used to calculate fares), application of nonexistent surcharges or stops to pick up additional passengers.

In terms of security risks and the likelihood of being swindled, Bogota taxis are not well regarded in communities of users. But according to Uldarico Rock, head of the greater business of taxis, the talk about the insecurity is a lie: "It is not certain. It is like foreigners sell the story that we are thieves. This is the most beautiful country, the most honest cabdrivers are those of Colombia and especially those of Bogota", he emphasizes.

As for the accusations of sobrecargos (the picking up of extra passengers) or altered taximeters, Rock explains that in the Centro Automotriz Carrera (Av. Americas #50-15, tel: 4200209) there are 10 people dedicated exclusively to the attention of the Airport Taxi Radio users (aside of the call centre, the organization has another 280 employees). If it is verified that the taximeter is altered, the business reports it to the Office of the secretary of Traffic.

The master of taxis in Bogota also states that all cabdrivers – there are some 25,000 registered yellow cars - complete a customer service course. "But the media never publish the good reports", regrets. "For example, the cabdriver that delivered a box containing 24 million pesos that been left behind in the trunk. The driver sought out the lady and returned the money to her".

On http://www.denunciealtaxista.com/, there are 14,158 positive reports and a top 10 list of the better cabdrivers.

THE USERS, UNITED, WILL NEVER BE DEFEATED

Due to the fact that taxis are owned by for private enterprises, user complaints should be directed to those organizations. The colonel of Traffic of Bogota, Jhon Jairo Rodriguez, explains that if the person wants to complain about a cabdriver, he or she should phone the contact number posted in each vehicle.

These phone lines are administered by the business that operates the taxi so, to a certain extent, users are at the mercy of the tools that are provided by each taxi company.

In order to detect altered taximeters, the Police of Traffic provides monitoring. If a driver marks more than one unit for each 100 meters travelled, it is because the taximeter is descalibrado (de-calibrated), resulting in immobilization of the taxi and a fine of some 290,000 pesos.

With aid of the social networks and continuing some basic interactions, is more difficult for passengers to be swindled or to be in danger in a Bogota taxi:

• Request your taxi by telephone. Generally, the "millionaire walks" begin with a person hailing a taxi on the street.
• Applications for smartphones, such as Easy Taxi (@easytaxicol) or Tappsi (@TappsiCo), are another option to order taxis quickly and securely.
• Keep in mind that a unit is marked each 100 meters or 30 seconds.
• On www.denunciealtaxista.com you can check the taxi's plate, to see if there are any negative reports about the driver. On Twitter, tweet #taxiseguro followed by the taxi # in a mention to @denuncietaxista.
• The community offers other useful tools to consult: a map of the places where "millionaire walks" are most reported, a guide to how much a taxi should cost from one place to another in the city, and a copy of the official 2013 rate guide.
• Uldarico Rock says the good stories should be of shared.
• www.ihatetaxis.com recommends to you lock the doors, not to accept shortcuts and, in the case of robbery, not to fight with the cabdriver (they may be armed).
• If already swindled, communicate with the business. Taxexpress (4111111), for example, returns the fare in case of taximeter alteration.
• Don't stop sharing your experience with others. If it is negative, you can save another, and if it is good, sharing can help carry all of us to a better reputation in this chaotic city. On Twitter, you can denounce with: @Denuncietaxista #I Denounce, and congratulate with: @Denuncietaxista #buentaxista.

BY MARIA CAMILA HERNÁNDEZ ALONSO

Follow IHateTaxis on Twitter: @IHateTaxis

Read the IHateTaxis transportation guide to Bogota El Nuevo Dorado International Airport (BOG) - or jump directly to the IHateTaxis Bogota Taxi page.

Read the original version of the story on Portafolio: La mala fama de los taxis bogotanos ya es internacional

Note that the above is a revised English translation of the original Spanish original.

