Deceptive Taxi at Rome Colosseum

Unfortunately that is not an uncommon ruse. I always make a point of counting the money like I am sure of the domination --- Ah ..... this is a ten?, five?, five? OK?

Yes, the old bill switch, that and the slow change count are very common. Used to run into it all the time in Mexico. As you mentioned, always make it clear what you are handing over, and never try to give much more than what the transaction is, you can always throw a fit and walk away.

I hate to tell you this, but you were taken in another way as well. The fare should have been about 15 euros. A reputable taxi driver would not have given you a quote, but would have pointed to the meter instead.

I am reminded of what fools we were to be taken in one year with this slight-of-hand in Rome, having arrived dead tired in Rome from Sicily, and our charming taxi driver screwed us royally. Taught us a good lesson. But as my husband used to say, “It’s only money!”

I hate to tell you this, but you were taken in another way as well. The fare should have been about 15 euros. A reputable taxi driver would not have given you a quote, but would have pointed to the meter instead.

You are quite right.

I'll never understand why tourists ask drivers to cheat the system turning the meter off and then complain because the same drivers were not honest towards them.

I have found that Uber is easiest for us. No cash exchanges hands, if I am flustered, rushed, distracted in some way I just thank the driver and get out. I should say I am not a regular user of taxi's and use Uber on occasion in the states and the first time I tried it was in Rome. There is no wondering if we are going the long way, getting a fare deal or not. We had one Uber driver in Rome that encountered blocked streets and had to take a longer detour, and of course we compensated him on the app when we tipped.

Thanks to the forum members and a bookmarked Googled Rome taxi site, when we landed in Rome I knew what FCO to hotel taxi fare should be and how the cabs should be marked. I insisted on the fare and seeing the city logo on their cabs. Sure enough, the first two drivers who tried to get our fare were not authorized and quickly figured out I was not playing their game. For the intracity Rome taxi trip the hotel called the cab and we were cautious of the money changing scam. In Naples, the drivers at the airport car rental return quoted a higher price to the hotel than we paid the day before and backed down when I said the previous fare was all that I would pay. Caution and persistence paid off.

Sure enough, the first two drivers who tried to get our fare were not authorized

Look, I really doubt an unlicensed taxi driver could take a place in the official taxi line at FCO and avoid being lynched by licensed drivers. You must have stumbled upon a couple of drivers licensed by the city of Fiumicino that have no obligations to apply the fixed 48 € fare.

99% of the drivers that approach tourists at the arrivals are not abusive cabs. They are licensed private drivers authorized to work only upon reservation for a fixed fee agreed in advance; when there is a no-show they look for customers even if they shouldn't. There is nothing wrong or dangerous in telling them you are happy to use their services... for 47.5 €! A pic of their faces would be greatly appreciated.

Argentinian friends have told me to memorize the last figures from serial numbers of the banknotes you give taxi drivers. There the scam is exchanging real pesos with fake ones.

I'm guessing that "Sure enough, the first two drivers who tried to get our fare were not authorized" refers to some drivers who approached horsewoofie before he/she got to the official queue, or they would indeed have been lynched.

That’s right Michael. Thanks for clarifying for me. They approached us as we walked out the door and before we could see the taxi queue.