Metro Station Safety, Taxi Fare & Taxi Safety
 

I am mapping out our days and walking routes to avoid having to look at maps while touring the City. Google Streetview has been a great help in learning landmarks. I have a few questions for the experts:

(1) My plan is to avoid the Catalunya Metro station & Las Ramblas entirely since that looks to be pickpocketing central. Any other specific metro stations to avoid?

(2) What is the approximate taxi fare from Passeig de Gracia station to Rocafort station (where our hotel is). We're planning on taking a taxi from Cuidad Condal back to our hotel (Eric Vokel Gran Via) instead of taking the metro. Is it "safe" generally to take a taxi at night?

(3) Can/Will restaurants call taxis for you? We have a bunch of people-- can we specifically request a minivan taxi?

(4) Is it customary to "tip" on top of the the taxi fare?

(5) Is it "safe" to walk from the Universitat metro station up Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes to get to Cuidad Condal? We will be pushing 2 cheap umbrella strollers.

Is it safer in the Universitat/Passeig de Gracia neighborhood than say, on Las Ramblas?

Thanks.

What does "a bunch" of people mean?

Yes, it is the custom to tip.

Unless you are a bunch of doddering oldsters, I do not believe a group of people traveling together has anything much to worry about in the metro if you are wise to the things that you have read about on this forum.

The only "criminal activity" I have ever been subject to in Barcelona personally was a taxi driver who took us on the "scenic route" to the airport. I speak Spanish, though not Catalan, and called him on it. He claimed there were road works on the normal route, which was not true. When we got to the airport, I paid him the amount he should have gotten, without a tip, not what was on the meter. He was not gracious but did not call the police.

Taxis licences in Spain are usually for four passengers. If a restaurant calls a cab for you ensure it has a SP plate on it and in BCN it is yellow and black with a meter.
An SP plate looks like this:http://www.stac.cat/wp-content/uploa...arcelona11.jpg
This is the web site for taxi association in BCN http://www.taxibarcelona.cat/tabid/2099/Default.aspx
If gives details of fares code of conduct etc etc.
Where is safe in this world? Do you mean gun crime, stabbings, or pick pocketing?????

Well I posted this question a few days ago, since I didn't know what to believe. It appears that other Fodor-ites have had some issues in Barcelona

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...cketsscams.cfm

We'll have old ladies with us, kids and babies (total 9 ppl). They will not be able to "watch out." It's just not how they are. That will be up to me to be on the look out for them. Part of the preparation is knowing where I'm going, and avoiding potential pratfalls. My personality is such that I like to map things out, know where I'm going, in order to avoid a variety of things.

Thanks for your responses!

Hoping to hear more about the walking route between the Universitat station and Cuidad Mondal.

well, you --lucky you -- are in the position pretty much of herding cats, so I understand your concern AND admire your courage !

Bump :)