Bogotá: La mala fama de los taxis bogotanos ya es internacional

Bogota taxi

El creador de la página www.ihatetaxis.com afirma que Bogotá es calificada por los turistas como la ciudad más peligrosa para tomar un taxi. El empresario Uldarico Peña responde que los taxistas más honestos son los colombianos y especialmente los de la capital. Tips para no dejarse estafar.

Mientras que Las Vegas, Bangkok y El Cairo son percibidas por los turistas como las ciudades en donde están más expuestos a las estafas de los taxistas, Bogotá es vista como la más peligrosa para tomar un taxi en la calle. Al menos así lo reportan los usuarios de www.ihatetaxis.com, una página que informa sobre el transporte local en diferentes ciudades de todo el mundo con base en experiencias que los viajeros comparten.

Todd Romaine, uno de los hermanos canadienses que crearon esta página... [siga leyendo en Portofolio]

Taxi Rates & Fares: Airport Taxi Advice

The fine art of taxi fare negotiation
Photo creativecommons: garryknight on Flickr

Most travellers take taxis from the airport to their hotel or final destination after arriving at the airport. We at IHateTaxis.com have also taken countless numbers of taxi rides to and from the airport, so we offer the following advice for smart travellers to arrive as stress-free as possible. Most disagreements with cab drivers occur over their taxi rates and fares, so being prepared will help reduce these discussions.

Before You Depart the Curb


Note the cab number

• Load only your large luggage in the taxi's trunk or boot. Keep all valuables with you when you get into the taxi. This is to ensure that if there are problems later, that you at least have your valuables with you. 
• Make sure that you have agreed to either a fixed fare or a metered price and the currency to be paid in. Ask if there are any other additional charges that you should be aware of (additional passenger fees, luggage fees, toll fees, airport fees, etc). If you do not agree on the taxi rate or the taxi fare before starting the ride, then this will likely become a disagreement at the end of your cab ride. 
• Memorize or record the taxi number and driver's name (the number may just be on the outside of the taxi). If you are able to get the driver's name then record this as well and of course say 'hi' to him (that way he knows that you know his name should any problems arise). 

While in the Taxi


Keep your eye on the meter - no sleeping!

• Keep a very close eye on that taxi meter in the front if you have not negotiated a fixed fare. Do not sleep or anything else. 
• Why of course you have been in a New York Taxi, Las Vegas Taxi, Bangkok Taxi, London Taxi, Beijing Taxi, or Nairobi Taxi before. Just a few months ago, right? Yes, you are a regular traveller to the city. Oh, you have never been here before? Well let us just take the long road then to your hotel! 
• If you have a GPS, pull it out and watch the tracking. If the cab driver is doing loops then question him and show the GPS track. 
• If the negotiated fare is suddenly re-negotiated, stick to your original price. Ignore any confirmation from yourself on the new price. If this becomes a problem then have the taxi driver stop and get out. If you have luggage in the trunk, make sure the taxi driver either gets out and opens the trunk or one person stays inside the cab while the other unloads all luggage. We recommend not paying the driver anything, but this likely will be a discussion. 
• If an official rate card is given to you by the driver during your drive into town and the price is re-negotiated, then ignore this as well. It doesn't take too much effort to print off a few cards and laminate them to try and trick people. 
•  If there is an option to take a toll road, then leave it up to the driver to decide ("you decide") unless you know better. Like the rest of us, taxi drivers hate sitting in traffic and although it likely means a higher fare for them, this is not a pleasant way to do it. For tolls, you may either pay them directly or have the driver pay them and then the price is added to the fare. We recommend that you pay the tolls as then you have a lesser chance of getting scammed and of course this also gives you a good method of breaking a larger bill. Regardless, pay attention to the toll prices signs when approaching the payment booths.

