mona

Fodorites, <BR> <BR>What are the best strategies to ensure that you are not taken advantage of by cab drivers? Many on here have said to be sure the driver charges you by the meter, but unless the driver claims the meter is broken, how could he try to get us to pay more than the meter says, if it isn't started till we get in the cab? <BR> <BR>Also, how easy is it to hail cabs in Rome? Will I need to call for most of them or can I just get them on the street like in NY? I dont want to wind up stranded somewhere bc I cant find a cab and I'm too tired or its too far to walk back. <BR> <BR>Thanks!

Surlok

Whatever is legally set by the authorities, as liable of extra charge, for ex. rides on Sundays, after 10 PM, luggage, etc. will be clearly printed on the taxi window. <BR> <BR>Surlok <BR> <BR>

Surlok

It's not difficult to find taxies in Rome. They are everywhere, but it will be easier to find them at the busiest streets or avenues, like Via del Corso, Via del Tritone, Via Vittorio Emanualle. There are taxi stations at Via del Corso, Piazza di Spagna, and other places or squares, but during the rush hours, or in the evening, it might be difficult to find one. What you can do if you went out, for example, for dinner, is asking for someone in the restaurant to call you one. <BR> <BR>We had recently a problem in Trastevere. We were out for dinner and the restaurant didn't call us a cab, they told us that we'd find one at the corner. there were at least 20 persons in a queue, waiting for taxies, and none available. We waited for 30 minutes, and then called our hotel, and asked the concierge to get us one, which he did. We had to pay 13.000 lire for the ride from Parioli, where our hotel was, to Trastevere, but it was worthy. <BR> <BR>When you have someone calling a cab for you, you pay for the distance he drove from where he was to your location. He might, and sometimes they do, keep the meter on from a previous ride, but can't complain, since you don't have a way to prove he did it. <BR> <BR>Surlok

Katherine

The only thing you have to be sure of in Italy is that you use a liscensed Taxi. At trainstations, bus stations and and the airport you may run into "freelance" cab drivers who will approach you. Stick with the taxi queues and you'll be OK. <BR>

adrienne

Hi Mona, <BR> <BR>As above posters said taxis can be found anywhere and you can hail them. To avoid being stranded if you’re not in a populated area you might want to get a business card or name and phone number of a taxi company so you can give them a call. Most rides in Rome cost about 10,000 or less. <BR> <BR>My best tip is to always have small notes, i.e., 1,000 and 5,000 notes, so you’re not dependant on getting change from the drivers. I found that they try to leave without giving change and taxi drivers in Rome never give coin change; I guess they consider that part of the tip. <BR> <BR>Have a great time…Rome is beautiful. <BR> <BR>Adrienne <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

Linda

The problem is not so much with the licensed cabs--the real problem is with the freelance taxis. They usually don't have a meter, but will give you a price, which may or may not be fair (how would you know if it wasn't?), and which they may or may not stick to. Unlicensed drivers have been known to suddenly increase the price at your destination.

claire

We religiously stuck with the licensed city taxis, but still had an exhorbitant fee charged by the taxi at Termini. No way, for a short ride that should have been L18,000, (according to our hotel)was L46,000 a totally fair deal. Even with the evening (about 5:30pm) and baggage (4 pieces for 2 people) supplements. Since we caught him at the taxi stand, there was no fair tacked on for getting to us. Moral of the story: be prepared!!!! This cab only ran one meter. In every other taxi we took in Rome at night where there'd legitimately be a supplement, there were two meters running and the two tabs were added together when it was time to pay the fee. No other taxi caused us a problem during our stay. One left us off at the wrong place (by 2 blocks), but it was an honest mistake. One taxi driver was our self-appointed tour guide, pointing out every major sight to us as we passed, with obvious enthusiasm for his city! Most were more taciturn. We used taxi stands to get taxis, except from our hotel where they were called for us. Also, once, at an off the beaten track restaurant late at night, we had them call one for us. <BR> <BR>Don't be worried about using Rome taxis. If you really feel you are being cheated, pay the fare but insist on a recept and get the driver's number/name, note the date, time and place, and report him. Your hotel probably would help you get to the proper authorities.

