TexasAggie

Our primary experience with using taxis in Europe has been in Athens when we traveled with our infant son. In Athens (in our experience), the drivers are the ones who decide if they want to take you where you wish to go or not and they were not interested in short distance trips. Otherwise, we have always hoofed it anywhere we traveled within Europe or used public transportation.
We will be in Rome in a few weeks and will have our son (now 1) and my parents with us including my Mom who is likely getting a knee replacement within the next year. I can foresee the possibility of relying on taxis more than we have ever done previously, and am curious if Roman taxi drivers are willing to accept passengers needing to only go short distances (per se, 1.5 - 2km). I am aware of the need to find a taxi stand. I know this sounds like a bizarre question... but anyone who has tried using taxis in Athens will understand where I'm coming from!
We are staying in an apartment near the Pantheon on Via del Seminario. I know of the taxi stand at Largo Argentina. Is this the closest?
Many Thanks!
TA

suec1

MOST of my taxi experiences in Rome have been pleasant tho I was ripped off by a driver out of Termini on one trip. Have also not been scared out of my mind like in Portugal nor wanted to do physical harm to a driver because he was so aggressive about giving me a tour like in Athens. You know at my age a taxi could often be a welcome small splurge but too often the experience turns out so negative I'd rather just walk or cram onto a bus. But again, in Rome I have had decent experiences.

Grassshopper

I do understand where you're coming from. I've had less of that problem in Rome. Can your Mom bring a cane? I have found taxi drivers more sensitive to older people and people with disabilities.

Otherwise, learn to say "short ride, big tip" in Italian!

ekscrunchy

If I'm remembering correctly, there is a taxi stand next to the Pantheon at Pza della Rotunda..on the right side if you face the structure.

Here is a list of Rome taxi ranks, with phone numbers:

http://www.unicataxi.cgil.it/roma/posteggi.html

TexasAggie

Thank you all for the help, insight, and information! LOL!!, Grasshopper! Yes, my mom has a travel cane that she will be bringing.

ekscrunchy, now that you mention it, I do recall a taxi stand to the side of the Pantheon. Thanks for the tip, I had completely forgotten about it!

nytraveler

Have never had any problems in Rome with getting a cab to go any distance we wanted. Just not sure how many will fit 5 passengers. I know one is an infant - but I think you will be squished in a regular cab and might have to look for the van type cabs.

TexasAggie

Hi nytraveler, good point, thanks. We would likely split up with my Mom, me, and baby in the taxi, and my husband and father (who has no mobility challenges) meeting up with us on foot or taking another taxi if a van-style cab is unavailable.

adrienne

You can hail taxis in Rome and they are required to stop for you if they do not have a fare (I learned this from a Rome cabbie). Just make sure the meter has been reset.

You can always request a taxi from Radio Taxi (their stickers are plastered on all the call boxes in Rome); they have English speaking dispatchers. They will answer in Italian but ask for an English speaker and you'll get one in seconds. You can also book taxis for the next day if you have a phone number to give them.

greg

I have hailed a taxi on street in Rome and took perhaps a .5 mile trip because I wanted to buy something before the store closed for the day.