When You Arrive at Your Destination

Have small bills and coins in hand

• Have the cash ready in hand for payment, including a tip if you wish. Keep it hidden. See below if you are going to pay with a credit card or debit card. 
• Get out of the taxi and take all of your luggage. Have it all ready to go (i.e., backpacks on your back, handles out, etc). 
• Hand the driver the money and walk away and do not look back. 
• Taxi drivers sometimes claim that the money given is not enough or try to impose some additional changes on you. By being ready to go, having asked before departing in the cab, and by handing the money over and walking away the taxi driver has less of a chance of pulling this scam. If your luggage is still in the trunk or you are not ready to go then there is a good chance of this scam developing. 
• If the taxi driver is very insistent that you have underpaid him (e.g., he follows you into the hotel lobby), then just make sure that you didn't short-change him or forget an extra charge (e.g., taxi desk at airport charge or a toll booth). Discussion of the problem in the hotel lobby or other public place will likely help you, not the driver, as people there likely know if a scam is in progress. 
• Taxi drivers never seem to have change, but will gladly take that big bill of yours. If you do not have enough change then tell the driver wait and go into a hotel, restaurant, or other establishment and get some change. Breaking a big bill at the airport prior to taking the taxi will help deal with this situation. 
• If the taxi driver drops you nearby your destination, such as a couple of blocks away due to "bad traffic", "difficult area", "road closed" etc then be aware that this is most likely a scam in progress. The driver will then likely demand a rip-off fare as you cannot just go into the hotel and ask someone what the appropriate fare is or have someone at the hotel talk to the driver in the foreign language. In this situation, demand to be taken to the hotel front door (the better approach to side-track this scam) or just pay what you think is fair (which will never be enough). There is a good possibility that an argument will occur, but stand your ground. You can always WALK to your hotel and if the driver follows you demanding money, then you know it will likely be settled before you get to the front of your hotel. This is much less likely on metered fares, but still there might be extra fees demanded for "luggage" or other likely nonsense.

Paying With Plastic (Credit Cards, Debit Cards)

If you wish to pay your taxi fare with plastic (credit card or debit card), we recommend the following to avoid problems later on. All of us at IHateTaxis.com have had issues with paying with credit cards in particular.

Don't let your credit card out of your sight!

• Ask if the driver will take plastic prior to leaving the curb. If the side windows have "Visa", "Mastercard", "JTB", "American Express", etc then likely the taxi driver will take your matching credit card. 
• Some taxi drivers prefer cash over plastic as there is no paper trail. By paying cash they avoid a commission to be paid to their employer or franchise and better still avoid paying income and sales taxes. If a taxi driver insists on cash, even though they can take plastic, then there is no reason why you cannot ask for a discount on the taxi fare. 
• Be aware that the credit card machine "might be down", but this is almost always a scam to have you pay cash. All taxis that take credit cards can process them manually on paper and it is not your problem if they are out of paper or the machine "is down". 
• Never let your credit card out of your sight and ensure that it is swiped only once. If it is swiped more than once, get the cancelled or declined printouts from the machine for each swipe. The taxi driver might be double or triple charging you. This problem is reduced with chip credit cards. 
• There is ABSOLUTELY NO REASON for the taxi driver to need the CVV code from your credit card. This is the 3-digit code found on the back of Visa and Mastercard cards and the 4-digit code found on the front of American Express cards. This code is used only for online purchases where the card cannot be presented. If the driver records this number, then you risk having your card used fraudulently later on. 
• Save all of your receipts from paying with plastic for up to a year or longer. If problems occur later on, then you will need them to fight the charges. 
• Be very aware of what you are signing with your credit card. Some taxi companies and taxi drivers use a third party to process their credit card charges, but YOU are charged the processing fee! This fee could be quite significant, with one U.S. based company charging USD 6 for taxi ride fees of USD 50-100 or more. Always read the paper you sign to avoid a nasty surprise on your bill.

Hopefully you will be lucky and get a great taxi driver, with no intent to rip you off. They do exist. But don't count on it. When you are in a new place - especially a new country with all the new sights and sounds that come with it (!) - your guard may be down and you are more likely to be taken advantage of. Take a few minutes to get your bearings before getting a cab, remember these tips, then enjoy the ride - with one eye on your driver, of course!

PS: if you want to do more to research ground transportation before you leave home, be sure to check out our 500+ free ground transportation guides to airports worldwide. We'd love to help you arrive stress free! 

