Ray the Parking Robot Valet

Ray the Robot Parking Valet
Image: Copyright serva transport systems GmbH

Don't feel like parking your car at the airport? Are you willing to do anything to avoid driving around trying to find a spot? Running late for your flight, and just want to leave your car and run?

If you live in Düsseldorf, Germany, then you are in luck. If not, read on and be jealous.

Ray, sans car
Copyright serva transport systems GmbH

Meet Ray.

As in, Ray the Robot Parking Valet.

All you need to do is swing your car into one of Ray's designated spots at Düsseldorf Airport (DUS), use the smartphone app to let Ray know (and confirm the car is empty), and walk away. Ray will do the rest.

"Ray" is essentially a high-tech forklift slash valet hybrid, that moves cars from the designated drop-off spots to his own separate parking area. It's more sleek than it sounds, and cars are treated with remarkable care.

Systems are even integrated to the point that Ray will check the status of your return flight, to have your car ready for you when you collect your luggage. Travelers pay a premium for the parking service, but so far the interest is high. Who knows, maybe one of Ray's cloned brothers will take up residence in an airport near you.

Why they named him Ray, we don't know... but admit that "Ray the Valet" has a nice ring to it.

Related resources:

• Read a press release
• dusseldorf airport receives RAY robotic parking system by serva (designboom)
• Watch videos of Ray in action (and brush up on your German at the same time!
• Learn more on the Serva Transport Systems website
• All options to/from Dusseldorf Airport, from IHateTaxis

End of Days - YYZ to discontinue bus service

Toronto's Airport Express back in 2009 when it was decked out for a Cuba promotion.
The shuttle service to/from Pearson Airport is a common sight outside the Royal York hotel
 in downtown Toronto. But not for much longer... (photo: wikicommons)

Toronto Pearson Airport's infamous shuttle bus service, the Toronto Airport Express, will be ending their service on October 31, 2014.

Porter Airlines landing at Toronto's Billy Bishop Airport
on Toronto Islands, in the city centre.

The shuttle's operator, Pacific Western Transportation, says the discontinuation is due to Billy Bishop Airport's increased popularity, as well as the planned airport subway system scheduled for 2015.

For many travelers, the bus service was simply becoming too inconvenient with construction and gridlock making the service too long, and too inconvenient for cost conscious travelers looking for a cheap and quick service to downtown Toronto.

The good news is that Toronto will soon join many other cities that have a special subway line that takes passengers to/from the international airport. Metrolinx is well into construction of the new Union Pearson Express line, or UP Express. The project has already won international recognition, as Project of the Year at the 2013 Global AirRail Awards.

Don't get too excited if you see the
 Link Train at Pearson, as it only
 provides inter-airport connections.

In Toronto, it will enable many of Canada's snowbirds that live right downtown to walk underground, hop on the airport subway and then get on their plane without ever going outside. Imagine leaving Toronto in the winter time when it is -20° celsius in a shirt and shorts enroute to Mexico in a comfortable climate controlled environment. No more bringing your needless parka to a tropical destination.

While there will be a gap in service between the discontinuance of the Toronto Airport Express line and that of the new airport subway, it is anticipated that travellers will rely on using the city airport (YTZ) more, taking a taxi or shared airport shuttle services.

Related resources:

• Toronto’s Pearson Airport express bus to stop this fall due to construction, traffic, Island Airport
• Rollin' Down the Track
• Express train to Pearson airport prepares for takeoff
• Options to/from Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
• Options to/from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ)
• Toronto Layover Options and Things to Do in Toronto

Thai Military cleverly clamps down on the Bangkok Airport taxi chaos

The colourful taxis at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport
Photo: omad on flickr (creative commons)

There are new rules coming to clean up the taxi chaos at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK).

You may be pleasantly surprised that the relatively chaotic approach to hailing a taxi and navigating different queues will be sorted through strict guidelines that could even include troops present to ensure taxi operators follow the new rules.

A new computerized punch system will allow taxi drivers to enter the queue in an orderly fashion and chronologically they will move up the line to where travelers are waiting for their taxi. All taxis must take passengers to their desired trip, regardless if it is 1 mile away or 150 miles away. The passenger will continue to be responsible for the taxi airport fee of 50 Baht, which is included in the price of the taxi fare.

