We use a variety of transportation methods when staying in other countries and one of them is a taxi. Here’s a few tips I can share:
Always ask the driver what he’ll charge before getting in the taxi. You might get a better rate with no surprises.
Whenever possible, have your hotel call the taxi to get the best rate. But even then, confirm the rate with the driver before leaving.
Be aware that some taxi drivers also charge for baggage.
Always have plenty of small bills and coins because every taxi driver I’ve seen claims he doesn’t have change for big bills.
Before leaving on a trip, have a 3 x 5 note card with the name and address of your hotel in large print. I’ve had awkward situations dealing with language barriers or the print on my itinerary was too small. The large print on a note card works like a charm every time.
Useful words and phrases to learn in a foreign language are: Hello!, How much to . . . ?, Thank you!, Here is . . ., airport, and hotel.
As much as possible, try to get info/maps where taxi stops are located.
Depending on the country, keep up with the local news regarding possible taxi strikes.
Many people use Uber, but the one time I used it was awkward. So, it might be a while before I give Uber another try.
It’s common to round up the cost to the nearest dollar, but I still add a small tip. I’m never sure what the taxi drivers actually expect regarding tips.
If you have any tips about taxis, please share!