Read the other posts in our Smart Travel Advice series:

• Airport Arrival Advice
• Dealing with Touts 
• Dealing with Taxi Drivers

In case you have missed it, please read our post: Do We Really Hate Taxis?

Dealing With Taxi Drivers

Travel anywhere in the world will likely involve a ride in a cab and there will be some discussion with the taxi cab driver on where you want to go and the payment. We at IHateTaxis.com have put together a page of tips and advice for dealings with taxi drivers just about anywhere in the world.

Before You Depart

Get to know your driver

• Get to know your taxi driver before entering the cab. Usually your driver will assist you with your luggage, so this is the opportune time to say hi. Remember that the two (or more) of you will be sharing the car for some distance.
• Confirm your destination with the taxi driver. Make sure that they know where you want to go and they know where that is. Sometimes a map from your hotel or details directions help, especially if you are heading to an uncommon location. If your driver does not know how to get where you need to go, either select another taxi that does know or ensure that your driver obtains directions before departing (e.g., have them call someone to find out).
• Memorize or record the taxi number and driver's name (the number may just be on the outside of the taxi). If you are able to get the driver's name then record this as well and of course say 'hi' to him (that way he knows that you know his name should any problems arise).
• Make sure that you have agreed to either a fixed fare or a metered price and the currency to be paid in. Ask if there are any other additional charges that you should be aware of (additional passenger fees, luggage fees, toll fees, airport fees, etc). If you do not agree on the taxi rate or the taxi fare before starting the ride, then this will likely become a disagreement at the end of your cab ride.
• If language is an issue, write down the destination or price. Sometimes spoken English is not understood but written English might be. In many countries you might be negotiating a price with your fingers!

Fixed Fare or Meter?

Taxi meter in a hybrid cab in Madrid

• If given a choice between a fixed price and meter, pick the one you are most confortable with.
• Fixed prices are more likely to be higher, or possibly a total rip off, but you know exactly what you will pay at your destination and there should be no surprises. Taxi drivers using a fixed price system will always get you to you destination using the shortest and fastest route so they can maximize profit with minimum expense of fuel and time.
• Metered prices are more likely to be lower, but the possibility of a longer route to bump the price exists. Also there might be discussions of additional fees at the end of the trip along with the mystery of what the price will be. If using the meter, one way to reduce stress is to ask the taxi driver what price you should expect to pay at the end of the journey. Asking at your hotel desk is another way to gauge prices.

The Taxi Ride

Taxi ride in Bombay

• Watch where you sit as the majority of taxi drivers expect you to sit in the back seat and they are more comfortable with you in the back, so unless you are travelling in a group of 3 or more, please keep your cab driver happy and sit in the back!
• Make sure the meter is started when you leave and keep a very close eye on that taxi meter in the front if you have not negotiated a fixed fare. Do not sleep or anything else.
• Friendly or setup? Some taxi drivers are quite chatty, so you might be asked if you have been to the city before. Use your best judgment and instincts on this one to avoid taking the long route, although more likely you will be given some good information about the city.
• If you have a Global Positioning System, pull it out and watch the tracking, especially on a metered fare if you do not know the city. If the cab driver is doing loops then question why and show the GPS track.
• If the negotiated fixed fare is suddenly re-negotiated, stick to your original price. Ignore any confirmation from yourself on the new price. If this becomes a problem then have the taxi driver stop and get out. If you have luggage in the trunk, make sure the taxi driver either gets out and opens the trunk or one person stays inside the cab while the other unloads all luggage. We recommend not paying the driver anything, but this likely will be a discussion.