In addition, non-airport taxis dropping passengers off at the 4th floor (arrivals) are now legally able to pick-up other travelers during their abbreviated stop. Therefore if a traveler wants to avoid the airport fee and a potentially long queue can make their way up to the 4th floor and try your luck there.

All of this will hopefully eliminate the bullying tactics of the taxi mafia which uses aggressive touts to lure weary eyed travelers to specific taxis and to chase away their competition from the airport.

This change is due to come into place mid-July.

Related resources:

• Taxi mafia clean out at Suvarnabhumi airport - Bangkok Post
• IHateTaxis.com's tips for navigating the BKK Airport taxi mafia
• Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) - all transportation options
• Bangkok Don Mueang Airport (DMK) - all transportation options

Uber provides the taxi industry a good kick in the pants

by Todd Romaine

Striking London taxi drivers this morning.
The result? Uber sign-ups up 850%.
Image: @simonjackson80

Ask any seasoned traveler around the world and you will find few fans of the taxi industry and, more specifically, experiences with taxi drivers. Despite hundreds of personalized experiences, we tend to only recall the handful of bad ones and categorically declare disdain on any entire industry and a population of drivers. Throughout my global travels, it would seem that many taxi drivers from all parts of the globe share many of the same undesirable traits of trying to rip me off in variety of different ways. Arguably this is done most commonly in the developing world but we have all had experiences in the West dealing with our shady types here. It would seem, up until very recently, that we are permanently stuck with the taxi industry and its shenanigans.

Uber and various smaller replications may at the very least challenge in the medium term taxi operators and drivers to clean up their act. If travelers will continue to be loyal to the traditional taxi industry monopoly then their experience better be pleasurable and incorporate high tech apps, GPS feeds on the viewer screen and overall enhanced customer service. This will mean attracting drivers that are more conversant in the official languages and will likely mean that the taxi industry will need to pay increased wages and reduce the operator fees in order to be competitive. At the very least, all taxi companies will need to have an online app and be prepared to accept credit cards under all circumstances to compete. Despite protests in Europe and North America from the taxi industry on the issue of 'fairness' and lost fares from increased competition, it is unlikely Uber will go away but rather intensify globally.

The demand from younger travelers on increasing the pool of available drivers for a quicker pick-up, booking online and paying by credit card is a good thing for the travel industry. Maybe its time for taxi drivers themselves to adapt to the new trend, utilize their own car for transporting passengers and throw off the servitude shackles of the taxi industry once and for all. Let us hope that the replacement of the taxi industry with Uber does not create another type of monopoly that encourages long-term lethargy and indifference to customer loyalty and acquisition. And the most promising development on this fearful trend is the development of a driverless car, the idea being actively pursued by a Google/Uber partnership. The belief is that with rapidly evolving technology that cars should be able to safely navigate themselves and without the cost of a driver, the price for transportation should plummet so low to discard the idea of private ownership altogether which will mean less congestion and significantly reduced environmental externalities.

But, of course, Ihatetaxis.com would support any initiative that enhances your travel experience in a positive manner and ends the taxi monopoly!

Related resources:

• Uber sees 850% jump in new sign-ups as cabs strike
• Taxis blockade European cities in Uber strike
• Car sharing service provides vehicles for Uber drivers
• Lyft partners with Moovit as car sharing battle continues

Plus, in case you missed it; Do we really hate taxis? The story behind our name.

Layover Ideas: Dubai

Stunning and unique Dubai
creative commons image w4nd3rl0st on Flickr

Have a layover coming up in Dubai? 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

14 Great Cities Where You Can Eat Like a Cabbie

You are visiting a new city, loving it, yet... you loathe tourist traps. Where does the curious and adventuresome traveler go to eat like the locals?

LLoviendo Cafe, Jorge Fernández-Trevejo Rivas
via creativecommons

Think about it. Who in the city, is watching their pennies, and has an appetite that needs ongoing love and attention?

Why the city's cabbies, of course!

It's a trick of the well-traveled: pick your cabbie's brain for the best cheap spots for good food in town.

How you ask the question makes a difference though: "Where do the locals go for breakfast around here?" or "Where do you and all the cabbies go for good, cheap food?", works better than "We're hungry. Where can we go for dinner?" (the latter runs the risk of being whisked off to his uncle's restaurant, or some diner where the driver gets a cut).

Leaving town before you find the best driver? Ask away and take notes; you never know when you'll be back. Bonus points if your driver mentions a spot you managed to find on your own!

