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“Thieves the world over,” said my Bosnian pal, Semir. I had just told him of my four-minute, £13 journey from Sarajevo airport in an airport taxi.
After arriving at Luton airport, I made my way to the Tunnel Museum, a solemn tribute to the 1992-95 siege of Sarajevo located on the other side of the runway from the terminal. The attendant at the airport information center told me, “It’s too far to walk. There are no buses available. You must take a taxi.”
I have found that it’s important to listen to the advice of locals. Therefore, I decided to venture out and take the first taxi in line. In these situations, it is typically a good idea to ask about the cost upfront. However, I refrained from doing so as it could imply distrust. I was aware that Bosnia is a relatively inexpensive country, so I didn’t question the lack of a meter.
After four minutes, the driver asked for 30 KM, which is equivalent to £13 in convertible marks.
What is the cost? However, the driver always holds the advantage in such disagreements. I requested a receipt, which I later presented to Semir.
My friend chuckled, “He’s added an extra fee for your luggage.” I only had one small piece of carry-on that Wizz Air allowed for free. This led Semir to make a broad statement about airport taxi drivers.
Usually I utilize public transportation when traveling from airports. However, on rare occasions when I do take a taxi, I find most drivers to be friendly and offer reasonable prices. Of course, I remember the few instances of being overcharged, such as being charged US$20 (£16) for a short trip between terminals at Jeddah airport, or paying €40 (£35) for a 10-minute ride from Venice or Catania airports in Italy.
After sharing my experience in Bosnia on social media, it quickly became evident that I was not the only one. Many others also shared similar stories of being scammed, such as credit card machines not working and taking longer routes to their destination. These locations were mentioned multiple times by fellow travelers in their comments.
According to Charles Bristow at Istanbul Airport, he was completely taken advantage of. Despite considering himself knowledgeable about the world, he was taught a lesson. Anne Abrahams also warns about the taxi situation in Istanbul, stating that they overcharge and do not use meters. She suggests using Uber instead.
Michael Brooks experienced being overcharged and having his luggage held for ransom at Naples airport. Lear also had a negative experience in Rome where they were dropped off far from their hotel and had money stolen. The hotel staff was shocked by the incident and always arranged reliable taxis for them.
The airports in Portugal’s top two cities leave a lasting impression on travelers. According to Lulabelle, she was charged €60 [£52] from Lisbon airport to the city center, which is more than half the usual cost even in heavy traffic. Another traveler, “Mr Ranty,” shares that he was overcharged for a short 10-minute ride from Porto airport. He advises against using taxi drivers who are waiting around at the arrival area.
According to Aoin Douglas, it is not possible to find a ride from Marrakech airport to the Medina or new city (both located five minutes away) for less than £30. However, if you walk a quarter of a mile to the roundabout at the airport entrance, you can find a taxi for only £3.
Cab drivers who patiently wait in line at the airport in hopes of getting a lucrative fare may face disappointment when they are asked to take a short and low-paying trip. However, they can also seek retribution. Davie shares his experience of arriving at Madrid airport late at night, where there were plenty of taxis but few passengers. The driver took 15 minutes to reach Davie’s hotel and charged him €30 (£26) for the ride. The next morning, Davie realized that his hotel was just a 15-minute walk from the airport.
Travelers have expressed satisfaction with airports that offer pre-paid journeys or have fixed and clearly stated prices for destinations. However, these fixed prices can be inflated due to the airport’s additional fees. Upon arriving at Bristol airport from Glasgow, I encountered disarray with the expensive buses. The 20-minute trip to the city center was priced at £40. Thankfully, it didn’t take long to find three other passengers who were willing to share the journey and reduce the fare to a more reasonable £10. User “Cycling Womble 81” comments on the situation at the west of England hub, stating that it is a captive market and the airport is taking advantage of it.
Traveling by taxi from train stations can sometimes be challenging. According to Stephen Bailey, taxis from airports in Warsaw are efficiently operated, as well as those within the city. However, Bailey warns that the management of taxis at Warsaw Central Station is questionable, stating, “The station is basically controlled by dishonest individuals. I am able to communicate in the language, but I remain silent until they reveal the cost. This usually catches them off guard.”
Mark Campbell shares a story about an incident he experienced at Mumbai airport involving a dishonest driver and his accomplice. They attempted to overcharge him £15 for the ride between the domestic and international terminals. They even went as far as threatening to leave him stranded if he didn’t comply. In the end, he managed to negotiate the extra charge down to £5 and paid it in order to not miss his flight.
Threats are inexcusable; but theatre may earn forgiveness, as it did for Lee Ruscoe in San Jose, Costa Rica. New arrivals who ask to be taken to a bus terminal are evidently given an elaborate performance centring on the premise of an imminent four-day strike by bus workers.
Lee’s chauffeur went to great lengths by asking him to hold a phone directory. The chauffeur faked a call to the bus station and requested for the departure to be delayed for Lee. “He appeared to be a hero, but he demanded £25 for a £2.50 ride. Even weeks later, I was on the lookout for any indications of bus or transport strikes. He got a smile and a five pound note from me for his imaginative tale and convincing performance.”
Robert Boyle cautions against the phrase “Is this your first time in…” and suggests responding with “No” instead.
Simon Calder, who is also recognized as The Man Who Pays His Way, has been a travel writer for The Independent since 1994. In his regular editorial piece, he delves into important travel topics and discusses their impact on readers.
Source: independent.co.uk