Discussions and Disagreements with Taxi Drivers

 

Hong Kong taxi driver and passenger

• Almost all of us have had disagreements with taxi drivers, so being a smart traveller you will likely have followed our advice here to reduce potential "uncertainties".
• There are many honest taxi drivers out there, but once in a while you will find someone that likes to take advantage of those that do not understand the system or the currency. Failing to speak the local language or speaking it with an accent will label you as a potential target right away. But scams occur even in your own home town, so be on guard for dishonest drivers that will take advantage of you and your wallet.
• On behalf of the cab drivers out there, they do make their living by driving people around and sometimes they do take quite a bit of abuse or even more from their passengers. Failing to pay, vandalizing, throwing up, and so on in the taxi means that the driver now has to pay to fix your damage plus he will likely lose customers while the damage is being repaired.
• If a taxi driver is very insistent that you have underpaid him (e.g., he follows you into the hotel lobby), then just make sure that you did not short-change him or forget an extra charge (e.g., taxi desk at airport charge or a toll booth). Discussion of the problem in the hotel lobby or other public place will likely help you, not the driver, as people there likely know if a scam is in progress. If there is a translation issue between you and the taxi driver, the hotel desk staff can likely also explain why you are being asked for additional funds.

Some Final Words



Yoram, a.k.a., "Humpty-Dumpty", a friendly taxi driver in Jerusalem
Photo (c) Ron Cantrell (10046996@N06 or shalomshalomjerusalem on Flickr)

Although we have painted a strong picture of dealing with taxi drivers, there are some very helpful and respectful taxi drivers that love their jobs and you will know when you come across one. Being a taxi driver is not an easy job as some passengers are disrespectful or fail to pay their bill. Relationships between passengers and taxi drivers is much a love-hate relationship anywhere you go in the world, so we at IHateTaxis.com are here to try to make this relationship as smooth and stress-free as possible.

PS: if you want to do more to research ground transportation before you leave home, be sure to check out our 500+ free ground transportation guides to airports worldwide. We'd love to help you arrive stress free! 

Read the other posts in our Smart Travel Advice series:

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

If you've missed it, you might also enjoy reading this story about how we got our name: Do We Really Hate Taxis?

Meet the Brothers: An Interview with Todd Romaine

In this blog post, we introduce you to Todd Romaine, one of the two Canadian brothers who was the brainchild behind the IHateTaxis.com website. For the story behind our name, read Do we really hate taxis?

IHateTaxis.com co-founder Todd Romaine
in the West Falkland Islands

What one word or phrase describes the type of traveler you are?

TODD: Daring or adventurous

When did you first get the travel bug?

TODD: At the age of 21 I moved to Madagascar for school and this started my quest for international travel. As of last year I have made it to all 7 continents.

Todd in Antartica

What was your most memorable trip?

TODD: My recent trip last year to Argentina, Uruguay, Falkland Islands, South Georgia and Antarctica was probably the highlight of international travels to date. It essentially followed Ernest Shackleton's infamous journey back in 1915.

What's the worst thing that has gone wrong on your travels? How did you recover from it, and what did you learn?

TODD: Was able to get into Kamchatka Territory in the Russian Far East through a contact whom pestered the local customs officer to let me through immigration control. The contact insisted on driving me taxi style into town and was very drunk, swaying in and out of traffic. It was very scary and I was surprised to escape unscathed.

What's your travel style? 

TODD: As I get older I prefer making arrangements in advance but not overkill to ruin spontaneous fun. The best part of the trips I find are the unplanned events that make trips that much more exciting and thought provoking.

What's your favourite airport? Least favourite? Why?

TODD: Favourite airport is probably Minneapolis because it has an easy layout, and Singapore for amenities. I would also say Johannesburg is also out there. Least favourite is probably Chicago because of the great distances between terminals and frequent lost baggage and weather issues.

How do you prefer to get to/from the airport?

TODD: I commonly rent a vehicle and this is my most common preferred travel option to/from the airport on a personal basis. On a professional basis, I generally take taxis out of convenience as my trips are congested and sometimes I do not have the luxury of coordinating bus or train schedules to my final destination.

Todd in Tibet

What was your worst airport ground transportation experience?

TODD: Taking taxis by and large because I am commonly ripped off hence the intent of creating this website to empower travelers like myself. I was accused by a taxi driver in Beijing of stealing his passport and wallet while he exited the vehicle for 20 seconds. A group of villagers surrounded the vehicle and went through our belongings but to no avail. We threatened to call the Police so the taxi driver temporarily calmed down and agreed to drive us back to the hotel. En route to the hotel, it appeared he was having a stroke from the stress and was weaving in and out of traffic. We exited the vehicle by forcing the vehicle to the side and had a considerable walk back to the hotel.

