How to Locate Local Cabs:
When on vacation in foreign countries the most important thing to remember is to watch out for the local cabs. The drivers will recognize you as a tourist before you ever open your mouth. They will raise the rates and take the long way to try to get you to have to spend more money. The best ways to avoid getting ripped off by local cabs are:
- Rent a car.
- If you do not drive in the local cabs they can not steal your money.
- Ask the people at the front desk of your hotel how much it should cost to get where you want to go, and also if they know a good driver.
- most hotels will know several of the locals cabs and can tell you who to use and who to avoid.
- Haggle the price with the driver.
- If you haggle the price they will think you are not some sucker tourist and give you a better rate.
- Make sure when using local cabs you only use licensed and registered cabs.
- In some countries someone may claim to be a taxi but they are not and you risk being kidnapped and that will ruin a vacation.
- If the driver does not turn on the meter do not tip the taxi driver. Chances are he is not reporting the fair and will keep the money.
- Make sure someone stays in the car when you are removing the bags from the trunk. If you are in the car alone with the driver ask him for his help so he has to get out of the car also. This will make it impossible for him to drive away with your bags.
These are some of the things I have learned from my trips abroad. I hope you have found them helpful, and I hope they help you have a better and safer trip abroad.