Athens	Restaurants in Athens (see mentions of George the famous taxi driver of Greece)
Berlin	Berlin Food Adventures *
Buenos Aires	Buenos Aires Food Adventures *
Chicago	Eating like a cab driver
Dubai	Where taxi drivers dine: We visit the restaurants that fuel the city's cab drivers
Ho Chi Minh City	Eating by taxi in Ho Chi Minh City
Hong Kong	Taxi Tales: The Secret Lives of Taxi Drivers
Istanbul	Eating & Drinking in Istanbul: 3 Taxi Driver Tips
London	Hail London's new TV star: Cabbie who knows where to find the capital's best food Nosh and Knowledge: The lore, language and robust diets of  London's "black cab" drivers
New York	Looking for a culinary trip? Follow that cab. Famous Fat Dave: the Hungry Cabbie * New York Food Adventures *
Rome	Where to eat in Rome - by the city's cabbies *
Singapore	What Singapore Taxi Drivers Eat For Lunch or “Uncle, 载我去吃饭!” Top 8 hawker food centres taxi drivers patronise
Toronto	The top 10 restaurants for taxi drivers in Toronto
Washington DC	Where cabbies eat like kings

Created with the HTML Table Generator
*dated but likely still valuable tips

Just a sampling, of course. But rest assured, that if there is a city, and there are taxis, there are cabbies that know where the best eats are.

The famous Curry 36 in Berlin

Google is your friend - but so is Layne Mosler (@taxigourmet) of Taxi Gourmet, who is turning her website dedicated to her pursuit of the cabbie's lunch trail into a new book. Driving Hungry, with croudsourced funding by Kickstarter, will be out in 2014.

Curious? Read this interview with Layne by @epicurious.


Related resources:

• Taxi Mike's Where to Eat in Banff (where is Banff?)
• Invite your taxi driver to eat with you
• Confessions of a New York Taxi Driver (book trailer video)
• George: the famous taxi driver of Greece

In case you missed it... here's the answer to the burning question: Do we really hate taxis?

Doha Hamad International Airport opening (XOZ)

Doha from above - now the city has 2 airports

Today marks the planned opening of Qatar's newest airport, Doha Hamad International Airport (XOZ).

The new Doha Hamad International Airport (XOZ) is slated to eventually replace the existing but old and significantly over-capacity, Doha International Airport (DOH).

Phased opening

The opening of Doha Hamad International Airport (XOD) will be phased. Doha Hamad Airport will have the capacity to handle 29 million passengers a year upon opening, and 50 million upon completion. The first phase is set to begin on April 30, 2014.

Airlines slated to move in the the initial phase include Air Arabia, Air India Express, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Flydubai, Iran Air, Nepal Airlines, Pakistan International Airlines, Syrian Air, and Yemenia.

Cities with flights to the new XOZ Airport, when the first phase of airlines move, will include Chittagong, Damascus, Dhaka, Dubai, Karachi, Kathmandu, Kochi, Kozhikode, Kuwait, Lahore, Mumbai, Mangalore, Peshawar, Sana'a, Sharjah, Shiraz, Sylhet and Thiruvanathapuram.

Qatar Airways and other airlines plan to move by June 2014.

Transportation

The new Doha airport has been built 5 kilometres (3.1 miles) east of the current airport (aka: old Doha airport).

Doha Hamad Airport taxi services are anticipated to be readily available upon opening.

• Read about Doha Hamad Airport taxi rates, unofficial taxis and taxi scams - including the taxi fare from Doha Hamad Airport

There is a Doha Hamad Airport shuttle bus that operates to/from the existing Doha International Airport, which will be helpful if you have connecting flights, but split between the old and new airports.

• Read more about the Doha inter-airport shuttle bus

Bus service to the new Doha airport is provided by public Karwa buses that pass through the airport.

• Read more about Doha Hamad Airport public bus service

Doha Hamad Airport car rental services will be available upon opening.

• Read more about Doha Hamad Airport car rental services

There is no Doha Hamad Airport train.

The next phase



The Doha skyline

Qatar Airways and other airlines are scheduled to move by June 2014. As there have been numerous delays leading up to phase one, the actual timing for a full transition should be considered tentative.

Tip: if you have a flight to Doha coming up, be sure to check and re-confirm your arrival and departure airport(s).