What gear do you travel with?

TODD: Dummy wallet (dependent on country), print copies of hotel and flight information, scanned print out of passport, checked luggage and carry on knap sack. I also take a good camera to locations with low crime rates and a pocket camera for locations where my personal security could be compromised. I also bring along my blackberry to check internet through free wireless connections in airports and hotels. This includes bringing a local adapter.

What's always in your luggage that might surprise people?

TODD: Shoe tree

IHateTaxis.com co-founders Steve Romaine (left) and Todd Romaine (right)
at Edmonton International Airport

What's it like to travel with your brother?

TODD: Good but we definitely have a different view point when it comes to money. Steve will stay at the airport bartering with taxi cabs at 2am for the best deal to save money while I am prepared to sacrifice somewhat for the convenience of just getting to the hotel.

Where was your last trip?

TODD: My last trip was two months ago to Cyprus and Lebanon. It was for school and pleasure and unfortunately the weather was terrible, averaging about 2-6 degrees Celsius.

Where do you plan to travel to next?

TODD: Besides routine trips across Canada and the United States, Greenland is the next scheduled trip.

Coming soon: an introduction to the “other” brother...

Dealing with Touts

Many airports, train stations, ferry ports, and even tourist attractions have touts. Touts can be described as those that will try and trick you into a service you likely do not need or to steer you away from legitimate services in favour of selling you a product or service at an unfair price.

Touts work in many different ways and use different tactics to gain your trust, although their methods are basically the same anywhere you go. Always be on the lookout for touts at arrival destinations, regardless of where you travel.



Taxi tout chaos at Cancun Airport


Tricking the Traveler

Touts prey on newly-arrived passengers, taking full advantage of them in many ways:

• They may not be familiar with the local currency
• They may not be aware of the typical cost of goods and services
• They are likely tired and jet-lagged and just want to get to their hotel
• They may have not booked a hotel and are in need of a hotel
• They are likely carrying large amounts of cash or wearing expensive jewelry

Be Smart and Identify Touting Activities

This is what you need to know about touts to minimize conflict and stress:

Touts are typical high-pressure sales people. They latch onto you and do not allow you to make informed decisions regarding your transportation options. They will make a healthy commission on where ever they take you. They will not be directing you to the airport shuttle, the hotel shuttle, or the public bus station. They will most likely direct you to a pirate taxi or an official taxi that is in on the scam.

We 100% guarantee that you will be ripped off, you may not get to your destination, you will arrive later to your destination than taking an official service, you will be told that your destination hotel is 'full' or 'a bad choice', or 'closed for renovations'. In some countries, following touts and entering pirate taxis could end up with you involved in a serious situation where you find yourself making a significant ATM withdrawal or worse.


Sign at Kuala Lumpur Airport: Say no to taxi touts!

Many airport authorities are aware of touting activities, but few enforce any rules and in some cases the airport was even designed to encourage touting! Some countries are very corrupt, so try to do a little research before your trip.

Discussing a price with a tout indicates your interest and makes them even more hungry. So unless you are serious, never ask the price. This rule also applies to dealing with vendors on your travels.

Not all touts are bad, although most are. In smaller airports situations may arise where official taxi drivers or shuttle drivers themselves solicit passengers. This can get you a seat faster and on your way. It could be a question asked of you, such as "You need a taxi sir?" If your response is "no", and if you are not hassled any further then likely this is not a touting scam -- but use your instincts.

PS: if you want to do more to research ground transportation before you leave home, be sure to check out our 500+ free ground transportation guides to airports worldwide. We'd love to help you arrive stress free! 

Read the other posts in our Smart Travel Advice series:

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

If you've missed it, you might also enjoy reading this story about how we got our name: Do We Really Hate Taxis?