Ed

First, don't be paranoid about taxis in Rome. In over two dozen trips to the city and lots of taxi rides I'm not aware that I've ever been gypped. <BR> <BR>In years of discussing trips to Rome with hundreds or thousands of travelers I've heard few verifiable stories of deceitful licensed cabbies. I know of far more stories about hack cheats in New York city, particularly those who prey on foreign travelers. If you have to take a cab at Kennedy Airport or O'Hare you probably have a better chance of being ripped off than in Rome. <BR> <BR>Second, use only the licensed taxis. <BR> <BR>Third, don't ride unless the meter is working, and don't pay if the driver claims it shot craps on the way. Italian for, "Help" is, "Aiuto" ... as in get out of the cab and yell, "Aiuto ... Polizia!" But you're very unlikely to have this need. <BR> <BR>The reason I've never been cheated? Probably because the cab drivers tend to be honest for the most part. With Rome's constantly changing one way streets, taxi/bus only streets and no traffic streets the route between A and B always seems to change between visits. I've thought I was being taken out of the way on several occasions, only to have the resulting fare be lower than the last time. <BR> <BR>I have turned down lots of rides with non-licensed taxis. I've turned down rides (typically at Stazione Termini at night) in licensed taxis for a pre-set (outrageous) fare, as was Clairew's experience. <BR> <BR>Taxis do not cruise the streets, as a rule. You'll need to find a taxi stand or have your hotel or restaurant call. When a taxi is called they will drop the flag on the meter when they begin responding to the call in most cases, so you should expect to see time, distance and charges on the meter when the cab arrives. Make sure it doesn't look like the taxi drove from London after receiving your call! <BR> <BR>twenj

mona

Thanks guys but you forgot to mention how I'll know if it's a licensed taxi. I'm assuming the plates are a certain color or there's a certain number or code on the cab (?) <BR> <BR>Also just for the record, the place where I have felt most gypped by cabbies so far in my travels is St. Thomas, USVI.

claire

oops! You're right! Well, the taxis were white and had a crest on the doors with Comune di Roma, I believe. And, definitely meters inside. If you go first to a taxi stand, you'll see them & be able to scope out what you'll need to know.

Carol

If leaving the Rome train station, wait at the taxi queu to get a taxi - do not let someone grab you in the station and offer their services. My friend paid triple when this happened to him.

Joanne

Mona: <BR> <BR>I agree with most of the above posters, but don't hesitate to use the metro and Rome is a wonderful city for walking. We usually only take taxis from and to the airport and on a ride from termini (we took the train from the airport) to our hotel in a licensed cab was the only time we were cheated. The driver went much further round about than necessary to get to our hotel, which we determined after we familiarized ourself with the neighborhood we were in. Again, walking is great and though some feel the metro is inadequate, we often take it or city buses when we are in Rome. <BR> <BR>J

coco

Mona, <BR> The taxis do vary in color--not all are white, but do have the "taxi" light on top; many are covered in ads these days. The gypsy cabs do not have taxi markings or lights, and they might stop when you are flagging for a taxi as they seem to cruise around (not being allowed at taxi stands). I just say no thanks and they speed on. <BR> I've anly been shaken down once by a cabbie in Rome--said the meter wasn't correct & I owed something like 24,000 instead of 12,000. I knew the route fairly well, so just gave him 12,000 (no tip!) and opened the door. As a battle-hardened Nyer I was having none of this amateur crap...he was sputtering at me, and I told him to call the police, laughed and walked away! Good advice to have small bills on hand at all times. <BR> Also, as Ed said above, many times the roundabout route is the fastest route, so don't be too quick to assume you're being taken for a ride. Because walking is so direct, it is often the fasten way to get around. Otherwise, I think Rome cabbies are a more professional breed than we have here in NY and are for the most honest operators.

mark

While my friend and I didn't have any problems with fares - we had problems getting taxis. Taxi stands are not every other block - we found them a bit difficult to find at times. Numerous times we walked into a hotel and asked that a taxi be called without any problems regarding that we weren't staying at that specific hotel.

Fred

I just came back from Rome. I took taxis approximately 25 times. You do not usually hail a cab in Rome. You go to a taxi stand. They are located in all of the tourist locations. The usual price is between 8000-10000lire in town. After 10 pm extra 5000 and on Sunday 2000 extra. Make sure they put on the meter. Almost all the cabs are white. Out of the 25 times I used a cab, only twice did they try to cheat me.