The new Doha Hamad International Airpot (XOZ) has also been referred to as HIA, New Doha International Airport, NDIA, New Doha Airport, New Qatar Airport, Doha Hamad Airport, Hamad Airport and XOD Airport. Note that HIA is not an official airport code.

More from IHateTaxis:

• Doha Hamad Airport hotel shuttles
• Doha Hamad Airport services and amenities
• All Doha Hamad Airport transfer options (the new airport)
• All Doha International Airport transfer options (the old airport)

Related reading:

• New airport all set for 'inaugural landing'
• Doha's Hamad International Airport to open next week (video)
• New Hamad Airport to host local and international art (photos)
• Work begins on new expressway linking south of Doha to new airport
• Airbus A350 visits Hamad International Airport
• Opening of Qatar's brand new mega-airport delayed at last minute... what happened? (2013)

The Verdict is still out on FlightCar

FlightCar offers its peer-to-peer car rentals at Boston Logan Airport (BOS)
Photo: Boston, Logan Airport and the 911 Memorial from the roof of Central Parking (wikicommons)

- by Todd Romaine

Its been about a year since FlightCar launched itself with the attempt to radically change the way travelers thought about car rentals and airport parking.

The concept behind FlightCar is to give those that drive their vehicles to the airport a chance to get free parking and a profit in return for allowing the middleman (FlightCar) to rent out their car during their absence. FlightCar's peer-to-peer carsharing model allows travelers the ability to rent private vehicles at a fraction of the cost, in comparison to national and international car rental companies. Think Airbnb for cars.

Since its initial launch last year, FlightCar has expanded from San Francisco to now include Los Angeles and Boston. Despite the oddity of the business model, FlightCar has signed up more than 15,000 members and have had some major financial backers confident that this trend will become a new American, if not global, phenomena.

FlightCar has received some hang-ups, especially from the airport authorities, who want an expensive take on the action. While legal proceedings are ongoing between the various entities, other companies similar to FlightCar have moved in to negotiate contracts with airport authorities and modify their business model to ensure potential customer acquisition is relatively unaffected by cutting another groups into the profit stream.

It is hard to say whether this is a niche market or something that can spread throughout the world. My personal take is that I would only sign-up for this program if I owned a car that had little financial value and where I was relatively indifferent to the wear and tear caused by strangers utilizing my car. It would probably just take one costly mechanical breakdown to conveniently link the expensive bill to the indifference other drivers would have towards my car. And such an experience would probably permanently sour me if the cost was even slightly greater than generated profits.

Everyone, of course, is different. For many, free airport parking, a cleaned car upon arrival and cheque in your pocket after a long trip would be well worth it.

In it's latest twist, FlightCar is going after business travellers, paying them to share their cars - for a fee.

Predictably, international and national car rental agencies may need to lower their cost margins to drown out FlightCar eventually, if it becomes a threat. Likely however, FlightCar would remain a minority player when it comes to the lucrative car rental industry.

While ihatetaxis.com does not offer FlightCar services yet, we do provide very competitive car rental rates at airports around the globe.

Todd Romaine is one of the two Canadian brothers who were the brainchild behind the IHateTaxis.com website. For the story behind our name, read Do we really hate taxis?

Related content:

• FlightCar Targets Business Travelers With New Paid Parking Service
• FlightCar Celebrates First Anniversary
• FlightCar Launches Free Parking at Airport
• IHateTaxis Blog: Airport Parking Wars
• Car Rental Advice from IHateTaxis.com
• Meet the Brothers: an Interview with Todd Romaine

Need to rent a car? Check out ihatetaxis.com airport car rental rates.

Airport Parking Wars

USA airport parking will put a dent in your pocketbook. Why not leave the car at home?

There was an interesting article in the most recent Travel + Leisure, about the Most Expensive Airport Parking in America.

Curious, T+L wondered which airports in the United States have the most expensive parking lots, and posed the question to BestParking (the company monitors parking rates at 100+ airports in North America, and suggests alternatives).

We commend the researchers; it's a good study, with traveller-friendly information, and a well-researched, specific alternative for each airport. If you live near one of the worst offending airports, and tend park your car at the airport when you travel, check out the full story here.

Here, IHateTaxis seeks to complement the study with our take on alternatives to taking your car to the airport in the first place. Who needs more cars on the road anyways?

Plus, if you leave your car at home, you don't need to worry about theft, dings, hail damage, a dead battery, a flat tire, or skyrocketing costs if your return is delayed. And, unlike parking, our transportation suggestions won't increase in price if you are away for an extended period.

