Legit taxi fee?
 

My husband and I just got back from a long weekend in Bermuda. The trip was wonderful - the beaches all we thought they would be and the weather was fantastic for January. Sunny and in the high 60's. We had the taxi driver that had picked us up at the airport take us for a tour of the island the day we were leaving - Elbow Beach, the incredible lighthouse, then up to St. Georges with a drop off at the airport when the tour was done. The tour was very good. According to the tourist map - the charge was supposed to be $40 an hour. When we arrived at the airport - he said his normal charge for a tour is $55 an hour - but because we were rushed he was only charging us $50 an hour (for a two hour tour) Plus a $40 "airport drop off fee". We paid. I would like to go back to Bermuda - I just would like to know if this was a legit charge. I've talked to the hotel - but didn't glean any info from them.

I hope txgirlinbda chimes in on this one as she may know the answer. Frankly I don't, I have never been charged an airport drop off fee and it does sound very high. The taxi rates in BDA are expensive and $40-60 to the hotel from the airport is not uncommon. I would suggest you contact the Bermuda Department of Tourism and ask for their opinion.

I would love to hear the details of your trip. How was the hotel, where did you dine?

Airport drop off fee??? I take taxis routinely to and from work - I plan on asking the next driver I ride with. I've never heard of that. And I'm pretty sure that the $40/hr tour fee is set. I will definitely look in to this and get back to y'all.

OK, I spoke with two different cab drivers and got the same info from both of them - sightseeing fee $46/hour/two people/ minimum 3 hours. They both agreed that negotiating UP to $50/hour would be reasonable since you didn't ask for the mimimum three hours. They also both agreed that the airport drop off should have been part of your two hour charge. They shook their heads rather sadly when I told your story (after I got the answers). Sounds like you got taken for a ride in more ways than one.
I hope you do come back, there are lots of honest people here that would appreciate the chance to show off this gorgeous island without cheating you out of extra money while they do it.

Thanks so much for the information. We would like to go back in spite of that taxi driver - hopefully when it is just a little bit warmer so we can take full advantage of those beautiful beaches. Any thoughts on lodging a formal complaint with the tourism bureau?
We did have a wonderful time - stayed at the Rosedon Hotel which was lovely. The price was great and included a full breakfast and afternoon tea (little sandwiches, cakes and tea served at 4)& a taxi ride out to one of the beaches. They also have an honor bar - which was great. The staff was wonderful - front desk attendant even offered to drive us to a restaurant that we were thinking about going to.

My friend Olga works the front desk there! It really is a nice property. I'll make sure to pass your comments on to them. What restaurant, by the way?
I am guessing that without a taxi ID or driver's number, there's not much ground to any formal complaint. It's a shame, too - we'll just have to make sure that we pass the word so people come forewarned.

Actually do have taxi drivers name (we got his business card which includes phone numbers etc...)Should we contact the tourist bureau?

Well done! I will do some investigating to see who the governing board is over the taxi drivers here and get you some contact info. I work shifts, so give me a day or two!