Airport Arrival Advice

We at IHateTaxis.com are regularly visiting new locations and over the years, we have found following a routine works well and makes your arrival more stress-free. Here is our list of recommendations for arriving at a destination that you have never been before as stress-free as possible.

 

Arriving and Claiming Your Luggage

You will need some local currency when you arrive. You should be thinking about this well before you land. Are you going to exchange some Euros or US Dollars for local currency or are you going to visit an ATM? How much local currency will you initially need?

Go through immigration. Make sure you have your passport and visa (if required) ready.

Claim your luggage and make sure that it is yours! It is amazing how  many bags are black in colour. If you have common looking luggage then place a colourful ribbon or some other easy marker on it. Or better yet, only take carry-on luggage.

If your luggage is lost, visit the lost luggage office immediately.

Study the Local Currency

• If there is an option of changing currency or using an ATM before going through customs then we highly recommend doing this now. The reasons are simple as you are in a secure area of the airport and will likely not have problems or be hassled.
• If you now have local currency and are not familiar with it, take some time to study the local currency. Are the bills different colours? Are they different sizes? Stash most of your money away, but have enough for getting yourself to your hotel. If you do not have small bills or change, plan on purchasing something or asking for smaller denominations.
• Go through customs.

 

 

Being a Smart Traveller in the Airport Chaos





Shanghai chaos

Now the chaos begins and the reason behind IHateTaxis.com was created. In many countries around the world, expect to be hassled as soon as you exit the customs area. Touts live here and make very good money preying on the fresh new tourists that come through the customs area.

• Ignore all touts. You don't need to tell them your name, where you are going, where you are from, what hotel you are staying at, or anything else. Would you tell this to someone at an airport at home? Not likely, so don't do it here either. In some locations they will follow you like hungry mosquitoes, meaning that they stand to earn a healthy commission if you fall for their ploy. If they are persistent, then telling them that you have a friend picking you up or you are catching a connecting flight shortly might work. See our tips on dealing with touts for more information.
• If you did not have the opportunity to visit a currency exchange or ATM then go ahead and find one now. If you have touts following you then get rid of them, as they pose a serious security risk to you exchanging or withdrawing money. Sometimes heading up to the departures level will work "I need to catch a flight now". If you need to duck into a bathroom to check the money or load a money belt then go right ahead.

Airport Ground Transportation Options

Taxi queue at Singapore Airport

• You likely have studied your transportation options before arriving and have an idea of how you want to get to your hotel or next destination. If you are ready then follow the directions to get that taxi, airport shuttle, train, or just about anything else.
• If you are taking a taxi, some airports have a taxi desk to manage incoming taxis. They will take down your destination, possibly translate it, and tell the next available driver where you need to go. You may need to pay the desk for the taxi service or you will pay the driver when you get to your destination. Some airports will change a nominal taxi desk service fee that will be added to your bill.
• Almost all airport shuttle services have a desk where you may purchase tickets. Rarely will you pay the driver directly.
• If you are taking a public bus, then you may need to purchase bus tickets in advance of boarding from a vendor in the airport. Ask at the information desk in the airport, but be cautious of anyone hanging around the desk that is very helpful of taking you to buy these tickets (usually these are touts). Some public buses will make change, but it is always best to have exact change in the local currency.
• On any airport transfer service, ensure that you hand your luggage directly to the taxi or shuttle driver and you see that it is loaded or just load it yourself. In some countries there are scams between drivers and 'luggage loaders', which involves you handing your luggage to someone next to the taxi (or shuttle) to load it into the taxi. Then a tip is demanded for couple of seconds of services. The taxi driver will not leave until the tip is paid to the loader.

What do you do when you arrive at a new airport to navigate your way? How do you ensure you arrive stress free?

PS: if you want to do more to research ground transportation before you leave home, be sure to check out our 500+ free ground transportation guides to airports worldwide. We'd love to help you arrive stress free!

Read the other posts in our Smart Travel Advice series:

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

If you've missed it, you might also enjoy reading this story about how we got our name: Do We Really Hate Taxis?