No. 1. Chicago Midway Airport (MDW)

• What they found on-site: $19-40/day
• What they suggest off-site: private parking at $13/day
• What IHateTaxis suggests: the CTA Orange Line train
• More MDW transfer options: Chicago Midway Airport Transportation Guide

 

No. 2. Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)

• What they found on-site: $9-35/day
• What they suggest off-site: hotel parking at $8/day
• What IHateTaxis suggests: the CTA Blue Line train *
• More ORD transfer options: Chicago O’Hare Airport Transportation Guide

 

No. 3. New York John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK)

• What they found on-site: $18-33/day
• What they suggest off-site: private parking at $13/day
• What IHateTaxis suggests: a JFK shuttle, or the JFK AirTrain
• More JFK transfer options: John F Kennedy Airport Transportation Guide

 

No. 4. New York LaGuardia International Airport (LGA)

• What they found on-site: $33/day
• What they suggest off-site: private parking at $22/day
• What IHateTaxis suggests: a LGA shuttle
• More LGA transfer options: LaGuardia Airport Transportation Guide

 

No. 5. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

• What they found on-site: $12-30/day
• What they suggest off-site: private parking at $7/day
• What IHateTaxis suggests: a LAX shuttle
• More LAX transfer options: Los Angeles Airport Transportation Guide
• Or, better yet, try an alternate LA area airport. Learn more in our blog post, Los Angeles Airports: Which is best? (BUR, LAX, LGB, ONT, SNA)

 

No. 6. San Diego International Airport (SAN)

• What they found on-site: $11-28/day
• What they suggest off-site: private parking at $9/day
• What IHateTaxis suggests: a SAN shuttle
• More SAN transfer options: San Diego Airport Transportation Guide

No. 7. San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

• What they found on-site: $18-28/day
• What they suggest off-site: private parking at $9/day
• What IHateTaxis suggests: take BART (unless it is on strike, that is)
• More SFO transfer options: San Francisco Airport Transportation Guide

No. 8. Seattle Tacoma International Airport (SEA)

• What they found on-site: airport garage at $28/day
• What they suggest off-site: hotel parking at $11/day
• What IHateTaxis suggests: the Link train
•  More SEA transfer options: SeaTac Airport Transportation Guide

No. 9. Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)

• What they found on-site: $18-$27/day
• What they suggest off-site: valet parking at $13/day
• What IHateTaxis suggests: the Silver Line bus
• More BOS transfer options: Boston Logan Airport Transportation Guide

No. 10. Newark International Airport (EWR), serving New York City

• What they found on-site on-site: $18-27/day
• What they suggest off-site: hotel parking at $9/day
• What IHateTaxis suggests: the Newark AirTrain
• More EWR transfer options: Newark Airport Transportation Guide

So, that's our take on the top 10. The T + L article goes onto the 11th to 20th worst, which we'll review in an upcoming blogpost.

* Our hearts go out to those injured or traumatized by the train accident at O'Hare. We make our recommendation in the context of the value and convenience that this service offers, on the assumption that safe changes and repairs will be made.

Related content:

• Types of airport parking
• Types of Airport Hotels with Parking
• Think twice before you park at the airport (and get clamped)
• Kelowna airport parking attendant adds insult to injury
• Sydney high on airport parking rankings
• Los Angeles Airports: Which is best? (BUR, LAX, LGB, ONT, SNA)
• Smart fortwo parking spot challenge (YouTube)

In good company: Frugal Travel Guy feature

We were delighted to be featured on the Frugal Travel Guy blog today, in Need to Research Your Next Destination? DO THIS!, by Christine Krzyszton.

We are blushing, of course... but we are in good company, and happy to top this list of great travel research tools:

• IHateTaxis
• Time Out
• Price of Travel
• TripAdvisor
• Viator
• Wikitravel
• Groupon
• Arrival Guides

Like you, we were familiar with many of these tools, but not all, so were doubly appreciative of this type of feature because we found some new tools too!

If you are new to us, the IHateTaxis team hopes you enjoy discovering our website, and will return again and again to utilize our tools.

Related resources:

• @FrugalTravelGuy on Twitter
• @CKAway on Twitter - Christine wrote the piece!
• @IHateTaxis on Twitter
• IHateTaxis on Facebook
• IHateTaxis website