Airport Arrival Advice

Here is some general advice about taking a taxi from the airport:

• Load only your large luggage in the trunk. Keep all valuables with you when you get into the taxi. This is to ensure that if there are problems later, that you at least have your valuables with you.

• Memorize or record the taxi number and driver's name (number may just be on the outside of the taxi). If you are able to get the driver's name then record this as well and of course say 'hi' to him (that way he knows that you know his name should any problems arise).

• Keep a very close eye on that meter in the front if you have not negotiated a fare. Do not sleep or anything else.

• Why of course you have been to Bangkok/Chicago/Beijing/Nairobi before. Just a few months ago, right? Yes, you are a regular traveler to the city. Oh, you have never been here before? Well let's just take the long road then!

• If you have a GPS, pull it out and watch the tracking. If the driver is doing loops then question him and show the GPS track.

• If the negotiated fare is suddenly re-negotiated, stick to your original price. Ignore any confirmation from yourself on the new price. If this becomes a problem then have the driver stop and get out. If you have luggage in the trunk, make sure the driver either gets out and opens the trunk or one person stays inside the cab while the other unloads all luggage. Do not pay the driver anything.

• If an official rate card is given to you by the driver during your drive into town and the price is re-negotiated, then ignore this as well. It doesn't take too much effort to print off a few cards and laminate them to try and trick people.

• If there is an option to take a 'toll road', then leave it up to the driver to decide ("you decide") unless you know better. Like the rest of us, taxi drivers hate sitting in traffic and although it likely means a higher fare for them, this is not a pleasant way to do it. For tolls, you may either pay them directly or have the driver pay them and then the price is added to the fare. We recommend that you pay the tolls as then you have a lesser chance of getting scammed and of course this also gives you a good method of breaking a larger bill. Regardless, pay attention to the toll prices signs when approaching the payment booths.

When you arrive at your destination:

• Have the cash ready in hand, including a tip if you wish. Keep it hidden.

• Get out of the taxi and take all of your luggage. Have it all ready to go (i.e., backpacks on your back, handles out, etc).

• Hand the driver the money and walk away and do not look back.

• Drivers sometimes claim that the money given is not enough or try to impose some additional changes on you. By being ready to go and handing the money over and walking away he has less of a chance of pulling this scam. If your luggage is still in the trunk or you are not ready to go then there is a good chance of this scam developing.

• If the driver is very insistent that you have underpaid him (e.g., he follows you into the hotel lobby), then just make sure that you didn't short-change him or forget an extra charge (e.g., taxi desk at airport charge or a toll booth). Discussion of the problem in the hotel lobby or other public place will likely help you, not the driver, as people there likely know if a scam is in progress.

• Taxi drivers never seem to have change, but will gladly take that big bill of yours. If you do not have enough change then tell the driver wait and go into a hotel, restaurant, or other establishment and get some change. Breaking a big bill at the airport prior to taking the taxi will help deal with this situation.

• If the driver drops you nearby your destination, such as a couple of blocks away due to "bad traffic", "difficult area", "road closed" etc then be aware that this is most likely a scam in progress. The driver will then likely demand a rip-off fare as you cannot just go into the hotel and ask someone what the appropriate fare is or have someone at the hotel talk to the driver in the foreign language. In this situation, demand to be taken to the hotel front door (the better approach to side-track this scam) or just pay what you think is fair (which will never be enough). There is a good possibility that an argument will occur, but stand your ground. You can always WALK to your hotel and if the driver follows you demanding money, then you know it will likely be settled before you get to the front of your hotel. This is much less likely on metered fares, but still there might be extra fees demanded for "luggage" or other likely nonsense.

Although we've painted a strong picture of tout and taxi scams here, there are some very helpful and respectful touts and taxi drivers out there and you will know when you come across one. Their job is not an easy one, but it is much a love-hate relationship anywhere you go in the world.