I knew one thing was amiss when the taxi meter learn 10.50 euros as we pulled away from the Roma Termini practice station.
Whereas negotiating the night rush hour visitors and typing right into a translation app on his mobile phone, the cab driver recommended the beginning fare included a surcharge for all rides from Rome’s principal practice station.
That was at most a half-truth and all of the affirmation I wanted to know that I had grow to be a statistic — considered one of hundreds of vacationers who’re scammed by taxi drivers in Italy yearly.
In keeping with Rome’s tourism authority, the taxi meter ought to have began at 3 euros as with all rides between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. on weekdays, with one extra euro for the second piece of baggage within the trunk.
Some journey websites recommend there’s an extra 2 euro surcharge for all taxi rides from Roma Termini, though that data will not be listed on official websites.
The 5 km experience from Roma Termini to my guesthouse in Trastevere got here as much as 24 euros — about double the quantity that was recommended by a Google search and an area taxi experience hailing app that I frantically downloaded in the course of the experience.
The fear is at all times in regards to the extent of the overcharges. However what to do — particularly as a helpless vacationer, locked contained in the again of a automotive in a overseas metropolis?
Listed below are three issues that may assist in your subsequent Italy vacation.
Obtain taxi apps
The power of the taxi union and foyer in Italy has severely curtailed the expansion of ride-hailing apps comparable to Uber. Which means Uber is simply obtainable in main cities comparable to Rome and Milan — however even these have solely a restricted Uber Black fleet, which additionally means usually greater costs.
Earlier than arriving in Italy, obtain taxi hailing apps related to the main Italian taxi firms, comparable to ItTaxi, FreeNow and Free Taxi. However not all apps work in all cities, notably the smaller ones.
Taxi drivers holding an illustration in Piazza del Campidoglio in response to the choice made by the Mayor of Rome, Roberto Gualtieri, and the Councilor for Mobility, Eugenio Patane, to challenge new taxi licenses in trade for cost. The occasion occurred on Nov. 9, 2023, in Rome, Italy.
Nurphoto | Nurphoto | Getty Photos
Apps permit for cashless cost, however they do not guarantee a set fee. If you e-book a taxi — through phone or by way of an app — fares should still run by the meter, and so they can begin the second drivers settle for a job. Some fares replicate a variety, with the high-end estimate a worst case situation.
Regardless of the shortage of fastened costs, it is nonetheless prudent to obtain these apps since hailing a cab off the road is not simple.
Plus, you may solely board a taxi at designated stands in cities, or in case you order one over the telephone or through the app.
Do your analysis
Study to acknowledge official white cabs and the varied metropolis emblems, and the place taxi drivers submit their taxi licenses and car registration numbers.
“Inform your self about tariffs earlier than paying for the service, particularly for journeys between airports and town middle. Normally, these journeys have a hard and fast worth,” stated Claudia Gualdi, journey intelligence information lead at Riskline.
Taxis parked in entrance of the Duomo Cathedral in Milan, Italy.
Francesca Volpi | Bloomberg | Getty Photos
In Rome, a cab experience to and from Fiumicino Airport from components of town throughout the Aurelian Partitions — which covers the town’s historic core and components of Trastevere and the Vatican — ought to value a flat 50 euros every method.
Base fares additionally range from metropolis to metropolis. Meters begin at 3 euros in Rome from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays, however are barely greater (3.30 euros) in Florence.
Surcharge and progressive fare constructions additionally range between cities — data that isn’t at all times obtainable within the taxi itself.
Keep away from taxis except completely needed
As for me, that taxi experience from Roma Termini to my visitor home turned out to be the primary and final taxi experience I took throughout my week-long go to to Rome.
I ultimately paid the doubtful quantity on the meter as a result of I used to be exhausted. I used to be additionally relieved that the quantity wasn’t greater.
The cab driver took offense at my request for a receipt and my makes an attempt to take a photograph of his taxi license and car registration quantity.
He stopped the car on a busy street, bought out and opened the again door, demanding I exit the car.
Excessive-speed trains on the central railway station in Milan in July 2023.
Gabriel Bouys | AFP | Getty Photos
I stepped out with all my belongings, considering he was kicking me out of the cab. However he prevented me from opening the boot to take out my baggage, whereas telling me over the interpretation app to “settle down” and to not act rashly.
He ultimately nudged me again into the cab and drove me to my meant vacation spot throughout the Tiber river.
After that, I walked practically all over the place I went in Rome — together with a 45-minute stroll to Vatican Metropolis. After I bought drained, town’s trams and buses had been simple as a result of you may pay to your fares utilizing your bank card. There’s additionally town’s underground metro.
The Leonardo Categorical practice to Fiumicino Airport from Roma Termini is a handy and inexpensive solution to get to the airport.
I made a decision to take a cab solely as a result of I believed dealing with two items of baggage on the bus and tram can be a giant trouble. Seems taking the cab was maybe worse.
