Rome Taxi "Gimmick"

[HAY62WOOD]

Be very aware of whether the meter in your taxi in Rome has been re-set. It should say something like 2.9 Euros. SEVERAL times we entered a cab in Rome and the driver "forgot" to re-set until we said something about the "meter".

 

In one case, the driver had his hat sitting on the top of the meter so that we could not see it until we asked him to remove it - and what do you know - it already had a high fare listed.

 

Not sure if we were taken for a "ride" at some points since rarely did the fares go lower than 10 euros. Don't be too quick to give a "New York tip"... and have lots of SMALL CHANGE with you.

[iancal]

That is not just a Rome cab trick...you will find it in many places. Make sure that the meter is on. Make sure that the meter is on the right code setting. Cab fares in many cities are higher at night and on weekend. You will sometimes see a 1, a 2 or a 3 on the meter. If you are cabbing in normal hours and it is not a 1, then ask the cabbie why. And finally, if you do anticipate a 'discussion' with the taxi driver, MAKE SURE that you have all of you suitcases, parcels, etc, out of the cab before the discussion. It may be too late after. Most cab drivers are great. We have only had problems in Rio and Istanbul. In both cases we were fortunate to have off loaded our luggage because in both instances the cab sped away quickly.....not happy with our payment.

[Judy & Lenny]

We were taken by a taxi driver in Rome. The fare was about 16 Euros and my husband is 95% sure he handed the driver a 20. We think the driver quickly exchanged it for a 5 and handed it back saying it wasn't enough. After that we always made a point of saying something like "Do you have change for this 20?" as we handed the driver the money.

[cruiseluv]

In Madrid they are also pretty brazen when you take cabs between city and airport and viceversa. Make sure they have the meter on.

[Susan-M]

We were taken by a taxi driver in Rome. The fare was about 16 Euros and my husband is 95% sure he handed the driver a 20. We think the driver quickly exchanged it for a 5 and handed it back saying it wasn't enough. After that we always made a point of saying something like "Do you have change for this 20?" as we handed the driver the money.

 

Unfortunately it's a common occurrence ... here's a link to a thread from Tripadvisor on this scam: http://rome-hotels.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g187791-i22-k2131740-Careful_paying_taxi_drivers-Rome_Lazio.html